More interest in raw cards in 2024 - Observations

[Directly]

I've heard the next generation remark if it not graded something is wrong with the card--I assume he was referring to modern--I know my nephews son ( 2 nd generation will not buy ungraded cards) If selling the grade can help with negotiation, and with no returns--'

Raw for price, collecting or submitting--graded for collecting, selling, help establish a value.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Directly

I've heard the next generation remark if it not graded something is wrong with the card--I assume he was referring to modern--I know my nephews son ( 2 nd generation will not buy ungraded cards) If selling the grade can help with negotiation, and with no returns--'

Raw for price, collecting or submitting--graded for collecting, selling, help establish a value.

yes...the younger "collectors" are more of the mindset that if it's not graded there's something wrong with it...imo because they are not knowledgable to ascertain legitimacy themselves...they believe PSA is GOD!

[GrewUpWithJunkWax]

Glad to buy raw from reputable dealers, but graded can be fine too. Main thing is it's a card I like at a price I can afford.

I have not submitted anything for grading, and don't really have any interest in that. I plan to keep my cards a long time. Why have them graded now, if the next big thing comes along in a few years. Perhaps AI becomes a new standard. The major graders probably aren't going anywhere, but at the very least flips/cases change, and there are perceptions of those that can affect values on the market when it finally is time to sell.

[Rich Falvo]

I'm a little bit of a purist, so I'd love to take a stand and say I'm only buying raw cards. Realistically, though, with having to buy most of my cards from a distance without being able to view in person, I prefer to buy graded.

[campyfan39]

As one who only collects pure, "raw" cards, I will buy an occasional entombed and opined upon one only to crack it out if the price is right.
A problem I see at shows and ebay is that dealers are now charging graded prices for really nice ungraded cards. They assume the person is buying it to grade and flip it. Just another reason I detest what the "hobby" is becoming. But I can't stop collecting ha.

[Fred]

My assumption has been that raw cards will sell at a discount because at TPG hasn't blessed/anointed it. If the card is in really nice shape and not entombed then the thought is people might assume the card will not pass a TPG review and receive a nice numerical grade, rather than the dreaded AUTH or ALT or whatever it is people really try to avoid.

Is the climate towards raw cards warming up and now they are becoming valued at a perceived value based on what the seller believes the card may grade? Add to that, are people, now, paying the price for raw cards at the perceived possible grade it might receive from a TPG?

IF the answer to the above two questions is "yes", then the sellers have the buyers exactly where they want them.

[Exhibitman]

The business end of this hobby always has been and always will be about money. Let's not kid ourselves.

Many collectors moved to raw cards during the backlog and stayed there in response to the high cost of grading. It was different when there were low cost specials. Sure, I would drop eight bucks plus shipping to get a bunch of $200-ish vintage cards slabbed. 4% was reasonable. But at $18.99 per card now (9.5%), not so much. It just eats up too much of the margin, especially when online sales costs are factored in.

[seanofjapan]

I’m a “mid grade” vintage collector so I almost never buy graded cards. It just doesn’t make much sense since the financial incentives for cards in high grade don’t exist for us guys collecting “presentable looking cards in the vg to vg-ex range”, so why bother?

Plus I hate the way cards look in PSA or SCG holders, its like they permanently afixed a label for prescription medication onto the top of your card and whenever you look at your card you also have to look at that. Raw cards are just a million times more attractive to behold. And flip through. And display. And put into binder pages. And take them out of binder pages whenever you feel like.

Of course if my budget was such that I was spending thousands of dollars on individual cards I’d probably be singing a different tune, but I’m quite happy with my raw cards…..