condition

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

I have been considering shifting my focus to lower condition cards which grade in the VG or VGEX range in order to speed up set building and cover more ground faster. I don't do this for the sake of investment, I just like collecting. I am starting to think I could be quite happy with lower condition cards and sets in binders. From reading posts here, it seems like quite a few of you guys do it this way. Thoughts?

[K-Nole]

Yes, this is what me and my son do.

It speeds up the set completion process.
We do it mostly for him, so condition does not matter, but to me personally, it matters not what condition. And we are just happy to comete them.

I say, go for it.

[mooch]

I started doing that, too. I got a bit fed up with paying so much for commons. So far, I am sticking to the plan, but there is always that pull to upgrade or to buy that slightly more expensive card.

[Exhibitman]

I made the switch a few years ago when I purchased a couple of shoebox collections and realized that I was enjoying the vg cards even more than the slabbed high grade cards I had because they were in an easy to view album and I didn't have to stress out about the cost and condition of them. I also realized that I can own cards I always wanted on my budget if I went for 'well loved' specimens. Now I go for presentable lesser grade stuff, especially like the cards that are really nice except for a crease or a tiny bit of writing

[jasonc]

That is how I collect. Plus it is easier to find cards,and like what is being said you can find some really nice cards that have a slight crease or a speck of paper loss, or a tiny bit of writing, etc.

If it's just for collection purposes and not investment, then it's probably a good way to go about it, plus you save money.

[almostdone]

I agree with all of the above statements. My advice is figure out what condition standards are most important to you, ie, sharp corners, writing, creasing, centering etc, and let go of what isn't. For example I cannot stand surface wear but centering is not a big deal to me as long as it is with about 75/ 25. I want to see a clean image and be able to read the backs but I have a good friend on the boards who is a centering fanatic but corner and edge wear don't bother him. Either way most of our collections would grade in the 2 to 4 range but they presen differently.
It all about what you enjoy. Set building and ownership over hunting for the more rare hi condition cards.
Drew

[darkhorse9]

I collect VG/EX for my collection because I enjoy completing sets and looking at them over and over again. I have no plans to ever sell the collection so the value doesn't matter to me.

When I die my son gets my collection. Since he doesn't collect he is instructed to sell the whole thing. Since he has no investment in it, every dollar he gets out of it is a bonus for him so it's all relative.

I win because I can complete sets and enjoy them,

He wins because he can sell complete sets and get an inheritance.

Win/win

[Hot Springs Bathers]

I agree with everyone above. I had quit collecting cards years ago but then an old friend offered me Topps sets from 1953-80 all at least 50 percent complete.
I have had more fun buying vg-ex cards and filling holes. I love putting sets together, while owning a graded 1956 Mantle is really nice, I want the rest of the supporting cast!