We don't need no stinkin' slabs!!!

[JollyElm]

I hate everything about graded cards and most especially the ridiculous back and forth talk of, "I think if I resubmit this card, it'll get a half point bump," etc., etc. Apparently it never matters that they're talking about the same exact card. Nothing will change except for the stupid number of the slab. The card won't magically improve overnight. But last night I ran across the ultimate reason why graded cards are a waste of time…I simply opened my 1959 set binder. That was it. What wafted out was over a half century worth of cardboard 'fermentation.' Remember that beautiful smell? That comforting and familiar odor of your childhood?? I looked like John Belushi, just following my nose on a bender, trying to inhale all of that rich cardboard flavor. God, that made me smile!! Then I went to sniff my graded cards in their plastic tombs. Nothing. Just nothing. Ugh.

[cardinalcollector]

Good post. Baseball Cards were meant to be held, smelled, and fondled.

[Volod]

I'm with you guys....except for that time I ordered some 1954 Johnston Cookie cards back in the '80's. I ripped open the packaging, anticipating that delicious aroma of ancient pasteboard, and maybe even some lingering cookie smell, only to recoil from the noxious and unmistakable odor of polyvinyl chloride. The seller had stored the cards in cheap plastic pages that had deteriorated over time and just about ruined the cards. Pretty well-known and reputable dealer, at that. He cheerfully refunded the sale, but it struck me as strange that he had no clue about the dangers of cheap vinyl as late as the mid-80's.

[ALR-bishop]

I am not a graded collector. All my sets are in easy access binders. But I am just a hobby collector and what I have spent on cards is a very small fraction of my estate. If I was making my living on cards or was in it for the investment I get why you have to deal with grading currently. One of my best friends has one of the best post war collections I know of, and much of his collection is graded. I seek his opinion often on the reasonable market price for a card, graded or not. I don't let grading bother me anymore. It is what it is.

[Shoebox]

The fact that people let other collectors preferences bother in the first place is what amazes me. I just shake my head at the angst. If you don't like graded don't buy them. Why are worried about if I prefer something different?

I am a collecter. Don't do the crack and submit game. I buy what I like because I like it and if I buy it I plan to keep it. If I show my graded Goudeys or 50s Topps to someone and they admire it and compliment it that's great. But, I am not going to give a flip if they say they don't agree with grading cards. I don't expect anyone else to build their collection to suit me either. I have my reason for liking what I do and that's good enough for me.

[hangman62]

Jolly
I agree....especially for mid grade ( PSA 4,5,6,7) modern stuff . .. what a waste of money !