sending cards in for grading

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Posted By: <b>david Poses</b><p>i have about 40 cards i'm looking to sell and want to get them graded before selling. none are worth more than $500, the majority are between $100-$300. paranoia has gotten the best of me, and i'm having cold feet about sending them off to sgc. does anyone have any advice? (should i take pictures of each card before sending? videotape myself putting the package together?) any reassuring anecdotes about the t206 wagner you put in the mail to sgc and it didn't get stolen or lost en route? any help is appreciated.<br />thanks.

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>I would not worry about sending them to SGC. I never made a videotape, never scanned them first, and have submitted hundreds of cards, and they all came back without a problem. It's doing it for the first time that is making you nervous.

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Posted By: <b>Zinn</b><p>Just bundle them up and send them Registered, Insured. Shouldn't cost more than $25 or so. They'll get there. Need some tape? Just ask Barry <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Yes, I've got the tape!

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Posted By: <b>Matt</b><p>You've got little to worry about - just insure them for their full value (or even a little more if you're really worried). SGC should let you know once they are received (although I still have hear nothing from the package USPS delivered to them this past Monday).<br /><br />By the way, Staples was running a free shipping promo last week and I picked up a roll from Staples.com for $8

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Posted By: <b>Eric Brehm</b><p>The post office is picky about the tape you use to seal boxes that are sent via registered mail. Here is a place on the internet you can order 'gummed paper tape' that seems to meet their requirements, if there is no store in your area that carries it:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dickblick.com/zz230/13/" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.dickblick.com/zz230/13/</a>

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Posted By: <b>Joe D.</b><p>I don't like shipping cards in general (but of course, I have done it).<br /><br />You could always look at their show schedule and drop the cards off to them in person.<br />That at least cuts out one of the shipments.<br />

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Joe- I always wonder why people don't like shipping. I can't think of a safer way to transport valuable objects than registered mail. I even feel it is safer than carrying them on your person to a show. Just wonder what people's aversions are.

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Posted By: <b>Joe D.</b><p>when you ship - you are putting faith in others.<br />when you carry the card yourself - you are taking control of exactly how the item is transported.<br /><br /><br />I recently shipped an about $2K package to a fellow N54er via USPS Overnight Insured.<br /><br />Although it was insured for the $2K - and was to get to the person next day - there was a period of days.... DAYS..... where the post office had no idea where the package was. The official response during those days was.... lets just wait and hopefully it gets scanned somewhere at some point. The package eventually found its way to the recipient. But - the fact that it was MIA for days (it actually might have been a week) left me uneasy.<br /><br /><br />Where I have a choice - I drop off in person.<br /><br />Otherwise I ship, insure, and cross my fingers.<br /><br /><br />

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>I've sent a few thousand registered packages over the years and zero have gotten lost. A few did get delayed due to bad weather or something, but every last one reached its destination.<br /><br />First class insured has about 99.5% efficiency but I have had a few lost. Nothing wrong with delivering in person, but it's not always convenient.

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Posted By: <b>John S</b><p>David,<br /><br />I felt the same way the first time I sent my cards. If it makes you feel any better I have never lost any in the mail. Insure them for what it would cost to replace them. Instead of submitting all of the cards at once submit them in smaller batches in case something does happen.

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Posted By: <b>Jason L</b><p>The mantra in the financial world translates to this problem.<br /><br />If you are unsure or nervous, then try sending in smaller multiple shipments. See how the first one goes with 5 lesser valued cards. Send them registered insured mail at the USPS. Once that works, go for the next installment. If you view it as risky, no reason to "bet the house" on 1 shipment, right?<br /><br />as for taking video of yourself, that topic is probably best left to other kinds of message boards, of which I have heard there are many to choose.<br /><br />Or you could take a picture of yourself in front of your cards, holding today's newspaper. -That;s what I like to do with all my hostages.<br /><br />Edited to add: John S posted while I was still writing...so, yes..what he said

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Keep in mind SGC gets numerous packages a day, perhaps dozens. While I have never seen their operation in person I am sure they have it down to a science when it comes to accepting, processing, and returning orders. <br /><br />I say they are professionals and you do not have to worry about submitting cards to them.

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Posted By: <b>Joe D.</b><p>I have 100% faith in SGC once the cards are in their hands.<br /><br />Its the transport to them that I was commenting about.<br /><br /><br />If you are worried about SGC.... don't be.... they are top notch.<br /><br /><br />

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Posted By: <b>Addie_Joss</b><p>Insure them with delivery confirmation and a tracking number. Nothing to worry about.