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Options For Getting Cards Graded
jfkheat
Posts: 2,791 ✭✭✭✭✭
Now that PSA and SGC have raised the prices and Beckett has stopped accepting lower tier submission what are the options if I want to get some modern cards graded?
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Well realistically right now you have three options....Company's owned by PSA, Company's affiliated with PSA, Companies operated by PSA.
https://kennerstartinglineup.blogspot.com/
I'd recommend CGC. They are not under the Collector's Universe umbrella.
You also try TAG.
realistically if you are grading sportscards, the only options are under the Collectors umbrella: psa, sgc, bgs. cgc grades a lot of cards, but i think they are mostly tcg graders now. sports collectors dont really hold them inhigh regard. tag, i wouldnt bother.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Thanks for the suggestions. The problem with CGC and TAG is the resell value. Collectors aren't paying what the cards are worth. The cards I would like to get graded are some of the ones I posted in the other thread I started. They will all be sold eventually.
Stick with PSA…despite the complaints…PSA-holdered cards realize the best monetary returns.
Patience is a virtue. Be virtuous unlike any other virtuousness ever attempted.
While I somewhat agree with this, it depends on what they do with the grading fees when they start taking submissions again. Plus, I don't really want to wait 6-8 months to get the cards back.
I agree. Not all cards are the same and not all cards are graded for the same reasons. Some should go to PSA, etc... but some should be fine going other routes depending on how soon someone wants to unload them, what their value is and how quickly they need to turnover.
Those here who sell cards (not me, never me) and have a business model built on rapid turnover of currently hot under $250 cards are not best suited via PSA.
Mid-long term vintage OK sure PSA, for quick slab for sales of Short-term semi-hot rookie who will be all forgotten about in 8-10 months PSA right now = no way.
Bottom line "no one size fits all"
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
I really wish there was a viable option, as well. Especially when talking about some of the cards you are thinking about, specifically 90’s Jordan base, subset, and insert, including things I would’ve never before considered subbing. Sixty bucks a pop is tough on its own, but then I would be afraid I’m gonna be left holding the bag when they pop in a few months with these absolutely bonkers prices.
I would think lower value modern would be totally fine using CGC as an alternative. I don't mind picking up a $50 CGC card for what would be a $70 PSA card.
That's not necessarily true.
Maybe for the cards you invest in and IF PSA properly graded the card in the first place.
My SGC10 Jordan card sold for way more than if I didn't crack it out of the PSA5 it originally graded for.
There are countless YouTubers with videos of, especially Pokemon cards, cracked out PSA 7, 8, 9 holders into CGC 10, Pristine 10 holders that have realized much higher returns.
Everyone says 'Buy the card, not the holder' yet the PSA gatekeepers won't even consider cards in other holders.
I only feel comfortable buying PSA-graded and SGC-graded cards…to each his own.
I was the same when I was still collecting vintage cards. All of the graded cards I bought were PSA graded except for 2 SGC 9 cards I bought for one of the sets I was working on. I sent both to PSA and they both crossed to PSA 9. Since I sold my vintage card collection I don't collect anymore. I am retired now so I am going through the boxes with 150-200,000 modern cards I have had in my closet for years and selling anything that has any resell value. That gives me something to do while I'm just sitting around the house.
I like my vintage in either PSA or SGC holders. vintage for me being 80s and older. anything newer than that BGS is fine as well. dont know why i dont like BGS for vintage, just a quirk i guess
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
I wont go near BGS for vintage sports but for 90s and 90s non sports auto cards like Trek or general TV stuff I like them.
I dont collect modern or ultra modern sports. I only have 1 slab containing a post 2000 card and it was a gift. I have no more than 15 post 1980s sports slabs.
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
I'd guess that if things keep going the way they are with pricing and shutdowns those of us preferring only PSA/SGC will become more and more irrelevant with their preferences like all vintage collectors. With more time newer grading companies will get more market share.
I did get my PSA (Value)(80-present) 75 business day submission (51 cards) back on 9/25.
Arrived at PSA on 5/8, was estimated back on 8/27...not too late.
Still waiting on the other batch (2 cards)-Value sub (79-older) 75 business days???
Was sent same box that day.
As for Beckett---Who knows???
Sent on 7/25, Invoiced 8/31....Status? Sent a message today 10/3
for a 7 card submission
Might get it back by Christmas??