Graded vs. Raw Rant.......

[rnocards]

I collect both raw and graded, but I'm always looking to grade my worthy raw cards. Recently, I've sent a few of those raw cards to the players for their autos (TTM), and will then submit them to PSA for dual grading.

The newer generation is preferring graded cards, for various reasons, and there will come a time when my collection will have to be passed on, so it's best for this collection to be in graded slabs, as much as possible.

[ALR-bishop]

I have ungraded most graded cards I have purchased . Whoever ends up with my cards will just have to deal with the lack of plastic Hate to think how much all my cards graded would weigh.

[rnocards]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I have ungraded most graded cards I have purchased . Whoever ends up with my cards will just have to deal with the lack of plastic Hate to think how much all my cards graded would weigh.

You cracked them because of weight?

[G1911]

I crack graded cards because of the weight. I can carry more from my storage area to my card table area if they are raw. Things may be different for more muscular vintage collectors if they exist.

[ALR-bishop]

If you collect all of the Topps, , Bowman and Fleer sets, the weight becomes a very hefty factor, in more ways than one

[jchcollins]

Yeah, graded cards get heavy. But then again so do some of my nicer raw items that I keep in One Touch mag cases.

I would never try to collect an entire vintage set graded, but that's just me. I get why some would, especially if higher end - but I don't have that kind of money to put into grading personally, and not enough room likely to store all the cards if I happened to come across them in a windfall - so pretty much a moot point.

To me the weight of the things I do own is largely a moot point as well. I have enough room to store it all - I mean the wife complains sometimes about all these large white boxes, but she hasn't asked me to get rid of anything yet - and even individual slabs and One Touches allow me to enjoy just a few cards at a time here and there - which seems to be my MO for enjoying my collection lately.

[Exhibitman]

Hate to be that guy but the decision to grade has to be data driven. Used to be you could wait for a $6 or $8 PSA bulk special and get a lot of stuff graded economically. Some items it really acts as a multiplier, others it doesn't break even under today's grading cost structure.