General Forum

Yeah i did it. I opened this can of worms again......

Thoughts on the grading services?

I just pulled a 1978 Topps Bernard King #75 among a few other nice cards out of a wax pack I just opened. Ive been thinking of sending some cards in to SGC for grading. Whats yalls thoughts on sending this card to SGC? I know everyone says "PSA for more ROI" and PSA = higher selling price but I tend to have bad thoughts towards ProfScamAssoc and I really have a major issue with them charging more to grade a card based off of the estimated value of the card. The card value should not even be a factor in the cost of grading.

I'm currently grading with CSG because I don't have a need/desire to sell my graded cards soon, and I believe long term they will go up in value based on their experience and standing in grading collectibles compared to other companies.   They are also partially owned by Fanatics who basically owns a sports card monopoly starting in a few years.

SGC seem like they do quality work, and I wouldn't have a hesitation grading with them, but I don't care for the look of their slabs.    I've seen people have good luck reselling their stuff.

Me personally I use SGC because they are resonably priced and they have a pretty decent turn around time.

Why do you want to pay to have it graded?

You can probably tell that I'm one of those that has never had a card graded but I ask more becuase if you have the card and you take good care of it I would imagine it would stay grade the same now or 10 years from now.

I get it if you want to flip it and you think the grade result will net you more money than raw. My view is that the grading thing will be a fad that passes and there will be a lot of money lost to card grading companies. If I'm wrong, those cards can be graded at any time.

  I've only had several cards graded.   I had MJ RCs graded by PSA over a decade ago, possibly two.   Prices were reasonable back them.   I only did it with eventual idea of selling them years down the road ,  which I did.    I figured over 20 years ago   that no one would buy these cards without them being graded, especially if sold through Ebay or other online auction.    I got lucky, PSA was at an auction at a card show and I didnt have to get it ship, insured, etc.      I was very lucky..    But that was for MJ.    Would I do the same for Bernard King.  No, just due to the exhorbitant grading costs.   In my estimation you'll never recoup those costs on that specific card.    

This is such a hard subject with me , I have never had any grades graded , I have bought graded cards , and I do have cards that I would like graded . BUT when I see PSA cards that have been graded and wonder what that grader was smoking , how in the hell you could have graded that card that grade , let alone you have 8s 9s that should be 10s NO difference  in card at all , cost is ridicules,  and then all these new cards being graded should pretty much be all 10s with the printing machines of today any how . Sooo 

I personally think SGC is more strict on grading. So if you get a good grade on it then you know it's not just pushed through. An added plus is the black borders look pretty good on most cards.And you are correct they don't charge as much.

I've only graded a few cards in my life (less than 50) and mostly to try and re-sell. If I have graded cards in my PC I've usually bought them so I know what I'm getting (with a couple exceptions). 

I don't think you can go terribly wrong with any of the bigger companies (I'm talking PSA, SGC or CSG, I'm not a big fan of BGS, especially at their current prices they are an even worse option than PSA). CSG's resale is pretty poor now, but they do have a long game they intend to play. If you're not micromanaging your profits, I'd generally be satisifed with any of those three. Also depends what you intend to grade, but I wouldn't even bother with most base modern and especially ultramodern, regardless of company. I enjoy the preservation of high grade vintage because those are naturally hard to come by. High grade modern is a dime a dozen and, for the most part, only PSA 10's matter. 

I would like to send in cards for grading but the cost of doing so, the turn around time and the cost of shipping plus the fact the card/cards wouldn't sell for what it cost to send them in wouldn't be worth it. I mean when you take a card when graded even at a 10 that would sell for $100 but costing $100 to send in doesn't make sense. I'm hoping that at some point the cost of grading comes down from the nose bleed seats to a more reasonable price.