Buying cards raw or graded

[jingram058]

100% ungraded. I have cracked out all graded cards I have ever had. I don't give a damn about some stupid BS opinion of my cards. I don't sell cards, I don't care what someone thinks my cards are worth, I don't care if they're valuable or worthless. I don't care if they are trimmed or any of that stupid, anal retentive BS. Hell, I don't even care if someone thinks they're fake! All that grading crap has ruined the hobby. All that's left are cardboard speculators and stockbrokers. You can have all of that garbage.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Probably 80/20 graded vs. non-graded. I don't have a rule against buying raw cards online, although I'd prefer to do that from someone who isn't completely unknown to me.

[terjung]

It totally depends on what I'm buying, but most of what I collect has already found its way into a slab. I'm comfortable buying raw because I know what I'm looking at, but I'm not exclusive either way. All things considered, I think I'd prefer them slabbed to guard against accidental damage.

Most of my collection is in the low technical grade ranges. So with the grade being mostly immaterial, it is more about protection than anything. I suppose having cards in slabs could potentially help with the eventual resale, but that isn't a huge motivating factor.

[brianp-beme]

Quite often the vintage I buy is so damaged/low value that it hasn't been graded...because folks are typically too financially smart just to slab anything. My raw card purchase percentage is probably somewhere above 98.75%.

Brian

[Gnep31]

99.99% raw cards for me.

The only reason I have any graded is because they were part of a large lot purchase.

If I ever want to become a investor rather than a collector I might change my tune.

[Eric72]

Raw is cool.

Graded is fine.

SGC, PSA, BVG, CSG. They're all just peachy.

I collect the CARDS and consider the holder of secondary importance.

I've seen sparkling, mint, unaltered raw cards. I've seen slabbed cards that were over-graded or obviously altered.

[obcbobd]

99.9% raw. Will buy graded and usually break out of slab unless its a card I want to display

[Exhibitman]

By volume, 95% raw; by value, 50:50.

[2dueces]

Whatever catches my eye at the moment. I have binders of raw and boxes of graded.

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

By volume, 95% raw; by value, 50:50.

This is a great measurement. Mine are close to the same percentage, although value is likely 60/40 toward graded.

I have not submitted anything as of yet to a TPG, but may at some time in the future as I think it will help my family liquidate if the situation ever arises. It's been close a couple times already and that puts the perspective of how your time is limited.

I personally could care less either or when buying. Although I do feel much better buying raw in person as scans only tell so much, and yes I know plenty of altered junk resides in plastic too. I like to buy the card and will go for visually pleasing over anything else every time.

I will say it's somewhat funny that anytime these threads pop up the nongraded crowd loves to sound much like a vegan at Thanksgiving with the megaphones.

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

By volume, 95% raw; by value, 50:50.

If you measure by weight, it may be 50/50 too.

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