“Buy the card, not the grade” is the best advice I’ve gotten early into my collecting journey. I rather miss out on a cheaper “weak 10” and pay more for a “strong 10” every day. I’ve seen PSA 10s that imo wouldn’t even get an 8.
My thoughts exactly. I think the biggest offender is vintage holo 10s which I think will have a very low reproducibility rate (ie if it gets sent in again, it will likely not get the 10).
I usually buy 8s and sometimes 9 for vintage. Its a pack fresh 10-20 year old card. The only reason i even go for the graded is simply because you know the card is a good condition. I never buy raw vintage iv always been annoyed because theres damage u just cant see in pics. To anyone looking to just collect for fun and wanting older cards, go for 8s or 9s if u find a good deal. Dont let the higher end social media collectors brainwash u into thinking its 10 or nothing these guys have $1000s at their disposal and usually have an income coming in through the hobby. If you’re casual its good to realise this.
You summed it up really well. It’s my mentality as well - especially for WOTC and mid-era cards. I found those cards to be already difficult to grade and many of the 10s I see on the market aren’t truly “gem mint”. The price jump from 9s to 10s is too excessive in my opinion. I actually made a video on why I collect 9s over 10s because I feel pretty strongly about it haha
8s are beautiful quality cards as well! For myself personally, I’m willing to buy 9s as I still some good value in them since they don’t have the exponential price point of a 10. I also think many clean 9s can potentially be 10s making it a bit more of a “value buy”. Good luck on your collection!
@@TCGCollector fair point on potentially being 10s ! So far, if the premium is 2x an 8 for me, I’ve gone w the 8. But let’s see. Who knows I may trade up..
For sure, totally get you. I really like how the price for an 8 is a lot of times pretty close to the price for a “NM or M” raw copy. I would choose the 8 all day lol
so true just buying the graded card than gambling on buying a minty card and paying the fees. Have there been cards that you bought then sold later down the line?
Yup - some raw/graded cards I bought and sold it later on. This is mainly due to changes in collecting goals or I found a "cleaner" copy later on. There are some cards that I graded (mainly duplicates) that I have also sold later on. I have an eBay store so feel free to ask me any questions you may have on selling!
@@TCGCollector everything jnj is selling a swampert #13 ruby sapphire if you were looking for that card haha it was a good price psa 9 Let me know if you need the cert or pics
“Buy the card, not the grade” is the best advice I’ve gotten early into my collecting journey. I rather miss out on a cheaper “weak 10” and pay more for a “strong 10” every day. I’ve seen PSA 10s that imo wouldn’t even get an 8.
My thoughts exactly. I think the biggest offender is vintage holo 10s which I think will have a very low reproducibility rate (ie if it gets sent in again, it will likely not get the 10).
I usually buy 8s and sometimes 9 for vintage. Its a pack fresh 10-20 year old card. The only reason i even go for the graded is simply because you know the card is a good condition. I never buy raw vintage iv always been annoyed because theres damage u just cant see in pics. To anyone looking to just collect for fun and wanting older cards, go for 8s or 9s if u find a good deal. Dont let the higher end social media collectors brainwash u into thinking its 10 or nothing these guys have $1000s at their disposal and usually have an income coming in through the hobby. If you’re casual its good to realise this.
awesome man, what vintage 8s do you have? Ive been collecting 8s in Ex- Series
You summed it up really well. It’s my mentality as well - especially for WOTC and mid-era cards. I found those cards to be already difficult to grade and many of the 10s I see on the market aren’t truly “gem mint”. The price jump from 9s to 10s is too excessive in my opinion. I actually made a video on why I collect 9s over 10s because I feel pretty strongly about it haha
@@technicalmuffin i collect gengars, dragonites and blastoise so any era of those cards really yday picked up a psa 9 gengar prime for so cheap
I've been collecting an 8s Ex-Series cards! 9s are sometimes 2x 8s and 10s are multiples of 8s/9s so not as worth. Who else collects 8s for vintage?
8s are beautiful quality cards as well! For myself personally, I’m willing to buy 9s as I still some good value in them since they don’t have the exponential price point of a 10. I also think many clean 9s can potentially be 10s making it a bit more of a “value buy”. Good luck on your collection!
@@TCGCollector fair point on potentially being 10s ! So far, if the premium is 2x an 8 for me, I’ve gone w the 8. But let’s see. Who knows I may trade up..
For sure, totally get you. I really like how the price for an 8 is a lot of times pretty close to the price for a “NM or M” raw copy. I would choose the 8 all day lol
so true just buying the graded card than gambling on buying a minty card and paying the fees. Have there been cards that you bought then sold later down the line?
Yup - some raw/graded cards I bought and sold it later on. This is mainly due to changes in collecting goals or I found a "cleaner" copy later on. There are some cards that I graded (mainly duplicates) that I have also sold later on. I have an eBay store so feel free to ask me any questions you may have on selling!
@@TCGCollector everything jnj has a swampert ruby sapphire #13 PSA 9 Incase u were looking ! Lmk if u need pics or the cert
@@TCGCollector everything jnj is selling a swampert #13 ruby sapphire if you were looking for that card haha it was a good price psa 9 Let me know if you need the cert or pics
@@TCGCollector you should link your store i'd check it out haha
Thanks so much! I'll definitely check it out as I actually have a gift certificate there! Appreciate the info!
great video, very good information.
Thank you! Appreciate you for checking out the video!