What I Don't Understand about Baseball Card Economics

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Ok, maybe its not a new thought -- to me, in the moment, it was -- but still a great point. Namely, card doctors do all sorts of damage -- direct and collateral. But, at the same time, if you have a very pretty card with a few minor flaws, throw it in a PWCC auction (or really any AH) and hope that a Dr. will pay up to turn your PSA 4 into a PSA 7.

And then consign it back to you where you can put a nice sticker on it, write some garbage description, and sell for a new world record. And if it's centered OMG.

[RollieFingers]

Museums hire people to paint/ restore artifacts, old things.
Like world war one medals ,weapons , paraphernalia.
It's still the thing it was, and now better.
How does trimming a card now make it fake or of lesser value? Unless it's proven that a trimmed card eventually starts to peel/fold at the edge , while encased.. what's the big deal?
Unless it's a completely reproduced, digital, computer copy. It's THE card.

[ullmandds]

I totally feel you barry...part of me doesnt get it either?? I don’t think my vintage habits will change much as my collecting focus has been extremely thin lately anyway... and what I am looking for is in such short supply anyway I’m not so sure I really care if it’s altered if its all that is available? For newer high grade stuff I have never understood that market so I really don’t care!

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by RollieFingers

Museums hire people to paint/ restore artifacts, old things.
Like world war one medals ,weapons , paraphernalia.
It's still the thing it was, and now better.
How does trimming a card now make it fake or of lesser value? Unless it's proven that a trimmed card eventually starts to peel/fold at the edge , while encased.. what's the big deal?
Unless it's a completely reproduced, digital, computer copy. It's THE card.

There are potential problems aside from the one you suggested. Cards with creases flattened out don’t always stay that way. Often, the creases will re-appear with time.

And added color (to conceal flaws) can also change with time. Certain Chemicals used for “cleaning” can eventually erode the paper as time goes on. So the card you see in the slab very well might not be the card you see 5 years from now.

[RollieFingers]

Originally Posted by perezfan

There are potential problems aside from the one you suggested. Cards with creases flattened out don’t always stay that way. Often, the creases will re-appear with time.

And added color (to conceal flaws) can also change with time. Certain Chemicals used for “cleaning” can eventually erode the paper as time goes on. So the card you see in the slab very well might not be the card you see 5 years from now.

sure, chemicals etc. i agree. trimming, im sort of ok about/with

[ALBB]

Don't know about most guys..but Im sure glad I collect lower grade cards..and enjoy the hell out of it !!

[JollyElm]

If anyone is waiting for the media to 'catch up' and start investigating the topic at hand, don't hold your breath. The news moves too fast and things just quickly disappear. Remember the airplane that vanished in the Pacific? POOF!! Gone. How about those soccer kids trapped in an underwater cave. POOF!! Gone. We commemorated the 75th anniversary of D-Day only four days ago and POOF!! Gone. Not a word about it in the news today. The helicopter that crashed in NYC today? I give it until late tomorrow afternoon and POOF!! The story will be gone.

[perezfan]

And one day, Mastro/Legendary was poof... gone as well.

I’m holding out hope for the sake of our hobby.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by RollieFingers

sure, chemicals etc. i agree. trimming, im sort of ok about/with

Then you are in the vast minority. And you can buy altered cards for $100 that most people would pay $1,000 in NM condition. Congrats. Just don't go trying to sell them as unaltered.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by RollieFingers

sure, chemicals etc. i agree. trimming, im sort of ok about/with

You can't be serious...

[Fballguy]

Originally Posted by perezfan

And added color (to conceal flaws) can also change with time. Certain Chemicals used for “cleaning” can eventually erode the paper as time goes on. So the card you see in the slab very well might not be the card you see 5 years from now.

Who wouldn't want a PSA 10 Dorian Gray rookie card?

[drcy]

Originally Posted by RollieFingers

Museums hire people to paint/ restore artifacts, old things.
Like world war one medals ,weapons , paraphernalia.
It's still the thing it was, and now better.
How does trimming a card now make it fake or of lesser value? Unless it's proven that a trimmed card eventually starts to peel/fold at the edge , while encased.. what's the big deal?
Unless it's a completely reproduced, digital, computer copy. It's THE card.

Because the pricing of baseball cards is in part based on the condition of the card in it's natural, unaltered state. It isn't just "what it is" that is part of the value, but the natural condition.

Or, to answer it another way, because altering a card reduces the value. Condition-wise, an altered card ranks below the lowest number grade (1). It literally doesn't even get a number, though AUTH is quasi 0.