Decided to test the graded waters (for some reason) what's the best options?

[wdwfan]

I've decided to test the graded waters on a few of my vintage cards. I've never had anything graded, and I've only bought 1 graded card ever. I'm not even really sure why I'm testing the graded waters with all the fiasco going down right now. But I thought I would try and see how it works. I'm looking for the best options to send in only 3-4 cards. All of them will be from the 50s to early 60s (I only collect 50s-65 right now).

Would it be best to find someone that does bulk submissions to PSA or BGS? I'm talking 50s if that matters. I looked at doing it myself, but the costs are really confusing. It's this price is it's valued at this, this price if it's valued at that. On Beckett, it could take up to a year? What's that about? They used to do like 5 day, 10 day, 20 day and 45 day. I guess they did away with that? Plus the shipping there and back would not be worth it.

Also, what do you use to determine what to send in? Only send in cards that would grade, say, a 5 or 6 and above? Or send in all levels of grade? Send in only stars? Or semistars and commons? I'm guessing only stars since commons probably won't fetch much even in great graded condition.

Any help would be appreciated. Also, if y'all suggest doing a group sub, are there people on here that do group subs? Or how do you find people that do group subs? I've talked to people at my LCS about doing a Beckett group sub, so I might do that.

Or would you avoid grading all together because of the fiasco and just stick to raw cards? I really enjoy finding raw cards and putting them into binders/sets.