Is grading cards really worth it?

[Gypsie]

I was wondering, is grading cards really worth it? Does it really make the card more valuable? Isn't it the same card? Now, I guess I can understand older cards because of time, but cards from 2006? Really? Are you serious? I just don't get it.

[greengrizzle]

well it all depends on the card. you have to pick and choose your cards VERY carefuly and look at the market for it. Quite a few things are deciding factors. I never have sent anything to get graded ever, intill one week ago. And it was the 94 SP alex rodriguez i had in a case since 1994.
Main thing is the demand of the card. If the card is in high demand ungraded, with it scoring a high grade will really increase that single cards demand. Now remember, a high grade is 9.5 or 10. In most case with newer cards a grade 9 usually sells for beckett price ungraded. Now there are a few exceptions. One being the 94' Sp alex rodriguez bringing in the case of how fragile the card is. Some have a foil on the card that easily flakes and/or has black edges on the front or the back in which any scrapeing or white of the balck edges are seen easily, that a-rod rc is a classic example of this, another example is the 1971 topps(i think that had the black border around it). Point is you need to do some research on which cards grade well, are in demand, and how the cards are graded. And knowing if a card even fresh out of the pack is even good to be gradeable. Hope some of this helps.

Dan S.

[meuandthelot]

I was wondering, is grading cards really worth it? Does it really make the card more valuable? Isn't it the same card? Now, I guess I can understand older cards because of time, but cards from 2006? Really? Are you serious? I just don't get it.

Short answer is YES, but I really don't get most of it either.


The only thing I really find useful when buying vintage graded, or higher end modern/Autos is the authentication part, and not buying trimmed colored, or altered pieces...Hopefully :icon_redf

[bblair_2002]

Vintage cards - yes
New cards - no

[chrisjacobs7]

I would say it's only worth it for vintage or new valuable rookies.

[Josh Brown]

Real simple- grading is worth it if you're talking an 8 or above BGS on a Joe Namath Rookie but not worth it for a 7.5 on a Brett Favre Pro Set RC.