Question from a Grading Novice

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Posted By: <b>Paul</b><p>I never get cards graded, but I have a valuable card that I'd like to sell on ebay, and I assume I will get more money for it if it's graded. I avoided PSA because I didn't want to pay their initiation fee. I went to SGC's website and discovered that, because of the card's value, I am required to use their premium one-day service and pay $50. On top of that, I'm required to pay almost the same amount for shipping and insurance.<br /><br />Am I missing something here, or do people really pay about $100 to grade their cards? Is another reputable company cheaper? Can I just tell them the card is worthless and save lots of money? Thanks.<br /><br />Paul

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Posted By: <b>Anonymous</b><p>If I have my cards graded, I use SGC. <br /><br />Considering you've already looked at PSA and SGC, have you considered GAI? <br /><br /><a href="http://www.globalauthentication.net" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.globalauthentication.net</a><br /><br />Brian

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Posted By: <b>Damian Anderson</b><p>Yes people do spend $100 to get a card graded. I have never submitted to SGC, but I am pretty sure that they abide by the same rules as PSA. That being said you don't have to spend the $50 to get the card graded because the value of the submitted card which determines what level you can submit is based on the declared value by you. by that I mean you may have a card that you think is a 5 which lists or sells for $1000, but you can submit it with a declared value of $499 just so you can send in at a less expensive grading level. You are assuming a little risk by stating the value as less than it may be worth, but if you are balking at the high grading fees its an option. Also if you are just looking to get the most for your card PSA as a rule brings significantly higher prices on most cards. You might think about spending the $100 to sign up for PSA and you get six free submissions. I am not trying advertise for PSA. SGC and PSA are equal in my eyes as the top services out there when you considered pros and cons of grading services. Just curious but what card are you wanting to get graded and what kind of shape is it in? If you are more specific (a scan would be most helpful) you will get much better advise here and may end up saving yourself some dough especially since you have never sent cards in. I can tell you I wish I would have had some advice from the folks here when I first submitted cards as I made some costly rookie mistakes. Specifically sending in cards I had no idea were trimmed. Anyway I hope this helps.<br /><br />D

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Posted By: <b>Greg Ecklund</b><p>If you're going to sell a card that is that expensive, the grading will more than pay for itself, especially if you are planning on selling it on EBay or in one of the major auctions. If you'd rather sell it raw, why not try selling it in the B/S/T with a guarantee that it will grade?

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Posted By: <b>Damian Anderson</b><p>Paul, I forgot to mention Greg's point. The winners of raw vintage cards on the bay that grade almost always have a big bargain on their hands especially if it is better than a 5.

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Posted By: <b>Anson</b><p>"the bay?" I don't know why I found that funny.

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Posted By: <b>Paul</b><p>Thank you all for the advice. I will check out GAI, though I'm a little concerned that it may bring less money if graded by them. I hadn't realized that the graders basically try to charge you a percentage of the card's value, and I'm just a little surprised. PSA even has a special message on their website letting you know how important it is to fess up the full value of your cards.

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Posted By: <b>Damian Anderson</b><p>Never heard it refered to as "the Bay"? Sorry must have forgot what forum I was on. Maybe it is funny I guess if you never heard it refered to in that way. I guess I need to remember which one is the salad fork. I'm glad you got a chuckle out of it.<br /><br />D

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Posted By: <b>Julie Vognar</b><p>...wish I knew what card Paul is selling...<img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/jphotos/orphgrin3001.jpg">

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Posted By: <b>Bob Lemke</b><p>why people call it "the bay." They have to type two more letters and a space!

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Posted By: <b>jay behrens</b><p>I'm like Julie (scary thought, lol) when I hear "the bay" I immediately think SF Bay. Definately a function of having lived in the city for a number of years.<br /><br />Jay<br><br>My place is full of valuable, worthless junk.

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Posted By: <b>David Vargha</b><p>It depends on what the card is. Why don't you post a scan for us to see? BTW, if you are only wanting to sell the card, GAI will likely get you the worst resale value.<br><br>DavidVargha@hotmail.com

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Posted By: <b>Paul Stewart</b><p>Thank you again. I've decided to consign the card to Barry Sloate for his Nov. 17th auction. It is an E97 Black & White Joe Kelley.