1915 Cracker: PSA vs. SGC or GAI

scoutsout47 · August 14, 2008 3:24AM

Hey Everyone,

I've been working on an all-PSA 3 1915 Cracker Jack set since Jan, but I'm having a helluva time locating them in the desired grade. I have, however, found a butt-load of SGC 40 and GAI 3 cards available, although my previous crossover luck has been dismal. Likewise, my Raw pick-ups have also fallen short. I'm currently sitting on five (5) of these CJ cards that came back at a 2 or 2.5 (Not happy). In any case, I'm curious to know why so many submitters gravitate towards SGC or some other PSA competitor, for this particular set -- at least with regards to the low-grade CJ cards? I'd love a little insight, my friends. Thanks in advance!!

Best regards,

JK

Stingray · August 14, 2008 4:38AM

I would say SGC is fine for this set, but I would not buy GAI based on past stories of them.

RipublicaninMass · August 14, 2008 5:53AM

you might try offering the 1915's that came back lower for sale here as well. My experience has been decent both with raw and SGC to PSA

scoutsout47 · August 15, 2008 12:10AM

That's not a bad idea, RipublicaninMass, and if I understand you correctly, I'll have more luck with some raw submissions and SGC crossovers, but I should avoid GAI? That's been quite a theme on this message board. Thanks again!!

Regards,

JK

RipublicaninMass · August 15, 2008 2:13AM

Higher grade GAi is always suspect, and I HATE getting cards returned trimmed. I would spend a bit more and buy graded already, or raw for short mone from good sellers

Ted

edited also you might want to consider a range of grades (I know I know you could be one of those ob-com's) PSA 3-4 or consider 2's with no creases in the players face, good eye appeal..etc. I dont have my few cj's scanend in as of yet, but here is a link to mmy t205 set I am trying in PSA 1-4...again TRYING to get cards without MAJOR creases across the players face. Once I took them all out again, sorted them scanned them and scrolled through in the registry I was impressed YAY

Ted's old gold...not the cigarette

scoutsout47 · August 15, 2008 3:18AM

Hey Ted,

Those t205's look beautiful!! I was actually torn between the t205's, 1915 CJ's or '34 Goudey's, and I went for the two latter instead. As for broadening my horizons with acceptable PSA 2's though 4's, that would be a tough sell for me. I like my sets as I liked my Army boots: uniform and dress-right-dress...lol. Besides, for a guy like who loves the hunt, seeking only PSA 3's would be one helluva safari, wouldn't it? I will consult a higher authority and make my decision in short order

GAI be damned!!!

Regards,

Jared

fandango · August 15, 2008 5:00AM

i frequently buy SGC CJs (and E90-1's) and crack them out and send to PSA..the same grade in SGC is 90% of the time lower than a PSA card...there are just less collectors of SGC and less of a demand...

i trust that an SGC is authentic an unaltered, a GAI on the other hand--anything is possible...

RipublicaninMass · August 15, 2008 5:47AM

careful because 90% of all PSA mk,oc, and st qualifiers end up in a SGC holder, make sure you get a scan of the back.

I like my sets as I liked my Army boots: uniform and dress-right-dress...lol

funny I like my Coffee like my women ..Black and STRONG

1960toppsguy · August 15, 2008 10:13AM

I have personally never had a problem with GAI although it has always been in "vogue" to bash them, especially on these boards.

Griffins · August 15, 2008 10:18AM

I've crossed about 40-50 CJ's from SGC to PSA, and for the most part they went straight over. All cracked and submitted. A few went up a bit, a few down, but overall I was pretty surprised by the consistancy between each company.
The only caveat is watch the centering, they do grade that differently

fandango · August 15, 2008 11:47AM

<< <i>I have personally never had a problem with GAI although it has always been in "vogue" to bash them, especially on these boards.

>>

well i have and those "crackouts" i gave to my little cousins ,cause their to young to care about a trimmed card...

wasted more money cracking GAI than anything....its not "en vogue" its my true experiences....

RipublicaninMass · August 15, 2008 2:27PM

<< <i>

well i have and those "crackouts" i gave to my little cousins ,cause their to young to care about a trimmed card...

wasted more money cracking GAI than anything....its not "en vogue" its my true experiences.... >>

Ever crackout GEM cards? I also had a diffrent series BVG crackout which was 100% sheet cut/evidtrim

fandango · August 15, 2008 9:55PM

Rip, no i wouldnt even think about buying a GEM to crack it out..same with a BVG..just dont trust em.....

WinPitcher · August 16, 2008 1:00AM

I have personally never had a problem with GAI although it has always been in "vogue" to bash them, especially on these boards

I have.

Steve

1960toppsguy · August 16, 2008 7:18AM

I consider myself to be amongst the minority and will continue to roll the dice. I bet some of you own cards that I have broke out of GAI holders and had crossed over to PSA, because I have sold a plenty of them.

WinPitcher · August 16, 2008 12:11PM

Good luck.

Steve

WinPitcher · August 16, 2008 12:13PM

And by the way it wasn't 'always in vogue' to bash them here.

That started around the time they claimed to give up their space to
a church when the fact of the matter was they were being evicted for non payment
of rent. Or was it when they bumped up certain dealers entire inventory?

Or maybe it was when many of us here tried to cross (cracked) cards and they came back evid of trimming?

Steve

fandango · August 16, 2008 10:44PM

<< <i>And by the way it wasn't 'always in vogue' to bash them here.

That started around the time they claimed to give up their space to
a church when the fact of the matter was they were being evicted for non payment
of rent. Or was it when they bumped up certain dealers entire inventory?

Or maybe it was when many of us here tried to cross (cracked) cards and they came back evid of trimming?

>>

well said steve......GAI did their own damage, they didnt need any of us.....

Mickey71 · August 18, 2008 4:10AM

Steve,
You could have kept going with all of the serious "lacks" of judgment by GAI. My most bizarre problem with them is they started saying that Mike Baker will personally look at the cards--- Has anyone seen the crap in their new flip holders. I actually believe they are still in business just to piss me off. If anyone cracks out high dollar cards from GAI they are definately gambling, and the stakes are high. I just wish there was some serious policing in the vintage industry, because the things that GAI have done and also been accused of are not only unethical but in some cases illegal. I could keep writing and never stop. I sent them a card and and they graded it "accurately, believe it or not" and they lost it for 2 months when they were moving about 2 years ago. Their most recent move was quite the fiasco also.

Thanks,
Mickey71

scoutsout47 · August 21, 2008 6:33AM

Hey Fellas,

I really appreciate the continued back and forth on this subject, and it doesn't appear that I'll have any further use for GAI from this point on. I'm already sitting on two previously GAI 3-slabbed 1915 CJs that were both returned from PSA as "miscut." I could probably still manage to squeeze out a few bucks for the cards on Ebay or some similar format, but I'll need to disclose their condition because I wouldn't want another collector to have the same problem I did. From what some of you have posted, it appears that SGC is on par with its competitor, PSA, which gives me a little hope because it's easier to find CJs in SGC 40 than PSA 3. Thanks again, Guys!!

Regards,

Jared

1915 Cracker: PSA vs. SGC or GAI

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