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How reliable is GAI's pack grading?

ajwajw Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
I'm thinking of buying a few mid 1970s baseball wax, and I'd like to get the opinion of those with more expertise than me. How reliable is GAI's pack grading service? Have you ever busted a pack that you could clearly tell was resealed? What does the grade mean? Is it the condition of the wrapper/packaging, their confidence in the integrity of the pack or something else?

Comments

  • mercurynutmercurynut Posts: 3,207
    Good question!
  • wolfbearwolfbear Posts: 2,759 ✭✭✭

    If GAI slabs it, it means they believe it's legit.

    The actual grade is mostly just how nice the wrapper looks.
    If you plan on busting them open, buy the lower graded ones, cause they're cheaper.



    Pix of 'My Kids'

    "How about a little fire Scarecrow ?"
  • softparadesoftparade Posts: 9,276 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Rack packs I trust more than wax and have good luck with picking up 78's off e-bay.Pulled many stars although hardly any centered but thats how these cards are. the only place I would and have bought wax would be the Baseball Card Exchange. I have a wax box of 78's coming from Steve!

    ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240

  • rvcrvc Posts: 559 ✭✭
    gai 9 and higher= looks real nice and authentic. cards are near mint with usual gum/wax stain. gradeable
    gai 8's are 50:50
    gai 7's=looks questionable , perhaps resealed or just bad luck storing. cards have bad corners , not worthy of grading.
    no experience with gai <7

    Bob
  • GriffinsGriffins Posts: 6,076 ✭✭✭


    << <i>gai 7's=looks questionable , perhaps resealed or just bad luck storing. >>



    Resealed? Based on what- experience opening graded packs of this grade? Please give details, pretty strong claim here.

    Always looking for Topps Salesman Samples, pre '51 unopened packs, E90-2, E91a, N690 Kalamazoo Bats, and T204 Square Frame Ramly's

  • rvcrvc Posts: 559 ✭✭
    it was not meant to be a strong claim b/c i can not prove it. i will not pay up for gai 7's . i have cracked open about 15 gai 7's and was not happy with them. the wrapper looks rough from the outside hence the lower grade. the cards have bad corners not worthy of grading . i dont think they were all authentic due to the wrapper seal, wrapper folds,card presentation and my gut feeling. can i prove it,no. i just shy away from 7's and shoot for 9's.
    Bob
  • TMcTMc Posts: 124
    RVC..just curious where you got your info. Anything (packs or cellos) graded by GAI is guaranteed to be unopened, unsearched. I deal strickly in cellos so my expertise ends there. I have sent in close to 100 cellos from the 50s and 60s.. About 1/4 came back as reseals. After several calls, conferences, and opinions from other dealers, I have learned what to look for in cellos. Don't know much about wax, but am up to snuff on cellos. I resubmitted several "rejected" cellos several months later with a mix of good ones. They did not miss one. They rejected the same cellos. Now that I know what to look for, the reseals are obvious. I wish there was another pack/cello grader in the mix, but GAI is the only game. The grades only reflect the condition of the pack or cello. It has nothing to do with the certainty of its authenticity. Your opinion is misleading and inaccurate. If its a phoney, they won't grade it at all. I would not hesitate to purchase a graded wax pack or cello that is GAI graded...regardless of the grade. Most dealers of wax and cellos don't care about the grade. We are only looking for a third party opinion.
  • goudeygoldgoudeygold Posts: 701 ✭
    Excellent post TMC.

    Thanks for your insight,

    GG
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