[briankort]

Ok, so 1988-89 Fleer has 9 RC's I want for my PC.

Antoine Carr
Armen Gilliam
Dell Curry
John Stockton
Mark Jackson
Mark Price
Reggie Miller
Roy Tarpley
Scottie Pippen

They are all easily available from the bay in BGS 9 & 10. In PSA 10 Miller and Pippen will both set you back about $250 - $300, Stockton about $125 and the others around $50. A total of about $925-$1000 for all 9.

In PSA 9 the top 3 will go for around $30 and the rest for around $10. A total of about $150.

Now that isn't huge money for PSA 10 RC's but I don't have a ton of disposable income. So I am debating on buying all 10's and just taking a lot longer to get them all or just buy them all in PSA 9. Keep in mind this is not the only year and only RC's I am chasing. I have a similar list for every year back to 1948.

I recently bought a 1977 Robert Parrish RC in PSA 9 for $50. The PSA 10 sold for almost $800 about 2 weeks ago. That was an easy decision. I mean how much better really is that PSA 10 over a PSA 9? Sometimes it might only be the difference between one grader and another.

The farther back I go, I know I will have to drop my standards as far as grade number goes. I mean how many of us can really afford a PSA 9 Wilt Chamberlain RC.

So I guess the question is, how many of you would be happy with PSA 9's over 10's if you could buy them all and save over $800 in the process?

[user_3n5kp]

I think the premium for PSA 10's is rarely worth it. High end 9's can look just a nice and are a fraction of the price. If these are for PC the question is, do you like to look at the 10 holder or is it the card in the holder that is most important? If you are not looking to resell then 9's are a much better bargain, especially for the players you listed. None of those cards really has that much potential for growth down the road.

[SHowley2003]

I agree. I set my standards as PSA 9 for 86 and newer, PSA 8 for 72 through 82, and by the time I hit the 57 Topps or 48 Bowman I am hoping to afford a PSA 7 OC (the 57's are horrific with centering) but will even go with a 5 depending on the card. I try for 10s with the newer stuff, but generally stop if it is significantly higher. For example most Paul Pierce RCs BV around $10.00. I figure if I buy it raw and send it in for grading I am out around 25, so that is where I set my limit for a 10 and I stop at full BV for a 9.

I personally only buy graded cards for my PC so these are my preferences.

[Stackfan]

I think it depends if you aiming for single cards or sets. Since you want the set of 1988 Fleer, I'd stick with Mint. 90% of the set is commons, and trying to pull gem mints on all of those would be brutal. But if you just wanted like the big 4 (Pippen, Rodman, Miller, Rodman) I'd go PSA 10. Just my thought on it.

[briankort]

I agree. I set my standards as PSA 9 for 86 and newer, PSA 8 for 72 through 82, and by the time I hit the 57 Topps or 48 Bowman I am hoping to afford a PSA 7 OC (the 57's are horrific with centering) but will even go with a 5 depending on the card.

I have been looking at a few of these older cards lately , 1961, 1957 and 1948. And yes the centering is bad on a lot of them. I have been thinking of going with PSA 5 or 6 on some of them instead of getting a higher grade and the card being really off center. It just looks like you have a nicer card than an OC or MC.

[SHowley2003]

I have been looking at a few of these older cards lately , 1961, 1957 and 1948. And yes the centering is bad on a lot of them. I have been thinking of going with PSA 5 or 6 on some of them instead of getting a higher grade and the card being really off center. It just looks like you have a nicer card than an OC or MC.

I agree with the 5 or 6 looking bett. For me it is a matter of price. I recently landed a Bob Cousy 57 RC PSA 7(OC) for under 200.00 and an Ed Macauley 57 RC PSA 7 (OC) for under $20.00 which I thought were bargains so I am willing for the qualifier. With the 61 Fleers in only go 7 w/ no qualifier and with 48 Bowman I old take a 5 any day.

[hercules21]

you might be able to find a few thru trades? 9s more likely, but perhaps someone is sitting on a 10 and doesn't realize it.

[briankort]

you might be able to find a few thru trades? 9s more likely, but perhaps someone is sitting on a 10 and doesn't realize it.

Always open to trades on these or any other graded rookies I need.