Pack Grading: PSA or GAI?

jmlabonner · May 15, 2009 10:51AM

Ok folks this my big question! Who is better at quality Pack Grading PSA or GAI? I'm not worried about price just quality. I purchased a 1986 Fleer Basketball pack and am looking to have it graded for my son. Any takers on the question?

storm888 · May 15, 2009 10:52AM

PSA

nightcrawler · May 15, 2009 10:56AM

<< PSA >>

ElToroLoco · May 15, 2009 10:58AM

GAI has lost quite a bit of their integrity the last couple when it comes to pack grading. PSA is the way to go, GAI shouldn't even be an option.

jmlabonner · May 15, 2009 11:01AM

Well it seems like I have found my answer then! PSA all the way!

ploobims · May 15, 2009 11:03AM

PSA-Steve Hart grades their packs if im not mistaken?
GAI-I wouldnt trust anything slabbed gai,card or pack,but especially a pack

lsutigers1973 · May 15, 2009 11:09AM

<< PSA-Steve Hart grades their packs if im not mistaken? >>

No he doesn't. Just authenticates them as unopened.

grote15 · May 15, 2009 12:24PM

PSA...GAI in the old holders are fine (for the most part), but anything graded with the new design is suspect, IMO...

ploobims · May 15, 2009 1:48PM

<< 

<< PSA-Steve Hart grades their packs if im not mistaken? >>

No he doesn't. Just authenticates them as unopened. >>

Oh-i knew he was in there somewhere with the unopened packs

jswieton · May 15, 2009 2:35PM

<< 

<< PSA-Steve Hart grades their packs if im not mistaken? >>

No he doesn't. Just authenticates them as unopened. >>

Steve will not have any part in grading your 86 Fleer basketball. He is only part of the process if there is a question regarding the authenticity of the pack not if it has been resealed. There is no question that PSA is a more reputable dealer when it comes to pack grading.

summerof68 · May 15, 2009 3:07PM

If your 100% sure your pack is not resealed then by all means send it to PSA as it will obtain greater value. If you have any suspicions that your pack may have been resealed (i.e. non matching roller lines or loose corner folds) then send it to GAI as they slab just about anything these days just to stay afloat.

bighurt2000 · May 15, 2009 4:00PM

GAI was the way to go back when they first started grading packs but now have heard
to many storys about newer GAI grade packs that I would only send to PSA.

James

ping4u43 · May 15, 2009 4:17PM

I have a PSA 8 & PSA 9 Available for Sale.

8- $325.00 dlvd OBO
9- $425.00 dlvd OBO

WinPitcher · May 15, 2009 8:32PM

Isn't authenticating something almost 90% of grading it?

Steve

MBMiller25 · May 15, 2009 10:55PM

PSA

1989FleerBillRipkencollector · May 16, 2009 12:01AM

PSA

GAI- for racks. Their the only choice ! But I just noticed on some of the slabbed racks from awhile back, the plastic is getting brittle and one of mine got cracked in 2 places. But I assume all old plastic gets brittle. I do like the size of the GAI wax holders better though. PSA's are more durable but look like they should be able to stand on a flat surface to display, but dont.

summerof68 · May 16, 2009 4:18AM

I agree with Ripkencollector on his points. The gai rack slabs are cheap and they do get brittle with age and begin to chip. Also these rack slabs are way to large to be practical. The Gai wax slabs are perfect in size but cheap in construction and they tend to warp. PSA has nice, hard professional looking wax slabs but they too are much to large in proportion to a wax or cello pak. Conclusion: PSA needs to keep the thickness and hardness of their current wax slab but they need to make the width and height smaller so that it is more in proportion with the pack. Hopefully PSA will come out with a rack slab that is smaller and more proportionate to the rack than that rediculously large "snow board" Gai puts out.

rbdjr1 · May 16, 2009 8:48AM

From what I have heard there are many questionable wax & cellos in GAI holders! And PSA now has the upper hand as they haved learned from all of GAI's mistakes.

A good example was just posted on the threads this week regarding graded 1958 cello packs:

Here's a quote,

"...I'm only happy to see a "legit" '58 cello with the "correct" rear seal configuration find its way to a PSA holder as opposed to all the "bad" '58 fb & bb cellos that found their way to GAI holders over the years--thank goodness for PSA!!!!..."

rd

Pack Grading: PSA or GAI?

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