New "Investment" Opportunity? BGS -> PSA Post yours!

pdxprospect · 02-23-2019, 12:38 AM

When I first got into this hobby I never intended on looking at card collection as an "investment" opportunity. I bought cards that I wanted and that I thought I would want forever. I wanted to buy and collect...never sell anything.

However, as I quickly learned, I could not keep buying (collecting) more without an infinitely income, which I do not have, to keep up with the hobby. (Perhaps I am not the only one?!)

So in 2011, I quickly got into minor league prospects, following all of the major draft and prospect trackers trying to find the next big thing. On top of that, I joined the grading companies memberships (Primarily BGS) and grading cards, noticing the value increase of a raw card on ebay vs a BGS 9.5. I would buy 2 of every card, grade both, and hope for 9.5's (Which happened quite often). I would sell one and keep one, essentially using the profit of the sold card to pay for the kept card. I then would repeat.

Quite soon, I noticed, I was not the only one doing this. Apparently every one else was as well. And now, with more cards being graded than ever, where there is immediate skeptism on every "raw" card on ebay...Ive had to try some new "tricks". Of course I want to keep buying, but lack the bottomless income my desires have...

Disclaimer: This is not for everyone. Only those would consider risk for a possible reward (which is me.)

With that said, I feel there is a great opportunity right now with the crossover from BGS to PSA. Finding high quality BGS cards (perhaps quad 9.5's), cracking, and sending to PSA. I noticed this primarily while watching the 2011 Topps Update Trout BGS/PSA Pricing.

Again, disclaimer: I have no interest in persuading anyone to do to this, but just to share what I have done and why.

Yes, there is a greater cost to PSA, than BGS, but it can be worth it in the higher end cards.

When I was looking for evidence of this working, I could find some limited posts, but did not locate a dedicated thread (perhaps I did not try hard enough?). It has happened, but not documented in any one area. Perhaps this can be that area to post the risks and rewards of this opportunity.

With all of that said, here was my first attempt...

2009 Bowman Sterling Mike Trout BGS 9.5
Subs: CE-9, E-10, CO-9.5, S-9.5/AU-10
I bought this card for $680, so I had little "risk" as even if it had come back a 9, I could have sold. However, that is not what happened.

This one, I sent to PSA to have both the card and the AU graded:

This one worked out. I was able to sell it, and buy my next card which I will share in the next post. But, I wanted to get the conversation started. Give others some ideas, some wins, and some cautions.

Please share your crossover stories (good and bad) for others to know.

02-23-2019, 12:38 AM	#1
pdxprospect Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: PDX Posts: 2,456 pdxprospect	New "Investment" Opportunity? BGS -> PSA Post yours! When I first got into this hobby I never intended on looking at card collection as an "investment" opportunity. I bought cards that I wanted and that I thought I would want forever. I wanted to buy and collect...never sell anything. However, as I quickly learned, I could not keep buying (collecting) more without an infinitely income, which I do not have, to keep up with the hobby. (Perhaps I am not the only one?!) So in 2011, I quickly got into minor league prospects, following all of the major draft and prospect trackers trying to find the next big thing. On top of that, I joined the grading companies memberships (Primarily BGS) and grading cards, noticing the value increase of a raw card on ebay vs a BGS 9.5. I would buy 2 of every card, grade both, and hope for 9.5's (Which happened quite often). I would sell one and keep one, essentially using the profit of the sold card to pay for the kept card. I then would repeat. Quite soon, I noticed, I was not the only one doing this. Apparently every one else was as well. And now, with more cards being graded than ever, where there is immediate skeptism on every "raw" card on ebay...Ive had to try some new "tricks". Of course I want to keep buying, but lack the bottomless income my desires have... Disclaimer: This is not for everyone. Only those would consider risk for a possible reward (which is me.) With that said, I feel there is a great opportunity right now with the crossover from BGS to PSA. Finding high quality BGS cards (perhaps quad 9.5's), cracking, and sending to PSA. I noticed this primarily while watching the 2011 Topps Update Trout BGS/PSA Pricing. Again, disclaimer: I have no interest in persuading anyone to do to this, but just to share what I have done and why. Yes, there is a greater cost to PSA, than BGS, but it can be worth it in the higher end cards. When I was looking for evidence of this working, I could find some limited posts, but did not locate a dedicated thread (perhaps I did not try hard enough?). It has happened, but not documented in any one area. Perhaps this can be that area to post the risks and rewards of this opportunity. With all of that said, here was my first attempt... 2009 Bowman Sterling Mike Trout BGS 9.5 Subs: CE-9, E-10, CO-9.5, S-9.5/AU-10 I bought this card for $680, so I had little "risk" as even if it had come back a 9, I could have sold. However, that is not what happened. This one, I sent to PSA to have both the card and the AU graded: This one worked out. I was able to sell it, and buy my next card which I will share in the next post. But, I wanted to get the conversation started. Give others some ideas, some wins, and some cautions. Please share your crossover stories (good and bad) for others to know. __________________ A small time collector and investor in the great PDX.