Game Used Bats: PSA vs Mears

[Jobu]

Do collectors tend to prefer letters from PSA or Mears --- or are they viewed about the same?

Thanks!

[bnorth]

PSA by a county mile. Like PSA vs GEM in card grading IMO.

[Jim65]

Definitely PSA, I've seen so many mistakes by MEARS, I wouldn't trust their COAs anymore, their full letters do carry a little more weight.

[swarmee]

Make sure you read what you're getting with PSA:
https://www.psacard.com/services/batgradingstandards

PSA/DNA GU 5
A PSA/DNA GU 5 bat must match available factory records, possess identifiable player characteristics and will, most likely, exhibit no evidence of use. In essence, this is a game ready bat that did not see action.

So PSA can rate something a 5 on a "Game Used" scale without it actually being used in a game. Always read the fine print.

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by swarmee

Make sure you read what you're getting with PSA:
https://www.psacard.com/services/batgradingstandards



So PSA can rate something a 5 on a "Game Used" scale without it actually being used in a game. Always read the fine print.

Its not a game used scale, its authentication. An unused game ready bat is still authentic.

[swarmee]

When the grade itself contains the abbreviation "GU" in it, I'm not sure I agree with you. But almost none of those grades ever required the player to have used the bat himself, just to show wear. I'm sure many buyers of these grades don't realize what they're getting. Maybe they do?