What is your process for grading expensive cards?

[Hordfest]

Hello friends,

I'm sending off my first rather expensive batch of cards to get graded soon and I wanted to get some feedback from others to make sure I'm protecting my submission in the best ways I can with regards to insurance, packaging, etc.

Do you guy feel confident shipping expensive cards or do you only drive them to drop off in person?

Thanks!

[HOF Auto Rookies]

I've sent six figures worth of cards with no issues. Film yourself packaging the cards in the box along with the shipping label. Film yourself sealing it up etc.

For raw cards, use a card saver rather than a top loader so it is easier for the grader to remove and not potentially damage the card.

Only insure what they are valued NOW, not what you expect the grades to be. They will only payout insurance pre-grading values, so don't waste extra money on a higher insurance value.

I've always mailed, never done in person outside of the National getting cards signed then slabbed.

[Exhibitman]

If the item really matters to me I wait for a show where the TPG is onsite and I hand deliver it.

[toledo_mudhen]

I've always used Priority Mail with tracking - Never a problem in over 20 years worth.....

[ullmandds]

I either overnight them or next day them with the USPS...never...ever say whats really in the parcel...never had a problem.

[irv]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

I either overnight them or next day them with the USPS...never...ever say what's really in the parcel...never had a problem.

Although I believe it is the law, this is why I hate purchasing expensive cards, especially Stateside.
Most big sellers, as far as I know, have to put the value and description on the outside of the envelope, which, imo, is just a precursor for more theft.

[sonnyu2]

Unless you have private insurance, USPS Registered Mail is the safest and most reliable way to ship cards for grading. And you can insure the package up to $50,000 for a reasonable fee. Many will recommend other shipping methods, but know the insurance limits / risks involved before you use other methods.

And remember, there are countless millions of dollars in cards being mailed every day to and from the grading companies. A package worth $10k and up is a pretty normal shipment these days being sent to and from the grading companies. It can be daunting when you haven't done it before, but the vast majority of the time - the packages and contents are delivered without problem.

Don't know which company you are sending to, but PSA provides detailed instructions on how to package cards for shipping. Follow those instructions, and ship via USPS Registered, and you'll be fine.

[rand1com]

Originally Posted by sonnyu2

Unless you have private insurance, USPS Registered Mail is the safest and most reliable way to ship cards for grading. And you can insure the package up to $50,000 for a reasonable fee. Many will recommend other shipping methods, but know the insurance limits / risks involved before you use other methods.

And remember, there are countless millions of dollars in cards being mailed every day to and from the grading companies. A package worth $10k and up is a pretty normal shipment these days being sent to and from the grading companies. It can be daunting when you haven't done it before, but the vast majority of the time - the packages and contents are delivered without problem.

Don't know which company you are sending to, but PSA provides detailed instructions on how to package cards for shipping. Follow those instructions, and ship via USPS Registered, and you'll be fine.

I fully agree with registered mail being the only service I would use for expensive cards. Package has to be signed for at each stage of the shipping proceess by a postal employee. It is virtually impossible to get lost. If I had $100,000 to ship, I would do 2 submissions in separate packages so full insurance is covered since $50K is the limit on any one package.

[ahmanfan]

Originally Posted by rand1com

I fully agree with registered mail being the only service I would use for expensive cards. Package has to be signed for at each stage of the shipping proceess by a postal employee. It is virtually impossible to get lost. If I had $100,000 to ship, I would do 2 submissions in separate packages so full insurance is covered since $50K is the limit on any one package.

Registered is the best answer. Or fly them to SGC if needed.

[Jobu]

1. Get pissed about how much the grading fees are. 2. Cross my fingers for the grades.

Seriously though, overnight/priority shipping with USPS or FedEx AND insurance.

There are a few important things with the insurance - get private insurance before you mail the package. USPS and FedEx will sell you as much insurance as you want to pay for, but I have read multiple times on Net54 that they won't honor it.

For independent insurance, many here, including myself, use Collectables Insurance Services (https://collectinsure.com/). They have shipping rules you have to follow based on the amount of the package. And if the total is more than the blanket policy will cover during shipping, you can buy separate, additional insurance (up to very large amounts of coverage) through them that covers things during the single shipping period.

Also, assuming they are insured, make sure you have good scans of everything you mail before you send them otherwise you are going to be in trouble if there is a challenge to your claim.

[icurnmedic]

No way anything very expensive would be shipped other than registered. Anyone saying otherwise has been very lucky. Let yourself lose $10k worth of cards and you change your ways real fast. Ask me how I know, smh😒

[Johnny630]

My rule is any card valued over $10,000 I will not mail/Ship it. I’ll hand carry it to the National to Grade on Site with PSA. PSA and SGC will be there grading on site.

[EddieP]

Never mailed cards, but back in the day I had to mail in stock certificates and I used registered mail. IIRC, the Brokerage recommended registered mail also.