What Grading Companies are the Best?

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Posted By: Richard

Greetings, I was wondering what grading companies are considered the best in todays current market? I know that PSA, SGC and GAI are the most common. What company do most collectors have the greatest confidence in? I like SGC personally. Look forward to some replies.
Thank You

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Posted By: Jim

My top three in order would be SGC, SGC and SGC

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Posted By: Steve M.

with the following qualifications:

If you are having the cards graded strictly for resale go PSA. They tend to overgrade, have the largest number of Registry participants and therefore will have the greater demand.

If you are having the cards graded for your own personal enjoyment go with SGC.

Why would one even consider GAI?

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Posted By: Dave

Steve...I'd have to respectfully disagree about PSA overgrading..at least in my experience. I would say 75% of the cards I've tried to cross from SGC to PSA did not cross to the same grade...all T206's. I think especially if you start looking at SGC 60's and above...a T206 SGC 60 can more often than not be found with more rounded corners and such unlike T206 PSA 5's...

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Posted By: barrysloate

SGC is the most accurate and strict of the three, and they stand behind their product. Until proven otherwise, they are the best right now.

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Posted By: Richard

I appreciate all of the responses. I am surprised that GAI does not even rate with SGC or PSA. I see lots of higher graded GAI cards in the marketplace and they look sharp to me. Guess it's all about reputation in this business. I think GAI will gain market share in the near future. Barry makes a great point though about standing behind your product and it seems SGC is #1 in this area.
Thanks

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Posted By: Kenneth A. Cohen

I'd be curious to know if anyone shares my perception that in the VG/EX PSA-4/SGC 50 grade, there is often a discrepancy - with a PSA-4 often equating to what would be a SGC 40. This is where I have observed the most palpable difference. I should say that the fact that I tend to collect in the VG/EX to EX range may influence my view.

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Posted By: Steve M.

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Posted By: T206Collector

First, of all, SGC is much more consistent, accurate and reliable in their grading. Putting that aside, there is a difference in what PSA and SGC will consider to be a 60/EX/5. I agree that SGC is more lenient with respect to fuzzy corners on a 60 than PSA is on a 5. Since I happen to agree that an EX card can have fuzzy corners, as long as it doesn't have any creasing, I like what SGC 60's look like. But some collectors prefer sharper corners. I have found this to be particularly true with Goudey collectors, who think SGC 60's are too permissive on the issue of corner rounding.

In my T206 experience, the problem with PSA's standard is that the PSA 5's often exhibit some other characteristic that I find unacceptable in an EX card -- indeed, with sharper corners, and no other problems, they would have graded it a 6. In my experience, PSA 5's have often come with small wrinkles or chipping of the paint on the front, albeit with sharper corners. SGC will not grade a 60 with such defects. I'd rather have fuzzy corners on my 60/EX/5's, than these kinds of condition issues which separates PSA 5's from PSA 6's. And, frankly, when I see an EX 5 with sharp corners, I just know something else is wrong with that card. When I see an SGC 60 with fuzzy corners, I know that there are no other meaningful defects.

By the way, BVG has been fine, in my experience, though, like GAI, they are not as strict with really minor chipping/paper loss as SGC is.

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Posted By: Steve f

My 'break 'em out' experiences are, in order;

Strict-lenient SGC, BVG, PSA then GAI.

However, I do collect PSA mostly.

Steve, I believe think that BVG is up there with SGC, but it's likely that Corporate Giant image that holds 'em back with prewar folk. Those slabs, though not too pretty, could hold back the Persian infantry at Thermopylae

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Posted By: George Dreher

Steve,

Before BVG, Beckett graded vintage too harshly and there were many compliants, hence the creation of BVG. However, that Buffalo Bill card probably belongs in a VG/EX holder due to excessive edge chipping. Just my opinion.

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Posted By: Steve M.

Good observation. That was my purpose for posting the scan. Vg/Ex at best with those chipped borders.

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Posted By: John Kalafarski

As I like to display cards, I like to stick with one company. PSA is not perfect, but best for selling and the set registry is a plus. If I see something I really like, I will buy SGC, but they are sloppy with corners. BVG is for shiny stuff (it's a shock to see what some of the newer stuff is going for on ebay!). GAI has sadly slipped since a promising beginning.

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Posted By: Dylan

Perhaps if BGS had continued grading vintage cards tough, they'ed have a better market share then they do now. Instead of changing the whole concept they could have just backed off a touch.

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Posted By: Dave

This card I had wouldn't cross into a PSA 5 holder...



This card did cross into a PSA 5 holder..





Anyone have a guess why the Jordan didn't and the Hart did?

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Posted By: George Dreher

Dylan, they created BVG after Beckett grading customers complained that they were getting massacred on the grades for vintage.

Dave, it is inexplicable and inconsistant grading at best.