Buy the card, not the grade - stories

[irv]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

Grading in theory is nice. In reality, the "expertise" has proven to be fraudulent, far too many times. Learn how to grade yourself, as we did as kids in the 1980's; it's worth it. It's tougher today buying sight-unseen, but still possible to maintain some of your own personal accuracy over the long run if you learn what to look for. I'm not saying to buy raw cards only necessarily, but I'm starting to realize with decent scans, I can tell the difference between high end for the grade, and mediocre slabbed material.

That is why I also purchase the majority of my raw cards through a reputable dealer.
I have looked at, inquired about other raw cards from other sellers but when I have looked at their feedback or don't hear anything back or see reverse scans that I have asked for, I quickly scratch them from my list.
Doing that over the last couple years is why I am at 91% bid activity with my current preferred seller in GM cards. Their shipping fees can't be beat either, especially for us Canucks!

[irv]

I just noticed these 2 cards from a FB seller. I know scans don't always show/tell the whole picture, but how did Roe receive a 6 and Schmitz only a 5?

It looks like Schmitz is deserving of the 5, maybe even higher, but the Roe, imo, looks like a 4, at best, to me.

[KCRfan1]

Originally Posted by irv

I just noticed these 2 cards from a FB seller. I know scans don't always show/tell the whole picture, but how did Roe receive a 6 and Schmitz only a 5?

It looks like Schmitz is deserving of the 5, maybe even higher, but the Roe, imo, looks like a 4, at best, to me.

Is the Roe an older grade? Perhaps a beholder? I wonder how the back of the cards look as that may also affect the grade.

Nice cards, however Schmitz is clearly the nicer card from the front. On the surface, as said on the Forum, buy the card not the grade. Something we all do.

[irv]

Originally Posted by KCRfan1

Is the Roe an older grade? Perhaps a beholder? I wonder how the back of the cards look as that may also affect the grade.

Nice cards, however Schmitz is clearly the nicer card from the front. On the surface, as said on the Forum, buy the card not the grade. Something we all do.

Is there anyway to tell, Lou, via the number or something else, if the card is a reholder?

I am not a 100% convinced that is the case based on what I have seen before, but it does make the most sense.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by irv

Is there anyway to tell, Lou, via the number or something else, if the card is a reholder?

I don’t believe there is. When a card is sent in for reholder, I believe it keeps the same cert #.



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[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by irv

Is there anyway to tell, Lou, via the number or something else, if the card is a reholder?

I am not a 100% convinced that is the case based on what I have seen before, but it does make the most sense.

I believe some know how to tell how old a cert number is. Old cert number plus new holder means it's been reholdered.

My preference is to reholder anything of a decent value before selling.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by irv

That is why I also purchase the majority of my raw cards through a reputable dealer.

Agreed. With PSA I just look for 100% feedback, but for raw cards it helps to go to a trusted dealer. I’ve used Kit Young a lot in the past. His prices are reasonable and he negotiates on some eBay sales. With him I know if the card is advertised as “VG-EX” I’m going to at least get something in the ballpark. Not like with some other unknown sellers who sometimes don’t know what they are talking about.



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[irv]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

I don’t believe there is. When a card is sent in for reholder, I believe it keeps the same cert #.



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That's unfortunate. I am sure the card, being in a newer flip would fool some into thinking the card is a true 6 and will always grade/be a 6 not knowing, if it were to be graded today with today's standards, that it mostly likely, at best, is a 3-4 now.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by irv

That's unfortunate. I am sure the card, being in a newer flip would fool some into thinking the card is a true 6 and will always grade/be a 6 not knowing, if it were to be graded today with today's standards, that it mostly likely, at best, is a 3-4 now.

There are a lot of things about TPG's which are unfortunate.

[Puckettfan]

To me this is a beautiful card regardless of its technical grade.

[pokerplyr80]

Here are a few that I feel look nicer than their technical grade.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

Here are a few that I feel look nicer than their technical grade.

Gorgeous cards!


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[jb67]

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

Here are a few that I feel look nicer than their technical grade.

Wow! That 57 Mantle is off the charts.

Here are a couple of Wille that I think present very well the grades given.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by Puckettfan

To me this is a beautiful card regardless of its technical grade.

I had that Mantle as a kid in the 1980’s. Mine had a big ugly crease through the lower left corner. I was totally in love with it regardless.


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