Buying cards raw or graded

[Fred]

Do you collect only graded or raw cards?

Kind of hard to believe anybody is in either camp, 100% these days.

What percentage of cards do you purchase raw/graded?

How comfortable are you buying raw cards? I'm comfortable with it, especially when in person. On my part, there is a little hesitancy to purchase raw on line.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Fred

Do you collect only graded or raw cards?

Kind of hard to believe anybody is in either camp, 100% these days.

What percentage of cards do you purchase raw/graded?

How comfortable are you buying raw cards? I'm comfortable with it, especially when in person. On my part, there is a little hesitancy to purchase raw on line.

99.99% of my cards are ungraded. That .01% are oddball slabs. Pretty much if I am getting something graded it is to sell.

I don't think percentage wise there is any difference between graded and ungraded cards being altered. Just very few care once they are in a slab.

[G1911]

Everything outside my trade bait box is raw.

A significant number of my purchases are graded cards (50% or so of those over $100), because so many people grade everything. I pay a small percentage less for a graded card than I do the same card raw. It’s then cracked out and the slip thrown in the garbage.

[bmattioli]

Total Raw and no card store case..

[butchie_t]

99% ungraded and maybe 1% graded.

If the price is right I will by graded and set them free to roam wildly raw and unencumbered.

Butch

[raulus]

I'm a total set registry bootlick. So almost everything I own is graded.

Usually the only time I buy raw is if it's impossible to find graded, and I need it to fill a hole in one of my sets. And then I immediately turn around and get it graded.

I suppose there is one exception to the rule - stuff that the graders won't grade, either because it's too big, or because they don't recognize it yet. So I probably have one or two score of ungraded pieces. But it's definitely in the minority.

[perezfan]

95% raw / 5% graded. I have bought a few "already graded" cards just because they were nicer or cost less than their comparable raw counterparts at the time.

[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.

[gonefishin]

Times have changed for me into mainly purchasing graded high value cards, vice raw. With that said, in past years I have purchased a raw 52 Topps Mantle 311, 2 - 53 Topps Mantles, 54 Aaron rookie, 54 Banks rookie, autographed Koufax rookie, etc. etc. etc. All raw, all of which I had graded, all of which were authentic.

I have purchased fakes, that I thought were authentic. They were all mainly pre-war cards that I didn't take enough time to do - due diligence.

I have purchased fakes, that I knew were fake, just to keep as a reference. They have come in handy through the years, especially the 52 Mantle's. There are some really good fake Mantles in existence!

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by gonefishin

Times have changed for me into mainly purchasing graded high value cards, vice raw. With that said, in past years I have purchased a raw 52 Topps Mantle 311, 2 - 53 Topps Mantles, 54 Aaron rookie, 54 Banks rookie, autographed Koufax rookie, etc. etc. etc. All raw, all of which I had graded, all of which were authentic.

I have purchased fakes, that I thought were authentic. They were all mainly pre-war cards that I didn't take enough time to do - due diligence.

I have purchased fakes, that I knew were fake, just to keep as a reference. They have come in handy through the years, especially the 52 Mantle's. There are some really good fake Mantles in existence!

I couldn't care any less if any of my cards are fake. They're real to me, and that's all that matters. That said, I am pretty sure all of my tobacco, pre and post war cards that I really care about are real. But if not, in the end I don't care.

[StraightRaceCards]

I’m a T206 guy, and where I’ve landed is getting all the commons raw and the HOF’ers as graded. That’s a good check and balance for me with making sure my expensive cards are guaranteed with authenticity, as well as the extra protection of the physical slab.

I do think there is something in being able to touch, examine, smell and interact with cards though. I’ve really enjoyed getting my paws all over the commons and it’s helped me learn what to look for in a card and spot fakes much easier.

SGC slabs look amazing for T206’s in my humble opinion, but everyone has their own though. The PSA set registry is pretty darn cool and that’s one of the things I’m missing out on.

MG

[Dead-Ball-Hitter]

On items before WWII, I'm 95% graded. On post WWII to present I'm 60% graded, 40% raw. 99% of my items worth over $750 are graded.

[garymc]

I love my cards raw and in albums......

[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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[BlueSky]

All raw except one slab.

I just like the feel of raw cards.