Posted By:
edacra
I've also found this pre-grade thing a bit odd. It was explained to me that dealers will bring a stack of cards they're unsure about, and use the pregrade as a cheap way to get an idea of what they should get slabbed out of a group. Basically, you pay a discounted fee to give you a verbal grade - and they apparently put it in a card saver, and write on it with a sharpie. Odd, right? Beckett does the whole sticker deal, but GAI realize that's going to undercut their own business, so they use a sharpie. I have no idea what the paperwork looks like to prove they've even seen the card at all or how much time can pass before you bring the card back for slabbing, but you're supposed to be able to come back to them for the additional fee. It does make the process a lot more appealing, but the problem is they then tack on a shipping charge which is more then the whole grading cost itself. The shipping cost is probably the biggest turn off since they're not doing on-site holdering.
It's probably also a good way to insure a higher grade on cards, because it's in GAI's best interest to encourage you to come back and slab the thing for the additional fee, right? It also allows for a lot more personalized interaction with the grader - which is both really cool, and really scary
I have to say, I'm seeing an awful lot of GAI slabs at shows. I get the feeling that dealers bring material to GAI for softer scrutiny and because PSA grading is such a crapshoot - and that neither company are a first choice for vintage collectors who like seeing their cards graded for personal enjoyment.