General Forum

Is it actually worth it to have an encapsulated carded (ie: Flawless, Tribute, etc) graded or will it maintain the same value regardless?

i think people are flooding the system with graded cards thnking if they flip it, they can make tons more $$$ by getting it graded. Many think they have that graded "10" Gem, until they get it graded and reality sets in. I personally try not to buy something graded. I rather take the time and find a decent card as it is. It basically comes down to the individuals desire of the card. If its rare and you plan on keeping it, thats one thing. if you plan on selling it, there's always someone out there who will eventually pay the price- it comes down to the buyers personal worth and want from there. 

I agree with Tonym. Any card is only worth what a buyer will pay for it. I'd rather have a mint card in my sets, than a "mint graded" card of that same player. Unless, all you collect are graded cards.

This topic comes up regularly. My personal preference is ungraded, not encapsulated. I am a tactile person and like to touch my cards.  I have won few auctions on ebay for graded cards, but only because the price was even less than an ungraded. Once I have a graded card I try to trade for an ungraded. If I can't find a trader then I break it out and put it in my binders.  I only consider buying graded to protect against counterfeit cards; i.e., Nolan Ryan rookie.

Based on previous forum posts, I'd say a majority of members prefer ungraded, not encapsulated.

By encapsulated, I mean like any factory stuff like Flawless Diamonds and such, with the Panini or Topps stickers over the top.

I've purchased only two graded cards: 1950 Bowman Casey Stengel and 1950 Bowman Phil Rizzuto.  I cracked both cases open so that I could put the cards into binder pages with the rest of my collection where they belong.  I wouldn't give a penny more for a graded card.  My collection takes up too much space as it is.

Okay, now I know what you're talking about. I thought at first you were referring to PSA, Beckett, etc. graded & encapsulated.

IMO, I see no added value to having a factory-encapsulated card graded. The assumption being that factory-encapsulated is Mint (Gem Mint) by default.

Swingkat wrote: By encapsulated, I mean like any factory stuff like Flawless Diamonds and such, with the Panini or Topps stickers over the top.

@swingkat.. yes we know what you mean by that.. still- a card sent out to get graded is just that-- a card getting graded.. doesn't really matter. if you want to spend the $ to get it graded- don't have high expectations when you get it back or attempt to sell at a high price. Keeping the card w/ the seal over it is just as good to some people, and some ppl like that stuff and will buy just as fast. IE: i have an 2004 Bowman Gold Uncirculated RC ..which came sealed right out of the Bowman package. i have it for sale or BO @ $7. i'll be lucky to even get that. i seen others the same yr go for hundreds and been listed forever and a day. Some ppl like the sealed cards as they are, whereas others like you read above which open it regardless. It really doesn't matter. like i said before, it all comes down to one's personal worth. If you like and want the card- keep as is and leave in your collection- if not, list for sale and hope you get the most of it

Oh OK, it was an eBay purchase the other day and my first factory encapsulated card, so I wasn't quite sure if it would be better off in a graded case or the factory one.

I would definitely keep it in the factory-sealed case. If you are keeping it, you'll like that it's still the way it left the manufacturer. If you wanted to sell it, anyone looking for it would probably know that it was cased by the maker and would want one like that vs. one that's been opened and then graded.

Swingkat wrote: Oh OK, it was an eBay purchase the other day and my first factory encapsulated card, so I wasn't quite sure if it would be better off in a graded case or the factory one.