Why I Hate the Whole Card Grading Thing...

[bnorth]

The part about grading that I don't get is why. To buy a raw card that isn't altered/counterfeit I have to know several things to look for. Now if I wanted that same card graded I need to know everything I do to safely buy a raw card. Then on top of that now I have to learn how to look for cracked/resealed slabs, fake slabs, and learn what companies aren't a complete joke(I know they all are).

In my opinion it is much safer to buy raw than graded anyday.

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by bnorth

The part about grading that I don't get is why. To buy a raw card that isn't altered/counterfeit I have to know several things to look for. Now if I wanted that same card graded I need to know everything I do to safely buy a raw card. Then on top of that now I have to learn how to look for cracked/resealed slabs, fake slabs, and learn what companies aren't a complete joke(I know they all are).

In my opinion it is much safer to buy raw than graded anyday.

For the average collector those things you look for to tell if a card is altered or counterfeit are sometimes hard to notice in person, and very difficult online.

While grading is subjective and we've all seen examples of when even PSA or SGC didn't get it right I believe they do a pretty good job for the most part. Almost all of the vintage cards in my collection are graded, and I feel safer buying a graded card than a raw one if I'm spending more than a couple hundred dollars online.

[Mark70Z]

First, that card doesn't look like an "8" to me... I guess why it's said "buy the card not the holder".

I'm not doing the registry thing, but it seems like a lot of people are into it. I think it could be fun, but I wouldn't personally care about who has the best conditioned cards in a particular arena.

I've never sent in a card to be graded by any of the grading companies, but when I purchase online I do try to pick up graded cards. I've had way too many instances when buying online that the raw card was nowhere near what I expected. To date, I haven't had a bad experience with a graded card; hopefully that will continue. If I'm going to a show I like to buy the raw stuff...

[Laxcat]

Color Blind?

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by Laxcat

Color Blind?

looks like a black and white dress..i mean blue and gray..