Does anyone collect raw cards exclusively in this age of TPG???

[jerseygary]

I only collect ungraded/slabbed cards. I'm old enough to tell for myself what grade a card is and like to handle cards like I've done since I was a kid. I was careful then and I'm careful now. Nothing looks nicer to me than a stack of '33 Goudey's sitting on my desk.

Personally I think the slabs are very ugly and the tags on the top look like a supermarket price tag. Maybe if the TPG's did a better design on top I would be less enthusiastic when I bust them out. About 5 years ago I did some work with GAI redesigning the top tags to make them more appealing but nothing ever came of it before they went under.

Perhaps I'd change my mind if I had a super high-grade Ruth or just collected for resale, but I just do it because I love the old cards.

[conor912]

I have a small handful of dealers I will buy raw from, otherwise I buy graded and free them. I decided long ago that holding a slabbed card in my hand, I was spending more time fixated on the flip than I was on the card and it was ruining my enjoyment of them. I cracked open everything I owned and am much happier for it.