Collectors (PSA) Acquired SGC

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by topcat61

The Federal Trade Commission would or could study to see if there's a potential impact on consumers through a formula they use to determine monopolization. Personally, I think the data is there to warrant an investigation by the FTC. According to the Gemerate numbers, PSA\Collector's Universe has 78% of the grading market while SGC has 10%. You can file an inquiry with the FTC at ant time but the problem the hobby may run into is getting the FTC to understand how this affects consumers. I don't think Lina Khan is a collector of Sports cards but the FTC has investigated the hobby's inner-workings on 3 seperate occasions.

As I posted on either this or the other thread, the increase in the HHI index (sum of the squares of market shares) certainly suggests a significant increase in market concentration in an already highly concentrated market. But being below reporting thresholds, and involving discretionary spending on sportscards, not sure the government would care.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Snowman

Ya, hard to know what his mindset is. I do remember watching a video from a few years back though where he was being interviewed and asked about all the doctored cards selling through PWCC. He seemed to respond as though he thought there was nothing wrong with improving cards and that he thought as long as it passed grading, then it didn't matter. I suspect if he believed it was wrong, deep down, that his answers would have been different. Perhaps more dodgy or just outright denying any allegations. I also remember listening to the interview and finding myself in agreement with much of what he said (though not everything, of course).

I cannot imagine any universe in which he had convinced himself trimming was OK.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

Speaking of Brent, where is he these days? With another company? I haven't heard his name in a hot minute.

Brent was spotted nude sunbathing on a beach in Tahiti. Lying next to him in a similar state, was a gorgeous local maiden.
Betsy has not been seen.

[calvindog]

Big mail day!

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Big mail day!

Lets see the cards.

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I cannot imagine any universe in which he had convinced himself trimming was OK.

Evan Mathis seems to genuinely believe that trimming an oversized card down to the proper industry standard size is simply correcting a factory flaw and completely acceptable, or perhaps even preferred.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Snowman

Evan Mathis seems to genuinely believe that trimming an oversized card down to the proper industry standard size is simply correcting a factory flaw and completely acceptable, or perhaps even preferred.

I'll jump on the bandwagon with a gratuitous example of trimming that everyone agrees is fine, yet is the only and very narrow exception to that rule.

Note: This isn't mine, but I have trimmed similar pieces in the past before submitting them to PSA.

[JimC]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

As I posted on either this or the other thread, the increase in the HHI index (sum of the squares of market shares) certainly suggests a significant increase in market concentration in an already highly concentrated market. But being below reporting thresholds, and involving discretionary spending on sportscards, not sure the government would care.

To piggyback on Peter's comments - - discretionary spending by an overwhelmingly white, middle aged and economically healthy (we hope) demographic. I'm not sure I see the folks at DOJ wringing their hands trying to figure out how to protect us from Big Grading!

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Lets see the cards.

It's a big haul, which includes the entire Annis Furs Tigers set from 1934! I'll post a few (the T206s are reholders):

[Vintagedeputy]

Originally Posted by calvindog

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Love that Hal Chase! I’ve never seen that before.

[jayshum]

SGC was on site at the Philly Show for submissions. I talked with some of them about what was going on. They were very upbeat about it and felt it would help improve SGC. They didn't seem concerned about being shut down now or in the future.

[Schlesinj]

Anyone heard any updates when service starts for the combined teams?