Harry Potter BGS Grade 9/10!!

[Guest]

[derriquestuckey]

Good morning!
I'm new to the Harry Potter/ Artbox phenomenon, but I can tell it's going to be a very fun (if not COSTLY) hobby.
Every so often, you can find cards that have been encapsulated by a 3rd party grading service.
This particular one just sold on eBay, and it really got my curiosity.
Does anybody have any pros or cons about collecting Potter cards in this manner?
They look great, and you know exactly what you're looking at, or are they just in an overbearing, overpriced case?
I now join your collecting ranks as an Artbox Potter collector, but I need some input to determine which is a better
route to take.  To grade...or not to grade.  I'm open to any and all suggestions!  Many thanks for having me here. =)

-Chris

[kbmum]

Grading cards really hasn't caught on in the non-sport market.  Most of the non-sport cards that are graded are done so by sport card sellers (although there is one manufacturer who has tried out encapsulating case incentives).  One issue that has come up is that the grading companies don't necessarily have a good track record spotting fake autos.  There are counterfeit autos that have been "authenticated."

Personally, I hate seeing cards stuck in plastic prisons.  I've won two graded HP cards on eBay and I removed the cases from both of them.

[Bagshott]

I have one cased auto but the grading isn't important to me, the card looks pristine. How do I remove the case without damaging the card? I'd like to be able to put it with the rest of my collection.

[kbmum]

You have to be very careful when removing a case, not only to protect the card, but to not hurt yourself.  The cases are called "slabs" for a reason.  I used big wire cutters, a very sturdy screwdriver, and a hammer to help wedge the screwdriver into a seam.  Take your time and wear goggles in case some of the plastic pieces go flying.  It took me close to half an hour to remove the case.

[Bagshott]

Thanks for the info - I will leave it as it is!

[Roz]

You have to be very careful when removing a case, not only to protect the card, but to not hurt yourself.  The cases are called "slabs" for a reason.  I used big wire cutters, a very sturdy screwdriver, and a hammer to help wedge the screwdriver into a seam.  Take your time and wear goggles in case some of the plastic pieces go flying.  It took me close to half an hour to remove the case.

Blimey Cindy, there's a reason we call you supermum... and that's because you'll take a hammer and a chisel to anything if it means your cards are kept nicely!

Welcome Chris, I personally would like to add that (though I love Artbox as much as you all!) Artbox's HP cards have always suffered in the packing process and I must say that very often the cards are not mint. If you get 'into grading' you might get into the numbers they attach to them and really struggle to get the high numbers you seek...

Just a thought though - do what your heart tells you ;o)