Official OS Sports Card Collecting Thread

[baumy300]

Re: Official OS Sports Card Collecting Thread

I'm pretty sure you don't have to be a member to send cards in. You just get a few extras if you pay like $100 to become one.

Yeah, I checked yesterday and PSA will grade cards for around $17 dollars if the value is under $400.

I also get confused because I have noticed numerous sources like the two I am linking to below -

http://www.blowoutcards.com/forums/football/394626-whats-better-grading-co-beckett-psa.html

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070318005557AANQPIf

It seems both there and a lot of other places that people believe BGS is harsher on cards than PSA, and then here and in that article it's the other way around.

I don't know what to say, and part of me wants to send this off to PSA and the other part of me wants to keep it as is.

To be completely honest with all of you, I did pay $255.00 for the card, so I know for sure that I did not overpay and that I can always get that back out of it. I felt like I was a great deal for a card graded by BGS or PSA since those are the only two grading companies that I recognize.

I love all this feedback though. It's very helpful.

[cubsfan203]

Re: Official OS Sports Card Collecting Thread

Yeah, I checked yesterday and PSA will grade cards for around $17 dollars if the value is under $400.

I don't know what to say, and part of me wants to send this off to PSA and the other part of me wants to keep it as is.

To be completely honest with all of you, I did pay $255.00 for the card, so I know for sure that I did not overpay and that I can always get that back out of it. I felt like I was a great deal for a card graded by BGS or PSA since those are the only two grading companies that I recognize.

I love all this feedback though. It's very helpful.

Was going to PM this, but since you posted the price..

It looks like PSA 3 versions of that card sold in the $275-285 range. So if that happens, after fees and everything you would lose some money on the card.

If it holds its rating and gets a PSA 4, the only one I see sold was at $338 but there were a couple best offers you can't see. I think you could sell it at $350 without having to hold onto it very long if it gets that.

The only problem with that is that after you factor in 10% or so in fees (if you sell eBay), plus the cost of getting it graded you could be looking at giving up $50 or more. That would still be a good $40-50 profit, but I think you would be better off keeping it as it is and trying to list it for a $350-400 buy it now and allow people to make offers.

No matter what you do, I think you can make at least 20% profit off of this card if you can find the right buyer so you made an excellent buy in my opinion.

[ubernoob]

Re: Official OS Sports Card Collecting Thread

BGS is "harsher" because they have a pristine rating, which PSA does not.

That's why BGS 10 go for much higher.

As for vintage? I'll stick to PSA. Grading can be a crapshoot anyways, I've had my LCS owner send in vintage football cards (that he ripped straight from the old-*** packs he had to the envelope for grading) come back saying evidence of alteration, one was a 5 I believe as well. He cracked them and resent them all in, and none came back lower than a 7. Was odd.

But yes, BGS 10 is higher / better condition than PSA 10.

[baumy300]

Re: Official OS Sports Card Collecting Thread

Was going to PM this, but since you posted the price..

It looks like PSA 3 versions of that card sold in the $275-285 range. So if that happens, after fees and everything you would lose some money on the card.

If it holds its rating and gets a PSA 4, the only one I see sold was at $338 but there were a couple best offers you can't see. I think you could sell it at $350 without having to hold onto it very long if it gets that.

The only problem with that is that after you factor in 10% or so in fees (if you sell eBay), plus the cost of getting it graded you could be looking at giving up $50 or more. That would still be a good $40-50 profit, but I think you would be better off keeping it as it is and trying to list it for a $350-400 buy it now and allow people to make offers.

No matter what you do, I think you can make at least 20% profit off of this card if you can find the right buyer so you made an excellent buy in my opinion.

Thanks. And as far as what you are seeing from the photo, what flaws are you noticing that would make this a PSA 3-4? I personally see the centering/borders are slightly uneven, but I can't say one way or another what the corner condition looks like until I actually get the card.

BGS is "harsher" because they have a pristine rating, which PSA does not.

That's why BGS 10 go for much higher.

As for vintage? I'll stick to PSA. Grading can be a crapshoot anyways, I've had my LCS owner send in vintage football cards (that he ripped straight from the old-*** packs he had to the envelope for grading) come back saying evidence of alteration, one was a 5 I believe as well. He cracked them and resent them all in, and none came back lower than a 7. Was odd.

But yes, BGS 10 is higher / better condition than PSA 10.

I agree that vintage cards should be PSA, but other than the 10 scores do you believe from your personal experience/knowledge that a BGS card will almost always come back lower than a PSA?

Just trying to pick your brain(s) before I make my next move with this card

[ubernoob]

No, that's kind of a crap shoot. Grading is such an inexact science.

I don't have any cards graded, so all my personal experience is with the guy that runs the card shop here. I'm definitely jealous of his card collection though.

I guess he hasn't hired anyone in a couple years, but a guy is leaving sometime next year and I may start there at Christmas to possibly replace him once he does leave. We shall see though.

[cubsfan203]

Re: Official OS Sports Card Collecting Thread

Thanks. And as far as what you are seeing from the photo, what flaws are you noticing that would make this a PSA 3-4? I personally see the centering/borders are slightly uneven, but I can't say one way or another what the corner condition looks like until I actually get the card.

The corners look like they aren't in the best shape. They are all pretty rounded, and the bottom right one looks to have a crease. That's the best I can see from the smaller picture. I have a 1953 Bowman of Warren Spahn graded VG, and the card you have looks to be in similar condition.

Also forgot to mention, but you might try sports card trading forums as well. If you can sell to someone on one of those, you can avoid paying eBay fees which would make you a good $20-30 more.

[baumy300]

Re: Official OS Sports Card Collecting Thread

The corners look like they aren't in the best shape. They are all pretty rounded, and the bottom right one looks to have a crease. That's the best I can see from the smaller picture. I have a 1953 Bowman of Warren Spahn graded VG, and the card you have looks to be in similar condition.

Also forgot to mention, but you might try sports card trading forums as well. If you can sell to someone on one of those, you can avoid paying eBay fees which would make you a good $20-30 more.

Right on. I am inclined to agree with you, but I'm foolish enough to remain optimistic about the corners until I can see them in person.

I'll try one of those forums as well. I can't remember the names off the top of my head, but I know I'm a member of a fairly large one.

Again, thanks all for the input.

[redsrule]

Re: Official OS Sports Card Collecting Thread

The biggest issues with some of the sports card forums that B/S/T is that because you can avoid the fees, people lowball you bigtime and expect to pay a lot less than Ebay prices. I am a member of Blowoutcards forums, and that seems to be the case there, although there are exceptions.

[redsrule]

Re: Official OS Sports Card Collecting Thread

No, that's kind of a crap shoot. Grading is such an inexact science.

I don't have any cards graded, so all my personal experience is with the guy that runs the card shop here. I'm definitely jealous of his card collection though.

I guess he hasn't hired anyone in a couple years, but a guy is leaving sometime next year and I may start there at Christmas to possibly replace him once he does leave. We shall see though.

There is only one card store here, and I'd love to get a job there. Even though I would end up spending all my money I earned there, it would be worth it.

[Mo]

Re: Official OS Sports Card Collecting Thread

Went through some of my old cards. Nothing of value there, but the highlights

Spoiler

[ubernoob]

Re: Official OS Sports Card Collecting Thread

There is only one card store here, and I'd love to get a job there. Even though I would end up spending all my money I earned there, it would be worth it.

Yeah, I've talked to him quite a bit. There's 3 people that work there. The owner (who is probably in his 50s?), and 2 kids either my age or younger than me.

The one kid that takes care of the store by himself on the weekend said he would recommend me for the job if I come in closer to Christmas. Still a ways off, but crossing my fingers.

The name of it is "Sportscard Fantasies" (or some variation of that) but they have a ton of jerseys/memorabilia as well (the store is in the mall) - some discounts on that stuff would be nice to have as well.

[VTPack919]

Re: Official OS Sports Card Collecting Thread

Yeah, I've talked to him quite a bit. There's 3 people that work there. The owner (who is probably in his 50s?), and 2 kids either my age or younger than me.

The one kid that takes care of the store by himself on the weekend said he would recommend me for the job if I come in closer to Christmas. Still a ways off, but crossing my fingers.

The name of it is "Sportscard Fantasies" (or some variation of that) but they have a ton of jerseys/memorabilia as well (the store is in the mall) - some discounts on that stuff would be nice to have as well.

I would love a job at a place like this. Screw finance.

[baumy300]

Re: Official OS Sports Card Collecting Thread

Honestly, don't fantasize about working at places like that - Fantasize about owning them.

It may be a risk (I wouldn't take it where I live at) but you only live once and if you can put together enough numbers to back up your desire to own one, go for it!

I'd maybe even be interested in buying into one if I knew someone credible/knowledgeable enough to help me run it...

[ubernoob]

Re: Official OS Sports Card Collecting Thread

Honestly, don't fantasize about working at places like that - Fantasize about owning them.

It may be a risk (I wouldn't take it where I live at) but you only live once and if you can put together enough numbers to back up your desire to own one, go for it!

I'd maybe even be interested in buying into one if I knew someone credible/knowledgeable enough to help me run it...

Agreed.

I don't know how much business they normally do, but I wouldn't have an issue working there for as long as I live and possibly taking it over (or opening my own) way down the road.

I make enough from disability to live off of, personally, plus my fiance's income so we're set. I don't ever need to get a job, I just want to be around something I love to stave off the boredom of doing nothing all day. That would be the perfect opportunity.

[redsrule]

Re: Official OS Sports Card Collecting Thread

So I was looking at some of my cards earlier and I found this Carlton Fisk relic /25. I don't have a ton of them, but it's always nice having relic/autograph cards of hall of famers!

Spoiler