Is it safe to buy graded? Or should I focus only on raw?

[Keep_it_warm]

I have been burned two times in 2019 on vintage graded purchases. It sucked the life out of me. I was simply trying to complete a 1956 set.

I felt angry the first time it happened.
I felt stupid and embarrassed the second time it happened.

I hit the pause button and switched back to my other favorite hobby for the time being...vintage BMX bikes. I know how to spot fake bike parts, so I feel more at ease spending my money on stuff I know is legit!

As for the 1956 set? It's still sitting there...at 340 cards...still shy the two cards I was burned on. I'm not sure when I will take the plunge again and re-buy the last two cards. But right now...EFF GRADED CARDS!!!!

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Keep_it_warm

I have been burned two times in 2019 on vintage graded purchases. It sucked the life out of me. I was simply trying to complete a 1956 set.

I felt angry the first time it happened.
I felt stupid and embarrassed the second time it happened.

I hit the pause button and switched back to my other favorite hobby for the time being...vintage BMX bikes. I know how to spot fake bike parts, so I feel more at ease spending my money on stuff I know is legit!

As for the 1956 set? It's still sitting there...at 340 cards...still shy the two cards I was burned on. I'm not sure when I will take the plunge again and re-buy the last two cards. But right now...EFF GRADED CARDS!!!!

Which two cards? And are you picky about condition?

Love vintage BMX, I only have a couple lower end ones. I totally missed the boat on them. I was collecting other bikes when the old BMX was still really cheap.

[jchcollins]

I've always bought graded vintage online, even though I only collect mid to lower grade, with the idea that buying a 5 can save you a raw card that is described as "Excellent", but arrives with a big old crease you couldn't see in the scan. Here anymore though, I don't know. I would hope that people wouldn't stoop (as I mentioned in another post) to altering something like my 1970 Topps Nolan Ryan PSA 6.5, but with all that is coming out, who knows. I know they altered a bunch of 1948 Leaf cards to make VG-EX examples EX-MT or NM, but not sure where they stopped. It's certainly frustrating to not be able to know. And besides Mr. Moser - we don't even know the extent of who "they" are yet...

For the moment, I might suggest buying raw, but make sure you buy from a trusted dealer with 100% positive feedback and a good return policy. I would agree there are some rough waters ahead for PSA and others - and it may affect more than just the most expensive cards in the hobby.

[Exhibitman]

It really depends. I collect a lot of cheap crap so most of my purchases are raw cards.

What do you think of as vintage? If you are talking postwar, there is a great deal of raw available, esp if you are not a condition bug.

On eBay, look for big, clear scans. Not cell phone picks. Identify some quality dealers and look at their stuff first. I hear Greg Morris is good for raw cards. Even so, when you purchase lots expect that there will be some hairline creases and overgrading.

If you are interested in the 1970s, there is a ton out there. I personally prefer to visit my LCS and go through their $0.50 boxes to look for cards I need. Nice way to spend a few free hours. I spend a ton of time at the National hunting through junk boxes. I enjoy it. Doesn't hurt that I have the occasional hit too. Last year I pulled a 1970 Bobby Orr insert from a $0.10 box, which I was looking through only because as I walked by the table I saw a 1979 FB HOFer peeking out the top and figured it might be worth a look. I must've pulled 100 cards from that dime box for my 1970s sets, most of which were $2+ at retail HOFers.

[Promethius88]

Just a thought....all graded cards were raw at one point. Since I personally believe that the vast majority of slabbed cards are legit, as there are millions of them, I would still buy graded...but that's just me. Nothing wrong with raw either, but the truth is, unless you measure and put every single card under a microscope, you could be getting an altered card. Now, depending on what happens, graded could take a plunge and raw could see a surge. Which, in my mind would be completely insane as you can take that card out of a holder and sell it raw...still the same card.
If you are doing intfor the enjoyment, buy what you like, raw or graded, whatever you feel you are getting a better deal on and call it a day. If you worry about it too much, it will just take the fun out of it and you might as well just take up gardening full time.
Best of luck!!

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by Promethius88

you can take that card out of a holder and sell it raw...

This happens all the time on PSA 5s and 6s that look like 8s. Sell better raw. Remember all the threads wondering about the Greg Morris auctions which started outpacing some PSA 9 prices for GM's NM-MT categories? Those cards weren't even "dead nuts centered" as they say.

[Promethius88]

Originally Posted by swarmee

This happens all the time on PSA 5s and 6s that look like 8s. Sell better raw. Remember all the threads wondering about the Greg Morris auctions which started outpacing some PSA 9 prices for GM's NM-MT categories? Those cards weren't even "dead nuts centered" as they say.

Indeed. Been working on a 61 Topps set raw in NM or better and was outbid over and over on GMC auctions so I've had to take a rest from it for now. Hoping to find some decent stuff at the National

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by swarmee

This happens all the time on PSA 5s and 6s that look like 8s. Sell better raw. Remember all the threads wondering about the Greg Morris auctions which started outpacing some PSA 9 prices for GM's NM-MT categories? Those cards weren't even "dead nuts centered" as they say.

Yet. Give Moser some time to get to them...

[Keep_it_warm]

Originally Posted by steve B

Which two cards? And are you picky about condition?

Love vintage BMX, I only have a couple lower end ones. I totally missed the boat on them. I was collecting other bikes when the old BMX was still really cheap.

Clemente and Jackie Robinson...lol....figures, right? I bought both, gray backs, graded 7, and both cards had issues. Fortunately, I was able to get my money back on both occasions.