PSA vs SGC

[Mrvintage]

I am sure this has been discussed before, but I am working on the 33 George C Miller set and I am wondering if it would be better to have the entire set graded by PSA or SGC? I am taking into consideration overall appearance for display, how tough they are on grading this particular set, and of course resale value if I ever decide to sell them. Opinions are needed and welcome. Thanks

[bcbgcbrcb]

I would go with SGC; more accurate and consistent grading.

[mrvster]

Hands down SGC!!!!!!!

[Edwolf1963]

IMO: SGC - good people to work with, nicer holders with that black background, usually cheaper and quicker turn-around times (no 45 business day wait times)

[Fred]

I'm going to take a guess that a majority of people would say:

A. For looks and consistent grading go with SGC.
B. For resale go with PSA.

Overall, SGC and PSA are probably close to the same in the grades they give.

I honestly don't believe that the cards being in SGC holders will reduce the resale value, if at all, on that set.

One thing that seems to have always been consistent is that the SGC customer service has always been better.

[oldjudge]

On a personal basis, I will not buy an expensive pre-1920 card in anything but an SGC holder. I just don't trust PSA to know what they are doing on these cards.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Another vote for SGC.

PSA SUCKS!

[Mrvintage]

I have been on the PSA message boards alot and they all swear by PSA and SGC for vintage cards and BGS for modern cards. I asked this question on this forum because I thought I would probably get a more unbiased opinion. So far it seems like SGC is really popular among vintage collectors. Have you had bad experiences with PSA or is your opinion based more on positive experiences with SGC. I've done alot of research on past sales of George C Millers and the prices realized are very similiar for PSA and SGC graded cards from this set. Keep the opinions coming guys. Thanks

[deadballera]

I will agree with the others

the cards look so much nicer in SGC holders.

the resale value would be about the same with either grading service.

[shimozukawa]

.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by Mrvintage

I have been on the PSA message boards alot and they all swear by PSA and SGC for vintage cards and BGS for modern cards. I asked this question on this forum because I thought I would probably get a more unbiased opinion. So far it seems like SGC is really popular among vintage collectors. Have you had bad experiences with PSA or is your opinion based more on positive experiences with SGC. I've done alot of research on past sales of George C Millers and the prices realized are very similiar for PSA and SGC graded cards from this set. Keep the opinions coming guys. Thanks

I wouldn't say I buy a large volume of cards, but the percentage of times I've been burned buying a prewar card in a PSA holder is astounding (to me, at least). Two times the cards (a T3 and a postcard) had writing erased on the fronts, which was easy to see with the naked eye after an SGC grader pointed it out (I bought both cards on eBay, so it wasn't possible to see the alterations before buying the cards).

Three times cards were trimmed (two R306 Butter Creams and a T card). Again, when shown what to look for, a "non-professional grader" like myself could see the trims easily.

If these obvious problems weren't flagged by PSA, the question I have is how in the world are they catching the more sophisticated alterations?

I've reached the point where, if I'm thinking of buying a prewar card in a PSA holder, I ask myself if I'm OK if it ends up being in an "Authentic" holder, because my thinking is there's a decent chance that will happen if I try to cross it to SGC.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Mrvintage

Have you had bad experiences with PSA or is your opinion based more on positive experiences with SGC.

As Phil said, "more accurate and consistent grading."

[Mrvintage]

If you don't mind me asking, why would you say that this is a pro-SGC forum? Does SGC have something to do with this forum? I'm pretty new here so I'm trying to learn as much as possible. Thanks

[deadballera]

SGC has nothing to do with this forum

the Pre-War collectors prefer SGC more than PSA.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by deadballera

SGC has nothing to do with this forum

the Pre-War collectors prefer SGC more than PSA.

SGC does advertise on this board, as well as Beckett, as far as grading companies go. So, SGC does have a little bit to do with this forum. That being said, anyone on this board should be able to testify that advertisers don't get any special treatment and have been called to task dozens, if not more, times. If PSA wanted to advertise here they could, nothing is stopping them. Since I do have a financial interest in the advertising I will reserve my opinion for now and let others give their views....regards

[Robextend]

SGC for many of the reasons stated previously.

[DanP]

Hair was colored, PSA didn't notice. Luckily SGC made good on the mistake when they crossed it over!

I agree with everyone else. I had at least 3 other examples of PSA cards I tried to cross over but SGC rejected (trimmed).

Dan

[bigfish]

I will not by a card for my collection unless it is in an SGC holder. I trust their accuracy. PSA makes too many mistakes.

[shimozukawa]

.

[joebrandon1977]

Guys,

Thanks for all the input. I am a newbie back into card collecting and have never collected in the post-grading system era before.

I have been researching on the same PSA / SGC issue. I really liked the SGC holder much better, but thought the PSA had a stronger value so I was torn. But it is refreshing to hear that there is so much market confidence in SGC - that makes my decision much easier as start my collection back up.

I bought a PSA and SGC cards just so I could see the difference. I may send the PSA card in have have it crossed over to SGC so I have my collection all the same.

Thanks again for this discussion - much appreciated!
Joe

[Peter_Spaeth]

I have sent SGC cards to PSA that were rejected as trimmed (correctly so, on close examination), and that did not cross to the same grade (same), so it is not all one way in my estimation.

[smtjoy]

SGC for sure.

I use PSA for my Clemente collection and other 1950-70's card sets and in those areas PSA does sell better for a lot of it. That said in vintage pre WW2 cards some cards do sell better in PSA slabs but those are sets with lots of registry competition and mainly in higher grades, like T206, T205, 33 Goudey, etc. I just checked and there are only three active George C Miller PSA registry sets and one of them is 100% complete, the second was a set 100% complete sold by REA last year and one low grade set 22% complete. I just dont see you getting any premium from PSA.

[chaddurbin]

if you know the issue well enough then it doesn't matter if it's sgc or psa. buy the best card in whatever holder it is...then just cross it over if necessary.

guess i've been lucky but the only card i've had a problem submitting was an old merkle-era sgc t206 speaker that came back trimmed by grady on second look. it was full-sized and i'm still 50/50 about it being altered. probably in a psa7 holder right now. i've sent in on avg. 10-15 cards/year for the past 8-9 years to various TPG. sgc has always been fair, unbiased, and professional moreso than any other co.

[Mrvintage]

Haha!!!! That low grade George C Miller PSA set that is 22% complete belongs to me!!! I have several others that I need to get graded and I was considering crossing them all over to SGC. I do like the SGC holder and I too have had alot of my concerns about resale answered with the strong SGC following on this board. Thanks again guys and anymore input would be appreciated.

[Davalillo]

I agree with Peter in that it is not one-way. I like Reza and I think PSA does a good job.

I have a pretty fair pre-war collection and would not buy anything unless it was in a PSA holder.

Jim

[vintagetoppsguy]

Being rejected as trimmed is one thing (hard to actually prove), but how does PSA miss something like this? Here is a T206 PSA 6 Tinker that sold on eBay a few months ago with paper loss on the back (the "m" in Piedmont). It's a borderline mis-cut as well. This card should have been a PSA 2 at best, meaning it was overgraded by 4 grades. How anybody could look at this card and have any faith in PSA is beyond me. Anybody that thinks PSA does a good job is just drinking their Kool Aid!!!

[shimozukawa]

.

[lharri3600]

I've sent cards to PSA that came out of PSA holders. My latest debacle was a Keeler batting PSA 3 purchased from a board member. He told me the card looked nicer, so i decided to resubmit it. Well guess what? The card came back trimmed. I guess my thinking lends me this thought, how did the card make it into a 3 holder the first time? I mean a trimmed card is a trimmed card is it not? check the link out too. I've decided to just leave PSA alone. Just my $.02


http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/m...GARBAGE%20CAN/

[Irwin Fletcher]

I use SGC exclusively, mostly for the following reasons:
1. Expertise in pre-war issues
2. Great customer service
3. Better looking holder

[bobbyw8469]

Hello!?!?! It's hard for Big Chief to hear you because he has a big glob of paper loss where his ear should have been!

[bobbyw8469]

Have you tried calling Joe regarding this? I think if ever there were a case that you could call them on their guarantee, this would be it. I'm still not sure what their guarantee entails, to be honest.

I'll let you know what transpires....I have two cards at PSA for their "Grade Gurantee" right now...Big Chief is one of them. They received them last Monday (January 10th) though and still won't log them in yet......

[usernamealreadytaken]

I would jump over both PSA and SGC and go right to the best: BCCG!

You could turn all of your 1's and 2's into 7's and 8's!

[shimozukawa]

.

[jerrys]

The winner of this PSA 6 was not discouraged by the damage on the card and paid $2800 for it in the 2-09 Goodwin Auction.

auction20-lot28-front2.8k50.jpg

[lharri3600]

here's another beaut!

[shimozukawa]

.