To PSA or not to PSA that is the Question

General
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So, I have some fairly valuable cards that I’m contemplating sending to PSA. My biggest concern is that I’ll fall down the rabbit hole and start chasing 10s. I’ve been pretty content with near mint raw cards. I’m not looking to sell the cards, so is there any other reason to grade beside the aesthetics and increased value? I know me, and I can see myself becoming addicted to the whole process. Does anyone else keep there mint/near mint cards raw? imgur.com/gallery/LRl29ql

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Its an objective benchmark where you can definitively understand the condition of the card. It also protects the card professionally as opposed to keeping cards raw within hardsleeves or screwdown chasis. I personally prefer to buy psa as i know what im getting. Up to you though.

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If you’re worried, and not selling them, then just leave them as is.

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I see it far too often. People letting a third party (PSA) devalue their love for their cards. If you love your raw cards as is, then why send them to be objectified and judged by a third party? Will any number besides a 10 lower your opinion of the cards? If so, then I’d highly recommend not grading them even moreso with cards that you think may be 10’s honestly. Why pay someone to insult your beauties?!

I personally grade cards in my collection to preserve them. I value the opinion of PSA to the extent that I recognize the protection that the case provides, and I highly value the ease at which their opinion allows me to describe approximate condition to other collectors that I may sell to or trade with in the future. I don’t take the grades to heart when I get back an 8 or a 9 on a card that I loved the condition of and it doesn’t bring my opinion of the cards down at all.

At the end of the day it’s perfectly fine to chase 10’s if you want, but I just hate to see people getting upset over the grades of their cards when they send them out especially when they aren’t in any financial position to start chasing 10’s of the cards that they would desire. You do what’s best for you.

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I think if he didn’t want to ‘evaluate’ his cards per se, couldn’t he send them to PSA to just get Authenticated, with no actual grading level?
That way they’ll be in a nice case which will protect them more than what a binder will?

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You make some really good points. I think that I’ll hold off on sending them in for now. Honestly, I only would send them in to up their “wow factor”. Kind of a silly reason if you really think about it.

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