“Collector grade”

[Luke]

What Al just said makes a ton of sense and is something I never considered. When I am listing my cards for sale, I don't mind using the term low grade, or very very poor, etc because they are my cards and I'm using a fixed price listing so there's no risk of the card selling way too cheap. But if I were listing other people's cards, I would want to show more respect and reverence for their card in the terminology I use. Just to make sure none of my customers felt like I was underselling or disrespecting their card. So viewed through that lens, it makes total sense why some of these marketing terms are used.

[Frankish]

I always just assumed it came up in response to "investment grade" as a description, and I kind of like that. The way Al uses it makes perfect sense to me and in fact teases out some of the distinctions I make when I'm looking for cards to purchase.

Like most descriptors, though, I can see how it is easy to overuse and even misuse.

[Carter08]

Don’t like the term or at least don’t understand it. Is an e93 PSA 2 Christy Mathewson not also an investment? For the price I sure hope it is at least in part.

[mintacular]

I don't like the term either, implies the little guy collector can't afford quality condition cards. I don't like "investment" grade either. Just estimate the condition and provide scans, all the fluff words do nothing for people I don't believe. Well loved is not going to make me see a card that looks like it was run of by a dump truck any differently

[Exhibitman]

I know some dealers will put "OBC" into the title or description to denote a card with major damage.

I don't mind either phrase, They both are good 'jargon' to describe in a shorthand way who might be interested in the card.

[CobbSpikedMe]

Everyone knows true collectors collect low grade cards. That way we can get more cards for the same amount of money. If you're buying really expensive high grade cards then you're investing your money whether you want to think so or not.



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[Carter08]

Agree - I live in the 2.5. Jealous of others that were smart enough to do this longer and have higher grades. I don’t think I’ve ever had a 7 of anything. Have a 53 Bowman Spahn as an 8oc though! Sigh.

[Eric72]

The term "collector grade" doesn't bother me in the slightest. So long as it scales based on the issue, and the seller is being somewhat realistic, it actually makes quite a bit of sense. For example:

T206 raw cards in fair condition
Early 1950s Topps in good plus
1970s Topps in VG-EX

Those are just off-the-cuff examples. Basically, "collector grade" means somewhere between mid-grade and "ouch...if that card could talk."

[toledo_mudhen]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I know some dealers will put "OBC" into the title or description to denote a card with major damage.

OBC???


Obvious Beater Card?

[obcbobd]

Originally Posted by toledo_mudhen

OBC???


Obvious Beater Card?

Old Baseball Cards. I groups of collectors who generally collect for fun, not profit. The bulk of the group are working on 1950-70s sets in raw lower grade condition. We all post are wantlists and then send/receive RAOK (random acts of kindness), cards from the wantlist that are sent unsolicited without expectation of return; although payback usually occurs, often from someone else. :-)

Chek us out at http://www.oldbaseball.com

[Snowman]

I don't care what terms they use. I don't even care if they put flames in the title with "SO FIRE!!! INVEST!!!" next to it. I only care about the card and the price.