another bad experiece with GAI What do you guys think

pick6investments · June 2, 2004 6:54AM

I gave them a 1986 Topps Football box at the Chicago Sun Times Show on March 19th to grade and authenticate
Rocci tells me to my face it will be two weeks.
I also send 4 rack packs with some stars on the front O PEE CHEE RACK PACK with Hull Rookie on front and they again tell me
TWO WEEKS GUARANTEED!

I got the racks back in MAY early may!
I still have not seen my 86 box so I call today( I had called 5 times or so but NEVER GOT A RESPONSE from leaving messages) and they tell me sorry but we can not seal it because it won't fit in their holder

I asked it took you two and half months and no call or anything? No free grade? No nothing? They said sorry!

This to me is poor business. What do you guys think?

Grand Slam Card Co Ebay Auctions

qualitycards · June 2, 2004 7:03AM

Do they give credit or vouchers if something doesn't meet the guaranteed time?
Regarding grading, packs & boxes. No one else does this, so you'll have to deal w/ them or no one. Perhaps if they had some competition w/ another top grader slabbing these, they may be more apt to do them within the guaranteed time...jay

WinPitcher · June 2, 2004 7:03AM

i think it sux

ctsoxfan · June 2, 2004 7:09AM

Without competition, that is what you get. I agree, they should have at least called you to tell you they could not holder the box...and not wait quite so long to do it. If you didn't call, how long would you have waited?

pick6investments · June 2, 2004 7:46AM

My thought exactly! They would have waited 5 months if I let them I swear they never answer there phone! They really run a poor operation but it has the potential to be # 2 in the industry! I wish I could buy the place CLEAN HOUSE and make millions!

Mantlefan · June 2, 2004 8:28AM

There is no turnover guarantee time. Another reason I will stick with PSA.

pick6investments · June 2, 2004 8:38AM

the wrote it on the submission form and it is guaranteed if you would like a scan of the employee writing it I will be more than happy to scan if you show me how to attach a pic to a thread!

PSA is better than all graders but for different reasons in each case
1) BGS is closest to PSA because they don't make up BS excuses and hold your packages 10 days and enter them when they feel like it
2) SGC sucks due to what you can get for them
3) GAI is the worst due to CUSTOMER SERVICE and INTEGRITY
I like GAI holders I like their ideas but they need somebody to run the operation.

PSA is by far the superior company as far as getting back with you and being able to call them
PSA is by far the VINTAGE KING of grading
PSA is just the best in my opinion

I may get worked a few days(as far as when they supposedly got the package) here and there but to be honest I can live with that!
I sent 21 cards it last week for 10.00 a card and will get grades Friday or Monday on some really nice stuff! I love PSA has monthly specials
I sent a 54 bowman Mantle, Musial 48 bowman rookie, 49 bowman Musial, 60 Mantle, 61 Mantle, Reggie Jackson Rookie, Nolan Ryan Second Year etc. for like 240.00 shipped and insured! That is a STEAL in my book for 5 day service.

GAI would have promised two day service but given 3 MONTH service

Facts are facts
when GAI wants to run with the big boys they need to get serious about something called integrity and keeping your word

My goodness when the PRESIDENT(Rocci) of the company guarantees two weeks to your face and then waits 3 months to get you it back UNGRADED ON TOP OF THAT! NEVER RETURNS numerous phone calls to him and to sevral others.

It is a joke! No big deal just the truth!
I didn't need the box back but I just learned a lesson that GAI is pony in a horse race

Scumbi · June 2, 2004 10:08AM

I totally agree with pick6. I had the same exact experience with them. They were a month off on the promised delivery. They did not holder all the cards like they promised. I could not get a return call. This is when they were promising one on one time to explain why your cards received their grades. Two cards were just lost. And, Friday after lunch is beer time. So if you don't get info or cards on Thursday, you won't be hearing until Monday at the earliest.

I'd put up money to buy them. There is definitely room for a strong number two to make oodles of money in the grading game. What saddens me is the GAI guys know exactly what they have to do. They aren't new to the game. They invented the game. Baker can be charming when it comes to getting you to submit your cards. Rocchi is cold and couldn't care less. He should never do any direct customer relations. Grading cards doesn't take a degree from Yale. There are plenty of kids who would be willing to intern and handle the minutiae. Consistent grading, meeting turnaround times and proper service on the phone are not a lot to ask for. I think GAI has missed its window of opportunity. They had a chance when they were new. A lot of people were disgruntled and wanted a second option. Now, they've burned too many bridges. It doesn't make sense to spend your money with them. If you do unopened wax packs, they are the only game. However, beyond that they are all talk. I think a lot of people have come to appreciate PSA more after dealing with GAI. They've actually done PSA a favor.

It's all frustrating because there was a real chance to make money. Laziness is/was their downfall. If you make a promise to a customer, then you do everything humanly possible to fulfill it. That's business 101. I never understood the attitude over at GAI. They're not bad people. They just don't have it together at all.

S.

pick6investments · June 2, 2004 10:36AM

talk about a change

Steve Rocchi just called my cell phone and offered 15 free grades at the Chricago Sportsfest this month

I was stunned! After 2 and 1/2 months and I posted this TODAY and then I magically get a call within two hours of posting.

I am very pleased they offered 300.00 worth of grades on cello packs at the show.

I am satisfied and SHOCKED! Thanks GAI

qualitycards · June 2, 2004 10:43AM

<< I am satisfied and SHOCKED! Thanks GAI >>

Perhaps he was reading these posts and decided to do the right thing. Maybe you should thank the PSA boards

...jay

koby · June 2, 2004 10:50AM

<< 
Steve Rocchi just called my cell phone and offered 15 free grades at the Chricago Sportsfest this month
>>

That is very classy onthe part of Steve. That's why I have alwasy said that GAI is a first class organization.

pick6investments · June 2, 2004 11:01AM

thanks psa boards! I am waiting on a 100 card order and a 21 card order from PSA and can not wait!

49 musial bowman possible PSA 8, Mantle 54 bowman PSA 7 possible

koby · June 2, 2004 11:04AM

Sweet cards! Make sure you post results when you get them back!

WinPitcher · June 2, 2004 11:33AM

Steve Rocchi just called my cell phone and offered 15 free grades at the Chricago Sportsfest this month

hmmm im wondering if he is a lurker.........

but then again the card world is full of coincidences

Stone193 · June 2, 2004 11:47AM

<< but then again the card world is full of coincidences >>

Win
What a coincidence! My cell phone just rang: "the ocean called, they're running out of shrimp".
Mike

BigKidAtHeart · June 2, 2004 12:11PM

GAI pulls this stuff repeatedly.
they screw up, lose something, delay for months
and IF you complain, they say it was unavoidable
(usually blamed on their holders... seriously)
and then throw "free grades" at you...

then, mark my words... it will happen again....
on those free grades! and again on your next order...
and the next
and the next
etc....

stick with PSA.

qualitycards · June 2, 2004 1:03PM

<< stick with PSA. >>

BIGKID - His problems were w/ slabbing packs & boxes, and GAI is the only game in town.
W/ his free grades, he stated he would grade cello's. So ya gotta use GAI or slab them yourself...jay

schr1st · June 2, 2004 2:10PM

I'm still awaiting a response on my 84/83 Donruss pack SNAFU.

Jmnesq · June 2, 2004 2:42PM

Stone - The jerk shop called - they're running out of you.

Sean - I told you this MONTHS ago - the SNAFU is on the part of Donruss 20 years aog. I opened a large lot of 1984 Donruss loose packs back in 1985 - approximately 10% of them looked like 84 Donruss packs on the outside, but on the inside were either 82 or 83 Donruss cards. Seeing as how I pulled a few 82D Ripkens, I didn't complain.

schr1st · June 2, 2004 2:47PM

Yes Jeff, but in this case, I got an email from GAI asking for details, scans, etc., and that they would follow up with me. It's not that big of a deal to me, but I'm more just curious as to what they were able to determine, moreso than anything else.

envoy98 · June 3, 2004 1:08AM

I just want to throw in my 2 cents on this one as I have a personal dealing with Steve at GAI myself. I will say that he does check these boards, he will admit to it in person, he checks the network54 boards as well. He and I spoke briefly about the huge rant that BMW/BOTN had on the Network54 boards. He mentioned how he gets "slammed" and sometimes for good reason. That being said, I will say my dealings with him at the KC show were nothing but positive. He was very cordial, Sean, the grader was very nice and they both offered advice and answered any questions I, or anyone else had. In fact, Steve sat at their table talking to some people for a couple hours at a time. I don't think, at least in person, his "personal skills" were lacking in any way, shape or form. I gave them 2 cards to slab after a raw review, they took them and told me they would ship the following Friday. They did ship, I got them late last week. I was very happy with their service.

Your mileage may vary, but I had a terrific experience with them and to be honest, I learned more in 15 minutes of talking to them then I knew from 4 years of submitting. These boards are a huge help too, kudos to you all.

I just wanted to share my experience with them as it was a positive one.

wolfbear · June 3, 2004 1:43AM

envoy98 - hmmm ... an anti-Bush logo with a pro-GAI post.

That you should make you about as popular around here as a Janet Reno centerfold spread in Playboy.

envoy98 · June 3, 2004 3:26AM

It's not a Pro GAI Post, it's an explanation of my dealings with Steve from GAI. Many people on here like GAI, I have used them once, and merely stated my experience with them.

BigKidAtHeart · June 3, 2004 12:30PM

<< BIGKID - His problems were w/ slabbing packs & boxes, and GAI is the only game in town.
W/ his free grades, he stated he would grade cello's. So ya gotta use GAI or slab them yourself...jay >>

I still say that GAI will continue to Screw him
like they have so many others (besides envoy I guess) that
have TRIED to use them (including myself...

So if no one else is slabbing packs and/or boxes,
then I will just leave mine Unslabbed and continue
to send my cards to PSA... rather than waste my time
and my money trying to get GAI to do something,
fight with them, argue with them, fight some more,
get nothing but excuses, and free grade slips so
that I can start that fun process all over again.....

No thanks.

another bad experiece with GAI What do you guys think

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