Question about Grading

[Crossfire]

I have searched and can't find any answers to my current question. I'm hoping that the deep knowledge pool here can assist. I have a Beckett card graded through their Raw service apparently at the Chicago convention last year. I purchased this and it appears to be legit with the sticker intact. It is a older card and I need it for my collection in this particular grade. I called Beckett about having it slabbed and I was informed by their employee that the grading process will start again for this card once it is sent to them and there is no guarantee that it will get the same grade. Apparently the previous grading means nothing at this point (after convention). I have three options:
1) Send to Beckett and hope for the best.
2) Send to Psa as a crossover to only be broke out if it meets the grade that it has previously received.
3) Keep it in its current state (with Raw Sticker intact from Beckett).

I would like opinions on this please. The advantage of number 2 (If Psa will accept a raw grade as a crossover) is that if Psa won't give it the grade I want I can still send it to Beckett.

[drcy]

I would think Beckett would have a predilection towards keeping it at that grade, in part because one of their employees already assigned it that grade. I assume the person who raw graded it was one of Beckett's regular graders.

I'm not saying Beckett won't change the grade and I'm not giving any percentages one way or the other, but it would seem a strong chance if not probably chance it would receive the same grade. They may have told you what they told you mostly because they can't guarantee anything without seeing the card in their hands. They can't assign a definite grade over the telephone.

[Crossfire]

Originally Posted by drcy

As it has already gotten the grade from one of their graders, the strongest chance is it will receive the same grade from Beckett.

I don't know what you want to do with the card, but keeping it as is seems a reasonable option to me. Granted, I'm not a graded card guy and its not my card.

I agree that the strongest chance would be from Beckett. I guess from their perspective its possible that someone has tampered or damaged the card after the show was over. If the card is removed from its holder and goes through the grading process again blindly it does put chance (as we all know) back into the grading procedure. The PSA route is interesting because of the fact that the card stays in the holder if it will not crossover.
As far as keeping it in its current state, I like the idea of being to recoup my investment on a card and I think selling it raw (sticker intact) some day will be tough (higher chance of fraud).

[iwantitiwinit]

I would say it depends on what the card is worth. If its a 20-30 dollar card once graded forget sending it in, not worth the time money or hassle. Simply wait until u see another one that has already been graded and purchase that one, then offer your current card on ebay.

[Crossfire]

Originally Posted by iwantitiwinit

I would say it depends on what the card is worth. If its a 20-30 dollar card once graded forget sending it in, not worth the time money or hassle. Simply wait until u see another one that has already been graded and purchase that one, then offer your current card on ebay.

To clarify the card is worth several hundred dollars in its current grade.

[glchen]

I would send it to Beckett, since as David said, they'll probably want to keep it in the same grade. Since the raw card reviews are in a Card Saver however, they can be damaged if they are dropped, something falls on the card, etc. It's probably more of a general disclaimer that they can't guarantee the original grade on the card. Still to protect yourself, you can probably still submit the card as a crossover with the minimum grade as the grade on the card. If it doesn't crossover to Beckett, it probably won't cross to PSA since Beckett would already be giving it the benefit of the doubt as discussed before. Then, I'd just sell the card in the raw card review holder.

[Crossfire]

Originally Posted by glchen

I would send it to Beckett, since as David said, they'll probably want to keep it in the same grade. Since the raw card reviews are in a Card Saver however, they can be damaged if they are dropped, something falls on the card, etc. It's probably more of a general disclaimer that they can't guarantee the original grade on the card. Still to protect yourself, you can probably still submit the card as a crossover with the minimum grade as the grade on the card. If it doesn't crossover to Beckett, it probably won't cross to PSA since Beckett would already be giving it the benefit of the doubt as discussed before. Then, I'd just sell the card in the raw card review holder.

Will Beckett treat a crossover in the same way as PSA? That is keep it in its original holder unless it will meet the grade. If this is the case then there is little risk in having Beckett do a crossover service. Worst thing that could happen would be I get the card back with my original grade. I would think it would be poor business practice and publicity for Beckett to do this (not honor its own grade).

[Zach Wheat]

Crossfire,

I see your predicament. I am considering some of the same options; however, my card is already graded by Beckett (BGS) and therefore, does not have an "indicative" grade as your does through their RCR (Raw Card Review) service.

I am not a graded card expert by any means. I am happy with the grade and am going to leave my card "as is" for right now - but if I ever sell the set or card - I will go with option #2 above using a cross-over service with my minimum established grade (they won't break it out and re-slab it if they feel it does not grade to your specified grade).

However, since your card is in an RCR semi-rigid holder with an indicative grade, I would be tempted to go ahead and have it officially grade in a rigid holder.

Best of luck either way.

Z Wheat

[robw1959]

I had this same experience with a T206 Cobb (bat on shoulder) in a pregraded Beckett holder with an overall grade of 2.5. I sent it to BVG for encapsulation and it came back BVG 2.5 in the official slab.