GAI grades versus PSA/SGC

[Brianruns10]

Hey All,

Normally I buy PSA, and to a lesser extent SGC (which I eventually cross). However, I'm considering my first GAI buy, as there is an auction now for a very nice, well centered Duke Snider card, for my 52 topps set. Having never bought GAI though, I'm unsure how well those cards cross over to PSA. I'd expect they tend to grade higher, so I should expect a loss when it goes to PSA. What I'm trying to figure out is how much of a loss should I expect so as to not overpay? The card is graded 8 by GAI, and it would definitely get at least 6.5 to 7 by my eye.

What has your experience been? And is GAI pretty reliable when it comes to spotting altered cards? I'd hate to buy one only to get an Altered qualifier from PSA!

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by Brianruns10

Hey All,

Normally I buy PSA, and to a lesser extent SGC (which I eventually cross). However, I'm considering my first GAI buy, as there is an auction now for a very nice, well centered Duke Snider card, for my 52 topps set. Having never bought GAI though, I'm unsure how well those cards cross over to PSA. I'd expect they tend to grade higher, so I should expect a loss when it goes to PSA. What I'm trying to figure out is how much of a loss should I expect so as to not overpay? The card is graded 8 by GAI, and it would definitely get at least 6.5 to 7 by my eye.

What has your experience been? And is GAI pretty reliable when it comes to spotting altered cards? I'd hate to buy one only to get an Altered qualifier from PSA!

I would factor in a 2 grade loss...the more high value the card, the more i woudld factor it in as theres more of a chance it was already attempted to be crossed..

I always find it interesting how the Buyer always seem to think blindly that the seller never thought the same thing as the buyer 'send to psa and get a the same or type of grade that makes the card worth more' of course the seller has already considered that....they may of purchased it themselves in the past with that in mind......


there may be risk of having the card labeled as 'trimmed' as well on the higher condiition and/or more valuable ones.

for cheap cards i can see why it wasnt worth it for the seller to get crossed ..

[pokerplyr80]

If I'm considering buying a GAI graded card on ebay I always first email the seller and ask if they will allow a return in the GAI holder if I try to cross and it comes back not authentic or altered. If the seller doesn't respond, or won't allow a return at all, I just stay away.

Like Jake said, chances are someone, probably the seller and almost anyone else who has owned the card, has had the same thought and has tried to cross the card before.

[Exhibitman]

The old [silver paper] GAI cards were pretty good in terms of alterations, though usually 1/2 to 1 grade too high. After they switched labels, went broke, relocated to some clown's garage in Ohio, etc., I wouldn't trust their slabs to encapsulate Garbage Pail Kids cards. If the card is in a later slab do yourself a favor and stay away from it. If it is silver, I'd not send it to PSA or SGC in the GAI slab; too much prejudice up front.

[Brianruns10]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

I would factor in a 2 grade loss...the more high value the card, the more i woudld factor it in as theres more of a chance it was already attempted to be crossed..

I always find it interesting how the Buyer always seem to think blindly that the seller never thought the same thing as the buyer 'send to psa and get a the same or type of grade that makes the card worth more' of course the seller has already considered that....they may of purchased it themselves in the past with that in mind......


there may be risk of having the card labeled as 'trimmed' as well on the higher condiition and/or more valuable ones.

for cheap cards i can see why it wasnt worth it for the seller to get crossed ..

Exactly. That's my first qualm whenever buying a card of this sorts. I figure, if it could've crossed, it would've, and I figure the buyer is in so deep on the card, the only way they can hope to recoup what they've spent is to keep it in the holder, and hope some unscrupulous buyer wont' know the difference, and pay good money.

Of course I'm not that person. But it does have great eye appeal, and as the saying goes, buy the card, not the plastic.

[pclpads]

Bite the bullet, pay more for the same card in PSA /SGC and you can sleep nites. Why chance buying the GAI Snider that may not cross and worse, may have been whacked?

[turtleguy64]

watch out ! bought a 1963 Topps GAI #500 Harmon Killebrew in a Legendary Auction over a year ago.graded a 9 by GAI.sent it to PSA for a crossover.card was rejected for trim.got it back and looked closely at the top.Oh ,yes,trimmed.just be careful.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by turtleguy64

watch out ! bought a 1963 Topps GAI #500 Harmon Killebrew in a Legendary Auction over a year ago.graded a 9 by GAI.sent it to PSA for a crossover.card was rejected for trim.got it back and looked closely at the top.Oh ,yes,trimmed.just be careful.

im sure you didnt pay a psa 9 price..

[pokerplyr80]

Here's a great example. I can't imagine owning this card and not trying to cross it, especially before selling it, unless I already knew it wouldn't cross.

But if you could cross to a PSA 9 it would be a nice return on a 5k or less investment.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-Bowman-...item4aea6013a1