Be careful when buying low graded PSA graded cards
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- Опубликовано: 5 фев 2025
- A lot of people are now saying buy the card, not the grade. I agree with that, but you need to be careful. Cards that are 2/3's have serious issues that sometimes you can't see from a 2D scan. A lot of these vintage cards are also being mutilated by the current card "restoration" experts that are using PSA to make a quick buck.
I love collecting mid-grade vintage cards (PSA 4 or 5). Yes, I’m aware that those cards are going to have issues, some clearly visible and maybe some at certain angles. But if the card has great centering and nothing major that I can see across the main part of the card (i.e. nice eye appeal to me), I don’t care what the number grade is. And the lower the grade the cheaper the card would be. Very important for me since I have a limited budget. As for potential altered cards by Kurt’s card care methods, if you buy older slabs (say 5 years and older) there’s less of a chance of that being the case since he’s only been around for a few years I believe. Basically, for me, as long as I like the overall look of the card (flaws and all) and I can afford it, I’ll gladly add it to my collection.
Thanks! Great analysis of our current state.
Enjoyed your discussion! Lots of common sense!
The lower you go on the grading scale (for either raw or slabbed cards...) the more variability and thus the more room for error and inconsistency when you are buying vintage cards sight-unseen. Your example of the 4 is perfect. 4's can absolutely have wrinkles and light creases, and often do. When you see a card with decent centering and sharp corners and think "Why is this a 4?" that's often the case. The problem is that the degree of the issue and judgment of severity is up to the individual grader. It used to be with PSA that most 4's would only have something very minor - like a line indent, or a wrinkle small and so shallow you could barely see it. But I have seen this become less consistent in recent years. 4's are a favorite grade of mine, because for most vintage (I'm not particularly a centering guy) the card still looks good and presentable and they are a fraction of the price of the same card in a 6 or 7, which I avoid. Life is too short and it's just not worth it to me anymore if it's only a wrinkle that I can't even see under the plastic unless I'm really looking for it. But I can understand the frustration where one bad crease gets a 4, and the same card with maybe slightly worse centering or corners has a totally clean surface. Heck, when I was a kid back before grading in the 80's, the line on "VG-EX" (what equates to a 4 today) was that was the highest grade a card with a crease could get. So us kids who were nerdy enough to be into grading called anything with a crease "VG-EX" lol. Some of those cards of course were horrible and would probably be 2's or even 1's today. But it goes to show you how the subjectivity inherent in the process still works even today. Among all these "professional" graders...
You make a lot of good points ...PSA is much tougher when grading with the slabs with the silver sticker . These are the newer slabs. I think at least 1 and in some cases 2 grades lower
Gave a video like. Love hearing your thoughts. I buy low grade vintage in PSA, SGC and BVG on a regular basis. I agree, need to be careful. They no doubt often time have serious issues. I just bought a 50's Ted Williams in a 1, has multiple staples, marks on the front and a crease down the middle. I could care less, just thrilled to find one I could afford that I'm happy with. Your points are valid. You buy low grade then you should expect issues that aren't visible in scans. Don't expect a card in a 3 holder to look like a 5 when it comes in the mail. It could happen, not likely to happen though. Keep up the great videos.
Completely agree. I have no issues buying low graded vintage, especially for cards like that Williams knowing what the issues are. The narrative that PSA is giving cards that were 5/6's, 2/3's is just not true. Loved your oversized cards!
@@cardboardandplastic They are rare when you find an exception that is way better than the grade. Good on you for bringing an alternative viewpoint. Knowledge is power. Excellent video pal.
The people at PSA (who spent 20 seconds examining your '67 Bob Gibson) don't know the difference between a 4 and a 7.
Truth. And what a laugh that any of them are more "professional" than those of us that have been grading vintage cards for 30 years or more.
Thx for sharing those Blanda and Tittle cards. I buy almost exclusively raw. So far, so good. I do have my first order for grading ever being prepared for SGC. Cheers.
Be careful, grading can be addicting. ;) So many great raw cards out there. Most sellers are honest and I even had very few issues on COMC. Congrats on your 62 Topps set!
@ thx for the advice. I’d rather spend my hobby $ on cards than plastic. I have a set of first black MLB players I want to grade like my Jackie, etc. and my future Satchel. Thx again.
That Doc Gooden looks very well centered! Good looking card!
Got it into a new toploader and it is gorgeous. No need to ever upgrade that card. Thanks for watching.
Look, I don't want to sound like a jerk but c'mon dude!!! Are you buying a subjective number - a grade - on a slab or are you buying vintage cards?? because if you're buying numbers on slabs (which are purely subjective btw) then you're in the hobby for ALL of the wrong reasons.. No offense to the skilled and highly qualified graders out there - but the plurality of these "professional graders" have absolutely NO IDEA what they're even doing, moreover a lot of them aren't even old enough to have the skill, wisdom and experience to grade a vintage card...
Over my many years in the hobby, and as a vintage collector I have seen so many beautiful vintage cards that were so CRIMINALLY UNDER-GRADED it made me physically ill - cards that should have graded a 7 but graded a 4 - and the funny (or sad) part is that there are so many collectors out there that wont TOUCH - or even entertain buying a card - graded any less than a 7 - regardless of the eye-appeal or what the card realistically SHOULD GRADE!
Not to sound narcissistic but, I've been dealing in vintage cards since I began collecting back in the mid-80's so over the last 40+ years of flipping vintage I've earned the credibility to criticize vintage slabbed cards, because I've had a peak at some of these "professional graders" and most are barely in their 30's and they're grading high-end vintage cards using the same method they use to grade 2024 Topps Refractors -- which is TOTALLY WRONG, and quite frankly sacrilegious to vintage...
Look, If I had the money I could make MILLIONS buying "low grade vintage slabs", cracking them, resubmitting them or just selling them raw... And there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with doing that IF a collector has the experience and legitimately knows what they're doing..
But those of you that buy the grade and not the card - go right ahead and pass on that sharp 1959 Topps Sandy Koufax graded a 3.5 that has the eye-appeal of an 8, but only graded a 3.5 because of a wrinkle that can only be noticed in certain lighting conditions.... Go ahead, pass on that card because I'll gladly pick it up!!
I'll leave it at that - but I could literally write a book on this issue and all of the many-many problems with professional grading in the vintage space and how to improve that aspect of the hobby..
I have no problem buying low grades. I think you missed my point. I am just saying that PSA is not giving cards 2/3's that are 5/6's. That is it. I am hearing that PSA is giving 2's to cards that used to be 5's in old slabs.
@@cardboardandplasticby the number of conflicting comments, I dont think you presented you case clearly enough, not that people missed you point.
Playing devils advocate, what’s wrong with cleaning a card. If I find a Picasso in my fathers attic, and it goes to auction, do you really think they are not going to have it professionally restored or cleaned? unless you are actually altering the card, cutting, manipulating in some really odd way, I don’t think there is anything wrong with it.
I am with you. I began collecting in the 80's as a teen using part-time job money buying vintage Mays cards etc, for 50.00 from old guys at shows before grading became the thing. It was all about eye appeal, love of the sport/hobby and common sense. Now I have nothing against graded cards. The grading business provides some clarity and perhaps some comfort as to authenticity etc. to the hobby. I have bought both graded and ungraded over the past year now that I have returned to the hobby with gusto. I have no issues buying a lower-graded cards particularly depending on the age of the card. IMHO there are far too many in this hobby obsessed with the grade rather than the card and the history it represents. They are just big game hunters looking for numbers. Perhaps they are the same ones who overbid on cards because they become more concerned with winning the auction than buying the particular card at a fair market value. I will continue to buy a solid T206 1.5 to 2 at a good price point and enjoy the card. I will also continue to buy 40's/50'/60's at 3/4's and even a 2 to 2.5 that has great eye appeal for far less than the 5 plus that will cost the grade hunters hundreds to thousands more. Enjoy the hobby and the cards and not obsess about the numbers or the grading industry.
I am the exact opposite of you, I buy beautiful 3s because they do have defects that you can't see unless at awkward specific angles. guess what, I DONT CARE. IF IT LOOKS GREAT, WHO CARES. That is literally the reason you want the card.
Lots of great 3's out there, but also some that look great in a scan and not in hand. For the money that we pay grading companies, it is silly that they don't have notes with the key issues with the cert numbers. Location of wrinkles and creases are a big deal and don't show well on images. For the right price I still buy 3's. Heck, I have a PSA 3.5 1956 Warren Spahn coming in the mail tomorrow I paid $27.13 for all-in. These cards are not a risk if you pay similar comps, I just don't want people spending way above comps for these cards. Thanks for watching!
That’s my favorite Stargell card. Love it.
I was reorganizing my cases today and when I pulled it out, I was even shocked how great that card looks. The baby blue with the Pirates yellow is just makes the card pop!
We are watching the same videos. I agree with you 100%.
With the increased demand of vintage and graded vintage, there is a community altering cards for profit that would never have done it in the past because there was no money to be made. I think people would be appalled by how many Kurt's Card Kits are being sold right now. It is sad. Thanks for watching!
@cardboardandplastic Kurtz setting up at card shows is appalling. Next Fanatics will buy him out.
@@mikewrobel2881 It is becoming more accepted and all I hear about is how nice of a guy Kurt is. He is such a nice guy that is is altering cards for collectors that don't want it, so he can make more money. So nice....
As for PSA having people who have no business grading vintage. I have long agreed. I honestly prefer SGC and have for like a decade now. I know someone will read my comment and reply well SGC doesn't sell for as much as PSA. Well to me that's like someone saying I gotta have Oreo cookies because the bag has got to say Oreo cookies. When in fact my kids will eat the store brand name cookies that look like Oreo's and guess what my kids are just as happy, so I'm not paying extra just for the name. But that is how I look at the difference in PSA and SGC. PSA is hyped. SGC is not. But SGC has been considered by many many collectors and dealers for most of the last decade to be the best at grading vintage and I feel that way myself. I honestly also love SGC holders, it's just my opinion. I'm not saying I don't buy PSA cards. I have many in my collection. But I prefer to submit cards to SGC if I'm grading vintage cards I picked up. I also prefer SGC cards for my personnel collection that I know I am never gonna sell. My family may when I die but I won't But that's me. Anyway I agree with you in PSA being inconsistent. I know guys here in Ohio who have literally broke fresh graded cards out of PSA holders. Sent them back in again and got a higher grade than the first time. That sounds crazy but I know it does happen a lot with PSA. Also, glad this video popped up in videos I might like. I am gonna subscribe to your channel. Good video. Good detailed info!
SGC grades better, less altered cards in slabs because of lower value, and they have experienced people that know what they are doing. CGC has really turned a corner on vintage as well. They have been spot on recently.
nice video. good to see a video w/ examples. pretty good thesis supported w/ these cards. very low grade - there's a reason for it. 4's and up - kinda iffy what PSA is doing. even w/ those creases, I'd think the first card could have been a little higher. but not a case of treasure discovered as a result of PSA's "mistake" or anything like that. just got back into the hobby and have noticed some vintage cards have that mystery wrinkle that seems to have gotten there by I don't know what... cards that are otherwise mint but have that one blemish. I, too, love having cards like that in my collection and I'll take them all day for the reduced prices. no need to grade those
We are grading way too many cards and I am guilty of this as well. Unfortunately, people love slabs and most cards will go in one. The grading companies won and I don't see this stopping. It may get to a point that you can't sell a card on eBay without it being in a slab if it is over $50. Thanks fo r watching!
Im trying to get a graded copy of every hof. Id like to get them during their playing days and id perfer a base over an all star or other variety. However for prewar guys i think im going to have to go another direction because i have a limited budget. I cant afford high grade vintage so im aiming for lots of 2 through 5. I prefer sharpish corners and decent centering.
how hard would it be for a person working for a grading company grade their own personal cards
I know what grade I am getting +/- 1 grade and grading companies grade +/- 1 grade, it is really not hard. Grading is really important for authentication, but we put way too much power in their hands. It also protects from scammers that alter cards, but even grading companies can't detect that all the time, and for people that lie about condition.
Great video and cards, thanks for sharing
Buy the card, not the grade...
Ive heard graders get paid 20 bucks an hour. So its slightly better than minimum wage in some states. Its not like you can major in grading in college. I feel most cards are graded fairly but i feel sometimes you get a grader having a bad day.
To grade cards all you have to do is count to 10 at PSA. To grade cards at SGC, you do need more advanced mathematical skills to deal with decimals. :) I agree most cards are graded fairly, but I always treat the grade as +/- 1 grade.
No way u make that Hubbel a 3!
Have you seen SGC and PSA 3's for 1933 Goudey's? If you have a nice surface and centering, they allow you to get away with murder on corners. A little soak in the card spray would easily bump up the grade. Maybe Kurt could send me a free Card Care kit to review for him. ;)
Im a 64 year collector.im in my 70s and I refuse to play the graded card racket.im careful who i buy from i had to get burned a couple of time's but this graded card racket is very arbitrary a matter of options
I icant go wrong witg h8gh end raw cards.i know what im seeing abd ll judge the quality of what i purchase 10:02
Grading serves its purpose for cards that are faked a lot like Jordan rookies, Ruth, Gehrig, and Mantle's, but we have gone way too far as a hobby. Grading is fine for presentation if it is $8 or less for a nice holder. Why I use CGC. However, seeing people use PSA/SGC to slab $2 cards at $15 really makes me sad. Just buy more cards! :)
It does bother me that a Curt’s card care doctored card could be in my collection.
However, if I buy low grade PSA or SGC slabs I don’t have any delusions that I bought an 8 that’s been under graded. I agree they are very inconsistent.
CGC slabs are really nice. I was already planning on grading a lot less next year getting some mag pros and making my own labels.
There is an overall PSA slant on the channels that well kinda can subtly influence me with repeated rinses. So thank you for putting out a video like this.
We all have doctored cards in our collection unfortunately. There is no way around it right now with the value placed on cardboard. The emphasis placed on eye-appeal with grades are making card "restorers" target these cards in the 2 to 5 range. Mag pros are absolutely amazing and if you haven't held one in your hand yet, you won't be disappointed. Thanks for watching!
Should there be a double standard for cards from the 70's and older and the 80' and newer?
For grading, I think so. We have a big issue of trying to make cards "scarce" by their grades. I think what is more important is cards being scarce by true scarcity or by eye appeal.
Honest question: As long as the card is not cut, what is so wrong about washing or flattening a card? Great video btw
It is a personal preference and shared by the majority of vintage collectors. However, it is changing as many newer collectors don't see a problem with it. There are even grey areas for collectors against products like Kurt's Car Care. There are vintage collectors that are fine soaking an old card to remove glue from a card that was in a scrapbook, but they are against soaking/flattening to remove wrinkles. Some vintage collectors have reported wrinkles and stains come back inside slabs that they think were soaked and pressed. It is definitely a great discussion to be had. We can try to ignore it, but it is gaining popularity. Thanks for watching!
So should I get my card graded or not?
PSA grades are often grossly inaccurate and inconsistent. The value the market places on small differences in grade is overblown. I actually collect photos of PSA 10 with obvious flaws or damage to the naked eye. I may create a channel someday to draw attention to it. But I kind of like getting massive deals on cards just bc it’s a modern card in a psa 8. Someday people will realize a good portion of PSAs grades have little to do with the card itself and more to do with the grader, whether it was submitted by a valued customer, the grades already given in the order, card pop etc. it’s really silly how people often act like PSA is infallible. But widespread stupidity is an opportunity for personal gain.
People love 10 slabs, the card inside doesn't matter. Can't wait until PSA goes full Spinal Tap and turns it up to 11. :)
Wouldn’t the doctoring constitute an “Altered” designation?
If the grading companies could detect it. Kurt has graded many altered cards and PSA has slabbed them. Kurt posted some videos of altering the same card and PSA deactivated the cert # after they discovered the evidence from video proof. I think people think PSA and other companies can actually detect altering. They can't even accurately determine if a card was trimmed the majority of the time and that should be one of the easier alterations to detect.
I purposely search for low grade cards if I know that a high grade example is incredible amounts of money….. I just want that card no matter what the grade.
I have a few. Their holders are amazing. I just don’t grade so I have the ones I bought.
They have the same clarity as the Zion Mag Pro cases. It is embarrassing the plastic PSA and SGC uses if these other companies can get this quality for their holders. I graded with PSA months ago and got their "improved" holders, which had cracks inside that made the cards looked scratched.
How long before technology allows people to forge cards and no grader can tell the difference?
For modern it is easy. Vintage would be extremely hard unless you had the original machines used to print the cards, tools to cut them, and the same card stock.
Nothing wrong with cards graded 1, 2 or 3 as long as they are priced appropriately. I am quite aware they have issues resulting in their grades, perhaps issues that are not obvious in a scan. I am not expecting a 6 in a 3 holder.But if it has 6 eye appeal and I paid for 3, I am a happy collector.
The problem now is people are not as forgiving as you and are expecting that 5 in a 2/3 for PSA. I personally don't feel comfortable buying a PSA 3 unless it is priced at market for the grade. I am not going to pay for eye-appeal on a 3 unless it is from a seller I trust or can hold the card in my hands before the purchase. Thanks for watching!
@@cardboardandplastic No argument here. I may pay a modest "centering tax" on certain cards, but I won't pay 4 or 5 price for a PSA 3. I have no patience for people who claim "Undergraded!" in their title and price it as if it was the grade they thinik it should be.
@@cryptonite8495 Exactly, this is the way!
I don’t my bother with grading anything. I don’t think there is quality control when it’s just a person’s opinion. I have a Rickey rookie which went straight from a cello rack pack to a penny sleeve and a top loader. It is beautiful, but I’m sure a card like that will not get a PSA10 due to the question of POP control. Right there, that tells me it isn’t an unbiased service.
I think it is just more of cards being treated differently, which is a form of pop control I guess. A Rickey Henderson PSA 10 would be scrutinized by the public if it had a print issue or a slight corner issue. A common from that set would get a 10 and no one would care. Important cards in the hobby are treated differently, and PSA has admitted to this.
Anything vintage before 1970, i love buying PSA 2,3,4’s that are centered and have nice eye appeal.
In saying that, i don’t expect these cards to appreciate much or be considered high end vintage. These vintage cards are simply for collectors like me who want these iconic cards and can’t break the bank.
For example, i bought a 1968 Topps Bench rookie PSA 2 last year for about $125. It has great eye appeal and is centered nicely. It’s still a PSA 2 but i was able to get arguably one of the greatest catchers in the history of baseball rookie card for an affordable price. I simply can’t afford a Bench rookie PSA 6,7, or 8.
That’s all the low grade vintage market is these days, it’s a bunch of collectors who want a nice looking card at an affordable price.
Todays hobby is nothing like it was back in the day, it’s a shame. Perfect looking cards getting 7s and 8s, come on. Nobody is looking under magnification, shits getting ridiculous.
Maybe the grading companies should give a list of reasons why a card graded as it did? At least it would give the customer a better idea of what the grader sees.
PSA already does this at certain pricing levels, but from what I understand, it's fairly minimal feedback.
The average price of grading is around $20 at PSA, probably higher. The cost of the slab and supplies cost them less than $1 to slab your card. They probably spend less than 3 minutes per card through the whole process. Yes, they should provide much more information than just a number grade.
Today's 3 is yesterday's 5. No consistency whatsoever, and grading is a total scam.
How much is a membership to SGC and what do does it cost to grade a card?
To really make a difference on a vintage card with Kurt's card care I don't believe it's easy. I think he makes it look easier than it is. A buddy has ruined a bunch of cards trying.
Unfortunately, practice makes this much easier. There are techniques that work and also certain defects are easier to fix. What is sad is people probably ruined amazing vintage cards trying to alter them for higher grades.
In an art museum do they repair art yes they do are old sports cards art in my opinion yes.
It is also obligated that when you sell or buy art work, that you must disclose any repairs or restoration work done on art. There are also collectors that refuse to buy old art pieces that were restored. If you "restore" cards, you must disclose that information to the grading company or buyer. Doing it in secret to get a higher grade is not repairing a card, it is 100% a money grab.
@cardboardandplastic only if you sell the graded card if you repair it and keep it in your own collection after grading there is nothing wrong with that.
@cardboardandplastic Also if it's fixed so good that a grading company can't tell that's on them.
@@cardboardandplastic And what about a grading company giving a card a lower grade to keep the pop gem 10 low.
@@VintageSportsCards1979 I am fine with altering cards if people want to do it, but it needs to be disclosed with a different color flip. If you just keep it for your PC, it will enter the hobby at one point when you pass away. If altering cards is fine like you say, let the hobby see the different color flip and let them decide if they want to buy.
The cards actually look a lot better in simple toploaders. Really wish the hobby would simply turn its back on grading and PSA in particular... Be your own judge of the card!
We are unfortunately too far down the rabbit hole for that. The grading companies unfortunately own the hobby and I don't see a way out. I am getting rid of most of my non rookie card slab collection unless the cards are worth well over $100. Even too much plastic for me. ;) Thanks for watching.
Right, but then in 5-10 years we have the problem of rampant alteration again with raw cards. That's what led to there being a market for professional grading in the first place. The sad reality is that there isn't a perfect solution. The fact that the graders (PSA to start) set themselves up with a profit motive in the beginning eventually led to what we all knew what happen - them becoming corrupt as well. It's not ideal, but if you stay away from 6 figure vintage cards in PSA 9's and above, the vast majority of "collector" cards do stand a very good chance now at fair grading. The fact that PSA often doesn't know what they're doing and can't tell a 7 from a 4 is a different problem. But it's one that they have had cyclically throughout all of their history. Why people continue to line their pockets with money is a topic that baffles me regularly. SGC makes mistakes too, but not nearly as often.
@@jchcollins exactly, whatever way collectors go, scammers will find a way to make money off of us. Graded or raw.
Solution: Cards need to be graded via AI
I don't think AI could ever grade vintage. There are too many differences in card stock, print defects, and how the card was cut. You really need an expert in vintage to grade these cards.
I think AI can be helpful as far as centering is concerned, but I think vintage presents considerations that if I am being honest, I want a person looking at.
Good video, but here's the thing. A typical collector isn't going to know about any possible doctoring (ignorance is bliss, perhaps?). The anecdotal "some people are doctoring cards with Kurt's Card Care" isn't really helpful to collectors. Yes, I am sure some people are, but as collectors, what exactly are we supposed to do? We can only make the best decisions we can with the eyes we have. The answer isn't just "buy high grade vintage" because 98% of us cannot afford to do so. I buy mainly mid grade cards but do have a few low grade, high eye appeal cards. I don't think anyone buys a 1, 2, or 3 expecting it NOT to have some issues with it. To your point, the goal in buying those cards is to find ones where the crease is in a hidden spot, or a slight stain is hidden well by dark colors, etc. I would argue the bigger "issue" to consider, and it benefits the buyer, is that grading is relatively subjective. It's an opinion, and there can be inconsistencies. If my opinion is that the grade looks better than a 4, and I pay 4 prices, AWESOME! I get a great card. Also, while I am a SGC fan, I am not sure the argument of "to avoid inconsistencies of PSA, just use SGC" is hard and fast either. We hope that all cards in slabs are authentic, unaltered, and graded consistently. They won't always be, however, and there's great collector opportunity to exploit this. Thanks!
The issue is if your card gets worse over time in the slab. Introducing moisture could make the card mildew in the slab if not dried out completely, stains could come back, and wrinkles could pop out again. Some collectors have seen these issues. SGC is much safer, most people that alter will go after the PSA premium! Thanks for watching!
Wow! Those are the people who alter or do whatever with the card make collecting a bad name. I just bought that 67T Gibson in excellent condition for like $20/$25. What a great card. Take care. Yes, hard to see on a 2 dimensional photo on eBay. I criterias B4 I buy. Great episode. Take care.
No, I don't think that's happening
So what if they are turned into 3’s or 4’s…..they are still a 3 or 4!!!
Card altering bothers a lot of us, but it is being normalized with a certain group within the hobby with Kurt's information and products. At this point, I would have no problem with PSA grading altered cards in another color label. Let people decide if they want cards in their original state or altered to look better.
It's disappointing but, not surprising that PSA and SGC have a difference of opinion when, it comes to whether a card, was trimmed or not. I think most of us, are hopeful that, either AI technology or the grading companies do find a way to crack down no pun intended on the bad actors in the hobby. But, I think you are likely correct in your assessment. Good to be cautious , buying graded cards, and if you think something could be off, and doesn't sit right with you...move on...or not. Enjoy the hobby. Great video.
I don't think AI will be able to accurately grade vintage, so many variables with older cards. Different card stock, different printing locations, and many differences that modern cards don't have. If AI can ever grade vintage correctly, we will have bigger issues than worrying about card doctors. ;) Thanks for watching!
That yogi berra is beautiful……
I don't disagree with what you are saying, but it's all conjecture. Unless you can show before and after pictures of the cards and the difference in grades, why would anyone believe what you are saying?
The problem is altering is done in secret and unless someone catches it, it is hard. However, there have been many cases of BODA, Blowout Detective Agency on Blowout forums, that can catch when a card is cleaned. This tends to be only very expensive examples where it is easy to track. However, once one Cert # is caught, it is pretty obvious that others in the same order were cleaned as well. Unfortunately with cleaning running rampant, BODA has really given up besides a few people.
I only buy PSA. In addition only 7 , 7.5 , 8 , 8.5 and 9. Only PSA. I only collect 1962 thru 1969.
Do you participate in the registry or just to keep your collection uniform? My collection would bother people with how many different slabs I have.
“I won’t buy beautiful 2’s or 3’s”. Sorry but your reasoning is ridiculous. You are the perfect example of buying the holder and not the card.
Did I ever say that in the video? Nope. I said be careful buying them, especially online. If it looks beautiful in an eBay picture, it may have serious damage, creasing, and other issues you can't see in a two dimensional scan. I buy 2/3's all the time, but I need to see them in person first.
Im trying to get a graded copy of every hof. Id like to get them during their playing days and id perfer a base over an all star or other variety. However for prewar guys i think im going to have to go another direction because i have a limited budget. I cant afford high grade vintage so im aiming for lots of 2 through 5. I prefer sharpish corners and decent centering.
Don't neglect the oversized or oddball cards for pre-war. Some great deals out there for some truly rare stuff. Thanks for watching!
Ive heard graders get paid 20 bucks an hour. So its slightly better than minimum wage in some states. Its not like you can major in grading in college. I feel most cards are graded fairly but i feel sometimes you get a grader having a bad day.