How much of a premium (if any) do you put on eye appeal?

[Doug]

Since "buy the card, not the holder" is a popular phrase around here I was wondering how much of a premium eye appeal has vs. the technical grade of the card. I personally don't mind paying a premium for a card where the eye appeal exceeds the "technical grade", but I figured it would be fun to put up a poll and see what everyone else thinks.

[3-2-count]

My vote. "Yes, I'm willing to place a significant premium on a well centered and/or above average looking card". I have some T206 HOF portraits on my site that are in my personal collection that I've paid way up for that couldn't be replaced as far as eye appeal goes, even when compared to much higher graded examples. On the flip side, there are many a collector that wouldn't pay any more than what VCP values them at, which I think is a shame. Just my take.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by 3-2-count

My vote. "Yes, I'm willing to place a significant premium on a well centered and/or above average looking card". I have some T206 HOF portraits on my site that are in my personal collection that I've paid way up for that couldn't be replaced as far as eye appeal goes, even when compared to much higher graded examples.

That's pretty much my opinion as well. I don't mind paying over "market" value for a card with eye appeal that IMO exceeds the given grade. Unfortunately in most cases, when I've had to sell such cards I haven't had a lot of luck recovering that premium.

[Bicem]

eye appeal trumps grade in my opinion.

[tonyk1975]

Im with Jeff eye appeal is far more important than grade.

[Leon]

So far I don't see any registry guys weighing in . I have to believe that if you are really trying to have the "best" set on the registry, then just the opposite is true. Grade is more important than eye appeal.

Of course I voted that I will pay substantially more for eye appeal over grade. I collect cards not plastic or flips.

[rdixon1208]

I used to put too much into VCP and other forms of determining "market value". I was just scared to overpay. By doing this, I ended up with a bunch of cards that I paid at or below VCP average. One day I took a good look at my cards and realized that they were also at or below average in appeal compared to other cards with the same technical grade. Now I have no problem paying more.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by rdixon1208

I used to put too much into VCP and other forms of determining "market value". I was just scared to overpay. By doing this, I ended up with a bunch of cards that I paid at or below VCP average. One day I took a good look at my cards and realized that they were also at or below average in appeal compared to other cards with the same technical grade. Now I have no problem paying more.

This post could make the Net54baseball.com HOF.....

[Chris Counts]

I only collect cards with good eye appeal. That's one reason why I don't own any complete sets. As for paying a premium, I believe we all do it. Just look at the prices for a '53 Bowman Pee Wee Reese or all the great horizontal shots in the T and E card sets ...

[Beatles Guy]

Whoops, I accidentally marked No. I actually meant "yes, I will pay slightly over for eye appeal". More coffee please.

[Ronnie]

While I am primarily a collector. I also dabble in the business side of cards. When I look atthe results of this poll and see that 95% of the respondents would pay slightly more or significantly more for a card with a lower technical grade and stronger eye appeal, it makes me think that buying up all of those SGC 10's and PSA 1's that sell for "book value" or less may present a sound investment opportunity.

I've always thought of cracking those attractive low grade cards out of the case since I usually do not agree with the technical grade and believe the card would appeal more to the average collector ungraded....as opposed to graded with the lowest possible numerical grade. Thoughts?

[ethicsprof]

eye appeal always trumps--as long as it's my eye.

best,
barry