Graded or raw?

[StraightRaceCards]

Like others said, raw is great to learn from.

My first 40-50 t206’s commons I bought were raw so I could understand the intricacies of the cards…pull out a loupe and study them.

Now that I have a little better of an understanding (still learning), I feel much more comfortable with the set and would feel better buying raw or graded

I do like graded, because the uniformity of my SGC slabs in all the cards/sets I have pleases me, plus the protection.

Don’t care as much for investment, but it certainly is something to consider for more expensive cards.

Collect how you like, and be confident in your choice.

One of my favorite things to do is buy raw and then grade the card knowing I got a better deal buying the raw than buying a slabbed version in the same grade.

People often forget, it’s a hobby. Enjoy your hobby!

[hawaiian bam bam]

lately on social media/message boards, I see so many graded cards and pelican cases talk everywhere. It makes me wonder if in the future raw cards will be frowned upon by collectors as it seems everyone in the hobby likes psa graded cards! like many of you, growing up, graded cards werent a thing. you had raw cards and raw cards only! I miss that simplicity of collecting. I say that because back then, raw cards were it! nowadays too many people in the hobby are in it to flip and go! meaning tons of fake cards, altered cards, trimmed cards, etc, etc. so graded cards do safe guard these issues somewhat (I know not 100% but thats a whole different topic and a whole different thread!) I love raw cards but dont want to be stiffed with altered fake cards! I almost wish the hobby would go back to raw cards being cool (instead of graded cards being the go too) I know, I know collect what I like, but again. dont want to get stuck with fake cards! make raw cards great again!

[hawaiian bam bam]

Any updates?

[ullmandds]

Personally...as a 56 yo who has been collecting cardboard almost 50 years...I prefer raw cards. I like to be able to touch them...hold them in my hands...they take up so much less space. I love flipping through my binders 100% more than shuffling cumbersome, "noisy" slabs.

But as happens to all older generations...opinions change. The online community seems to have the opinion that if a high dollar card isn't slabbed...it's fake!

So it's wise to slab high dollar cards when u decide to sell...imo.

[Johnny630]

Raw cards are still cool but the hobby now is a gamble and business. Take for example Greg Morris look at how well his raw cards sell in all his auctions especially the ones that he grades high or appear to be nice. The reason he gets these numbers is because he buys all these up at the shows so the collector doesn’t really have a chance to buy them from the dealers because he already buys the dealers out people spend a lot in the auctions because they wanna grade everything for that one hit that’s all it takes in their mind to score.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Raw cards are still cool but the hobby now is a gamble and business. Take for example Greg Morris look at how well his raw cards sell in all his auctions especially the ones that he grades high or appear to be nice. The reason he gets these numbers is because he buys all these up at the shows so the collector doesn’t really have a chance to buy them from the dealers because he already buys the dealers out people spend a lot in the auctions because they wanna grade everything for that one hit that’s all it takes in their mind to score.

Agree about Gm. I see his representatives at card show clearing out raw dealers and then getting crazy numbers on his auctions. Capitalism at its finest.

For those buying GM cards and grading them, ask yourself this… if they are so high grade, why isn’t GM grading them?

[hawaiian bam bam]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Personally...as a 56 yo who has been collecting cardboard almost 50 years...I prefer raw cards. I like to be able to touch them...hold them in my hands...they take up so much less space. I love flipping through my binders 100% more than shuffling cumbersome, "noisy" slabs.

But as happens to all older generations...opinions change. The online community seems to have the opinion that if a high dollar card isn't slabbed...it's fake!

So it's wise to slab high dollar cards when u decide to sell...imo.

100% agree! Im an old school collector but nowadays it does seem that the hobby believes that if a card is raw, then it’s fake (we all know that isn’t always the case, but the hobby has spoken!) seems like so many vintage cards are graded nowadays which is sad because as mentioned above I also like the smell and feel of an old topps card. Nothing like pulling out an old shoebox of raw topps cards in my opinion but I get why the newer hobbyist like graded cards.

[ValKehl]

Brian VH, are you suggesting that you like your cards raw?! Great cards!! I never get tired of seeing your 1916 Altoona Tribune card of WaJo. Some day, I'm gonna come up with a Wags card that you'd rather have than the Altoona WaJo!

[Brian Van Horn]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

Brian VH, are you suggesting that you like your cards raw?! Great cards!! I never get tired of seeing your 1916 Altoona Tribune card of WaJo. Some day, I'm gonna come up with a Wags card that you'd rather have than the Altoona WaJo!

Val,

Sorry to say, but that day will only happen after I pass. I apologize.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

I prefer raw cards. I like to be able to touch them...hold them in my hands...they take up so much less space. I love flipping through my binders 100% more than shuffling cumbersome, "noisy" slabs.

My sentiments as well.

[brianp-beme]

I raw all the time, and if I raw and rare it is even better.


Brian (the big boy version of the normally dinky size R308 Tattoo Orbit is the rare one)

[raulus]

Originally Posted by hawaiian bam bam

Any updates?

Not sure why anyone would expect updates in just a few months. But I suppose it’s been a few months since the last skirmish in the great raw v graded wars, so we’re due.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by raulus

Not sure why anyone would expect updates in just a few months. But I suppose it’s been a few months since the last skirmish in the great raw v graded wars, so we’re due.

Probably not necessary, but for accuracy purposes and in defense of the OP/updater, it has been over 19 months since the previous post.

Brian

[raulus]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

Probably not necessary, but for accuracy purposes and in defense of the OP/updater, it has been over 19 months since the previous post.

Brian

HA. Maybe on this thread! But I’m confident we’ve had plenty of other skirmishes on other threads in the interim. Although it does seem like James has been somewhat quiet of late…

[Brian Van Horn]

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