Would you buy a high end (10k) raw card?

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by thatkidfromjerrymaguire

Unless I knew the seller personally and they could vouch for the ownership history and that it wasn't altered, then no, I wouldn't do it.

I'm making assumptions, but my guess would be that seller may have purchased it in an "authentic" slab, and cracked it out because it has good eye appeal.

Hence, he can only guarantee it's authentic and nothing else.

This would be my fear as well. If you’re positive it’s at least authentic and the price of the raw is less than what authentics go for, that could be an option.

[brianp-beme]

In general I have confidence in buying raw cards with examination, even ones online. What I don't have confidence in is my bank account. At that level, which I have never come close to even considering a purchase, I would question everything my eyes and experience would be telling my brain.

I think my hands would also be shaking, and I would possibly end up damaging the card.

Brian

[chadeast]

Originally Posted by Carter08

This would be my fear as well. If you’re positive it’s at least authentic and the price of the raw is less than what authentics go for, that could be an option.

This is where I am as well. I would buy it if it was being sold for the going price of Authentics but probably not much more than that. Also agree that I would have to view and handle the card in person first.

[53toppscollector]

The only real answer here is "it depends" and it really does, on a lot of factors.

[terjung]

Yes and I have done it. I knew the issue very well and did it from scans. The owner was a respected guy in the hobby. So, that helped in giving me confidence that he had the card in hand. I should note that in this case, the card was rare enough that its value was not based on its technical grade (which was pretty low).

As for a card where the difference in grade would amount to the difference between $1k and $10k for example, I'd be much more tentative.

[jingram058]

ALL of my cards are raw, and will stay that way. I couldn't give a hoot in Hell if no one wants to buy my cards, because they're not for sale, though I have made a couple of successful trades. I do not care if another human thinks my cards are fake or altered or whatever. I truly could not care any less.

[Johnny630]

In person if I can see and hold the card.

[obcmac]

Yes. I trust my own evaluation than a TPG. That said, I don't buy high grade stuff either, so if I were buying a grade rather than a card, my opinion on the matter might change.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by jingram058

ALL of my cards are raw, and will stay that way. I couldn't give a hoot in Hell if no one wants to buy my cards, because they're not for sale, though I have made a couple of successful trades. I do not care if another human thinks my cards are fake or altered or whatever. I truly could not care any less.

Amen to this, exactly.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by jingram058

ALL of my cards are raw, and will stay that way. I couldn't give a hoot in Hell if no one wants to buy my cards, because they're not for sale, though I have made a couple of successful trades. I do not care if another human thinks my cards are fake or altered or whatever. I truly could not care any less.

I will add that I have cracked out all the graded cards I have ever had, and I know others who only collect raw cards just like me. I love this forum, but it is thoroughly dedicated to those who invest in graded cards.

[gonefishin]

Not something that I do often, but several years ago I purchased a 52 Topps Mantle #311 raw from someone I had never met. I purchased the card for $2500 cash. He seemed like a nice man and knew a lot about cards. He showed me pictures of several other vintage cards in his collection. A couple of weeks later I hand carried the 52 along with a 53 I had to PSA for their walk through grading service. At that time it was $100 per card. I waited for a couple of hours, had lunch, and returned to get my cards. Both the #311 and the 53 graded a PSA 1. The #311 had some small paper loss on the reverse, but otherwise was a good looking card. I sold the 52 about 6-7 years ago and still have the 53.

Yes, I purchased a 52 Topps Mantle #311 raw from someone I had never met - and it was authentic!

[Rhotchkiss]

I bought this Yellow Chance raw (it now its in an SGC flip, I think a 3). Seller guaranteed a numerical grade, but no minimum (could have come back a 1 and I was stuck). This is not the first big boy card I have acquired raw.

I also bought an entire E107 set raw, which includes several cards that are worth over $100k each and many 5 figure cards (see examples below). The set now sits in SGC flips.

My decision to buy a raw card depends on several factors, including, among other things, who the seller is, if it is brokered by a 3rd party and who that is, if I inspect it in person, price, and whether the seller will guarantee me a numerical grade.

Generally speaking, I strongly prefer to acquire cards that are already graded and I am generally skeptical of high-dollar cards that are not graded. But some people do not grade and could care less. Those people exist and you cant let a good one get away when the facts and circumstances are right

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by terjung

Yes and I have done it. I knew the issue very well and did it from scans. The owner was a respected guy in the hobby. So, that helped in giving me confidence that he had the card in hand. I should note that in this case, the card was rare enough that its value was not based on its technical grade (which was pretty low).

As for a card where the difference in grade would amount to the difference between $1k and $10k for example, I'd be much more tentative.

This sounds vaguely familiar...if only I could turn back time...

[soxinseven]

I definitely would but there has to be some guidelines. I would prefer the transaction in person or from a known/reputable hobby person if not in person. The value would have to be in the A/1 range or the card would have to come with a numeric guarantee based on a value of a perceived higher grade.