Why I Hate the Whole Card Grading Thing...

[KCRfan1]

Thanks for the insight on the '72 set. Presently, I am slowly working on a '69 and '73 set, so when it comes time to hit the '72 set this will be a card that I will have stashed in the back of my mind. I always learn something new on this site!

[begsu1013]

I understand your frustrations. I have the same from the opposite side of the fence...I cant stand when raw dealers expect psa pricing on a raw card and use wording such as "possible psa 9".

"you want $10K for that card because you think it would grade a psa 9? sure thing. i'm gonna pass on the card, but would love to grab some of what you're smoking"

[ALR-bishop]

I collect 99 .5 % ungraded cards. But I am strictly a buyer and I collect strictly as a hobby. Some folks are in cards strictly as an investment. Some are in it as a hobby and an investment. If I were in one of the last two categories, the realities of the current market would lead me to be much more into graded cards. If a person in all three categories with similar collections gets hit by a bus tomorrow and their executors have to liquidate their stuff, the graded guy comes out best in my view. But I collect sets and prefer them ungraded for easy viewing and access in binders. To each their own.

[LeftHandedDane]

I, too, buy almost exclusively raw cards. I don't have the space to store the oversized holders, and I find that the label takes away from the beauty of the card.

I pay no attention to the "grade" that the seller gives to a raw card - I judge it myself and bid accordingly.

I also wonder why people get cards graded that are not worth as much as it costs to grade them.

The only value I see to grading is protection against counterfeiting, alterations, and the like. However, I have bought some cards that have been trimmed, and as long as it was done well that doesn't really bother me. If a card is worth more than, say, $300 or so, I am more likely to seek a graded version - or at least be very careful when buying a raw card at an apparent "steal".

[turtleguy64]

my feeling after spending thousands of $ on PSA grading is that if you get a grader on his "bad day" or he is about to "finish a shift", then it is up in the air what grades you will receive. It SHOULDN'T be that way.There is a lack of uniformity in the grades entered by PSA.Many times I've broken out cards of which I simply could not accept the grade given.Then re-submitted and got the "right" grade.No one should have to do this.There is the rub .Lastly,I can tell when I've gotten a rookie grading my cards,much more liberal grades. The human element is affecting the outcome.

[gnpaden]

Personally, I prefer raw cards over graded cards any day. I feel that the slab/present day printing takes away from the prestige and Americana feel of the card. However, with that being said, I mainly buy graded when online due to all the scams, fakes, etc. When buying at shows or my LCS, I prefer raw cards. My 1955 set is all raw, 1956 set is raw/SGC with 1958 being 70/30 raw/graded allocation.

I agree that grading saved the hobby, but grading is sort of a preferential market. For example, I know some guys who submit weekly and because of the amounts of $$ spent they always get high grades on their submissions. The subjectivity kills me

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by gnpaden

Personally, I prefer raw cards over graded cards any day. I feel that the slab/present day printing takes away from the prestige and Americana feel of the card. However, with that being said, I mainly buy graded when online due to all the scams, fakes, etc. When buying at shows or my LCS, I prefer raw cards. My 1955 set is all raw, 1956 set is raw/SGC with 1958 being 70/30 raw/graded allocation.

I agree that grading saved the hobby, but grading is sort of a preferential market. For example, I know some guys who submit weekly and because of the amounts of $$ spent they always get high grades on their submissions. The subjectivity kills me

yeah paying for an expert opinion will always have issues..at least we are only talking about grades and cards.... people go to trial for a crime and the State pays an 'expert' to go against the defendant...but if the defendant hired that same expert earlier..maybe the opinion changes.....

grading did save the hobby.....try selling a ungraded set versus a graded set that are Mint....