I do not like or have graded cards

[Cliff Bowman]

I break out most cards that are graded, but there are some that it would be foolish for me to break out, such as my PSA 8 1968 Kahn's Ron Santo Red Stripe. Whenever I buy a 1952 Topps high number that is PSA 3 or 4, a Topps Venezuelan PSA 1 or 2, or a Pro's Pizza PSA 1 or 2, I break it out immediately.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by Cliff Bowman

........................... a Pro's Pizza PSA 1 or 2, I break it out immediately.

Who wouldn’t? Their pepperoni is “to die for”.

[OsFan]

Now I’m hungry.

[MikeGarcia]

Originally Posted by OsFan

Now I’m hungry.

..Yo Quiero Taco Bell

..

[ALR-bishop]

I agree with you because I am strictly a collector and baseball cards are just a hobby for me. If I was primarily a seller or even a collector/seller, or used baseball cards as an investment, grading would a fact of life

[JeremyW]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I agree with you because I am strictly a collector and baseball cards are just a hobby for me. If I was primarily a seller or even a collector/seller, or used baseball cards as an investment, grading would a fact of life

I agree with this statement. If you are strictly a collector, graded cards can be a pain in the ass. If you are anything other than that, they're the only way to go.

[yanksfan09]

I own a mix of both. For expensive/valuable cards I like the protection of a slab.

For lower dollar cards, especially if I have a lot of certain type like a set, they can get awfully bulky if all graded. In these cases I prefer most raw, sometimes may just get the stars graded.

To each his own, there's no right or wrong way. Do whatever makes you comfortable and happy.

[Jayworld]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I agree with you because I am strictly a collector and baseball cards are just a hobby for me. If I was primarily a seller or even a collector/seller, or used baseball cards as an investment, grading would a fact of life

I totally agree with the OP and this quote. Baseball cards have always been a hobby for me and never an investment. I see over and over on the forum the term "buy the card, not the holder" (my paraphrase), but when you buy a graded card, you DO buy the holder. If you have two identical pre-war cards, and one is in a holder, you are going to pay more for the graded card. I've never seen (at least on this forum) an exception to that.

I do understand the argument of having grading to cut down on the proliferation of counterfeits, peace of mind for the purchaser, etc. But it seems to me (in my opinion) that the only ones getting rich from graded and encapsulated cards are the companies that perform the service. Plus, there is still a lot of counterfeit cards, trimmed cards, etc. according to many more knowledgeable than me on this forum, and they still get graded....

I have been collecting for 42 years and own zero graded cards. I have purchased 2 graded cards in the past, two 1967 Japanese Kabaya-Leaf cards, only because 99% of the K-L cards are graded, and I quickly broke them out of the plastic and threw the plastic and PSA info in the trash. All my cards are in Ultra Pro platinum sheets, and I enjoy looking through my collection that way. Is my collection valuable? No, but then, I've never had the disposable income to afford the valuable cards, but hey, that's okay. Baseball cards are for kids, whether 7 or 70....

[steve B]

I have both, for a lot of what I collect grading simply isn't practical. But over the years I've picked up a few nicer cards that I've sent in, and a handful that I've bought graded. Usually because they were good deals either way, or looked a lot nicer than the grade, or even a couple that were issued graded.

I don't really get the hate for grading, it's a tool like any other. Other hobbies have done it for longer, and nearly all have some system for either grading or authentication. Some have had at least authentication since the 1860's.

I don't see much need to grade cards with obvious problems, unless the confidence that it's what it appears to be has value. So I have graded a few that are in lesser condition.

It's fine to try to retain the "purity" of being just a collector, but somewhere along the line you or a family member will become a seller.
And I haven't met many collectors who largely ignore condition when buying.

Yes, grading has made cards a bit of a commodity, and that has raised prices since some people who don't want to spend the time or effort to do their own authenticating and grading can now spend a bit more comfortably.
But that same rise in prices has made more cards available for all of us, and it could be argued that the concentration on the top grades has actually lowered or restrained prices for those of us that collect mid grade or less.

Steve B

[silvor]

Originally Posted by Jayworld

I do understand the argument of having grading to cut down on the proliferation of counterfeits, peace of mind for the purchaser, etc.

This and...

I remember going to a card shop in 1989 with my friend to sell his Montana rookie. The shop owner smelled my friend needed the money so he helped him out taking that "below average, low grade, no one will ever buy this" Montana off his hands. Doing him a favor you know. Of course the next time we went in, there it was, with a MINT sticker on it.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by silvor

This and...

I remember going to a card shop in 1989 when my friend to sell his Montana rookie. The shop owner smelled my friend needed the money so he helped him out taking that "below average, low grade, no one will ever buy this" Montana off his hands. Doing him a favor you know. Of course the next time we went in, there it was, with a MINT sticker on it.

Those same slimebuckets ripped off my grandmothers coin collection. Acted like they were doing her a favor by giving her anything. Meanwhile they ripped her off to the tune of $15,000.

[drcy]

The problem isn't the grading system, but how seriously the grading system is taken.

[orly57]

Originally Posted by drcy

The problem isn't the grading system, but how seriously the grading system is taken.

I've never heard it stated that way, and I love it.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by drcy

The problem isn't the grading system, but how seriously the grading system is taken.

Dead on.

[Gnep31]

As primarily a set collector I have no interest in graded cards. I do understand the other viewpoint as well and when making a serious investment a professionally authenticated card(s) makes sense.

When looking at the forums I do find it frustrating to weed through all the graded stuff which I am not interested in. Has there ever been any suggestions or thoughts about separating out graded and raw cards in the forums?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Gnep31

As primarily a set collector I have no interest in graded cards. I do understand the other viewpoint as well and when making a serious investment a professionally authenticated card(s) makes sense.

When looking at the forums I do find it frustrating to weed through all the graded stuff which I am not interested in. Has there ever been any suggestions or thoughts about separating out graded and raw cards in the forums?

What does that even mean? Does it mean a Net54baseball-Graded and Net54baseball-Ungraded site? From what I have seen in the BST areas is that members are quite explicit about graded or not.

[Gnep31]

Originally Posted by Leon

What does that even mean? Does it mean a Net54baseball-Graded and Net54baseball-Ungraded site? From what I have seen in the BST areas is that members are quite explicit about graded or not.

I never said anything about a different site. I very clearly stated in the forums.

For example: When I am searching for cards FT or FS in the BST Forums many threads are not applicable to my collecting interests because a large % of the cards are graded, which is absolutely fine just not what a lot of collectors are interested in.

IF a sub forum could be created for raw cards FS/FT it would be much easier for non graded card collectors to find items of interest. If it is not an option then I will gladly continue to scroll through the threads titles.

[ALR-bishop]

I thought it was just a question of do you favor graded or ungraded cards as a personal preference, and if so why. Did not realize there was a pure and authentic classification at stake

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Gnep31

I never said anything about a different site. I very clearly stated in the forums.

For example: When I am searching for cards FT or FS in the BST Forums many threads are not applicable to my collecting interests because a large % of the cards are graded, which is absolutely fine just not what a lot of collectors are interested in.

IF a sub forum could be created for raw cards FS/FT it would be much easier for non graded card collectors to find items of interest. If it is not an option then I will gladly continue to scroll through the threads titles.

Gotcha, but I think there are enough spaces in a thread title for members to put whether something is graded or not. I am not a fan of too many separate forums/categories, generally speaking. But not a bad idea.....

.