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runscottI obviously agree with Greg that the benefits of using SGC outweigh the problems;otherwise, I would use a different company. Also, I understand why they would ship cards quicker to someone they know and speak with personally on a regular basis (and that isn't me). My main complaint is the advertised turn-around vs the actual.
Okay, regarding strictness of grading. I disagree that it is in a grading company's best interest to give the highest grade possible - consistency is the key, and also maintaining standards that are close to that of the industry. Clearly, PSA, GAI and SGC all are close in agreement as to what a '3' or '4', etc. SHOULD be - the differentiator is in the ability of each to implement.
PSA and SGC, by only having "whole number" grades, DO allow themselves the flexibility of giving preferential grading treatment (if they wish) and no one can complain much, e.g: a low-end "4" for "Big Dealer" might be a high-end "3" for "Little Guy". I don't know if this actually happens. GAI uses half-grades, so I could purchase a GAI "3.5" and submit to SGC and end up with either a "3" or a "4" - if I get a "4" I just increased re-sell value by re-slabbing. But if I get a "3", it's still the same card. People pay for those slabs and the number on the labels, whether they should or not.