PSA OR SGC?????

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Posted By: MW

So, tell me, Mark Thompson is this you on eBay?

http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewListedItems&userid=gemint&include=0&since=30&sort=3&rows=0

Because if it is, I'd like to compliment you on your selection. I really mean it. Lots and lots of great cards from the late 1960s and early 1971s. Is that what attracted you to this forum? Or was it another reason?

I'll tell you what -- let's address some of those possible reasons in the order that you present them:


<< What is lower? Can you provide an example of "lower" using SGC and PSA grades? >>

Yes. As the PSA scandal (not scandel) grows larger and larger, your PSA cards will sell for lower and lower prices. Soon, it won't matter whether we compare them to SGC graded cards or AAA graded cards. Wait, I'm sorry, Mark. Was I supposed to use PSA and SGC in the same sentence? Oops!


<< Do you know how SGC grades translate to PSA or is this an opinion? >>

Gee, I don't know Mark. I was one of the original PSA-Authorized dealers and I've bought and sold more SGC cards than your ten best friends combined. Maybe that doesn't count for anything. I don't know. Maybe you're the expert with all of your late 1960s and early 1971s PSA graded cards and I'm the one who looks like an unqualified idiot.


<< "Easily" – one dealer indicted and your opinion = easily? >>

One dealer, many thousands of PSA graded cards. On eBay. In major auctions. In other dealers' inventories. Maybe even in your collection. Take your pick.


<< Don't you have thousands of dollars in PSA graded cards listed on your web site? >>

Yes. And I submitted the 1887 N172 Kelly, the 1935 National Chicle Nagurski and the T206 Uzit Cobb myself. Can you say the same for all of your expensive PSA graded cards? Didn't think so.


<< Could it be that PSA's SMR prices are more conservative (i.e. lower)? >>

Yes, but not low enough. Stop hibernating and take a look at some of the prices that PSA graded cards bring on eBay. If we're talking 1950s and 1960s star cards, it is a fraction (that means less than 100%) of SMR. Uh oh!


<< I thought PSA would grade a SGC 8.8 as a 10 from the sounds of respondents in this thread? Therefore, your SMR values are incorrect and the cards would be worth well more in every example you list? >>

No offense, but this doesn't make any sense, Mark. There's no such thing as an SGC 8.8. Also, you assume that I sell my cards based on SMR values. I know that you live in a PSAcentric universe, Mark, but I don't. The bottom line is that collectors are figuring out that PSA cards are graded more leniently and, as a result, they pay less for them. It's really as simple as that. Promise!


<< How do you know what PSA SMR values are? Are you a PSA member? >>

A teeny tiny fairy named Tina told me. I'll send her your way when she's done talking.


<< A quick search of "Pre-30's Graded" cards on ebay shows 258 PSA cards and 61 SGC cards. Is this the drastic loss of confidence you're talking about or are these 258 being sold by "When It Was A Game"? >>

Look at it like this, Mark. You walk into a women's plus size clothing store and you wander over to the lingerie section. It's not going to have a great selection, is it? On a more tangible level, all you need to do is think about it. PSA has been grading since 1991. SGC has been grading for three years. You do the math and we'll check your answer later.

As for the second part of your question, I'm not sure. Do YOU know if some of these cards are from WIWAG? I sure hope they're not. But what do you say we play it safe and don't buy any?


<< If the market hasn't shifted to SGC quite yet, how will Mr. Grady be able to handle the influx of business? Will his resources be taxed and grading standards suffer or will he train others to grade vintage cards and therefore create as least two if not more opinions on what a card grades at SGC? >>

SGC has at least two other well-qualified vintage graders that I am currently aware of. Both grade at Derek's level. It's too bad we can't say the same thing about a certain other scandal-ridden grading company, isn't it, Mark?


<< I have many SGC and PSA cards, what I don't have is such a closed-minded view of things. >>

Add AAA and NASA to the mix. Will this make you even more open-minded? Just trying to follow your logic.