Would you have paid 4549 for this raw 1st Ed Charizard?

[shinypsptitans]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1st-Edition-Shadowless-Charizard-Pokemon-Card-/141241639111

I was very interested because the condition looked gradeable, but "looked" is where it always gets dicey.... did the buyer get a nice buy or did the seller make out like a bandit?

EDIT: Meant to title $549

 

[PokemonTrader]

To me it isn't in gem mint condition so I wouldn't have even bothered. To others though, I am sure there would be interested parties considering it looks like it can grade 8-9 with the pictures provided.

 

[shinypsptitans]

To me it isn't in gem mint condition so I wouldn't have even bothered. To others though, I am sure there would be interested parties considering it looks like it can grade 8-9 with the pictures provided.

Just curious why do you think it has no chance at a GEM?

 

[PokemonTrader]

Look at the back...

There is wear...

 

[soleosnip3rv2]

I would say whoever bought it didn't make a terrible decision. While I agree with Trader that the card's condition would not warrant a GEM 10 rating, it could still grab an 8 or a 9 quite easily. Assuming it was able to make either of those grades, the buyer either breaks even, or makes almost double profit. The grading fee will cost less than $20 (normally costs me around $7-$10 per card), and here is what the prices on recent auctions are:

PSA 8 Char - $550-$600
PSA 9 Char - $800-$1000

 

[cbd1235]

I would agree that it wasn't a terrible decision, but it isn't one that I would have made. This looks like a PSA 8 max with no chance at a PSA 9. The price paid was close to a PSA 8 price.

I would only pay PSA 8 price ungraded if I thought the chance for a 9 was high. I would pay PSA 9 price ungraded if I thought I was positive it would get at least a 9 (flawless). The latter is risky but could have huge reward if it came back a 10.