Break out of slab or not ?

[sdkammeyer]

This was a question I posed to many members about a month ago out of the public eye. My case was concerning a bit of a "higher end" card though.

I think you will find that this is not something people are going to come to a general consensus on. It is strictly personal preference.

In my case, I broke it out of it's slab because I wanted the TPG to give me an opinion based SOLELY on their opinion ... without knowing the opinion of another TPG first.

I fully understand the argument can be made about protection during shipping .... but in my case, it's a $2,000-$3,000 card and it is going to cost me about $100 to have it graded (grading fee plus shipping and mandatory insurance) I have no problem putting extra effort into packaging and insuring when sending it to the TPG.

[rainier2004]

Are we completely sure that the people that grade the cards are the ones opening the mail, processing the order and busting the first slab? I dont grade cards, not sure how this works, but I am guessing lots of people want all of a certain tpg irregardless if they cross at equal or higher grades and send them in to be crossed meaning the slabs will be cracker irregardless of the new assigned grade.

[ullmandds]

i'd crack prior to sending...I'd guess the grader evaluates the card prior to cracking to get an idea if the customer has a chance of their demand(s) being satisfied.

[bbcard1]

I think it depends on what you're going for.

I think you may possibly get a crossover at the same grade or a .5 bump,,,if all you are going for is a holder you like better, or one you think has better resale value, I'd just leave it in the existing holder.

It's it's in a junk company holder, use your discretion. A GSA 7 is probably not going to cross.

If it is a card you are hoping could get a two or three number bump, crack it. i have seen 4s I could see being 1s and 1s I could see being 4s and that's a big jump...but if you send it in in a graded case, I think the grader's expectations will moderate...it's just natural.

I would add that I completely believe grading is a rigged game and who you are and how much you spend has to be factored into this.

[honus94566]

I'd crack prior to sending as well, unless you feel the card got a generous grade, in which case it might be wise to leave it in the slab so they "see" the other company's grade. Maybe they will be influenced by it and maybe not, but in one of those cases it probably wouldn't hurt your chances any.