GAI Grading

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Posted By: Brett

Is GAI grading reliable? I mainly collect SGC graded cards, but a friend of mine has a couple of GAI T206’s that he is trying to sell me. Should I trust GAI?

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Posted By: Bobby

Gai i s a very reliable company it is the some of the same people that started PSA. They tend to be more generous in there grading and there head inspector Mark Baker is very well respected in the hobby. Resale of GAI is about 20% less tehn PSA and 10% lower then SGC graded cards.

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Posted By: barry arnold

I have had very good experiences with GAI.

Barry

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Posted By: Bob

People who pass up cards in GAI holders which are nicer than those in comparably graded SGC and PSA holders are nuts in my opinion because you buy the card not the holder. That said, keep doing it, I'll keep buying GAI 4s that are nicer than PSA 5s every day of the week...

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Posted By: leon

My only problem with GAI, except their first foray into pack grading, which was quite stupid, is that if I buy a GAI 4 I still have to ask if there is paper loss on the back....Other than their lacksadasical grading they are up there with the other 3...though I still like BVG (the new regime) better than them....My money still goes to SGC for expertise and consistency...

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Posted By: mike wrenn

Are all GAI 4's nicer than PSA 5's. Does that mean that PSA's are over Graded and over priced all the time.
When I'm looking to buy vintage cards 1880's to the 1950's
is it fair to assume that for example that a psa 7 is really a PSA 6. All opinions are welcomed.

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Posted By: Joe D.

I like the people (very nice) and the grading seems consistent.

What I like least about their holders is their logo (kind of ugly if you ask me).

What I like most about their holders --- the name across the top edge of the card....
you can keep the cards filed away and not have to pull them out of the box to see which card is which.

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Posted By: Joe Jones

pulling them out and looking at them is supposed to be fun

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Posted By: Bob

leon- I don't know about the paper loss on the back thing. I have a GAI graded E93 with ex front and a nickel sized paper loss on the back in a 1.5 holder
They seem to have solved the rattling card problem they once had and so my main problem is with the license plate holders for Fatimas and Zeenuts.
tbob

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Posted By: Rick

I consider GAI one of the big 3 ...but i would expect a discount over PSA and SGC.

BVG i would not even consider it unless its a rare card.

They are simply not as easy to sell as PSA or SGC.

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

Bob M

You expressed my opinion exactly regarding GAI before I got a chance to.
PSA has become too lax in their grading and GAI is starting to come into
their own.
As I have noted before (on other posts), GAI's "preview" feature is really
handy. I don't understand why PSA or SGC do not offer this service. At the
Philly Show you can get a preview of your card while you wait if they aren't
too busy. There is a good group of people working at the GAI booth.

And, as Joe D. said the card's identity on the top edge of the plastic comes
in handy when the cards are stacked in a box.
However, the dark lettering against the silver-gray labels are not the most
visible (particularly as viewed on Ebay).

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Posted By: Larry

The best customer relations and service, they are very knowledgable and will show you why they down graded a card, usually something missed by eye. At a show, they offer a pre grade service, meaning that they will charge you a fee to let you know the grade instead of having to encapsulate at full price, a fabulous service to collectors and dealers.

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Posted By: andy becker

i have to agree with leon. (a-kissing 101 )

gai is very lenient to paper loss on the reverse.

i have seen high dollar that was graded gai 6.5 with paper loss on the reverse.

i have also seen a piedmont art stamp matty (beautiful stamp) that was graded gai 4.5 with no back....comepletely skinned.

as we've all said, buy the card not the holder....but i would never buy a gai card without a good front and back scan.

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Posted By: Richard

My opinion is that sgc is the best. I think their grading standards are very strict and they grade very accurately.
The GAI grading is not quite as strict as sgc in my opinion. Nothing against GAI though.

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Posted By: warshawlaw

I have to confess as an old man of 41 that I have trouble reading the GAI labels

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Posted By: RayB

If GAI cards are available cheap enough (T206) for crossover I might bite and crack'em out but feel PSA or SGC is the way to go.

I think, overall, SGC does a better job with pre-war but my "Dings and Dents..." set on the PSA registry is far enough along where I'm committed to PSA on the set for the long haul.

RayB

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Posted By: John Barnes

I think you will be fine buying GAI graded cards. Just look at the cards, and see if you would want them at that particular price in an SGC holder. Remember, if it's a gai/psa/sgc holder, the card is most likely legit, so at that point it's all about how the particular card looks.

by the way, I'm not so sure psa is laxing in their grades. From my recent submissions, they seem to be tightening up a bit. Not nearly as many vintage (and I'm talking 70s stuff) 10's as there used to be.

John