GAI Pack Grading Question?

julen23

I have been thinking about this more recently as I have been accumulating more unopened stuff.

Do any of you fellow board members use the GAI service for grading unopened stuff? I have 3 boxes of 1984 Donruss Rack Packs and a couple boxes of 1980 Topps Rack Packs and am wondering if getting them graded would enhance their values? Further, what are costs associated w/ being a GAI member and getting unopened stuff graded?

THanks for any feedback regarding GAI or the general market for unopened graded stuff?

Julen

Go White Sox
VIVA Venezuela

packCollector

not worth it , you will not increase the value on 80's stuff by grading. also , the cost on rack packs is $25 I believe

RedHeart54

On the other hand, if any of those racks have stars on the front, getting them slabbed might increase the rack's desirability.

At the very least, a slabbed rack provides great protection to a rack pack. They aren't the easiest thing to keep mint.

julen23

Does GAI even have a website?

I have searched yahoo repeatedly and cannot find anything?

How the heck would you submit anything for grading if they don't even have a website?

Julen

EagleEyeKid

Does GAI even have a website?

gacard.net

waxfromthepast

Yes, Global has a website. The address is gapack.net -or- gacard.net

Julen, I'm the authenticator for all of the unopened that comes through Global's doors. I ONLY authenticate, I don't grade; anyone can assign a number to a pack. I feel that's a conflict of interest since I sell unopened product graded by Global. I say if items are legitimate or resealed ONLY. Remember, I provided you with a letter for your bad 1980 Topps baseball wax box and you were refunded. All the information you need is on the GAI website or you can call them directly at (949)474-1557. You can call me personally at the number below as well in my Cleveland office. Thank you, -Ryan

Wax From The Past
Ryan Rutter
Cleveland, OH
(614)946-4000

GAI Authorized Dealer
GAI MASTER Authenticator
BGS Preferred Submission Center
Sports Collectors Digest 10 Year Customer Service Award

GoblinOutpost

Well, isn't PSA coming out with their pack grading service in early 2006. Might want to consider waiting to go with the big company. :-)

Seraph

<< <i>Well, isn't PSA coming out with their pack grading service in early 2006. Might want to consider waiting to go with the big company. :-) >>



Big company or not, what matters is the integrity and accurateness in the specialized field.

TMc

Ryan,

Could you give us your take on the 1958 baseball cello problems. I had heard that an entire box got graded that in actuality were fakes. I've seen some of these and they do appear to have the wrong seals, very thick cello and inconsistent seal marks. Any thoughts?

TMc

stevek

<<< Julen, I'm the authenticator for all of the unopened that comes through Global's doors. I ONLY authenticate, I don't grade; anyone can assign a number to a pack. I feel that's a conflict of interest since I sell unopened product graded by Global. I say if items are legitimate or resealed ONLY. >>>

Heh? I'm not disputing Ryan's integrity at all because I don't know him or anything about him. But...authenticating unopened packs and then selling these same unopened packs is a HUGE conflict of interest - HUGE. Ryan may be the most honest person on the face of the earth...but the fact is that is a huge conflict of interest. Much bigger conflict of interest than grading of the packs...which is correct in that is also a conflict of interest. Didn't mean to hijack the thread as certainly Ryan could provide some interesting information.

julen23

I would certainly hope the man isn't selling the same packs he authenticates?

Certainly there are firewalls to prevent such conflicts of interest from becoming a reality. He also said he authenticates, NOT grades, so that is a little different.

The guy authenticated a bunk box of 1980 topps for me, including an Authenticated Letter w/ several embarassingly detailed reasons as to why the box was not "Fresh" as advertised; so I don't think he is dishonest whatsoever.

His website sucks, but other than that, I think he is a good guy.

Ryan, do you sell material that you have authenticated?

Julen

stevek

<<< I would certainly hope the man isn't selling the same packs he authenticates? >>>

<<< Julen, I'm the authenticator for all of the unopened that comes through Global's doors. >>>

Based on the word "all" he would have to be.

Just to strongly state again...I am not in any way whatsoever questioning Ryan's integrity. But Ryan himself brought up the "conflict of interest" point and I think clarification on this would be important. Perhaps Ryan's authentification work gets double or triple checked by other people? Again...just looking for clarification.

stevek

<<< He also said he authenticates, NOT grades, so that is a little different. >>>


Also: In my view, authentication is way, WAY more important than the grade with unopened packs. Without authentification an unopened pack is potentially of little value. I mean really...a 1952 Topps truly unopened pack versus a 1952 topps pack which somebody bought a wrapper and inserted 5 EXMT-NM cards in there - just "a lttle bit" of a price value difference between the two - LOL.

Also, unopened packs can be a guessing game anyway as far as what is inside them. A GAI 9 unopened pack could have been dropped and the cards could have dinged corners - the cards inside could be 6's. A GAI 7 or 8 unopened pack could have been stored in a scrapbook, the wrapper sustained wear from shuffling paper and handling but the cards inside could be 8's or 9's. In other words the authentication is the key for unopened packs - especially vintage.

waxfromthepast

Hello again,
No, as of October 1st, I won't grade or authenticate anything of my own. That's a conflict of interest as well. Items I've sold in the PAST that were graded by Global, I purchased from the following sources: Dealers at shows like Ft. Washington in Philly, Rosemont in Chicago, Sportsfest shows, and the National as well as auction houses. That's it. As far as turnaround times for Global, they will be much better in the future for I've just STARTED with Global on OCTOBER 1st. Our website: waxfromthepast.com will be corrected soon as well and will contain ONLY legitimate unopened material, as always, and NOTHING authenticated by GLOBAL. We've already added many new items. I don't usually read these boards unless I'm notified to check them out due to the judge and jury process that goes on here. Again, if anyone needs questions answered related to Global, it's a phone call to (949)474-1557 or go to their website.

stevek

<<< due to the judge and jury process that goes on here. >>>

and executioner

TMc

Thanks for the explanation Ryan...frickin clear as mud. Jez...I hope you stay away from my packs.