Question Re: Reputation of KSA Grading Co.

JackWESQ

For me, I lump the reputable grading card companies as PSA, SGC and BGS (in that order) and the non-reputable grading cards companies as GEM, PRO, etc. But I'm not sure about KSA. I think they are a Canadian Company because, invaribly, I almost always see a Gretzky rookie card inside a KSA holder. Does anyone have any experience with KSA? Every try to cross over a KSA card to PSA? Any thoughts and comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

1979-80 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky KSA 6.5

/s/ JackWESQ

P.S. Just from straight eye appeal, the Gretzky looks pretty good. Thanks.

halosfan

They are a canadian company. I haven;t looked at any of the cards in the past few years but before that they were like the Canadian brother of PSA.

chb

Yes, KSA is Canadian. I've had only one experience with them. I bought a complete set (about 125) of KSA graded cards from someone in Canada. I'm not an expert grader by any means, but even I could see the grading was extremely inconsistent throughout the set, and generally more lax than PSA. Rather than even attempting to cross over, I just cracked them & sold them raw. But as they say, buy the card not the holder. Just my 2 cents.

jimq112

Inconsistent and sometimes not so good at catching trimmed or fakes from my experience. Cracked out 4 ebay buys, one fake, 2 trimmed, and one made the grade. Won't take that chance again.

nightcrawler

I have a couple cards from KSA and I'm almost certain PSA will bring em down a couple notches.


EDITED TO ADD: That sure looks like a nice OPC for only a 6.5 from KSA??? Must have a crease, or a bullet hole or something.

mcholke

A couple of months ago I cracked a KSA 9 1971 OPC and recieved a PSA 8.

eyebone

My experience has been that KSA overgrade by one to one-and-a-half (ie. a KSA 6.5 or a KSA 6 will be a PSA 5). I do think their standards have been getting a bit tougher in the past year or so, but generally they overgrade. The card in question looks like maybe it has a tiny corner crease (bottom right), but it is hard to tell.

They are actually pretty good with hockey cards as that is obviously their major market, so I don't think too many forged hockey cards will get past them. Not sure about other sports.

Eyebone

ezyshooter

I live in Canada and all i used to deal with is KSA. Now that i have a P.O.Box in Detroit i send in my cards to PSA.
I haven't really used KSA in a few years but i found that it depending in what area you got the card(s) graded.
Unlike PSA, KSA has more then one base of operations so grading varies.
As for fakes in the holders ? I never have ever seen one in a KSA holder. I don't know which card the other PSA member is refering to but i know it would not have been a Gretzky.
Don't forget about the fakes PSA have mistakenly placed in there holders.
Anyways my point is that like everybody says, buy the card and not the holder. Ask for better pics and use your own judgement. I've had PSA, SGC, SCD (old), BVG, BGS, KSA and have had great experiences and bad experiences with all.
Honestly, when i was dealing with KSA most of my cards flipped right into the same grade as PSA. Some went one or two grades lower and then i also had some go one grade higher and the odd one go two grades higher.
Again look at the card and use your judgement.
Hope this helps.
Steve

ezyshooter

Just checked the Gretzky pic. Looks like the bottom right corner has been dinged. You can see what looks like a surface wrinkle in the shape of a 1/4 moon about a 3/8 of a inch up from the bottom right corner.
At least you can say the guy is honest by not trying to press it out. Might end up at a major auction house after getting pressed out. Won't say which one ??
Steve

jimq112

<< <i>
As for fakes in the holders ? I never have ever seen one in a KSA holder. I don't know which card the other PSA member is refering to but i know it would not have been a Gretzky.
Don't forget about the fakes PSA have mistakenly placed in there holders.
e >>



14 40659267 1980 O-PEE-CHEE 289 MARK MESSIER N/A Not Holdered, Questionable Authentication

11 40659279 1985 O-PEE-CHEE 9 MARIO LEMIEUX N/A Not Holdered, Questionable Authentication

You're right, all the grading companies make mistakes sometimes. I've seen some pretty bad psa 10s lately and Matt has shown us several BK emmitt cards that were 10s but also fakes.

Didn't mean any offense, the OP asked for experiences and I gave mine.

Also the gretzky does look nice for a 6.5. I bought a BVG 6.5 pete rose card that I think PSA would call a 4.

nightcrawler

<< <i>A couple of months ago I cracked a KSA 9 1971 OPC and recieved a PSA 8. >>



That's good news, ironicly it's a KSA 9 1971 OPC that I'll be sending in to PSA. A #5 Munson, there's only 2 8s and none higher in PSA.


I see the Gretzky sold for just over $200.

1966CUDA

I only had one experience. I bout a KSA 1983 OPC Cal Ripken. It was a KSA 9...crossed to a PSA 10 so I was pleasantly pleased!!

Knuckles

I've had nothing but bad experiences with buying KSA graded vintage and later crossing over. Trimmed.. huge drops due to wrinkles etc.. It's too bad PSA or one of the other two don't set up shop for Canucks up here so we don't have to deal with the border troubles. There's a ton of raw cardboard up here because of this and sadly a lot of it get's slabbed by KSA.

mcholke

Just got another crossover from KSA to PSA. Went from KSA 9 to PSA 7 for 1970 OPC. Looked like an 8 to me.