Mid Grade raw vs. graded prices

[swarmee]

Already having this discussion in the post-war board:
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=264113

[Leon]

It is probably a combination of a lot of things. One would be buying a card hoping it grades better than it really is.

[Rhotchkiss]

I don’t buy ungraded cards online. I think you are playing with fire if you do.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

I don’t but ungraded cards online. I think you are playing with fire if you do.

I’m selling some fire. My listings are HOT.

I agree with the OP that the value (authenticity and protection the slab affords) is not realized in the sale of mid grade cards.

I do not however find that raw cards in the same condition sell for a premium.

Buy a $10 card and have it graded for $10 makes it a $10 card in my experience.

Another factor is the reduced cost of shipping an ungraded card.

Add $3.50 to the deliver cost of your graded $10 card and you’re into for $23.50 and it is still worth $10 to the buyer. Having the card graded does not seem to be a profitable business model.

For lower valued cards that are slabbed, I have been offering “a free crack” (Is that illegal?) to buyers to reduce shipping cost, whether it is built into my price or an add on.

Non-registry set collectors by and large do not want 600 or more slabs in their sets.

[Bram99]

Originally Posted by swarmee

Already having this discussion in the post-war board:
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=264113

Thanks. This post covers a lot of the similar ground. It started with a discussion about a NM raw and graded PSA 8, but many of the responses hit on these themes, thank you.