Debating On Getting Cards Slabbed

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by rsdill2

Eventually, I see grading going to an automated computer/scanner system to avoid the human element and ensure a card receives the same grade every time. That could possibly make current slabbed cards obsolete in their current state.

Originally Posted by ullmandds

NEver know how grading may evolve in the near future as well!

Yes, and this is the reason why he should be submitting his cards now! Do you really want to submit in the future when PSA is using some computer which can detect a hundred different things?

Beep ... beep ... right corner pressed down slightly inwards by 0.4 mm .... beep beep beep ... rejected ... code 4399AVC

A lot of your cards will get rejected. You want to get all your best cards into slabs before this happens.

[x2drich2000]

Originally Posted by samosa4u

Yes, and this is the reason why he should be submitting his cards now! Do you really want to submit in the future when PSA is using some computer which can detect a hundred different things?

Beep ... beep ... right corner pressed down slightly inwards by 0.4 mm .... beep beep beep ... rejected ... code 4399AVC

A lot of your cards will get rejected. You want to get all your best cards into slabs before this happens.

And you don't think if we get to that point collectors won't demand cards in the newest slabs and won't require a discount for older slabs? There are plenty of collectors now that will only buy cards in PSA's most recent slab because they feel grades in older slabs were too generous.

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

And you don't think if we get to that point collectors won't demand cards in the newest slabs and won't require a discount for older slabs? There are plenty of collectors now that will only buy cards in PSA's most recent slab because they feel grades in older slabs were too generous.

Well, what's better, having a card in an older slab or a raw card that no company wants to grade?

Originally Posted by bnorth

So what you are saying is get them graded now before they can be accurately graded. Sorry couldn't resist.

Yes, sir!

[dougscats]

There are many very good reasons to keep cards ungraded, such as expense, storage and portability, to name a couple. I personally also like to be able to touch a card.

Old cards ordinarily convey a sense of their antiquity, and sometimes even the past owners who have prized them. Given, I’m a romantic, but some cards can make you wonder and imagine. What a treasure they can be!

I have maybe a dozen different collections, and I keep them in binders, in collector pages.
I can’t tell you what a pleasure it is to easily flip through a collection and spend a minute or more on it, and then put the book back on the shelf.

I do have a few boxes of graded cards, some of my most valuable. But these cards never get looked at.

I should add that for protection of the cards, for inserting and taking them out of the pockets, I customize penny-sleeves to carry the cards in and out.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by dougscats

There are many very good reasons to keep cards ungraded, such as expense, storage and portability, to name a couple. I personally also like to be able to touch a card.

Old cards ordinarily convey a sense of their antiquity, and sometimes even the past owners who have prized them. Given, I’m a romantic, but some cards can make you wonder and imagine. What a treasure they can be!

I have maybe a dozen different collections, and I keep them in binders, in collector pages.
I can’t tell you what a pleasure it is to easily flip through a collection and spend a minute or more on it, and then put the book back on the shelf.

I do have a few boxes of graded cards, some of my most valuable. But these cards never get looked at.

I should add that for protection of the cards, for inserting and taking them out of the pockets, I customize penny-sleeves to carry the cards in and out.

You complete me!

[cardsagain74]

As usual, the difference in preferences here is always interesting.

I prefer having anything worth around $1000 or more slabbed (and, any cards worth hundreds that are a strong ex-mt or above.) In addition to the added value, I just can't trust the flimsyness of toploaders and especially card savers to protect them.

And I know this goes against much popular opinion, but I don't trust anything to binders. Not only do cards slip out easier than any other "holder", but that bendy turning of page to page irks me more than I enjoy the display advantage.

This being said, I have still never sent anything in to get graded! This weekend I'm finally going to get a few cards ready and figure it out. Been putting it off for way too long

[tiger8mush]

binders (sorry for the old pics, i need to update!) are an option ... the beauty of collecting is there is no wrong way. Do what makes you feel best!

[conor912]

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

binders (sorry for the old pics, i need to update!) are an option ... the beauty of collecting is there is no wrong way. Do what makes you feel best!

I like your style, Rob!

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by samosa4u

Yes, and this is the reason why he should be submitting his cards now! Do you really want to submit in the future when PSA is using some computer which can detect a hundred different things?

Beep ... beep ... right corner pressed down slightly inwards by 0.4 mm .... beep beep beep ... rejected ... code 4399AVC

A lot of your cards will get rejected. You want to get all your best cards into slabs before this happens.

So what you are saying is get them graded now before they can be accurately graded. Sorry couldn't resist.

[BabyRuth]

I have my entire pre-war collection in slabs. I personally like the look and the protection, but again it is more about personal preference. Do what makes you happy!!!

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by bnorth

So what you are saying is get them graded now before they can be accurately graded. Sorry couldn't resist.

Therein lies the problem... what's accurate?

The way cards were graded before the TPGs?
The way cards were first graded by TPGs?
The way cards are graded now by TPGs?
Or the way cards will surely be graded differently in the future by TPGs?

This hobby can be comical...

[todeen]

Just do like Ben and me, buy cheap borders that slide into penny or mylar sleeves, and do it yourself! This hobby was great 30 years ago when there was no grading, and it remains to be great in that form.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Huysmans

Therein lies the problem... what's accurate?

The way cards were graded before the TPGs?
The way cards were first graded by TPGs?
The way cards are graded now by TPGs?
Or the way cards will surely be graded differently in the future by TPGs?

This hobby can be comical...

What is comical is the current state of grading.

To be a little more specific. It would be better for cards to be more consistently graded according to existing standards.

[peanuts]

Definitely start with good top loaders. Price out different percentages of grading, then slab what you think you want to protect the most. Wait around for good deals on bulk grading costs.
The added benefit of slabbing is that you can get an actual price tag on your collection to wrap on to your home owner's policy.

Originally Posted by bnorth

What is comical is the current state of grading.

To be a little more specific. It would be better for cards to be more consistently graded according to existing standards.

SGC had a patent out on using computer vision to automate and systematize the process of grading. Haven't seen anything new in a long time, wonder if we'll see it debut soon to help address the backlog. Of course, that opens up a whole new can of worms! Will human grades or computer grades be held in higher esteem? Will people begin to refuse to buy human graded cards and demand auto grades?

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by bnorth

What is comical is the current state of grading.

To be a little more specific. It would be better for cards to be more consistently graded according to existing standards.

Uh yeah, that was the point.
"Existing" standards always change, which is ridiculous.

[insidethewrapper]

I still like binders for my sets. Put the cards into penny sleeves and then put into 9 pocket etc high quality plastic sheets. This gives a little more protection and makes the sheets a little more firmer. High value cards probably should be graded for resell or to make it easier for others who will inherit your collection.

[Seven]

Thanks for everyone weighing in on this. I was wondering what people thought of cases like these

https://www.pro-mold.com/vintagecardcases.html

Really I just want something uniform for all of my vintage cards, or at least the high dollar ones I really care about. Thoughts?