PSA vs SGC

[Mrvintage]

I am sure this has been discussed before, but I am working on the 33 George C Miller set and I am wondering if it would be better to have the entire set graded by PSA or SGC? I am taking into consideration overall appearance for display, how tough they are on grading this particular set, and of course resale value if I ever decide to sell them. Opinions are needed and welcome. Thanks

[bcbgcbrcb]

I would go with SGC; more accurate and consistent grading.

[mrvster]

Hands down SGC!!!!!!!

[Edwolf1963]

IMO: SGC - good people to work with, nicer holders with that black background, usually cheaper and quicker turn-around times (no 45 business day wait times)

[Fred]

I'm going to take a guess that a majority of people would say:

A. For looks and consistent grading go with SGC.
B. For resale go with PSA.

Overall, SGC and PSA are probably close to the same in the grades they give.

I honestly don't believe that the cards being in SGC holders will reduce the resale value, if at all, on that set.

One thing that seems to have always been consistent is that the SGC customer service has always been better.

[oldjudge]

On a personal basis, I will not buy an expensive pre-1920 card in anything but an SGC holder. I just don't trust PSA to know what they are doing on these cards.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Another vote for SGC.

PSA SUCKS!

[deadballera]

I will agree with the others

the cards look so much nicer in SGC holders.

the resale value would be about the same with either grading service.

[Mrvintage]

I have been on the PSA message boards alot and they all swear by PSA and SGC for vintage cards and BGS for modern cards. I asked this question on this forum because I thought I would probably get a more unbiased opinion. So far it seems like SGC is really popular among vintage collectors. Have you had bad experiences with PSA or is your opinion based more on positive experiences with SGC. I've done alot of research on past sales of George C Millers and the prices realized are very similiar for PSA and SGC graded cards from this set. Keep the opinions coming guys. Thanks

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by Mrvintage

I have been on the PSA message boards alot and they all swear by PSA and SGC for vintage cards and BGS for modern cards. I asked this question on this forum because I thought I would probably get a more unbiased opinion. So far it seems like SGC is really popular among vintage collectors. Have you had bad experiences with PSA or is your opinion based more on positive experiences with SGC. I've done alot of research on past sales of George C Millers and the prices realized are very similiar for PSA and SGC graded cards from this set. Keep the opinions coming guys. Thanks

I wouldn't say I buy a large volume of cards, but the percentage of times I've been burned buying a prewar card in a PSA holder is astounding (to me, at least). Two times the cards (a T3 and a postcard) had writing erased on the fronts, which was easy to see with the naked eye after an SGC grader pointed it out (I bought both cards on eBay, so it wasn't possible to see the alterations before buying the cards).

Three times cards were trimmed (two R306 Butter Creams and a T card). Again, when shown what to look for, a "non-professional grader" like myself could see the trims easily.

If these obvious problems weren't flagged by PSA, the question I have is how in the world are they catching the more sophisticated alterations?

I've reached the point where, if I'm thinking of buying a prewar card in a PSA holder, I ask myself if I'm OK if it ends up being in an "Authentic" holder, because my thinking is there's a decent chance that will happen if I try to cross it to SGC.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Mrvintage

Have you had bad experiences with PSA or is your opinion based more on positive experiences with SGC.

As Phil said, "more accurate and consistent grading."

[shimozukawa]

.

[Mrvintage]

If you don't mind me asking, why would you say that this is a pro-SGC forum? Does SGC have something to do with this forum? I'm pretty new here so I'm trying to learn as much as possible. Thanks

[deadballera]

SGC has nothing to do with this forum

the Pre-War collectors prefer SGC more than PSA.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by deadballera

SGC has nothing to do with this forum

the Pre-War collectors prefer SGC more than PSA.

SGC does advertise on this board, as well as Beckett, as far as grading companies go. So, SGC does have a little bit to do with this forum. That being said, anyone on this board should be able to testify that advertisers don't get any special treatment and have been called to task dozens, if not more, times. If PSA wanted to advertise here they could, nothing is stopping them. Since I do have a financial interest in the advertising I will reserve my opinion for now and let others give their views....regards

[Robextend]

SGC for many of the reasons stated previously.

[shimozukawa]

.

[joebrandon1977]

Guys,

Thanks for all the input. I am a newbie back into card collecting and have never collected in the post-grading system era before.

I have been researching on the same PSA / SGC issue. I really liked the SGC holder much better, but thought the PSA had a stronger value so I was torn. But it is refreshing to hear that there is so much market confidence in SGC - that makes my decision much easier as start my collection back up.

I bought a PSA and SGC cards just so I could see the difference. I may send the PSA card in have have it crossed over to SGC so I have my collection all the same.

Thanks again for this discussion - much appreciated!
Joe

[Peter_Spaeth]

I have sent SGC cards to PSA that were rejected as trimmed (correctly so, on close examination), and that did not cross to the same grade (same), so it is not all one way in my estimation.