Originally Posted by zippy

Not exactly
Lou Costanzo & myself started a grading service in the late 80's
Shortlived of course as the hobby wasn't ready yet for something that radical
Dealers wanted to sell their over graded cards & work on 200-500% markups

Also before even Al Hagar was a Jewelry dealer out of Utah
He was grading cards around 1984
Didn't last long but he didn't go out business because of lack of business
but because of me
I sent him $8800 in cards to get graded
When they shipped the cards back to me via UPS his employee only insured it for $100 & of course the parcel got lost
I asked for my money
Said he didn't have it
So my friend called him & said we would be there within 24 hrs to "collect"
I called him the next day & the phone was disconnected & found out he moved out that day never to be seen again
So much for the Hobbys 1st grading service