BGS Turnaround Time: Up to One Year

[glchen]

Wow, a year is incredible. I actually do send items to Beckett since they encapsulate some things that PSA and SGC do not such as larger premiums (e.g., notepads). I don't know if I want to wait a year for them to come back. Hopefully the backlog will go down soon. And I was thinking that the TPG's would eventually run out of things to grade since everything worth grading (and that made sense to grade, eg. not a $1 card) had pretty much already been graded already.

[Orioles1954]

I sent some modern cards to BGS last week before all of this went down. It was through their non guaranteed service. See you next summer guys!

[orly57]

Originally Posted by glchen

Wow, a year is incredible. I actually do send items to Beckett since they encapsulate some things that PSA and SGC do not such as larger premiums (e.g., notepads). I don't know if I want to wait a year for them to come back. Hopefully the backlog will go down soon. And I was thinking that the TPG's would eventually run out of things to grade since everything worth grading (and that made sense to grade, eg. not a $1 card) had pretty much already been graded already.

I’ve often had the same thought. But the beauty of BecKett’s model is that they “specialize” in new cards, thus guaranteeing a steady flow in the future. They are totally screwing that up right now. I think that Beckett has the market on new cards for 2 reasons:
1.new cards are all in incredible shape, so guys get suckered in with that black label 10 crap.
2. Since new cards are in such great shape, their use of subgrades helps distinguish a grade by it’s sub grades. Ex: We both have a 9.5, but mine is better because it has two 10 subs. It’s absurd, but true.

[iowadoc77]

Originally Posted by orly57

I’ve often had the same thought. But the beauty of BecKett’s model is that they “specialize” in new cards, thus guaranteeing a steady flow in the future. They are totally screwing that up right now. I think that Beckett has the market on new cards for 2 reasons:
1.new cards are all in incredible shape, so guys get suckered in with that black label 10 crap.
2. Since new cards are in such great shape, their use of subgrades helps distinguish a grade by it’s sub grades. Ex: We both have a 9.5, but mine is better because it has two 10 subs. It’s absurd, but true.

Orlando you are absolutely correct. Nowhere is buy the flip more alive and well than in the new and shiny. Unbelievable with all the subgrades. But they started it and they have the market on it. And people care. And they care A LOT! And that keeps the machine going.

[AGuinness]

Originally Posted by iowadoc77

Orlando you are absolutely correct. Nowhere is buy the flip more alive and well than in the new and shiny. Unbelievable with all the subgrades. But they started it and they have the market on it. And people care. And they care A LOT! And that keeps the machine going.

I guess on the bright side, this is an indication the hobby is healthy and has a solid population keeping it going.

[Orioles1954]

Originally Posted by orly57

I’ve often had the same thought. But the beauty of BecKett’s model is that they “specialize” in new cards, thus guaranteeing a steady flow in the future. They are totally screwing that up right now. I think that Beckett has the market on new cards for 2 reasons:
1.new cards are all in incredible shape, so guys get suckered in with that black label 10 crap.
2. Since new cards are in such great shape, their use of subgrades helps distinguish a grade by it’s sub grades. Ex: We both have a 9.5, but mine is better because it has two 10 subs. It’s absurd, but true.

Grading is not an exact science. Both modern and vintage flippers/dealers play the game and realize they are doing so. I've seen beat the hell pre-war cards celebrated by submitters simply because it got in an Authentic holder. The numerical grade is irrelevant.

[Throttlesteer]

BGS's whole business model and market share is predicated on the "Pristine" and "Super Pristine" (black) grade. If you removed these attributes from their service, they would be out-of-business tomorrow. As someone pointed out, it's all just gambling for the "chance" at a 10 or 10 black. Realistically, it makes absolutely no sense to send anything to BGS that would achieve a 9 or lower at best. Their population reports are heavily tilted with mostly 9's, a share of 10s and some lower grades sprinkled in (mainly inexperienced folks or those with bad eyesight trying for 10s).

This may not hold true for older cards. But, BGS has little market share or business differentiation in that space. I'm not trying to rag on BGS, but that's their primary customer.

[Hellwig]

How this is acceptable customer service and yet people continue to send them stuff says just as much about the collector as it does BGS. Speak with your wallets. Ridiculous

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

Originally Posted by orly57

I’ve often had the same thought. But the beauty of BecKett’s model is that they “specialize” in new cards, thus guaranteeing a steady flow in the future. They are totally screwing that up right now. I think that Beckett has the market on new cards for 2 reasons:
1.new cards are all in incredible shape, so guys get suckered in with that black label 10 crap.
2. Since new cards are in such great shape, their use of subgrades helps distinguish a grade by it’s sub grades. Ex: We both have a 9.5, but mine is better because it has two 10 subs. It’s absurd, but true.

I hear you Orlando, I thought the same way until I started buying new stuff. I actually really like the BGS sub grades as it adds depth and complexity to collecting that I think others like too. If you're a centering guy, you can look for BGS 9.5's or 10's with only centering 10 sub grades, or corners with only 10's etc. This has a tendency too to widen the pricing band within grade as you're only really considering 9, 9.5's, 10's and black. And as far as the black label cards, I'm sure you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between most black and a Pristine 10 with one 9.5 sub grade. But it's genius marketing as most brands offer that "premium" model that we've all fallen for. Gotta say those black labels look really damn cool too. :-)

With the back log isn't that just for the lowest cost, non guaranteed date grading service? Makes sense that people paying more for the faster service would get front of the line....

[orly57]

AJ, I actually like the idea of subgrades. I like knowing where the card was hit and where it did well. I wish sgc and psa did subs. What I think is crazy is the differences in prices due to the subs. But I think paying substantially for small differences in grades is nutty to begin with, new or vintage.

[Stampsfan]

Steve Martin.jpg

Hey, maybe they just need the time to be really accurate.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Why do people think Beckett has the new card market? Look at ebay, people, PSA is HUGE in modern. Beckett has been losing share of this market steadily to PSA. The money guys are all buying PSA 10s now, not Beckett.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

I also firmly believe the modern market is what fomented the change at the top of the scale for SGC.

[Throttlesteer]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Why do people think Beckett has the new card market? Look at ebay, people, PSA is HUGE in modern. Beckett has been losing share of this market steadily to PSA. The money guys are all buying PSA 10s now, not Beckett.

I don't think anyone said BGS has the new card market. Just that their market share is predominately the new card market

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Why do people think Beckett has the new card market? Look at ebay, people, PSA is HUGE in modern. Beckett has been losing share of this market steadily to PSA. The money guys are all buying PSA 10s now, not Beckett.

Sorry man this is not true. I'm dialed into quite a few big facebook groups for modern and the modern guys LOVE BGS over PSA. The collective thinking is that it's much harder to cross PSA 10's over to BGS 9.5's (or 10's) so the grading must be better and for modern the sub grades are crucial to help differentiate. I noticed this big time at the Natty where a good 75% of all modern cards I saw were BGS vs. PSA.