The great dilemma, buying raw comics vs CGC graded!

If familiar with any of my previous journal entries, you may know that my interest is in Fantastic Four pedigree's. And I'm certain most comic collectors are aware that high grade CGC comics and especially pedigree CGC copies can be astronomical in price. This is where my dilemma has begun! Should I purchase raw graded pedigree comics and submit to CGC or purchase CGC graded pedigree copies off open market?

The biggest problem that I have encountered when I began collecting CGC graded comics (3 yrs ago), was that the # of pedigree copies on the market were limited. Raw pedigree copies even more scarce then CGC graded copies. The appeal with raw copies is that they can be found at times to be 25-100% cheaper than there CGC graded companions. This can even be said for the raw pedigree copies. So why not just buy raw copies? Simple, the risk! Purchasing a CGC graded pedigree copy has zero risk. A CGC copy is either black or white! You know your grade, you know if it restored or not and it will have a pedigree identifying label if it is a pedigree. Raw copies have no guarantee that CGC will recognize it as the same grade, and for pedigree's you must have have a trackable history, certificate or identifiable markings on the copy, such as White Mountains, Ohio's or Bethlehem's etc.. In short, CGC no risk, but higher costs and raw copies +++ risk, but possibly huge $avings.

My experience with raw graded pedigree copies is as such:

*FF #7: (Average Outcome)purchased copy with an expected 7.0 grade at a 7.0 price tag. Received a 6.0 with Universal label and Big Apple pedigree.

*FF #26: (Average Outcome) purchased with the understanding it was a White Mountaian "B" copywith a 6.0 grade from a well known and highly respected dealer. Got a Universal 6.0 with no pedigree status. Later sold for 7.0 grade price.

*FF #44: (Poor Outcome) purchased copy with an expected 8.0 grade. Received 6.0 Universal grade with Big Apple pedigree. Later sold and broke even.

*FF #87: (Excellent Outcome) purchased for vf-/nm price and received a Universal 9.2 with Ohio pedigree label.

*Giant-Size FF #6: (Average outcome)purchased for nm- price and received Universal 8.5 grade with Don Rosa pedigree.

As you can see, raw copies can be risky! But, I must say there is something fun about purchasing raw copies. It must be the waiting anxiously for the books to return from CGC in anticipation of that possible diamond in the rough.