Posted By:
Bruce Dorskind
Mr. Dunbar.
We find it astonishing that you are surprised that it is difficult to collect raw cards.
1) Graded cards, as Boxing Man correctly points out, command a price that is significantly
higher than raw cards. Often times a graded card will sell at 3x to 100x that of ungraded
cards in the same condition Only the very old time collectors still actively collect "raw cards"
2) Secondly, when one is acquiring a piece of cardboard from a stranger through
a system like E Bay- there is a very strong chance that the seller and the buyer will
disagree about condition. Scans are not always accurate. One can argue until the cows
come home, but condition is the major factor in determining the value of a baseball card.
3) Whilst the grading services are far from perfect, they are more accurate and consistent
than the thousands of individuals who randomly call "beaters" excellent or near mint. Grading
brings consistency...it is not perfect but it is the best we have
4) If you want to collect raw cards-we suggest you walk the floors of card shows across America
and remember the words of WC Fields- There is a sucker born every minute
Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List