Curious about GAI

cspeier1

How many PSA faithful are members of GAI also. Or do you think GAI is more big dealer driven. Just curious, I like there prices on authenticating. Don't blow a gasket I know this is the PSA forum, but I get honest answers.

Chad

tennesseebanker

Yeah, I like a lot of GAI's stuff, And if I find out they grade game used jersey cards I may become a member over there too. I like GAI's slabs, seemless with the card right up against the face of the slab. And the fact that the info is on top of the slab where you dont have to dig through the box to find what you are looking for. Gai is the only other authentictor I would buy or use and is PSA biggest threat for the crown in my opinion. But PSA is still the king.

Dallas88

Hey there,

I think what we, as collectors want, is a company that offers grades representing the fair, and correct condition of an item. We would like to know WHY a card was given a certain grade...not "just because".

When we contact customer service, we like to be handled fairly and our concerns to be handled somewhat expediently.

We expect a nice looking product at a fair price.

We expect any problems to be admitted then addressed in a common sense manner. We are not stupid; we all have disposable income for a reason. We do not expect problems to be swept under the rug, pretending they didn't happen.

I think that GAI, although a "newer" company, does a fine job with all these points.

I have no allegiance to one company over the other. I think competition is healthy in our society.

Be aware that you will receive some biased opinions due to the site where you are posting this question.

fsjeter

Ummm... What Dallas said. let me just add that the GAI cards I have seen seem to have fair grades. Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't former PSA people start GAI?

Scott

A761506

I have no problem purchasing cards graded by GAI or SGC, however, I would only submit my own raw cards to PSA. I find that I can buy GAI and SGC cards for less than I would have to pay for a PSA slab of the same card, and generally, the grading is pretty consistent from one company to the next, although I don't quite understand why SGC puts two separate number grades on every card.

koby

I have had good experiences sending cards to GAI and purchasing GAI cards. Perhaps if you have any questions concerning this company you should direct your questions to board member "Chew" or "H. Walker".

psa8myaz

GAI rocks. Been happy with the cards I've bought. Nice to have more than one choice of competent services. PSA will remain my number one choice for now.

TheRoach

Good thread considering I have a question about them. I recently purchased ( 2 ) 1987 Fleer Barry Bonds rookies that were both graded GAI 9.5 for a total of $600 off Ebay the other day.

I looked at the scans, and the centering was beautiful, and more importantly, the chipping on the back was very, very minimal. I have seen BGS 9.5 scans with a bit more chipping.

My question is this - obviously, PSA 10's as well as BGS 9.5's of this particular card sell for at least double, and close to triple ( BGS 9.5 ) the amount I paid. So I ask myself "Why would someone even pay $300 for a GAI 9.5 of this card if they did not think that it would at least get into a PSA 10 after resubmitting?".

I never bought a GAI 9.5 card from what I remember, so I am taking a chance. But if they don't look GEM MINT to me after I get them, breaking them out would probably only yield me a PSA or BGS 9 on them. In that case, I am losing about $200 per card from what I originally paid. But if they can crossover to a PSA 10, I just got a hell of a steal.

All in all, I am just wondering if so many people are aware of the way that GAI grades, then if the cards I got got as high as $300 per card, I would hope that more people think that they have a good chancve of crossing over to at least, a PSA 10. Otherwise, why bid up to $300 for a card that would crossover to a MINT 9 from either BGS or PSA?




TheRoach

downgoesfrazier

Roach, Let me take a stab at this...if I'm hearing you right...The problem is that most people who are informed know that more times than not a PSA 10 is randomly assigned to a nice 9 or even an average 9 in many cases. Likewise, there are many 10's sitting in 9 holders as well. The subjective and volitile climate of graded cards leaves many people afraid to risk their dollars on a competent application of a grading company's published standard. The fact that I have re-submitted six 8's and gotten 10's on them, and submitted absolutely perfect examples that are 10-worthy and gotten 9's tells me that once you get into a well-printed, centered, pack-fresh card--it's just a crap shoot. I'm confident that if a well-centered, clean, sharp, colorful, pack-fresh card was awarded 9.5 status by Mike Baker or anyone at GAI, it will, eventually, wind up in a PSA 10 holder. It may take a couple of whacks at it, however. $300 seems to be the level of risk the current market will take--or the current level of confidence in those grading companies...whichever way you choose to look at it. Why not just keep the beautiful card safe and sound right where it is? The GAI holder can be flattering to many cards and the Bonds card you mention would look really nice in it. I'm sure you bought a winner...enjoy it!!!


dgf

BugOnTheRug

There is nothing wrong with the GAI product. The slab is beautiful (well maybe not for 71T or 85D baseball) and they grade fairly. It's still all subjective, so in truth like dgf says, it's still a crap shoot whoever you use.

I have both, but have leaned toward PSA do to the 'community' of collectors and cards available.

BOTR

Stone193

<< <i>There is nothing wrong with the GAI product >>


First, great thread! And good answers IMO.
I agree with BOTR and DGF. There's nothing wrong or improper about discussing the other companies - you can get good and bad from all the companies.
I'm looking at three GAI 8's 57T Herzog, 68T Yaz and a 56T Alston - they all look like they would cross - but as we know on a bad day perhaps not - subjectivism and all that.
Goodwin has a nice mix of assorted grading companies in his next auction (jul 30) - lets see how the results compare this time and discuss it again.
Roach
great cards at a great price - if you crack one and submit to psa - wish you all the luck for a 10!
Stone

Vargha

I understand that alot of people have been "curious" about GAI. I simply chose not to adopt the GAI lifestyle.

mudflap02

I was so going to post that but I thought the better of it.

Something to the effect of "Curious about BI"

fsjeter

In case nobody was aware, two members of GAI's key managment were former PSA Executives. The grades should, and I use the term loosely, be comperable. Heck, they may even be a tougher grade.

Scott

iamthegreatcornholio

I own several GAI cards - both modern and vintage and I am in agreement with the grades although I have not tried to cross them over. I was curious about a particular aspect - how GAI 10's would crossover to BGS as either a 9.5 or a 10 - no one knows so I'll find out next show.

Roach, I am in total agreement downgoesfrazier's statement. Eventually, they probably will get in a PSA 10 holder. Don't feel bad, my worst experience was a '87 Fleer Bonds PSA 10. I bought it with no scan or no return policy (I was new at the time so I figured most all "virtually perfect" cards should look the same). It was in NM-MT condition: The centering was about 60/40 and the back was horribly chipped - it had much more chipping than a 9 I owned. It was the worst "slider" I have ever owned.

Brian

jrdolan

Random thoughts on the confusing issue of 9.5's and 10's:

I've noticed that the number "9.5" when printed on a BGS or GAI flip seems to have a mystical aura about it, and drives collectors to bid to extravagant lengths to obtain such a wondrous card. That fractional number seems to be held in higher regard than the theoretically superior "10" seen on PSA cards. This seems to be true more with modern cards, where GAI and BGS 9.5 are considered the Holy Grail compared to the more mundane PSA 10.

This is despite the much-discussed belief (here) that Beckett will grade sheet-cut cards and even the occasional patient from outpatient surgery.

And it's despite the frequent rant (here) that GAI has recently dropped its standards and prices to get in bed with as many dealers as possible.

On the other side are those who have the idea that a large dealer can submit a stack of a hundred 1986 Topps Traded Barry Bonds to PSA and receive 10's on the lot, with only a sampling receiving a careful examination. My only anecdotal evidence of this is a PSA 10 Bagwell rookie that looks like it would have trouble pulling an 8. (See below) In fairness, this is the only example of a totally botched PSA 10 I have held in my own hands, though a few others I have owned I might argue were only very nice 9's.

I have no idea why this might not be equally true in the case of BGS, which also handles high volumes of modern material. But BGS 9.5 does cause heart palpitations in the marketplace.

GAI doesn't have the volume of modern cards passing through its doors, so perhaps they do indeed give each Bonds rookie the same detailed scrutiny they give a 1955 Clemente.

It's all very confusing, that sometimes 10 is less than 9.5.

downgoesfrazier

fsjeter,
I think just about everyone is aware of who is at the helm of Global Authentication, but thanks for sharing.

dgf