Question for you set builders

[KCRfan1]

I don't get caught up in the numeric grade if the card looks nice. So, like many others here, I buy the card and not the holder. My guess is, if you wait for the right card ( lesser graded than the rest of your set ), by appearances, the card will fit right in with your set. Just buy a nice ungraded example and save some $$$. Centering plays a roe for me, but not as much as the corners. I love sharp corners if I can get them.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Lou, most of what I build probably won't be graded. I also couldn't care less about the number on the holder...just using the #s as a point of reference. Thanks for your input.

[almostdone]

I agree with the above statement. I would figure out what's important to you when you look at a set, ie corners, creases, edges, centering etc. If all are important then you will have a high grade set but if you can give give on one or more and keep the set consistent then you won't be bothered looking through if later.
Surface wear and registration are my big issues. Centering, border and corner wear don't bother me so much. Even minor surface creases aren't a big deal as long as not every card is affected.
My take in your question is if you were building say a 1954 Topps set you gave to deal with two Williams as well as the three big rookies plus other HOFers. If it were me and I could handle the big ones in VG or vgex condition then I would get the entire set in that grade to save some money and be consistent. If you wanted the set in ex shape then I would save for the big boys in that grade and not go down to save the money. Every time you look at your set you will wish the key cards match the rest of hand set and then you will probably regret it or wan to upgrade and get them anyway.
Just my rambling opinion.
Drew

[Econteachert205]

I just try to build a set that if someone who knew nothing about cards looked at it, nothing would stand out. As in holy crap what happened to that card?

[Volod]

Originally Posted by Econteachert205

I just try to build a set that if someone who knew nothing about cards looked at it, nothing would stand out. As in holy crap what happened to that card?

Yeah, I think that's why I wouldn't let someone who knew nothing about cards look at my '52 Topps set and choke when he or she came to the Mantle filler that cost a hundred times more than some of the EX-MT commons.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by almostdone

I agree with the above statement. I would figure out what's important to you when you look at a set, ie corners, creases, edges, centering etc. If all are important then you will have a high grade set but if you can give give on one or more and keep the set consistent then you won't be bothered looking through if later.
Surface wear and registration are my big issues. Centering, border and corner wear don't bother me so much. Even minor surface creases aren't a big deal as long as not every card is affected.
My take in your question is if you were building say a 1954 Topps set you gave to deal with two Williams as well as the three big rookies plus other HOFers. If it were me and I could handle the big ones in VG or vgex condition then I would get the entire set in that grade to save some money and be consistent. If you wanted the set in ex shape then I would save for the big boys in that grade and not go down to save the money. Every time you look at your set you will wish the key cards match the rest of hand set and then you will probably regret it or wan to upgrade and get them anyway.
Just my rambling opinion.
Drew

Dang, Drew, you must be psychic because 1954 Topps is exactly what I am thinking about! Over time, I just happened to have picked up the #250 Williams in centered PSA 5 EX and an Aaron rookie that is a 3.5 VG+ The centering on the Aaron isn't quite what I usually go for and not as good as the Williams. However, I do like the card and got a pretty good deal when I bought it. Having these two and liking the 1954 set anyway, I have thought why not just put it together? ? I am just trying to decide how to proceed with the remainder of the set. My inclination is to buy stars graded in the 4 to 5 range and buy ungraded commons in that range (I usually have graded stars and Ungraded commons). I think the Aaron would fit well enough with such a set. I really don't want to buy a different Aaron, and I don't want an entire set VG+.