Raw Cards

[mintacular]

While some of you guys feel knowledgable enough to spot fakes, I mentioned that many consumers (perhaps those who only buy/collect cards sparingly) may prefer the added certainty of buying graded cards, especially on an expensive card that is readily counterfeited (Mantle/Clemente/Jordan/Lemieux, etc.) While you (rightly) point out that grading companies are not always 100% correct, the good ones will get it right 95-99% of the time and as such offer an advantage for SOME buyers...

(Sidenote: I do agree with the overall sentiment that graded card collectors oftentimes do overpay unnecessarily and for reasons that I don't personally care for. i.e. buying the "holder" instead of the card...)

[Potomac Yank]

Originally Posted by mintacular

While some of you guys feel knowledgable enough to spot fakes, I mentioned that many consumers (perhaps those who only buy/collect cards sparingly) may prefer the added certainty of buying graded cards, especially on an expensive card that is readily counterfeited (Mantle/Clemente/Jordan/Lemieux, etc.) While you (rightly) point out that grading companies are not always 100% correct, the good ones will get it right 95-99% of the time and as such offer an advantage for SOME buyers...

(Sidenote: I do agree with the overall sentiment that graded card collectors oftentimes do overpay unnecessarily and for reasons that I don't personally care for. i.e. buying the "holder" instead of the card...)

*

You use post war Mantle/Clemente/Jordan/Lemieux, as an example, instead of Cobb/Doyle/Thorpe/Magie, and yet it is obvious that you have not checked out the "Have you checked out THESE beauties" Poll.

[Al C.risafulli]

About 95% of my collection is raw. The only things I have slabbed are the cards I have on display, my T205s, my Henry Johnson HOFers, and a smattering of other oddball cards that I've acquired over the years.

Everything else is either in binders or in card savers in shoeboxes. It will always be that way.

-Al

[danmckee]

I always bash the game and will til I die. And I will also use it to sell to people who pay for labels. I bash it because I believe the hobby was a better place without it. Of course as you stated Quan, the money has ruined everything but also has made us guys who have had killer stuff from 40 years ago fairly well off. 2 sides to every coin.

Oh I use the game so I am not above it, but I do truly dislike it as a collector.

Dan

[Potomac Yank]

I don't want you to hold anything back.

[Rob D.]

Too bad they can't slab hypocrisy. There would be a few challengers for the top of the registry list.

[FrankWakefield]

Thank you, Rob. Registry, that is what it is called.

I know lots of folks like chasing graded cards, and the registry thing. Good for them. Of late I'm trying not to blah their bling... wish they'd reciprocate.

Quan takes issue with raw cards being cheaper, but then ends with the idea that we get cards graded because they sell for more. That's not hypocrisy, that's reality. But how can you take issue with the idea that raw cards are cheaper, then agree that graded cards sell for more??