Graded vs. Raw Rant.......

hawaiian bam bam · #1 03-24-2024, 05:43 PM

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!

Exhibitman · #2 03-24-2024, 08:54 PM

Al, I deal in raw cards and they sell just fine. The percentage of collectors who care about slabs is a fraction of the total base. That said, I would not sell a grade-worthy card raw: no reason to leave money on the table.

homerunhitter · #3 09-11-2024, 09:36 AM

I also noticed on eBay that sometimes I can buy a graded card for cheaper than what it costs to submit it for grading on my own! So in those instances, for resale value or ease of resale in the future, I now almost always buy the graded card.

Exhibitman · #4 09-12-2024, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homerunhitter

I also noticed on eBay that sometimes I can buy a graded card for cheaper than what it costs to submit it for grading on my own! So in those instances, for resale value or ease of resale in the future, I now almost always buy the graded card.

That is a conundrum. I have a box of graded cards that fit that description. It is also why I shy away from submitting mainstream cards--no point in paying $15+ and shipping both ways to get something I can find for ten bucks and one-way delivery.

homerunhitter · #5 01-30-2025, 09:19 PM

It�s all so confusing, but the needle is swinging back to raw cards!

Big35Hurt · #6 01-31-2025, 07:47 AM

I have never sent cards in for grading. I did it previously for a small handful of nicer coins - mainly to get confirmation on authenticity and variety for some silver dollars. I am ok with my cards being in top loaders or one touch holders. I do have some graded cards, and they were bought that way with none of them being high end. I have two 1958 Omaha Cardinals Bob Gibson team issued cards that I will probably get graded at some point (maybe when I decide that I am going to sell them).

homerunhitter · #7 02-16-2025, 01:25 PM

I just recently switched back to raw and I must tell you, raw is awesome! I have rekindled my joy in raw cards. The only thing I think I will miss about graded cards is that if I ever decided ti leave the hobby and sell everything, with graded I could just put in a box and send them off to be sold by a consignment service vs with raw cards, being ripped off by some LCS offering to pay me crap for my cards. I feel that when it comes to resale, LCSs will pull your pants down to your ankles and go to town!

raulus · #8 02-17-2025, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homerunhitter

It’s all so confusing, but the needle is swinging back to raw cards!

Maybe I'm misinterpreting your exclamation point, but I guess I'm always confused when raw card acolytes get excited about others getting into raw cards.

I mean, if you were looking to sell today and you had a large collection of raw cards, then I would definitely understand your excitement.

But if you're still very much in buying mode, then having other people jump on the raw card bandwagon seems like it will drive up prices overall and add to the population of buyers you get to compete against when you're buying, all of which should make it harder for you to find raw cards at reasonable prices, and none of which seems like it would excite me if raw cards were my jam.

But maybe we all crave the validation that comes from having other people doing the same things that we're doing because it makes us feel better about our own choices?

ALR-bishop · #9 02-17-2025, 09:49 AM

I don't know if excited is the right word but I have always prefered ungraded cards over graded for personal collecting. But admittedly value has not been a driving factor for me in collecting.

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