“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.

@TCGCollector

3 ай бұрын

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.

@technicalmuffin

3 ай бұрын

awesome man, what vintage 8s do you have? Ive been collecting 8s in Ex- Series

@TCGCollector

3 ай бұрын

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

@joelh90

3 ай бұрын

@@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

great video, very good information.

@TCGCollector

3 ай бұрын

Thank you! Appreciate you for checking out the video!

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?

@TCGCollector

3 ай бұрын

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!

@technicalmuffin

3 ай бұрын

@@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..

@TCGCollector

3 ай бұрын

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?

@TCGCollector

3 ай бұрын

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!

@sunnybunny50

3 ай бұрын

@@TCGCollector everything jnj has a swampert ruby sapphire #13 PSA 9 Incase u were looking ! Lmk if u need pics or the cert

@sunnybunny50

3 ай бұрын

@@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

@sunnybunny50

3 ай бұрын

@@TCGCollector you should link your store i'd check it out haha

@TCGCollector

3 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! I'll definitely check it out as I actually have a gift certificate there! Appreciate the info!