Do you think people overpay for raw cards?

This has been raised before, but I've especially noted it lately from recent auctions. My feeling is that many people overpay for raw cards. I think it stems from the bidder's overly-optimistic view of the grade of the raw card. Sometimes this can partly be blamed on inaccurate grading by the seller of the raw card, but I have also seen it where the seller refuses to comment on grade, providing only detailed scans of the raw card.

One example just this week...I won an auction for a tough card in a PSA 2. By all appearances a nice 2. A few days later a raw one comes up. As far as I'm concerned this raw card is in worse condition (certainly not better) and would likely grade a 1.5 or Fair. No chance the card is a 3 at all. So I figure I'll bid half what I won the 2 for and see what happens. This raw card sells for 150% of what I just paid...difference of several hundred bucks.

In this sense, I feel TPGs are saving me money. If the card I bought for a nice price in a 2 holder was sold raw, I suspect someone would have bid it way up hoping it was a 3 or 4...

That is just one example, but I think this happens a lot. What say you all?

yes in some cases. i see strong prices from sellers that's not a "regular" or cards perceived to be fresh to the hobby (from some mom or pop)

I just took a bath an a real clean t204 in an old school screw down case.. its sitting at the post office in a shiny new sgc holder with a big fat A on the flip... AWESOME

I just had a bunch of raw t205s close. Had an oversized one that I noted as such. It has great corners and minimal chipping for a t205. Only major flaw was a crease that didn't break the paper and it sold for $8.50. Had another one that looked exactly the same right down to the crease but was normal sized and went for $25. go figure.

yes...they do...the "lottery" syndrome!

I have always thought selling cards raw is a bid of a crap shoot. There definately are times where a card needs to to be cracked and sold raw. I think that there are still people out there that they can find a gem raw by getting it graded. This is getting slimmer and slimmer as very few raw cards in higher grade hit the market and if they do I personally have a suspicion that there is something wrong with the card that it is not in a holder.

Here is a prime example, would probably get 2-3 times raw what it would get in the holder:



Lee

I buy raw cards, and I feel that I don't over pay. My buying techniques is to go to card shows and find guys who have a stack or two of T206s that at first glance are probably PSA 2s and 3s. Then I sort out the obvious PSA 1s. I can usually wheel and deal well enough to get a goup of 5 or 7 for $100 cash. I probably average a little over PSA 2 after getting them graded. It is amazing, but I often get a couple PSA 4s out of the stacks that the seller thinks are just plain old rough commons. Of course, I do get my share of PSA 1s that I swear are at least 2s. I have some pretty nice looking PSA 1s, maybe someday I will re-submit.

That is a smart way to buy, I think when your buying lots as a whole, sight unseen, it is a bit of a crap shoot. Buying them at a show eliminates any surprises. I am always willing to pay a little more for a raw card at a show because you are able to see the card in person.

Lee

Farm_kid wrote:I buy raw cards, and I feel that I don't over pay. My buying techniques is to go to card shows and find guys who have a stack or two of T206s that at first glance are probably PSA 2s and 3s. Then I sort out the obvious PSA 1s. I can usually wheel and deal well enough to get a goup of 5 or 7 for $100 cash. I probably average a little over PSA 2 after getting them graded. It is amazing, but I often get a couple PSA 4s out of the stacks that the seller thinks are just plain old rough commons. Of course, I do get my share of PSA 1s that I swear are at least 2s. I have some pretty nice looking PSA 1s, maybe someday I will re-submit.

Very good strategy! There's no substitute for your own careful in-hand inspection!!! (But cards slabbed by a reliable grader help if that is not possible.)