Why do we even need TPGs?

[egbeachley]

Originally Posted by Stonepony

" Battlefield" ( and they've blocked me from their auctions)

I haven't checked if I'm blocked but I suppose I am since I left 17 negatives and 6 neutrals earlier this year

[Gradedcardman]

We don't need them but they are in place and being used enough to stay in business. I like them for the card protection. Do I want to "feel" the cards, umm, not really but if I do i'll stop using the services and/or bust them out. For selling of course it helps. Takes the guesswork away from us IF you trust the opinion of the third party. If you don't then use your due diligence and check the scans.

[Bocabirdman]

My 504 card Monster is in slabs (at about an SGC 40 average, including HOF and SL-ers ). I started with all raw but switched to slabs for an eventual sale. I have been a collector since before slabs existed so I still buy raw cards with confidence. I am presently flopping around in the VG/VGEX '49 to '53 Topps/Bowman world just for sh*ts and giggles. They may not increase in value but I can touch them. Hell, I am not even putting them in penny sleeves. It is quite liberating and an awful lot of fun.........

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

For all the bitching and moaning over TPG's (and trust me I've done my fair share), they're the best thing to happen to the hobby. Hands down the hobby would be a fraction of the size it is today without the standardization of grades and protection from fakes.

[Bocabirdman]

Originally Posted by ajjohnsonsoxfan

For all the bitching and moaning over TPG's (and trust me I've done my fair share), they're the best thing to happen to the hobby. Hands down the hobby would be a fraction of the size it is today without the standardization of grades and protection from fakes.

I think that TPGs are a needed evil. If a collector has started collecting Pre-War, say, in the last 10 years, he lacks the lifetime of hands-on experience to navigate the world of reprints ( announced and covert), doctored cards, and endless chicanery. Also, there are lots of cards that are no longer able to be handled. They need to be entombed to preserve them and delay their disintegration.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by Bocabirdman

I think that TPGs are a needed evil. If a collector has started collecting Pre-War, say, in the last 10 years, he lacks the lifetime of hands-on experience to navigate the world of reprints ( announced and covert), doctored cards, and endless chicanery. Also, there are lots of cards that are no longer able to be handled. They need to be entombed to preserve them and delay their disintegration.

This is well said and describes my experience. I got back into collecting 4 years ago, and three of the first four raw cards I purchased were determined to be trimmed or altered. I know there are long time collectors who would scoff at my ignorance, but frankly, I don't have the time to study the nuances of every card I want to collect or go back and forth with dealers on condition debates. To me, the TPGs mitigate the downsides of being relatively new to the hobby.

[Bocabirdman]

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

This is well said and describes my experience. I got back into collecting 4 years ago, and three of the first four raw cards I purchased were determined to be trimmed or altered. I know there are long time collectors who would scoff at my ignorance, but frankly, I don't have the time to study the nuances of every card I want to collect or go back and forth with dealers on condition debates. To me, the TPGs mitigate the downsides of being relatively new to the hobby.

I fully understand where you are coming from. However, to me, slabs create a museum-esque, hands-off environment that will prevent you from EVER acquiring the skills of a lifetime. Perhaps reserving slabs for the expensive cards or the ones on their last leg could be an option.

Which era or sets are you chasing?

[irv]

I haven't read all 3 pgs of this thread so it might have already been mentioned, and that is, if I am going to spend big bucks on a card, I most certainly would want it to be already graded. I know in this day and age, it still doesn't necessarily guarantee authenticity, but it sure helps in that regard if you know what you are looking for.

Same goes with autographs. I am not a fan at all as I have read/seen far too fakes just on this site alone with people asking about certain auto's on cards and pictures.

If, for whatever reason, I wanted a signed card, it would most definitely be in a slab that has been authenticated.

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by egbeachley

I haven't checked if I'm blocked but I suppose I am since I left 17 negatives and 6 neutrals earlier this year

I'm going to assume you bought these cards together. If not, you probably should have learned your lesson around your 18th or 19th purchase.