Mike Baker Authenticated

[DanP]

I thought of this same concept years ago and knew it would be coming someday.

I know many of you won't like it, but I think another opinion certifying the grade is a great idea.

I don't really understand how the three levels silver, gold, and black work (only spent 10 seconds looking at the site).

I see MBA certified listed in auctions already and suspect these cards will get premium $.

If this was already discussed, feel free to ignore this post (didn't see anything in a search).

Other thoughts?

[Exhibitman]

Double secret certification...

[HRBAKER]

Will he slab the slab?
God I can only hope so.

[DanP]

I know you said that jokingly, but when I thought of this same concept years ago, that was my vision.

I know you and many others are probably laughing, but many people (including me) display their cards. A premium slab that encapsulated SGC, BVG and PSA cases could display really nicely.

I guess now that I said that out loud (and typed it), it does sound a little silly but I've seen crazier ideas make a lot of money.

[swarmee]

Is this different than the other GAI guy with the Diamond stickers?

So now we have at least a fourth one after Purple Label and PWCC?

[Jcosta19]

CAC does this for graded coins with a hologram sticker

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[icollectDCsports]

Lol

[Leon]

Originally Posted by DanP

I thought of this same concept years ago and knew it would be coming someday.

I know many of you won't like it, but I think another opinion certifying the grade is a great idea.

I don't really understand how the three levels silver, gold, and black work (only spent 10 seconds looking at the site).

I see MBA certified listed in auctions already and suspect these cards will get premium $.

If this was already discussed, feel free to ignore this post (didn't see anything in a search).

Other thoughts?

I guess a 2nd pair of eyes is good but it really shouldn't be needed if the TPGs do their jobs correctly. But not a bad idea as others are doing it, or have tried to do it, recently.

[DanP]

Originally Posted by Leon

I guess a 2nd pair of eyes is good but it really shouldn't be needed if the TPGs do their jobs correctly. But not a bad idea as others are doing it, or have tried to do it, recently.

I hear what you’re saying Leon. But remember, all of us make mistakes in our job. Luckily, most of the time they go unnoticed (unless you’re in the restaurant business where you’re expected to be perfect).

I am terrible at judging the quality of a card. I trust that TPGs would do a better job than I would and 99% of the time that’s true. I also like having another opinion.

What’s nice is if you don’t like it, ignore the MBA or even PSA/SGC/BGS label. The grade is a guide to get you started. The final review is up to the buyer.

[Exhibitman]

Remora (noun): Remora spend their lives clinging to a host animal such as a whale, turtle, shark or ray. Although it was initially believed that remoras fed off particulate matter from the host's meals, this has been shown to be false; in reality, their diets are composed primarily of host feces.

Sound about right?

[rdwyer]

Confused. Wasn't Mike Baker the one who graded trimmed cards for GAI?

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by rdwyer

Confused. Wasn't Mike Baker the one who graded trimmed cards for GAI?

I believe so.

[HRBAKER]

Just think then we could have High-End Certified Certified.

[x2drich2000]

I thought the Mike Baker GAI graded cards were generally considered good? If I remember correctly, wasn't he also at one time the head grader at PSA?

[Throttlesteer]

As a business model, it sounds like a very risky idea. If a new grading company came around and did their job the first time around, these piggy-backers would be out of business overnight.

[rdwyer]

I thought the Mike Baker GAI graded cards were generally considered good? If I remember correctly, wasn't he also at one time the head grader at PSA?

I think you're talking about Steve Rochi.

[lowpopper]

Love the idea. More sticker companies will pop up.

The only question is which ones will become the top dogs?

[icollectDCsports]

A sticker on a slab that is further slabbed and stickered. It's turtles all the way down . . .

[swarmee]

Examples are starting to show up...


Y'all have fun with that...

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by swarmee

Examples are starting to show up...


Y'all have fun with that...

Look at the bright side, he can't be worse than the others already doing it.

[rdwyer]

Yes he can be worse. He was famous for slabbing trimmed cards for GAI until they were driven into the ground.

[drcy]

A saying is "That a lot of people do it, doesn't make it any less stupid."

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by rdwyer

Yes he can be worse. He was famous for slabbing trimmed cards for GAI until they were driven into the ground.

Supposedly he done the same with Global Authority. Then again look at who else is putting stickers on slabs.

[HRBAKER]

Give the people what they want.
Evidently there's no end to what they will embrace (pay for).

[Bigdaddy]

But who's gonna slab his slab? Eventually all things merge into one, and a slab runs through it..

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by swarmee

Examples are starting to show up...


Y'all have fun with that...

[todeen]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

But who's gonna slab his slab? Eventually all things merge into one, and a slab runs through it..

Hahahahahaha great movie quote!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Casey2296]

It's all bullshit until these "entrepreneurs" offer a money back guarantee. Is Mike and the rest of the "to the best of my knowledge" crowd willing to risk their financial well being on their word? That's what they're selling.

Integrity, are you willing to put up your house if you're wrong?

Phil Lewis

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

"...been awarded a MBA..." nice grammar.

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by DanP

I hear what you’re saying Leon. But remember, all of us make mistakes in our job. Luckily, most of the time they go unnoticed (unless you’re in the restaurant business where you’re expected to be perfect).

I am terrible at judging the quality of a card. I trust that TPGs would do a better job than I would and 99% of the time that’s true. I also like having another opinion.

What’s nice is if you don’t like it, ignore the MBA or even PSA/SGC/BGS label. The grade is a guide to get you started. The final review is up to the buyer.

The restaurant part made me laugh. It's 2020... NO ONE is expected to be perfect, at, well... literally anything anymore. Anything less than sheer and utter incompetence is completely acceptable these days.

Case in point, since moving to Montreal, my expectations are now as low as possible. I can honestly say that my meals are screwed up at least 50% of the time when I order or go out here, and you get no sympathy from staff or management whatsoever.
If you complain, they act like you're the problem. It's pathetic...

Rant over

[steve B]

So many stickers....

Part of me wants to buy a really nice Nascar card and get as many of those new stickers as possible on the slab.

[Fred]

Does anyone want to join me in the N54 AUTHENTICATION Super Service. We can call it N54 ASS. It will be a unique AUTHENTICATION TO THE AUTHENTICATION service.

We can come up with a really cool looking logo. The difference between the N54 ASS and the "other guys" is we will offer a certification number for the logo (for a nominal charge).

Who says we can't have 6 minute abs?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJgzXJ4AX_Y

Not sure if I'd go with a Baker auth. As others have mentioned, GAI was good to begin with, then the trimmed cards were being slabbed with numerical numbers. Step into my office... N54 ASS!

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by Fred

Does anyone want to join me in the N54 AUTHENTICATION Super Service. We can call it N54 ASS. It will be a unique AUTHENTICATION TO THE AUTHENTICATION service.

We can come up with a really cool looking logo. The difference between the N54 ASS and the "other guys" is we will offer a certification number for the logo (for a nominal charge).

Who says we can't have 6 minute abs?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJgzXJ4AX_Y

Not sure if I'd go with a Baker auth. As others have mentioned, GAI was good to begin with, then the trimmed cards were being slabbed with numerical numbers. Step into my office... N54 ASS!

Our spokesperson can be Large Ass Herzog.

[perezfan]

A serious question...

Will Baker be removing the cards from the slabs, to examine them? The only reason a service like this would add value, is to deem a questionable card as being altered or unaltered. Quite often you cannot determine alteration, if the card resides in a slab.

Look at the thousands of PSA altered examples residing in numbered slabs... for many of these, you'd need to examine the edges/sides of the card. I view this service as worthless, unless he can examine the raw card.

As far as agreeing with the grade... beauty should be in the eye of the beholder. Not some profiteering opportunist.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by perezfan

A serious question...

Will Baker be removing the cards from the slabs, to examine them? The only reason a service like this would add value, is to deem a questionable card as being altered or unaltered. Quite often you cannot determine alteration, if the card resides in a slab.

Look at the thousands of PSA altered examples residing in numbered slabs... for many of these, you'd need to examine the edges/sides of the card. I view this service as worthless, unless he can examine the raw card.

As far as agreeing with the grade... beauty should be in the eye of the beholder. Not some profiteering opportunist.

Of the 3 companies(LOL) I know of they do not remove the card from the holder. Wouldn't removing the card make the process worthless(not that it already isn't)?

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by steve B

So many stickers....

Part of me wants to buy a really nice Nascar card and get as many of those new stickers as possible on the slab.

I think you're on to something. If one sticker is good, wouldn't multiple stickers -- as many as possible -- be better?

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by icollectDCsports

I think you're on to something. If one sticker is good, wouldn't multiple stickers -- as many as possible -- be better?

The more the better for sure. You could easily get a few hundred just in grading fees on a card you could buy raw for $5.

[Throttlesteer]

Now if someone could sticker cards that haven't been owned by known scammers, doctors, or other bad actors, I might pay for that.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by Throttlesteer

Now if someone could sticker cards that haven't been owned by known scammers, doctors, or other bad actors, I might pay for that.

And the stickers would automatically detach themselves once they sense touch DNA from one of them...

[swarmee]

The blowout guys are having a field day because of all the spelling/grammar errors on the card, and the fact that he's sending out "You have an MBA authenticated Gold Label PSA Card" with SGC graded cards...

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Also nobody has mentioned it yet, but wtf is the difference between a high end and a low end PSA 10???

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Also nobody has mentioned it yet, but wtf is the difference between a high end and a low end PSA 10???

A cool sticker.

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by bnorth

A cool sticker.

Yes, but wait for the low high-end and the high low-end variations.

[Fred]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Also nobody has mentioned it yet, but wtf is the difference between a high end and a low end PSA 10???

9.98 - 9.99 - 10.0 - 10.01 - 10.02.... it's subjective! That .02 difference could mean 10's of thousands of $$$ to two people that want to pay for that .02 difference.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Also nobody has mentioned it yet, but wtf is the difference between a high end and a low end PSA 10???

Normally it would be centering, as a PSA 10 can technically be centered 60/40 and most collectors consider centering the most important sub grade for eye appeal. It's also the easiest to measure and/or determine it without an expert.

[drcy]

There's nothing "wrong" with it, but I don't see the point of paying for a service that one can do one one's own: examine the image of the card.

Same goes for grades on autographs. If you can't tell an sharpie signature is Mint you should probably not be collecting autographs.

But I know, I know. These are "investments."

[Snowman]

Digging up this old thread because I'm about to send off some cards to MBA that I think are under-graded. I realize that it sounds ridiculous to pay someone to "grade the graders", but this does address/solve some of the problems with grading today. So many cards are now being criminally under graded by PSA; as well as SGC, although I would argue less so. I have recently graded cards in PSA 6 slabs that look like they belong in an 8 holder. Also, centering and overall eye appeal are extremely important with vintage cards. And while, yes, you can see the centering on a scan, you often can't see other minor flaws that greatly affect the eye appeal of a card in hand. How many times have we all bought that nicely centered VG-EX 4 card thinking we found a diamond in the rough only to have it show up with a surface crease/wrinkle that you couldn't see from the scans? That's just the limitations of buying and selling cards online, which is where the vast majority of cards trade hands nowadays.

I think this service addresses some of these challenges, and the market clearly agrees. The data is in on MBA Diamond stickered cards, and they sell for a significant premium, often bringing the price of a full grade bump higher for the Gold stickers. And no, it's not just the premium that a well-centered card would have otherwise gotten. It definitely adds value (I ran an ANCOVA model with the data and the stickers are statistically significant even after accounting for cards being well-centered). Sure, you could risk cracking your "under-graded" cards out and sending them back in for grading again, hoping to get a bump, but with grading fees as high as they are today, and with PSA and with how ridiculously harsh they're being with many of their grades now, it's often just not worth it. Plus, I think the Gold Diamond stickers look nice. They're subtle and classy looking. Especially on the newer SGC tuxedo slabs.

Here's an example of one of the cards I'm planning to send off to MBA. This Gretzky RC is laughably under-graded. This is not an EX-MT card. Anyone selling this card raw would describe it as NM or NM-MT and no buyers would ever question that description upon receiving it. I could crack it and send it back to PSA. Maybe they give me a 7? Perhaps an 8? Who knows. But perfectly centered, under-graded cards with great eye appeal are very difficult to find in this hobby. I say they deserve an award, and I plan on giving mine little gold diamond stickers because I like how they look. It's like the trophy shelf of my collection. And they display nicely too. Plus, now I can tell that clown who says, "comps for a PSA 5 are about $5k" to take a hike just that much more easily without having to defend why I'm asking above "comps" if I ever decide to sell.

Don't get me wrong, I fully realize why many collectors have no interest in this service. But this is why I like them and why I plan to send off many of my favorite cards to MBA. Sometimes the grading companies just get it wrong. And if Mike Baker agrees that they "got it wrong" or that it's a premium card of that grade, then I'm definitely willing to pay a significant premium as a buyer over some random eBay listing where the seller writes "LOOKS BETTER" in the title only to have it show up with a crease and 7 indents on it.

[1880nonsports]

I'm about to send off some cards to MBA that I think are under-graded.
You lost me with the first sentence. It got worse all the way to the end.........

So you'll send it in. Mike will LYK and everyone else who examines the card and looks on the back that it's under graded and give you a sticker. You now display some other companies "INCORRECTLY" graded card with a sticker from someone else who says it's better than that.
Who exactly is Mike Baker and what are the credentials other people would find impressive?

If it's about wanting to resell an incorrectly labeled graded card for an amount commensurate with it's "real(?)" grade you would need people to care about what Mike says (Mikey likes it cereal).

If it's about confirming what your keen mind and eyes have told you - you seem to do that pretty well on your own :-)

[Frank A]

Originally Posted by rdwyer

Confused. Wasn't Mike Baker the one who graded trimmed cards for GAI?

NO!!!!!!!

[1880nonsports]

you are incorrectly impugning someone's reputation without knowing anything about him or what actually went on at a couple of grading companies....... A negative suggestion followed by affirmation from another person and voila! He was the boogeyman. I believe he was heralded as top drawer grader.