I often wonder sometimes why it is some people recommend a particular grading company and how it is they came to that decision.  So, just out of curiosity, I figured this could be a decent and possibly educational topic.



How many cards have you yourself sent into:

1)BGS/BVG

2)SGC

3)PSA



And, why do you feel that the company that you recommend is the better of the three?

I am considering sending my first card off to be graded by beckett. I have the package all ready to mail. I'm kind of hesitating over the cost. Im thinking, is this worth $34. I could save 5 bucks and get it back in 6 weeks instead of 10 days but thats still 30 dollars. Am I looking at this right, does it cost $30 to have a card graded.



If so, I might consider going with one of the others if the prices are lower

Just food for thought:



"According to the Collectors Universe annual report, PSA's thirteen graders examined 1,084,000 cards in fiscal year 2005. Assuming that those thirteen graders work eight hours a day, five days a week, fifty-two weeks a year, they grade 320 cards a day. That means PSA's graders, on average, spend about ninety seconds on each card - assuming they never use the toilet, go on vacation, eat lunch, or take breaks to gab with co-workers around the watercooler."



- O'Keeffe, Michael and Terri Thompson. The Card: Collectors, Con Men, and the true story of history's most deisred baseball card. New York, 2007. Pg 110.



I understand why people get their cards graded, but that is why I am not sure I will get any of mine graded.

OK, well, I really don't want this to turn into a pissing match over actual grading.  I was inquiring about what I stated in the original post.

Are cards graded manually? Or do those 13 graders at PSA scan the cards and a computer program spits out a number.

I'm not sure how I started a "pissing match" since I didn't say one card grading service is better than another.



I am sorry if I offended anyone or hi-jacked your thread. I was just interjecting my two cents.



In my opinion PSA and BGS have the best reputation and therfore add the most resale value.

Dude, relax.  I could see how your post would get some on here wound up, even if it wasn't meant to.  I was just trying to cut if off before it started.

And actually, that is part of what I was looking for with the original post.  Again, how many cards you yourself have submitted to each of the three companies in the original post and WHY you think one is a better grader than the other.

jack#$%

You know, I started a thread that could potentially be a good discussion topic once ideas are presented.  The two people who replied couldn't even read what I was asking and thus totally ignored the point.  Don't start calling me names because you have reading comprehension issues.

It is funny to me how people take something and totally flip it

Back to your original point, I have sent a couple of dozen cards into PSA and several hundred into Beckett (never used SGC).  I have acquired graded cards from other companies in trades or as part of eBay lots, but feel most comfortable with PSA and Beckett for my own stuff simply based on reputation within the hobby.  The customer service at each has been stellar, but I've turned to using Beckett exclusively for a very uncomplicated reason:  while I trade and sell some of my graded stuff, the graded cards are mostly for my personal collection, and I like the look of the Beckett slab more than that of the PSA.

I have sent in about 25 cards to Beckett and 1 card to PSA. I personally prefer Beckett. The slab is more tamper resistant and the card does not move around inside. Also, I prefer not having to pay to join a club just to submit cards as you do for PSA.

I've sent a dozen to PSA. Happy. Didn't mind joining the club because of the few other perks like the hard copy of the SMR. Good read.

I do like the Beckett slab but haven't used them yet.

I've sent many to BGS, none to PSA (purchased many psa graded cards tho), and none to SGC (also purchased a few SGC graded cards).



Reasons to choose one company over the other depends on what your plans are after you have graded the card.. Lets say, your goal is to get highest resell value for vintage and older baseball cards, any person with a brain in this hobby would choose SGC or PSA over BVG for this category. Modern day rookies (80's and beyond) it's all BGS for best resell value.



For PC, it's all about your preference. Since BGS has the best slabs, I chose them. However, if you like to have a registry, then choose PSA or SGC.   

[quote="johnsotm"]Just food for thought:



[quote="Assuming that those thirteen graders work eight hours a day, five days a week, fifty-two weeks a year, they grade 320 cards a day.



I highly doubt they work 8 hr days. If you add a 30 minute luch or even an hr, your looking at 7 hrs or so a day. I am thinking they are on a 10-12 hr work day shedule...don't always believe what you read.



geesh





A-n-y-w-a-y-, Rice...



I, personally have never sent any cards to get graded. I usually just save myself the hassel and buy them graded.



Depends on the card/s. I like certain cards slabbed in certain cases. I just don't have the extra $$ to spend on sending them in. I guess I look at it as "that could be extra $$ spent on some packs or a few singles". If I see a card and it's one that I really want, then as long as it's graded by one of the 3 I guess...



Sorry if I didn't really hit on your topic. Great conversation piece, better than the norm for once.



What about you?

i myself haven't  sent any cards to be graded but i have a set i plan on sending to beckett to be graded just because u don't have to join them like you do with psa.

Both are great and so is SGC. Especially if you are into older vintage stuff. Their slabs also look great with the black background really bringing out the card. I guess I would prefer '59 or older in an SGC holder, but like I said...no real preference to me.

Back to the post......

Can't comment on SGC but between BGS/BVG and PSA I would definitely say BGS/BVG becasue:

1. I find they provide the best casing as PSA casing seems low budget

2. The sub grading with BGS is a really nice feature.

3. The overall presentation seems a lot sharper with BGS with the metallic labeling as apposed to the PSA paper labels.

I have never sent anything in to be graded, but just from word on the street, sale prices, and over all interest, I would say BGS is the way to go for modern and PSA for vintage. This is just my opinion, and is not based on any factual information, but only from what I hear and see. I have seen the most interest in BGS and a better resale value. Also from the cards I have seen in front of my eyes done by BGS and other various grading companies, I think that BGS puts the most effort and are the most reliable when it comes to grading. Their sub grades and over all grades seem to be the most precise.

I've probably submitted approximately 20 to BGS, 10 to SGC, and approximately 10-15 to PSA.  At one point, PSA had dropped the membership fee.  I did all of my grading back in 1999-2002.  I'm at the point now where I want to submit some cards for grading but at the same time, I'd rather keep that money for other cards/supplies.  I will only purchase certain cards if they are graded, particularly vintage because I don't want an altered card.  Grade doesn't matter too much too me depending on the type of card, I just don't want an altered card.



In regards to the best graders, it just depends on the era IMO.  BGS for modern, SGC for pre-war, and any one of the three for post war-1980. 



And in the future, I'll just stick to trade threads as it appears some people have a hard time with simple things and can't handle it.

i think with the right setup a card can be graded in under a minute even 1/2 a minute....



back to the original post. i will be sending off a package for grading soon.

i have evaluated the major 3 i have a psa,sgc,and beckett slab in hand to help me decide.



psa:

cheep, flimsy, ugly slab, where card moves around inside it. i dont understand the high premium paid for high grade vintage in these slabs the moving around thing alone is enough to drive me away add to that a join the club fee the only thing psa has going for it is people willing to pay big money for the cards inside its slabs. in theory that should be a major force in deciding which company to choose. i say it is not and will get back to this point. 



sgc:

beautiful slab,not cheep or flimsy. card is secure inside slab. the one down side is an sgc 7

will sell for less than a psa 7. if your goal is resale sgc does not seem the way to go. of the big 3 sgc graded cards 1959-current sell for the least money. i cant speak for pre 59 [i think] sgc seems to have respect and thus better resale value pre 1950.



beckett:

king of the modern graded card. holder is good looking, secure, and tamper proof. beckett also provides sub grades. beckett slabs are respected throughout the industry prices paid are consistently equal to or better than the other 2 grading cmpanies no matter what year card is in the slab.

for modern cards beckett slab is a no brainer. and now back to the point i touched on with resale values and psa. if your a psa fan and cant find player x in your slab but do see a beckett graded one in your grade chances are 100% that the beckett graded card will  transfer to your slab at or above the beckett grade you bought



beckett grading has it all, resale value, great slab,and sub grades.

i had ruled out beckett as my vintage grading company of choice because i was afraid beckett would grade my cards too harshly. i now realize how dumb that fear was. for me

my modern will look just as nice as my vintage because both will be in bgs slabs when i send my cards in

i feel very safe in my assumption this card will look as nice as sgc and sell for the same as its psa counterpart in its bgs slab for me its beckett every card every time.

should get high grade cant wait

    

I was in you place a few years ago, sure I bought graded card Beckett, BCCG ( a duvision of Beckett) and PSA. They all seem to be welcome at shops and shows, but some of the others Mint, BGS, and PSA you need to think about most dealers will offer you a couple of bucks for them without looking at the card. Take a look at their web site ask a question see how long it take to answer if they do.

For your first cards until you know what to look for in a card as beckett does get your self a two year subscription to Beckett and you will get a coupon for five free gradings and you get the magazine. So you will get what you pay for no matter what. I hope this helps.

Have you seen the latest? 



http://project1962.wordpress.com/

I have about 500 graded cards from the Big 4 companies if you will .... PSA , BGS , SGC and GAI.



I would rate them the following based on accuracy of grading , customer service , holder and resale value:



1) PSA - VINTAGE CARDS (Pre-1980)

2) BGS - Mondern Era Cards (1980-2009)

3) SGC - VINTAGE CARDS (1900-1970)

4) GAI .... well their holders are ugly and grading is suspect. Thus, the 4th place ranking.



IMO, BGS and PSA are both #1 but in different categories as detailed above.