Why do you buy graded cards?

[fabiani12333]

If you bought graded Marvel cards before the pandemic like I did, you benefitted substantially from the sharp rise in prices during the bubble. Buying graded Marvel now is stupid. Prices will only continue to go down as more graded cards flood the market and the hype continues to subside.

The reason I've bought graded Marvel cards was because 90s Marvel cards were heavily produced and singles were cheap and common, making high graded versions desirable and relatively uncommon. But then you also have to be aware of card trimming.

I also bought select graded Marvel movie actor autograph cards.

If you're treating certain rare Marvel cards like investments, then it does make sense to grade and slab them. But paying a big premium for them is stupid.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by EW Cards

I only bought one card that was graded for my personal collection. I bought it 20 years ago, an Ian McKellen LOTR autograph. I got it for around $100, and he was going for more then. I assumed it was because no one wanted the grading on their NS Cards. I decided it was too risky to try to break the PSA case. Now, I have a buddy who’s a PSA member and it’s only $25 to reholder the card, so I’m going to do that so it has the PSA logo on the label and the QR Code.

If you're talking about his Fellowship of the Ring version, I have a 9.5 BGS with a 9 corner grade. Those cards had condition issues and impossible to find in gem mint condition.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by PoPCulture

PSA graded Topps Star Wars series 1 and 2 are a hell of a drug to get addicted to. I stopped there because I just don’t think the yellow, green and orange borders of series 3-6 look great with the red and white labels. Grading has its place with vintage, Other than that I agree.

I will also add that I have graded and sold enough modern ns cards to know there is a very healthy market for them with Marvel and Star Wars.

Probably a lot of trimmed cards with vintage Star Wars, though.