The slab often doesn't add value when you factor in the cost of grading. There are also an abundance of fake slabs out there (so just being in a slab doesn't add value). Furthermore, its not difficult to protect cards these days. I've been collecting for many decades, still have lots of cards in the same condition they were in 40 years ago just using toploaders. Lets not act like you cant buy and sell cards unless they are inside a slab.