Forum - Am I out of touch with today's collectors?

[3arod13]

I realize this isn't a game used matter, however, the autograph forum just doesn't receive as much traffic, but this does relate in some ways to the many discussions we have in this forum about collecting:

I do realize that collectors collect what they want and are willing to pay crazy prices for whatever they want. Hoever, this has has me stumped:
Recently, a 2006 Ultimate Buy Back 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey JR. autographed card sold on ebay for $810. As you can see, the card isn't graded, card is off center, and corners aren't that sharp.

I recenlty listed my 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey JR. Rookie Card, autographed and graded PSA 9, which sold for $177.50.

Am I missing something? I understand that today's collectors want autographed insert cards. With both cards being the same, wouldn't you want the PSA 9 graded autographed card vice an autographed insert card which isn't in as nice condition?

Thanks in advance for you opinion.

This still just blows me away. Another 2006 UD 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. signed rookie card just sold for $1,125. Yet, I have a PSA 9 which couldn't even break $200. Same card! Go figure!! Insert or not, I would prefer a PSA 9 over an insert

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...9070&rd=1&rd=1

[3arod13]

This still just blows me away. Another 2006 UD 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. signed rookie card just sold for $1,125. Yet, I have a PSA 9 which couldn't even break $200. Same card! Go figure!! Insert or not, I would prefer a PSA 9 over an insert

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...9070&rd=1&rd=1

Is it really worth paying $900+ more just because it's an insert card, when you can get the same signed card, graded PSA 9 for $200? Bottom line, the cards purchases at $810 and $1,125 will never hold their vaule. Next year, they won't fetch $200. How can todays collectors not realize this?

[TFig27]

This card sells for a lot for a couple of reasons. Griffey has a large fan base and a lot of people try to collect all of his cards. So player collectors and trying to get this card.
Collectors see the buyback as another Griffey card they need to collect to add to their player collections, but a PSA autographed card does not hold this same level.

Also, the autograph comes directy from Upper Deck, unlike a PSA autograph, which in "their opinion" is authentic.

[3arod13]

This card sells for a lot for a couple of reasons. Griffey has a large fan base and a lot of people try to collect all of his cards. So player collectors and trying to get this card.
Collectors see the buyback as another Griffey card they need to collect to add to their player collections, but a PSA autographed card does not hold this same level.

Also, the autograph comes directy from Upper Deck, unlike a PSA autograph, which in "their opinion" is authentic.

Understand, but buyback cards are never in great condition. UD doesn't take time to find the nicest condition cards. In addition, any autograph collect should be familiar with the players signature that they collection. I would buy a PSA 9 arod signed rookie, before I would pay hundreds for a buyback card not graded. Personal preference I guess.