SGC Up-charges

[brianp-beme]

My opinion, for all grading companies, is that fees for more valuable cards should only be based upon the additional cost to insure them when shipping back, and perhaps some adjustment for additional time spent examining them (perhaps double the low value fee would be reasonable). Any amount above these two factors is just a pure money grab.

Brian

[sb1]

Common practice by both SGC and PSA, if the card grade/value post grading falls into a higher grading tier they charge the difference between the fee paid and the one it is now in. Nothing new.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by sb1

Common practice by both SGC and PSA, if the card grade/value post grading falls into a higher grading tier they charge the difference between the fee paid and the one it is now in. Nothing new.

^^This^^ Plus I always loved up charges because it means you are getting higher grades than expected.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I always loved up charges because it means you are getting higher grades than expected.

Precisely. I was not in the slightest bit pissed off when I got upcharged on a Bill Russell RC.

[brianp-beme]

In my mind still ridiculous to skyrocket grading prices based upon perceived value of the card being graded. Not only a money grab, but also a practice that would incentivize a grading company to increase the grade of a high value card.

Brian

[esehombre]

I know SGC advertises prices and grading "tiers" on their website but from my experience this has been loosely enforced (not at all in my case). I can remember a video from the SGC president firing a shot at one of their competitors for constantly upcharging for cards that received the grade you had hoped. I submit through Eric Drew at Boca Subs - Occasionally, I will get a message saying that a card has exceeded the size threshold and the cost would go from $14 to $85 or something like that.

I have submitted in excess of 700 cards in the past 2.5 years. Never an upcharge - not one. Several have come back well in excess of 4 figures. A few 5 figures.

How much value did they place on the cards that were upcharged and what was the breakdown?

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by esehombre

I know SGC advertises prices and grading "tiers" on their website but from my experience this has been loosely enforced (not at all in my case). I can remember a video from the SGC president firing a shot at one of their competitors for constantly upcharging for cards that received the grade you had hoped. I submit through Eric Drew at Boca Subs - Occasionally, I will get a message saying that a card has exceeded the size threshold and the cost would go from $14 to $85 or something like that.

I have submitted in excess of 700 cards in the past 2.5 years. Never an upcharge - not one. Several have come back well in excess of 4 figures. A few 5 figures.

How much value did they place on the cards that were upcharged and what was the breakdown?

Here's the breakdown... But to preface it, an SGC Rep at the show walked me through the process and told me what to value each card at, and what the corresponding grading cost would be. It was a 13 card submission, of which the following 3 cards were hit with a second up-charge...

'33 Ruth:
Valued at $7,499 / Paid $250 to grade at show and was assessed additional $250 post-grading

'33 Gehrig:
Valued at $3,499 / Paid $85 to grade, and was assessed additional $415 post-grading

Colgan Chips Wagner:
Valued at $1,499 / Paid $15 to grade and was assessed additional $70 post-grading

The Wagner (which looks near-perfect, with no creases, wrinkles or surface wear) was given a 4.5 grade, which seems absurd (but is an entirely different matter I plan to address).

Anyway, I understand their upcharges are based on perceived value, but was told by many reliable sources that SGC would not hold the cards hostage after the initial submission. Just trying to determine whether this is a typical occurrence, as it may impact my future decisions on which cards to grade.

Many thanks!