Home Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum

Breaking Down Grading Companies . . .

Input greatly appreciated . . .

Let's see, PSA is the best all-around, right?

BGS is better for modern? And if so, what is considered modern?

SGC and GAI are solid, too? Vintage submissions?

Just wanted to get this ironed out . . .

Comments

  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Well, first I would like to remind people about Pogo Stick Grading - We're currently grading ummm...2 skazillion cards a month!

    I'm tired of my company being ignored.

    We have so many superior features:

    1. If ya don't like the grade? No problem. We'll change it!
    2. If your card's been trimmed? No problem - everyone likes a little "trim" every now and again.
    3. If your card's a fake. No problem - if women can fakes orgasms - why can't we overlook this?
    4. If you don't like the fees? No problem - we lose money on every holder but ahhh...the volume!
    5. If you think other grading companies are too slow? No problem - send us your cards today and we'll have them graded by yesterday!
    6. If you don't like the 1-10 scale? No problem. We let YOU pick the grade.
    7. If your card's been recolored? No problem. Women have been recoloring stuff for centuries - why not cards?

    image

    We do "take out orders"

    image
    Mike
  • zef204zef204 Posts: 4,742 ✭✭

    I think there are many collectors out there that love SGC for vintage.
    EAMUS CATULI!

    My Auctions
  • BoopottsBoopotts Posts: 6,784 ✭✭
    I've heard that BGS grades sheet cuts, but I don't know that for sure. Hopefully chaz will see this and set the record straight for us.
  • Brian48Brian48 Posts: 2,624 ✭✭✭
    Yeah, BGS does grade cards cut from sheets. Their policy is that so long as the card falls within the correct tolerances, they don't care if it was cut post-factory.
  • envoy98envoy98 Posts: 4,000 ✭✭


    << <i>Yeah, BGS does grade cards cut from sheets. Their policy is that so long as the card falls within the correct tolerances, they don't care if it was cut post-factory. >>



    How unfortunately true that is... I mean, everything was cut from a sheet at some point right? If they didn't do it right, why shouldn't you have the ability to fix it?

    I think PSA is the best grading company around, am I biased...a little bit. I do not like BGS, but you can't argue with the fact their price guide says a BGS carded card is worth more and hence it sells for more. I have some modern cards in PSA holders and I admit, I regret it a little bit. Would I put anything prior to 1983 in BGS/BVG holder? Not a chance.

    I think SGC graded pre-war does as well if not better in realized prices than PSA even does, but I don't do anything in that market so I may have a skewed perspective based on a small sampling of sales I've seen. I'll admit, I like SGC's holder better, just wish they would stack up nice and neat like PSA, but then I put team bags over all my cases so they don't stack so hot anymore anyways.

    -Josh

    BTW, Stone: Do you have my 50,000 ct lot of David Wright bowman chromes done all in 10's yet? I need to sell some of those to buy more ink. I think I'm going to try for one of those Honus Wagner cards next, I found some old paper I can print on.
  • chaz43chaz43 Posts: 2,140 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I've heard that BGS grades sheet cuts, but I don't know that for sure. Hopefully chaz will see this and set the record straight for us. >>







    I've heard that PSA grades hand cuts, but I don't know that for sure. Hopefully boopots will see this and set the record straight for us.

    chaz
  • chaz43chaz43 Posts: 2,140 ✭✭✭
    #1 - PSA

    #2 - SGC (Prewar), BGS - (Modern)

    #3 - GAI


    chaz

    PS: I KEEP IT REAL.
  • SGC is primarily counted on more for it's pre war grading. You wont find too many high priced post war cards in an SGC slab up for auction on mastro, leland, sothebys, et al...mainly because SGC doesnt garner high auction prices for post war, but also there is a conceived notion that SGC does not grade as consistently for post war cards (true to an extent, but the main reason is point #1).

    Beckett is counted on for modern. BVG is seen as the red headed stepchild of vintage grading. Most people avoid BVG slabs, but a lot take the risk in hopes that the card crosses over. Beckett knows their place in the market..hence, they largely advertise and gear their products toward modern collectors.

    GAI is almost like PSA. They cover post and pre war equally well. BUT, they have little presence in the modern market.

    PSA covers pre and post war as well as modern. They dip their hands into everything.

    Which one is better? Well, use the search function to find the many threads that debate this exact question.


  • << <i>BGS is better for modern? And if so, what is considered modern? >>



    many definitions, but most say 70's on up. i say, for BGS' stake in the modern market, they have a presence in 80's on up cards.
  • aro13aro13 Posts: 1,961 ✭✭✭
    For fun I will throw in my 2 cents.

    PSA - has the huge following on the registry, plenty of cards available and consistent selling prices in all areas

    BGS - has a fair portion of the modern market (cards graded post 1980) - modern cards sell for consistent prices

    SGC - has a fair portion of the vintage market (pre WWII) and a huge portion of the E and C cards - post 1949 very little cards available particularly in the post 1980 realm - cards sell for good prices in baseball, less in other sports

    GAI - plenty of high grade cards available and usually can be bought for a good price

    The top post 1980 set from a collecting standpoint is probably 1986 Fleer Basketball. Here are the current numbers on ebay
    Active Cards
    PSA 229
    SGC 4
    BGS 47
    GAI 18

    Cards closed in the Past Month
    PSA 699
    SGC 17
    BGS 321
    GAI 42

    % of cards selling at or above SMR
    PSA 15%
    SGC 1%
    BGS 30%
    GAI 0%

    The past month is slow for sales. I have tracked the set for about the last year. The % of sales above SMR is higher for all of the companies than in July.
  • Thanks, fellas! Great info here.

    Now, I have several very modern (shiny) cards. Would it be worth my time and $ to use BGS to grade these issues? 2000 and newer.

    Never graded this stuff before.

    Does anyone use BGS? Would you be willing to walk me through the process?

    Thanks again!
  • BoopottsBoopotts Posts: 6,784 ✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I've heard that BGS grades sheet cuts, but I don't know that for sure. Hopefully chaz will see this and set the record straight for us. >>







    I've heard that PSA grades hand cuts, but I don't know that for sure. Hopefully boopots will see this and set the record straight for us.

    chaz >>



    Now now, chaz== don't steal my lines. It's unbecoming of you.

    An explanation of BGS's sheet cut policy would surely be of great benefit to the boards, so feel free to share what you know if you feel so inclined.

    Thanks!

  • BoopottsBoopotts Posts: 6,784 ✭✭


    << <i>Thanks, fellas! Great info here.

    Now, I have several very modern (shiny) cards. Would it be worth my time and $ to use BGS to grade these issues? 2000 and newer.

    Never graded this stuff before.

    Does anyone use BGS? Would you be willing to walk me through the process?

    Thanks again! >>



    Just go to beckett.com, sign up at their site (no membership fee), print off a submission form and ship 'em out. I've never had an order take longer than 2 weeks, so hopefully you'll enjoy a similarly short turnaround time. And if the cards are autographed be sure to add the extra $2 per card.
  • Brian48Brian48 Posts: 2,624 ✭✭✭
    I've used BGS in the past, but never again. Although I like their holders, I've found them to be too inconsistent. Rediculously hard sometimes, unbelievably lax'd others. I also avoid buying high-end BGS cards as well ever since I saw that trimmed 2000 SP Auth. Tom Brady card.
  • chaz43chaz43 Posts: 2,140 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>I've heard that BGS grades sheet cuts, but I don't know that for sure. Hopefully chaz will see this and set the record straight for us. >>







    I've heard that PSA grades hand cuts, but I don't know that for sure. Hopefully boopots will see this and set the record straight for us.

    chaz >>



    Now now, chaz== don't steal my lines. It's unbecoming of you.

    An explanation of BGS's sheet cut policy would surely be of great benefit to the boards, so feel free to share what you know if you feel so inclined.

    Thanks! >>




    Boopotts- I explained this a thousand times to you but you are too thick to get it.... hand cut vs. sheet cut = no difference. As far as stealing your lines, it's so easy to stay ahead of you, it's hardly worth the effort. LOL chaz image


  • << <i>The past month is slow for sales. I have tracked the set for about the last year. The % of sales above SMR is higher for all of the companies than in July. >>



    interesting analysis. i bought a jordan rookie two months ago. how does that card look in, say, the past 6 months? Above SMR? Downward or upward trend?
  • Thanks, guys! But I think I'll stick with PogoStickGrading . . .
  • aro13aro13 Posts: 1,961 ✭✭✭
    ~" bought a jordan rookie two months ago. how does that card look in, say, the past 6 months? Above SMR? Downward or upward trend?"~

    Majordanby - The SMR for a Jordan in PSA 8 is pretty accurate. The 9 price is too high. Jordan cards sell in a consistent range with cards in the higher range tending to be better centered. The lowest price for a PSA 8 was $425 and that was from a seller with a feedback of 4. The highest price was $700. This card, I would guess is the highest priced card in PSA 8 relative to population in existence. There are currently 5601 PSA 8's and the selling price is around $550.00. If you want any specific information on the set, just drop me a PM.
Sign In or Register to comment.