So what's safe to buy?

[Kenny Cole]

Originally Posted by 36GoudeyMan

Admittedly naive, but my question now comes down to this: given what we know, and about whom, what is still "safe" to buy (among pre-WW2 cards; never ever wanted shiny new stuff anyway)?

Nothing, unfortunately, is completely safe it appears. IMO, it is open season and buyer beware. If there is a seller you trust implicitly, maybe. Otherwise I'm in a wait and see mode, which well and truly sucks.

[Brian Van Horn]

That is one scary question.

[Leon]

IN the vintage arena I guess you have to really be careful. I am worried about hatchet jobs more than anything. It's probably a little safer to collect over sized cards...though, obviously they can be trimmed too.

[T_Hamilton]

Originally Posted by Leon

IN the vintage arena I guess you have to really be careful. I am worried about hatchet jobs more than anything. It's probably a little safer to collect over sized cards...though, obviously they can be trimmed too.

I have put money on the sidelines for vintage. However bought a few packs of Topps series 2. Was nice to thumb through the cards slowly, look at the stats and read the bio... just like being a kid again.

[Bicem]

How about original photos where trimming/condition doesn't matter much?

[nat]

I thought about just quoting #4, but here's another way to make the same point.

It is safe to buy:

- Cards that you are never going to sell (provided that you don't care if you might have trimmed cards in your PC)

- Cards that are worth a sufficiently small amount of money (relative to your total budget) that if you take a bath once it's discovered that they're trimmed, you don't really care about the money that you would lose selling them

If, one way or another, you see card collecting as simple consumption - like going to the movies or eating at a restaurant - then the current scandal isn't going to bother you much.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Bicem

How about original photos where trimming/condition doesn't matter much?

Or memorabilia in general, for that matter. Still the risk of tampering, but on a lesser scale and with lesser consequences. But I think the question was meant to apply to cards, not sure there's much crossover between card and memorabilia collecting.

[Bicem]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

Or memorabilia in general, for that matter. Still the risk of tampering, but on a lesser scale and with lesser consequences. But I think the question was meant to apply to cards, not sure there's much crossover between card and memorabilia collecting.

Agreed but it's surprising. You would think anyone who enjoys baseball history, rarity, beautiful imagery, etc would gravitate to cards and memorabilia. I personally enjoy memorabilia more (photos & postcards) these days than ever, seem much more interesting than cards and condition isn't such a driving value factor.

[MVSNYC]

Hank, Jeff +1

I've always counterbalanced my collection of cards (mostly focused on T206 rare backs) with memorabilia- Game Used Bats, ticket stubs, programs, vintage photos, etc.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by Leon

IN the vintage arena I guess you have to really be careful. I am worried about hatchet jobs more than anything. It's probably a little safer to collect over sized cards...though, obviously they can be trimmed too.

Pardom me for not reading all the marathon scam threads, but is SGC clear of all that?

.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

Pardom me for not reading all the marathon scam threads, but is SGC clear of all that?

.

None of the grading companies are in the clear.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Kenny Cole

Nothing, unfortunately, is completely safe it appears. IMO, it is open season and buyer beware. If there is a seller you trust implicitly, maybe. Otherwise I'm in a wait and see mode, which well and truly sucks.

And I would bet my last card the people responsible for this state of stress haven't given one minute of thought to the psychic or economic damage they have caused.