(Down)Grading
I don’t know about you, but I’m noticing something in the hobby lately.
It’s been a subtle yet constant trend washing over our community, but it has definitely touched every facet and every collector.
I’m seeing more and more raw cards changing hands — regardless of the price point.
“We’re getting more and more customers coming in asking for raw cards,” longtime dealer and LCS owner, Jason DeYonker said. “I think people have caught on to the fact that the risk-reward factor just isn’t worth it any more. I mean PSA 9s are selling for basically the cost of the card raw these days. So, what’s the point of submitting if it’s gem-or-bust?”
Collector, Justin Blanks, has done a complete 180 over the past six months in terms of his collecting focus and style.
“I realized that not every card I buy has to be an investment piece,” Blanks said. “That was taking the fun out of the hobby for me. For years I bought based on what I thought I could flip the card for, most of the time buying raw and grading. That can work, sure, especially back when 9s had more value and it didn’t cost so much to grade the card, but in the end, the fate of your business is in the hands of some grader out in California or Florida. I got kind of sick of that. So nowI only buy raw cards. Most of my collecting buddies are doing the same thing now. If I do grade, it’s more to protect the card than increase the value of it and sell it. Don’t get me wrong, I love grading, but it’s got to the point where it’s not worth the hassle that comes along with it now.”
The impetus for this shift back to raw cards — remember, this is all the hobby was for decades and decades — can be traced back to a few simple things:
1. Cost
Grading fees have steadily increased, especially with top companies like PSA and SGC. I remember the days of $6 bulks per card. Now we’re paying $15– $50, with premium services exceeding $100. The math no longer makes sense — grading can cost more than the card itself.
2. Junk Slab Era?
The Covid-19 sports card boom led to a flood of graded cards hitting the market. As supply grew, prices leveled off. PSA 9s, once highly coveted, now often sell for little more than raw copies. This diminished upside discourages collectors from sending in bulk submissions.
3. The Potential Letdown
Collectors have also grown wary of harsh or inconsistent grading standards. A card that looks pristine may come back as an 8, eliminating any potential profit. Many now prefer to keep cards raw rather than risk losing value to a disappointing grade.
4. Long Turnaround Times
Although grading companies have improved since the massive backlogs of 2021, turnaround times can still stretch weeks or months. In a market where player values shift rapidly, delays reduce the appeal of grading.
5. It’s supposed to be fun.
Finally, many hobbyists are rediscovering the joy of collecting raw cards without obsessing over slabs and grades. Displaying, trading, and appreciating cards as they are can be more satisfying than focusing solely on investment returns.
“There’s nothing wrong with grading, and there’s a place for it in the hobby — there always will be,” DeYonker said. “But I think we’re heading towards a place where it’s going to be reserved for a small segment of cards, ones that have a real investment level to them. The vast majority of the hobby is going to deal in raw cards, just like it always had in the past, and I see this as a great thing for the hobby.”