Other Grading Companies?

Stingray

Just wanted to get people's opinions on the other grading companies. SGC has been around for awhile, GAI is fairly new on the block and seems to have some customer care issues. I noticed that in the SMR adds for auctions that the majority of cards are PSA, maybe a couple of GAI (packs or cards) and no SGC cards. Does anyone buy graded cards from either of the other companies on a regular basis? SGC seems here to stay, but is GAI here for the long haul. Can anyone be a serious competition to PSA?

Stingray

lawnmowerman

I think that if you want graded vintage cards then PSA really is unmatched. If you want graded modern then BGS has that sewn up pretty tight. I am basing my opinions on what I have seen with same card selling in PSA slab as opposed to a BGS slab.

Matt

goudeygold

I agree. For absolute gem mint modern go for BGS. If you like the .5 scale, go with GAI or SGC, otherwise stick with PSA. Although i'm finding out the grades vary alot between graders. If you don't agree with the grade, then crack it out and resend again.

GG

Boopotts

"I agree. For absolute gem mint modern go for BGS. If you like the .5 scale, go with GAI or SGC, otherwise stick with PSA."

This has been the conventional wisdom for some time, but it seems to me like the pendulum is starting to shift. True, a beautiful modern card should make a trip through the BGS mill first, if only because of the added equity of the possible 10 Pristine grade. But for straight 'gem mint' PSA 10's consistenly outsell BGS 9.5's for a number of different issues.

I think a lot of buyers may be noticing that guys like unklbnz and arodspecialist sell NOTHING but 9.5's, and are (rightfully) beginning to question the integrity of that grade.

SDSportsFan

In my view PSA is the best way to go for all cards, with SGC being pretty much equal on pre-WWI cards.

Alot of 19th Century and 20th Century Tobacco era collectors view SGC as maybe being more consistent in their grading of those issues.

I don't know that I really agree with that sentiment about SGC being more consistent, as I have seen seeming "mistakes" in both companies holders, but am just stating what I have heard and read.

I have also owned cards graded by GAI and BCG/BVG, and in my opinion, they haven't had the same eye appeal as the same cards in PSA holders.


Steve

Steve1124

If you're looking mostly for higher resale value in the future, then you almost HAVE to go with PSA. I'm speaking mainly of vintage cards, since that's what i collect. Having said that though, i much prefer SGC's holders--i like the black template they place around the card, to give it more of a classy "custom" look, as opposed to those plastic "sleeves" that PSA uses, where the card can slide around. PSA's web site for pop. report and SMR is also far superior to SGC's web site, which i can't even get to work on my computer.