Have graded cards lost their luster?

[sanjosefuji]

Graded cards... like a lot of things in the hobby... you either like them or you don't. But we've covered collector's opinions on this topic before: HERE.


Nope... today we're going to branch off and focus on graded cards and their values.


In the last six months, I've picked up a bunch of PSA 10 graded rookie and insert cards for less than the actual grading fee price.

2001 UD Collectibles Playmakers #SE2 Ichiro Suzuki RC $2.83
1998 Bowman's Best "Refractors" #60 Greg Maddux (#'d to 400) $5.38
1995 Studio "Platinum Series" #8 Cal Ripken Jr. $3.75

1995-96 Ultra #274 Kevin Garnett RC $6.50
1992-93 Ultra #328 Shaquille O'Neal RC $3.36
1992-93 Hoops #442 Shaquille O'Neal RC $3.36

1998 Stadium Club Chrome "Refractors" #SCC6 Emmitt Smith $3.75
1998 Stadium Club Chrome "Refractors" #SCC14 Jerry Rice $5.38
1999 Finest "Refractors" #80 Barry Sanders $5.38

2009 Topps National Chicle #151 Michael Crabtree RC $2.69
2001 Pacific Dynagon "Retail" #108 LaDainian Tomlinson RC $4.03
1998 Stadium Club #182 Hines Ward RC $5.38

1995-96 Select Certified #114 Shane Doan RC $2.25

These are just the ones I spent under $7 for. I have a bunch of others I picked up in the $7 to $10 range.


Aren't the grading fees $6 to $7 alone? I don't get it.

Why even bother getting these graded if you're going to sell them so cheap?


Am I missing something?


Am I buying fakes?


Are graded cards a fad... and if so, is the fad officially over?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Happy Wednesday everyone... I hope all of you enjoy the rest of your week. Sayonara!



More...

[TakaTanakaGiants]

Nice cards!
I don't mind spending a little extra money to purchase a graded card. I know the condition of the card when I purchase it and I don't really have to worry about it being damaged during shipping.
I've noticed some pretty cheap prices as well and I was thinking the same thing. Perhaps people are willing to eat the cost of the grading service just to move them. They are kinda big and take up space.
For me, I don't know if I would ever get a card graded, but I don't mind purchasing a 9, 9.5, or 10 even if the price is a few bucks more than the non-graded version.

[ucffans]

I saw someone trying to move a 1988 Donruss David Cone card. I really didn't understand why someone would invest in grading cards like this.

[ac-n-mike]

dont tell those crazed Michael Jordan BGS 9.5 collectors that they have lost their luster... those guys are NUTS!


prices are I N S AN I T Y !

[gladdyontherise]

I think it depends. Things like making a card grade higher because it's a "big" card has turned some off of grading cards. I personally just don't like the big case, and prefer the cards raw, however if it's a card I like and I get a good price, I'll buy it graded.

[sanjosefuji]

Yeah... If I ever did submit card to PSA or Beckett... I'd never bother sending in a 1988 Donruss Cone. But here's the thing... if someone offered me a PSA 10 graded copy of this card for $2, I'd buy it. Cone was a great pitcher... not quite HOF caliber, but he is a Cy Young Award winner.

I saw someone trying to move a 1988 Donruss David Cone card. I really didn't understand why someone would invest in grading cards like this.

I agree... some of his 90's inserts that are graded go for big $$$.

dont tell those crazed Michael Jordan BGS 9.5 collectors that they have lost their luster... those guys are NUTS!
prices are I N S AN I T Y !

This is exactly why I picked up these cards. They're all stuff I don't mind having in my collection & the prices were right.

I think it depends. Things like making a card grade higher because it's a "big" card has turned some off of grading cards. I personally just don't like the big case, and prefer the cards raw, however if it's a card I like and I get a good price, I'll buy it graded.