Posted By:
RichardI agree with the above comments about the subgrade system and how it can often (unfairly) undergrade a card. This, along with the bias against Beckett Vintage graded cards, makes for some great deals (or steals) as a buyer.
As for a seller, I do not understand why someone would grade vintage material through Beckett strictly for resale purposes. Personally, I like their holders and do get some cards graded by BVG. These cards are not for resale, but for my personal collection. For preservation purposes, I would much rather have my cards in a sturdy Beckett case than a flimsy PSA case.
However, when I end up selling some of my personal collection, the inevitable question of "do I sell as is in the Beckett case or spend the extra $$ to cross it over to PSA" comes up.
I believe that "some" of the vintage cards that you see on ebay fall into this catagory - cards that may have been graded for a personal collection that the owner does not want to take the time or money to cross over for a better return.
Beckett is trying to make somewhat of a move with some recent specials such as $6 for vintage grading. This is why you are seeing more 50's through 70's material in BVG cases over the past month.
Their graders are still inexperienced by SGC and PSA standards, but I do believe that they are catching up. I also believe that PSA's grading rep is a little overdone with their employee turnover. I have my share of altered cards in both BVG and PSA holders. Both of these companies make their mistakes.