GAI GRADED PACKS QUESTION

SUPERPUNK813

i do not own anything graded by gai but i have thought about buying some gai graded vintage packs. there is a sweet looking gai 9 1968 topps football pack ending on ebay tonight and id like to here what some of my fellow forum members think about graded packs. also has anyone seen one of the pack holders in person? id like to know how thick they are. i know how most of you feel about gai but as of now there the only company grading vintage unopened packs.

Mantlefan

The idea is a good one. The GAI holders are nice and secure. Unfortunately GAI has not clearly stated their grading criteria. Also, their top grader is a heavy seller of unopened stuff. I question how GAI can gain credibilty when they allow their chief grader to grade and sell his own material.

AlanAllen

The holders are nice - they are softer plastic than PSA slabs, but harder than the plastic they put packs in at Toys R Us for example. I haven't done so, but it looks like it would be easy to open one with a good pair of scissors. In general, GAI's pack grading is a positive. They have Mark Murphy doing most of their authentication, and the marketplace has responded pretty well so far. The negatives are the lack of a defined grading scale, perception of conflict of interest, and inconsistent grading. If you're planning on opening the pack, I wouldn't buy a 9. The prices are starting to stratify, and jugding from the packs I own, there is no difference in protection of the cards between a 7-10. If you are going to keep it unopened a 9 is probably the way to go. Finally, look at completed auctions. Ending prices have varied quite a bit, so if you wait you can find that pack you want at a good price.

Joe

Tipem

I have bought several unopened wax boxes from Mark Murphy in the past and his stuff is always Mint as he has stated,so with him doing the grading,you can be pretty confident in the quality you are getting.The only down side that I have found in unopened wax is that there is not too much enjoyment in looking at a wax pack.I sold all mine and have concentrated on a 56 set instead.At least with cards,you can enjoy your investment.

Just a thought
Vic

crazysc

<< <i>Also, their top grader is a heavy seller of unopened stuff. I question how GAI can gain credibilty when they allow their chief grader to grade and sell his own material. >>



I asked them about this, being curious myself. In fact, Steve (Rocchi, president of Global) told me they have others grade/authenticate Mark Murphy's packs, including Adam Martin of Dave & Adams and one other person (I can't recall right now). So, Mark's not grading/authentication his own stuff...

AlanAllen

In this auction, Mark mentions the pack was authenticated and graded by Adam Rothans. Is that the other guy Steve mentioned perchance?

Joe

crazysc

<< <i>In this auction, Mark mentions the pack was authenticated and graded by Adam Rothans. Is that the other guy Steve mentioned perchance? >>



No - I would have remembered if he mentioned Adam.

BigKidAtHeart

still, it does seem that he would
inevitably get some amount of "special treatment"
when it comes to grades on his packs don't you think?

I mean if these guys know they are grading his
stuff and it is say, "close to a 9" then they would
likely just go on and give it to HIM, where as they
might not with you or me (or even sol )

zardoz51

..and David Hall's collection was graded by er, who???? LOL

crazysc

<< <i>still, it does seem that he would
inevitably get some amount of "special treatment"
when it comes to grades on his packs don't you think?

I mean if these guys know they are grading his
stuff and it is say, "close to a 9" then they would
likely just go on and give it to HIM, where as they
might not with you or me (or even sol ) >>



That can go to anything, and just continues on the "larger/more connected players get better treatment" belief that exists with just about every grading company. At some point, you have to make a leap of faith and believe that either grading is a sham, or it's legit.

BigKidAtHeart

Sol, I agree... and have made my own personal "Leap".
That is why I get cards graded by PSA. I have "Faith"
that They will at least be impartial and fair when grading
my cards, and that if they make an honest mistake,
they will correct it.
But if I was a grader for them, I would likely not even be
able to submit cards to PSA because of the simple
appearance of impropriety.

I just think that Mark Murphy is having to deal with the
problems that stem from that appearance of impropriety.

~jeff

Philabuster

Now I wonder what we would expect Steve to say???????? Bottom line is this_________if your a grader you SHOULD NOT be selling this stuff on your ebay site!!!!!!!!

SUPERPUNK813

thanks to everyone that has responded, im still not sure if im ready to take that "leap of faith" with gai but i do like the concept of graded packs. does anyone know if psa has plans to ever grade packs?

Mantlefan

if you're a grader you SHOULD NOT be selling this stuff on your ebay site!!!!!!!!

I agree 100%.