What's happening with GAI

Morgoth · August 12, 2007 10:54PM

I noticed they have new holders that are much more scanner friendly. I was told they may have new ownership/president? I was told they have really tightened their grading standards are are determined to be the toughest of all the graders. Anyone hear similar things?

julen23 · August 12, 2007 11:06PM

nope

hope they do something, it's good for the biz and most importantly

good for us.

j

RonBurgundy · August 12, 2007 11:43PM

I don't know about the ownership, but they do have new holders. I also heard at the National that they are rejecting cards for trimming at a much higher rate than previously. No idea whether that's true or not.

Ron

Morgoth · August 12, 2007 11:53PM

Anyone get any 55 Bowmans graded by them recently

schr1st · August 13, 2007 2:19AM

I've seen the new flips, and am not overly impressed. I still won't use their grading services, as that train has already left the station so to speak. It's a shame too, since I think that more honest competition in the marketspace helps keep the grading companies honest and helps collectors in general.

Stingray · August 13, 2007 2:30AM

<< <i>I've seen the new flips, and am not overly impressed. I still won't use their grading services, as that train has already left the station so to speak. It's a shame too, since I think that more honest competition in the marketspace helps keep the grading companies honest and helps collectors in general. >>

If you don't mind answering, what was/is the issue with GAI grading, I have heard of issues with their pack grading, but as far as cards?? I have never purchased any GAI graded cards.

Morgoth · August 13, 2007 2:32AM

I know that a bunch of 55 Bowmans with paper wrinkles got by them in GAI 8 - 9 holders.

lawnmowerman · August 13, 2007 2:39AM

<< <i>What's happening with GAI, I was told they may have new ownership/president? >>

Yes, I have heard that too.He is a rich dude from Japan.

He was actually close to buying Beckett a few years back but that fell through when he took a tour of the facility and saw first hand the harsh conditions in which the graders were forced to work.

Its hard to do a quality job when your forced to work outside and are paid with bananas

flatfoot816 · August 13, 2007 3:59AM

excellent use of the monkey pic!!

Overrated · August 13, 2007 5:00AM

Does that monkey have tits?

digicat · August 13, 2007 5:02AM

Anyone have a scan of one of the new GAI holders?

Overrated · August 13, 2007 5:10AM

Just showed my wife picture of monkey! she said thats why shes not getting a boob job! RATS.

RipublicaninMass · August 13, 2007 5:16AM

Spoke with Mike Baker, he said that they are holdering trimmed cards as "Authentic" no matter if they are high priced cards or not. I am not sure if they did this before

perkdog · August 13, 2007 5:22AM

I would love to see Global get on the same grounds as Psa and SGC, I think it would be great for the hobby. I have seen a ton of cards in global holders that I would love to grab but I wont take the chance.

schr1st · August 13, 2007 5:47AM

There are a few on eBay from XO. I can't link to the pics, because they prevent remote linking. Just search for GAI 9 on eBay, and you'll find them.

msassin · August 13, 2007 7:01AM

Ebay Auction - New GAI Holder

Stingray · August 13, 2007 7:10AM

So they have added a grading # like SGC on their flip.

Oops, did not realize that was the card # in on the flip!!

jmbkb4 · August 13, 2007 7:11AM

<< <i>Ebay Auction - New GAI Holder >>

fugly..

cardbender · August 13, 2007 11:21AM

Not attractive new holders at all.

I wish they would get better at detecting trim jobs too.
They've let too many of those type of cards get in their holders and now their rep is unfortunately stained in my collector's eyes.

Mikesc98 · August 13, 2007 11:31AM

This is a total rookie question, but what is the best way to tell if a card may be trimmed? I know PSA has a reputation that it sometimes reject cards that really are not trimmed because they are probably just being overly conservative, and that others like GAI and especially BVG (based on what I've read on these boards anyway!) have a reputation for failing to detect trimmed cards. Why is this so hard to get right and how can one judge whether a raw card or even one that is holdered by GAI or BVG may have been trimmed?

msassin · August 13, 2007 11:40AM

<< <i>Not attractive new holders at all.

I wish they would get better at detecting trim jobs too.
They've let too many of those type of cards get in their holders and now their rep is unfortunately stained in my collector's eyes. >>

Agree about the holders - unattractive

Question to anyone: Do you think that GAI really has that much of a higher percentage than PSA of 'trimmed' cards floating around in holders? I've seen cards in GAI holders that I know I couldn't cross for the same grade, but I have never been affraid of buying a GAI card because it may be trimmed.

RipublicaninMass · August 13, 2007 11:43AM

Mike tough question, I usually compare the card in question on top of another similar size card. 2 55 topps stacked on top of each other horizontally one would look small on the side, I then hodl the card together vertically . Also, this could help to tell if the cut is straight or cut diagonal which usually indicates trimming. I then look at each edge of the card for consitancy. If it was trimmed with scissors it is usually a smoother cut on one edge. I have had ONE card come back trimmed and them pass through. I had a beckett graded card come back as trimmed and it was BIGGER ..I determined this was sheet cut.

Mikesc98 · August 13, 2007 11:51AM

That is very helpful, thanks! I think it also may explain why I have had a few cards that I removed from packs myself come back with the dreaded "EVID TRIM" recently, since now that I look them over they are all ones that have a slight rough cut on a couple of the edges but are smoother on the others. Guess I will resubmit them sometime and hope for better results.

EagleEyeKid · August 13, 2007 12:02PM

Agree about the holders - unattractive

That is f-ing ugly. They still suck!
A new makeover will never fix what's underneath.

julen23 · August 13, 2007 12:49PM

j

EagleEyeKid · August 13, 2007 1:23PM

A new design on their webpage.

Setting the Standard:

Global’s Senior Grader, Stevie Wonder, formally Director of PRO and USA is the industry’s foremost grading guy in cardboard stuff and has pioneered some stuff.

Global authentication offers the following advantages for card grading:
Experience – combine team experience over 3 years. Global Sr. Grader Stevie Wonder has personally Graded 2 of the 50 most valuable cards from his neighborhood.
Tamper evident holders yo, and a new and sassy looking flip guarantted to make you go

Global's exciting half point grading scale makes us look cool and does not necessarily reflect the actual grade....whatever that means.
Highest quality, reliability and most consistent grades in the industry......not here!

stitzen · August 13, 2007 3:04PM

New holder's not terrible, but markedly better than before.

And if they do have new grading standards, and do become much stricter, how is that not a win for everyone? Competition drives innovation and keeps prices low. Do you think that is GAI became a legitimate player that PSA wouldn't have to respond by lowering prices or raising their grade times?

rube26105 · August 13, 2007 3:04PM

ew yur right, that holder is just as ugly if not worse than the first one lol- i know their pack grading sucks, ive never bought a gai card
randy

Morgoth · August 14, 2007 1:03AM

I would say that the holder neither hurts or helps them. It will only be when people start crossing cards over will we know what the real deal is. If GAI starts murdering cards and becomes known for their tough standards then i could see people buying their cards and resubbing them to PSA or SGC in hopes of bumps. This could also force PSA and SGC to toughen up as well. As far as price goes GAI would have to pull in as much buisness as SGC is right now to really make an impact on PSA pricing or turn around times.

What's happening with GAI

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