is CTA a reputable grading service?

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kh99
kh99 Posts: 9
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
Just wondering if CTA is a reputable/respected grading service. I just have one T206 Tolstoi Cy Young card I need graded, and it's cheaper than joining PSA. I submitted the card to SGC, but they rejected it as too short (not trimmed, factory short cut). I'm just trying to get it graded before selling it...

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  • PasadenaMudSlide
    PasadenaMudSlide Posts: 732
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    Yeah, I'd probably go with CTA.
  • chb
    chb Posts: 212 ✭
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    No, they are not.
  • bri2327
    bri2327 Posts: 3,178 ✭✭
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    If you have to ask you probably already know the answer.
    "The other teams could make trouble for us if they win."
    -- Yogi Berra

    image
  • vintagetoppsguy
    vintagetoppsguy Posts: 871
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    You can buy a PSA membership for 1 year for $99 and it allows you 6 free submissions along with the SMR, pop reports, etc. - well worth the money. Or, there is an "Authorized Dealers" link on the PSA home page. I suggest that you click that link and maybe try to find a dealer in your area that will submit the card on your behalf. It might cost you a little more than their regualr fee, but would still be less than the price of a PSA membership.
  • CDsNuts
    CDsNuts Posts: 10,092 ✭
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    CTA cards always bring top dollar on ebay.
  • slantycouch
    slantycouch Posts: 1,704 ✭✭✭
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    Bumping this to share my experience.

    I bought a CTA graded card to crack and crossover. It's a 1/1 Topps promo, so I didn't so much care about what they said it was graded. Looked fine in the holder but whenl i cracked it, and the "sleeve" they use to hold the card in place literally peeled the gold foil and part of the gloss right off font of the card. Sweet.

    It was probably a 9, but now it's worthless.
  • Carew29
    Carew29 Posts: 4,025 ✭✭
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    Unfortunately they lost their rep by scamming people from the very start. I know two people directly involved from the beginning ( that were not of CTA, but made a deal with CTA)-- buying PSA 5's and 6's T206 cards, cracking them out and receiving 7's and 8's from CTA to bolster their rep early in vintage cards. This lasted aprroximately 7 months to a year from the very start. For this, they received a discount in grading fees due to large submissions and this helped legitimize CTA. I posted something on this topic years ago here, but could not find that thread//
  • benderbroeth
    benderbroeth Posts: 1,699 ✭✭
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    never even heard of them....
    my t-205's


    looking for low grade t205's psa 1-2
  • Blackie
    Blackie Posts: 1,719 ✭✭✭
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    Don't even think about it. PSA and SGC are the leaders as all the board members know. This is a PSA board so PSA is going to be most recognized. SGC has a huge following as well especially with pre-war cards. You do not have to join to submit to SGC. Essentially PSA and SGC are leaders in this hobby and are the trusted authority. Don't get caught up with CTA, CSA or ZZZ......whatever. Stick with this and your card will pay dividens, not to mention be in a cool holder.............

    Just my 10cents......
    1964 Topps Football
  • lawnmowerman
    lawnmowerman Posts: 19,477 ✭✭✭✭
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    << <i>Unfortunately they lost their rep by scamming people from the very start. I know two people directly involved from the beginning ( that were not of CTA, but made a deal with CTA)-- buying PSA 5's and 6's T206 cards, cracking them out and receiving 7's and 8's from CTA to bolster their rep early in vintage cards. This lasted aprroximately 7 months to a year from the very start. For this, they received a discount in grading fees due to large submissions and this helped legitimize CTA. I posted something on this topic years ago here, but could not find that thread// >>




    link

    1994 Pro Line Live

    TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject

  • Bosox1976
    Bosox1976 Posts: 8,577 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I am 5 of 6 on CTA crackouts - all have held their grade and I had a CTA 8.5 89 UD Griffey RC go to a PSA 10. The one that didn't cross was trimmed.

    I wouldn't grade with them, but there can be bargains for crackouts if you look closely enough.
    Mike
    Bosox1976
  • slantycouch
    slantycouch Posts: 1,704 ✭✭✭
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    << <i>I am 5 of 6 on CTA crackouts - all have held their grade and I had a CTA 8.5 89 UD Griffey RC go to a PSA 10. The one that didn't cross was trimmed.

    I wouldn't grade with them, but there can be bargains for crackouts if you look closely enough. >>



    That's what I was hoping for. I got the card for $.99 so I guess I can't complain. I'm just mad that it's the holder itself that destroyed the card. Of all the things I expected from a no-name crossover, that wasn't one.
  • MBMiller25
    MBMiller25 Posts: 6,056 ✭✭
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    NO
  • WinPitcher
    WinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
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    Since you only have the one card to grade consider Beckett.


    Steve
    Good for you.
  • WinPitcher
    WinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
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    lol you guys got me.


    Steve
    Good for you.
  • schr1st
    schr1st Posts: 1,677 ✭✭
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    PSA, SGC, and BGS/BVG are the only ways to go. If the card is factory cut short, you may be able to get one of the companies to slab it as Authentic, that way it will be protected and authenticated if not graded.
    Who is Rober Maris?

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