Flipping Graded Baseball Cards

[elchako]

Hi all. Just a general question I suppose...

Does anyone try and buy cards off eBay with the sole intention of getting them graded to re-sell them? My buddies and I have been discussing it. But with the cost of getting the cards graded, it seems to be a really risky proposition. Some of the cards I've seen on eBay aren't even selling for what the grading fees are.

I just wanted to get some other people's thoughts.

[advan24r]

Wrong section but yes I do that alot but end up keeping those that grade 9.5 in my pc.

[elchako]

Oops, you're right. My mistake. I meant to post it elsewhere. :(

So do you buy singles off of eBay? Or are you just getting things graded as you come upon them? And is PSA "the" place to get the cards graded? Some people I talk to scoff at BGS (and others).

[gunshowboy]

if it doesnt say BGS i wouldnt touch it as a graded card, except vintage stuff.

[mikecancelliere]

I actually have bought some cards in the last week just to send them into BGS and then flip them

[dab282]

But at what point does $7-9/card become worth it for a grade?

[mikecancelliere]

But at what point does $7-9/card become worth it for a grade?

Only grade cards that are worth alot unless it's PC. If you grade a $9 card and it gets a 9.5 it would probably only be like $25. So after grading you'd make like $4

[elchako]

Oh! I was misinformed apparently. So BGS is "the" place to get the cards graded? Good to know.

Anyone have any idea how I get this thread moved to the right place? lol :o

[gunshowboy]

dont worry someone will move it when they see it.

look for cards with big discrepancy in values BGS vs raw on sell values repeated not just some random BIN or some blip on radar pickup

[bigsmoot2]

BGS is definitely the way to go with modern cards.

When buying on ebay, the only thing you can really tell from a scan is centering, which along with corners is the sub that carries the most weight. Surface and edges are very hard to tell from a scan, unless the seller let's you know of any surface flaws.

I carefully inspect each card, wipe it down carefully with a microfiber cloth, and make sure the centering is very good are things I do before sending to BGS.

I also don't send something in if I don't feel it will get a BGS 9.5, I usually set my min grade to that and occasionally will use BGS 9.

Buying, grading and flipping are not as easy as people on here make you believe and BGS does not give out 9.5s like candy as some people now seem to think as well. I think that people are much more careful with what they are sending in (speaking from experience). Also use BGS specials as that will help to defray cost, check their website for that info.

Good luck!!

[elchako]

Excellent tips. Much appreciated. :)!

I got a bunch of 2010 Bowman Chrome redemption packs in on Friday. There are three Dustin Ackley's that look to be in pretty good shape. One is off-centered a bit so I may not bother with that one. But just to get a feel for how it works, I was going to send them in. I realize they're not worth a ton of money. But I need to start somewhere when it comes to gauging card quality.

[bradical]

This is the basic business model I currently work in. I buy a lot of raw cards off eBay and on here and bulk submit through another web site (usually around $5 per card) and I have had pretty good ROI with my submissions.


Buy a card for $30, invest $8 into grading, and then sell it for $60 - $70 a few months later. Clock work.

[bradical]

Here is some of better examples:

Bought for $8:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/bradical1379/Baseball/2008/2008-bdpp112-lonnie-chisenhall-auto.jpg

Sold for $190:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/bradical1379/eBay/Sold/2008-bdpp-lonnie-chisenhall-pristine.jpg

Bought for $5:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/bradical1379/Gone/bdpp97-mike-leake-auto.jpg

Sold for $125:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/bradical1379/Graded/2009-bdpp-mike-leake-pristine.jpg

Bought for $2:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/bradical1379/Baseball/2008/Bowman%20Chrome%20Prospects/Refractors/2008-bcp134-carlos-santana-ref.jpg

Sold for $125:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/bradical1379/eBay/Sold/2008-bcp-carlos-santana-ref-pristine.jpg

$15 invested + $23 in grading, $440 in return.

[Prospect Rush]

Here is some of better examples:

Bought for $8:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/bradical1379/Baseball/2008/2008-bdpp112-lonnie-chisenhall-auto.jpg

Sold for $190:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/bradical1379/eBay/Sold/2008-bdpp-lonnie-chisenhall-pristine.jpg

Bought for $5:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/bradical1379/Gone/bdpp97-mike-leake-auto.jpg

Sold for $125:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/bradical1379/Graded/2009-bdpp-mike-leake-pristine.jpg

Bought for $2:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/bradical1379/Baseball/2008/Bowman%20Chrome%20Prospects/Refractors/2008-bcp134-carlos-santana-ref.jpg

Sold for $125:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/bradical1379/eBay/Sold/2008-bcp-carlos-santana-ref-pristine.jpg

$15 invested + $23 in grading, $440 in return.

WOW!!!. One day someone will ship me a 10 :rolleyes:

[bigsmoot2]

Now bradical, don't give people the wrong idea here on how easy it is to get 10s, 9.5s are difficult enough! :D

Nice ROI! :)!

[bradical]

Now bradical, don't give people the wrong idea here on how easy it is to get 10s, 9.5s are difficult enough! :D

Nice ROI! :)!

10x Jeweler Lupe is everyone's friends when grading.

[bigsmoot2]

10x Jeweler Lupe is everyone's friends when grading.

You min grade your stuff?? I am guessing you do, but just curious.

[Burt-Reynolds]

Here is some of better examples:

Bought for $8:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/bradical1379/Baseball/2008/2008-bdpp112-lonnie-chisenhall-auto.jpg

Sold for $190:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/bradical1379/eBay/Sold/2008-bdpp-lonnie-chisenhall-pristine.jpg

Bought for $5:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/bradical1379/Gone/bdpp97-mike-leake-auto.jpg

Sold for $125:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/bradical1379/Graded/2009-bdpp-mike-leake-pristine.jpg

Bought for $2:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/bradical1379/Baseball/2008/Bowman%20Chrome%20Prospects/Refractors/2008-bcp134-carlos-santana-ref.jpg

Sold for $125:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/bradical1379/eBay/Sold/2008-bcp-carlos-santana-ref-pristine.jpg

$15 invested + $23 in grading, $440 in return.

Very impressive. Are these are Ebay buys or did you but these in person, do you buy most of your raw cards online? I want to start trying to do the same thing, with hopefully as good results. Your input would be greatly appreciated I'm sure.

I have a place I go to in the L.A. area that has a Beckett booth every WED and SAT. The guy that works it is very good with sitting down with you and looking over your submissions before sending them in. He will let you know what to send and what not to if you only want 9.5's or better. Saves me money. They have a booth at Frank and Son's in Walnut. I recommend anyone in the L.A. area to use them. You can get 20 cards graded on a 20 day service for 9.75 each including all shipping and insurance. Great place.

[Prospect Rush]

Very impressive. Are these are Ebay buys or did you but these in person, do you buy most of your raw cards online? I want to start trying to do the same thing, with hopefully as good results. Your input would be greatly appreciated I'm sure.

I have a place I go to in the L.A. area that has a Beckett booth every WED and SAT. The guy that works it is very good with sitting down with you and looking over your submissions before sending them in. He will let you know what to send and what not to if you only want 9.5's or better. Saves me money. They have a booth at Frank and Son's in Walnut. I recommend anyone in the L.A. area to use them. You can get 20 cards graded on a 20 day service for 9.75 each including all shipping and insurance. Great place.

Wow. If I had this service and advice I would be using it every week!!!

[Burt-Reynolds]

Wow. If I had this service and advice I would be using it every week!!!

Yeah I've only gotten 7 cards graded so far. I took in 18 that I thought were money, but only left 7, lol. I'm sure other members here in the area know Frank & Sons. It's a bi weekly show. Here's a link to their website if you want to check it out Welcome to the Frank & Son Collectible Show (http://www.frankandsonshow.net/) . They're really getting in some big names for appearances now too. They uses to only have b-list sci fi actors and low end athletes. I never realized what a boon it was to have something like this to go to every week until I started visiting message boards like this, and hearing stories of how some people have to drive hours to a shop or a monthly show.

[dizzydolse]

I disagree that BGS is better than PSA. PSA is a totally reputable grading company and one of the most respected, if not the most respected in the hobby. I think BGS is great for modern cards because prospecting is so popular and BGS gives an auto grade as well. I buy and research Jeter rookie cards a lot and I can tell you for sure that a PSA 10 goes for more than a BGS 9.5. Also, a BGS Pristine 10 is pretty hard to get, most likely harder to get than a PSA 10 so that is probably a plus for BGS. That does not mean that PSA 10's are easy grades to get though.

[elchako]

Here is some of better examples:

Bought for $8:
Sold for $190:

Bought for $5:
Sold for $125:

Bought for $2:
Sold for $125:

$15 invested + $23 in grading, $440 in return.

That is some pretty nasty ROI. I realize that it's hard to get 9.5's and 10's. But for me, that's part of the fun; the thrill of the hunt, if you will.

Thanks for the tips! I'm looking forward to trying this out myself.

[longlivethewho1]

I disagree that BGS is better than PSA. PSA is a totally reputable grading company and one of the most respected, if not the most respected in the hobby. I think BGS is great for modern cards because prospecting is so popular and BGS gives an auto grade as well. I buy and research Jeter rookie cards a lot and I can tell you for sure that a PSA 10 goes for more than a BGS 9.5. Also, a BGS Pristine 10 is pretty hard to get, most likely harder to get than a PSA 10 so that is probably a plus for BGS. That does not mean that PSA 10's are easy grades to get though.

PSA is mostly used for vintage.

[bradical]

Very impressive. Are these are Ebay buys or did you but these in person, do you buy most of your raw cards online? I want to start trying to do the same thing, with hopefully as good results. Your input would be greatly appreciated I'm sure.

I buy all of my singles online, a majority through eBay and here. I would say I only end up submitting about 40% of the singles I buy for grading.

[Burt-Reynolds]

I buy all of my singles online, a majority through eBay and here. I would say I only end up submitting about 40% of the singles I buy for grading.

Sounds about right. Do you just dump the other 60% back to Ebay to recoup the money? Or do you keep them for PC or future investment?

[bradical]

You min grade your stuff?? I am guessing you do, but just curious.

I don't minimum grade stuff, I like to see where I may my mistakes with my submission. Since it is such a subjective process, I am not adverse to resubmitting a card more than once to try and get a sub-bump here and there too.

Here are some of my recent subs over the last 3-or-4 months:

6683151 2010 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospect Autographs Josh Sale 9.5
6683150 2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects Jose Iglesias AU 9.5
6683147 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Refractors Mike Leake AU 9
6683146 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Jared Mitchell AU 9
6683145 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Jared Mitchell AU 9.5
6683144 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects X-Fractors Zack Wheeler AU 9
6683143 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Refractors Zack Wheeler AU 9.5
6683142 2009 Bowman Chrome Prospects Refractors Logan Morrison AU 9
6683141 2009 Bowman Chrome Prospects Logan Morrison AU 9.5
6683138 2010 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospect Autographs Blue Refractors Michael Choice 9.5
6683137 2009 Bowman Chrome Prospects X-Fractors Brett Anderson AU 9
6683136 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Buster Posey AU 9
6683135 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Mike Montgomery AU 9
6683134 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Mike Montgomery AU 9.5
6683133 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Ike Davis AU 9.5
6683132 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Ike Davis AU 9.5
6683131 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Lonnie Chisenhall AU 10
6683130 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects Lars Anderson AU 9
6683129 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Dominic Brown AU/996 9
6683128 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft Draft Picks Clayton Kershaw AU 9.5
6683091 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. 5
6683090 2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects Blue Refractors Stephen Strasburg 9
6682986 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects Refractors Carlos Santana 10
6740142 2004-05 Topps Chrome Refractors Gold Kevin Martin 9
6740143 2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects Stephen Strasburg 9
6740189 2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects Refractors Jose Iglesias AU 9.5 10
6740190 2010 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospect Autographs Jameson Taillon 9.5 10
6740191 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Dominic Brown AU/996 9.5 10
6740192 2004-05 SP Authentic Kevin Martin AU 9 10
6740210 2004 Playoff Contenders Philip Rivers AU/556 9 10
6740416 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Refractors Zack Wheeler AU Does Not Meet Minimum Grade (Tried for a sub bump)
6767904 2009 Bowman Chrome Prospects Michael Pineda 9.5
6767903 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. 9
6767886 2010 Playoff Contenders Bradford Lft AU/377 9.5
6767885 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects X-Fractors Tim Wheeler AU 9.5
6767884 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Refractors Tim Wheeler AU 9
6767883 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects X-Fractors Zack Wheeler AU 9.5
6767882 2009 Bowman Chrome Prospects Refractors Logan Morrison AU 9
6767881 2009 Bowman Chrome Prospects X-Fractors Brett Anderson AU 9
6767877 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Lonnie Chisenhall AU 9.5
6767875 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects David Price AU 9.5

[bradical]

Sounds about right. Do you just dump the other 60% back to Ebay to recoup the money? Or do you keep them for PC or future investment?

A little of both, sometimes I trade them on here. I don't bust tons of wax, so I usually like to keep a little inventory for trade bait when new stuff comes out.

[elchako]

I don't minimum grade stuff, I like to see where I may my mistakes with my submission. Since it is such a subjective process, I am not adverse to resubmitting a card more than once to try and get a sub-bump here and there too.

Here are some of my recent subs over the last 3-or-4 months:

... snip ...


Wow! Good for you. It looks like you've done some pretty good damage. I wonder if I can try the same thing so I can finally buy my Mustang. ;)

[Cactuspies]

I don't have much graded that I sell but i did pick up a jerry rice rc on comc for around $20-25 and I sent it to bgs for grading. came back 9 mint and I flipped it on ebay for nearly $200. Pretty decent ROI on that one.

[advan24r]

Just to show you all of the stuff that I bought RAW through ebay and was able to get them BGS 9.5...it's well worth it to get it graded if you are an investment collector or wants a card for protection. Like the dual autos of jordan/lebron...cards like that raw sell for mid to high hundreds...now it's GEM MINT, it can fetch 4 digits now.

Market value about $15...after graded $30+
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u131/advan24r/Baseball/ScannedImage111990003.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u131/advan24r/Celebrity%20Collection/P1012618.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u131/advan24r/Celebrity%20Collection/ScannedImage111600005.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u131/advan24r/Celebrity%20Collection/ScannedImage110970009.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u131/advan24r/Lebron%20James%20Collection/Lebron%20Autographs/P1012521.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u131/advan24r/Lebron%20James%20Collection/Lebron%20Autographs/scan0011.jpg

[elchako]

I suppose the trick is to find the raw card that's worth grading. Then you have to hope it grades at least 9.5. I was flipping through COMC today (neat site) but due to the overwhelming amount of cards, I couldn't decide on any "test subjects" to try this out. lol

[bradical]

Just got back my most recent BGS submission:

6825352 2010 SP Authentic Gold LeGarrette Blount AU 9
6825289 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft Ryan Braun AU B 8.5
6825273 2011 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs Refractors Garin Cecchini 9.5
6825268 2011 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs Paul Goldschmidt 9.5
6825267 2011 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs Paul Goldschmidt 9.5
6825266 2011 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs Brandon Belt 9.5
6825234 2010 Bowman Sterling Prospect Autographs Refractors Taijuan Walker 10
6825200 2010 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Gold Refractors Taijuan Walker 9.5
6825181 2010 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospect Autographs Bryce Brentz 9.5

Another 10! Woop!

[elchako]

Very cool! Good mail day for you! :-)

[SteakNchop]

It's pretty simple.

1980-modern BGS
1950-1979 PSA
1949- and back SGC
Any big PSA Registry sets like Goudey or White Borders should go in PSA for now.

As to your question....if you have a good eye and can accurately predict that every card will get a 9.5, go for it.

[tehchamp]

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u131/advan24r/Lebron%20James%20Collection/Lebron%20Autographs/P1012521.jpg


That Wizards(I'm assuming anyways) jersey there is absolutely killing me there. Off topic, but man.

[advan24r]

That Wizards(I'm assuming anyways) jersey there is absolutely killing me there. Off topic, but man.

Its actually an all star jersey.

[dthimesch]

Nice work Bradical! That is impressive.

[Mrpokey]

I've also done well buying raw Vintage on Ebay and getting it graded. The nice thing about vintage is, sometimes even 7s amd 8s sell well.