Company Graders

BugOnTheRug

I am curious how graders are structured inside the big 3 companies. This is all I know to date:

PSA - Based on information on these boards, it seems there are 11 or 12 graders, and at various levels. I assume they are not visiable to customers and are protected from that, with the possible exception of the upper tier of graders. There is no direct way to contact any of them that I'm aware of, or who may have graded your particular cards.

GAI - I know the 3, Baker, Drinkwater, and Fisher who do grade cards among other things. Are there others that grade cards but are lower ranked and not visiable to customers? Do you know who will grade your cards when submitted to GAI? If yes, can they can be directly contacted by the customer if issues arise?

SGC - Don't know who's- who in this company, but I assume it's similar to GAI. If that's the case, are the aspects I raised about GAI also true with SGC?

My point of asking is that PSA is a far bigger enterprise than the other, which possibly leads to the left hand - right hand communication situations we're seeing here. GAI and SGC, while I'm sure have their own issues, might be able to resolve things in better and more direct fashion due to their smaller size.

Again, just curious..........I'm not looking for a pisxxxx contest, etc., just rational discussion. Please feel free to correct any assumptions on my part.

Thanks, Bill

grilloj39

Bill, from a GAI point...when I submit my cards to them I do not know who's grading them. All the graders are listed on their website. The senior grader is who I send e-mails to in regards to notices of forthcoming submissions, questions on my cards, what I can submit, and any other requests.

The senior grader is the person who can discuss the results of your graded cards.

Lothar52

while posting on the SGC boards a mediator sent me an PM saying that if i wanted to work out a deal to transfer all my 56 topps cards to SGC holders he was "sure a deal could be reached that benefited both sides".....obviously there moderators have close contacts with the head of the company and are looking to be more "customer friendly" then psa has shown in the past. I am bitter however..ive had ONE experience with psa and it ended up me shouting on the phone with some bimbo in customer service back in 1999. Those people at the helm however are with GAI now....so im not sure if i should hold a grudge against PSA or GAI LOL. I still purchase psa graded cards cause they have a huge market share in the vintage now that they have the registry..however.. i dont submit to them...least not yet!

Lothar52

koby

<< <i>
Please feel free to correct any assumptions on my part.

>>




How did you arrive at the conclusion that PSA, SGC and GAI are the "Big 3"?


This has been done before, but in looking at marketshare on ebay, SGC and GAI are relatively insignificant players in the grading business.


PSA
23479
69.6 %

BGS
6978
20.7 %

SGC
1668
5.0 %

GAI
1596
4.7 %

BugOnTheRug

Koby,
Just my opinion, but my guess is many hardcore collectors would exclude BGS. Yes, they have market share but not the indepth knowledge of the other 3. Again, just my opinion and not intended as a slam.
Bill

koby

Bug,

No offense taken at all. In fact, I despise BGS and BVG and do not use them even for modern cards.

I agree that PSA and SGC are the most credible companies when it comes to vintage cards. I wish SGC did more to increase its business.

I have had issues and questions with both companies and I felt that both of these companies had great customer service. (I should note that I used to deal with Peter at PSA and the service level may have dropped since his departure.)

Koby