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]

Originally Posted by dab282

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

[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:



Sold for $190:



Bought for $5:



Sold for $125:



Bought for $2:



Sold for $125:



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

[Prospect Rush]

Originally Posted by bradical

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.

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

[bigsmoot2]

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

Nice ROI!

[bradical]

Originally Posted by bigsmoot2

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

Nice ROI!

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

[bigsmoot2]

Originally Posted by bradical

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

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

[Burt-Reynolds]

Originally Posted by bradical

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.

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]

Originally Posted by Burt-Reynolds

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]

Originally Posted by Major_League

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 . 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]

Originally Posted by bradical

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

PSA is mostly used for vintage.

[bradical]

Originally Posted by Burt-Reynolds

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]

Originally Posted by bradical

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?