Which Grading Companies are good for crossovers?

mariotown

Over the last few months I've compiled a list of all the grading card companies I've found and ranked them according to how I think they are regarded. Are there any that I missed? See the link below. Do you agree or disagree with my rankings? What do you think?

Grading Companies List

Are any of these companies particularly good or bad for crossing over to PSA?

Kevin

Kosmo

I would put SGC ahead of Beckett because Beckett will grade cards that other companies will not encapsulate citing evidence of trimming.

mariotown

Part of the reason I put BGS and BVG where is did is because I checked eBay and it was second in the number of auctions when compared to PSA. I have noticed the top three in Mastronet auctions have been: 1) PSA, 2) SGC, and 3) GAI.

Kevin

SKINSFAN

BY far better luck with sgc then anybody else

mariotown

Among PSA and PSA/DNA, BGS/BVG/BCCG, SGC, and GAI how would you rank them for likelihood in being around in 20 years? I would think that should also be a factor in considering which graded cards to collect.

Here are my rankings:
1. PSA and PSA/DNA
2. BGS/BVG - still around ; BCCG - gone
3. SGC - maybe
4. GAI - out-of-business

Kevin

Virtualizard

As much as I hate to admit it, I would have to put BGS above PSA for longevity, only because of the continuing success with their grading of the "hottest new modern cards" that command $1000s one week and are worthless the next. This will likely continue, as it shows no signs of slowing down. I guess I just don't understand the appeal of a card produced last month that can sell for more than a PSA 9 of some major HOFer cards that I'd love to own.

JEB.

mariner

I have had the best luck with GAI.

1420sports

I heard that SGC has the highest cross rate at 88% and GAI is about 85%. The figures are what I remember a PSA employee telling me at the last Ft Washington show.

srs1a

On quality of grading, I would put both SGC and GAI over Becketts. My take is that PSA/SGC/GAI are all quality outfits...PSA owns the largest piece of the pie, so rating them #1 is accurate.

I also agree with virtualizard, Becketts is here for the long haul. They dominate the modern market...and if this remains a viable market, they will be remain the top dogs. However, if things change such that low-pop rookies/inserts end up being more valuable than high-grade "standard" cards...things could change in a hurry.

toppsgun

In 20 years, they'll all be out of business.

And so will I.

gaspipe26

I really have a decent upgrade percentage with SGC 92's to PSA 9's. Otherwise I get a high % crossover with GAI .

highend

i have had far less success with SGC i got crushed on a bunch of 71's not one 8 in the lot...my most recent failure was a 72 cey RC SGC 88 to PSA 7. the card looked great in the scan but when i had it in hand it was a "slider".i paid 45 bucks for the card +10 for grading so i ended up with a 55 dollar PSA 7.

i always crack them out and send them in with raw submissions. i'm starting to think about doing otherwise or just giving up all together.

on a brighter note i did cross a very tough 72 topps card (expos rookies) from an 88 to a psa 8.

67standup

Impressive list.

As with most industries, an oligarchy should form:

#1 PSA (the Coke of cards) - established positioning early, has marketshare, and collectors/dealers have too much invested. Plus, it's a good product (please don't cite examples where they messed up, it's all about probability and margin of error considering the 1000s of cards they grade.)

#2 SGC (micro/local/specialty brand) - great customer service, very attractive holder. Should stay out of the modern card market, become leader in other areas such as they're doing with Tobacco cards. They will be around, not sure about 10 years, let alone 20.

#3 Beckett (Pepsi) - only for modern cards, they should stay out of the vintage market as I don't think they have the expertise. I tried to crack a holder, wow, what a solid product.

Gai (Shasta/RC)- can see them merging with another company, has established monopoly on packs

Excuse me for being harsh, but everything else is junk. I base this assertion on first hand experience and other collector/dealer comments.

koby

Great analysis 67. I agree with your assessment of the different grading companies.

I have a lot of SGC cards and usually just keep them in their original holders. The few times that I have tried to cross them over have turned out well with only a few lowering of grades.

NickM

SCD, while no longer around, is a worthwhile candidate for crossovers to PSA. People here had mixed experiences, but mine was good (1 vintage card - 9 to 9), and their graders were experienced in the card industry. I would rank them below 67standup's 4, but would still consider buying them.

Nick

Kosmo

I would agree with Nick. I had good results crossing over two 1971 SCD graded baseball cards. They are hard to find.