PSA vs SGC...the definitive Debate!!!

[barrysloate]

I don't want to start rambling Peter, it's bad form. But when an 8 becomes a 9 the grading company is minting money. It's like the treasury printing hundred dollar bills. Nothing has been produced, it's just monopoly money. Is that good for the hobby? It's debatable.

But the money angle aside, grading is far too subjective and undefined for me. I would be a big supporter of it if it were really consistent among the major companies, and if it were done so precisely that one could rarely ever expect the grade to change upon resubmission. Then I would feel we've got something good. But how many times have you heard of people sending a card in three times and getting three different grades? Sorry, but it's not a system I have all that much faith in. But if I'm selling cards, which I don't do anymore, I'd get every one of them graded because the market dictates it. As a collector I wouldn't care one way or the other.

[ullmandds]

well...so far this poll is turning out the way i would have expected. as this site is more of a "hard core collector" site...I'd expect SGC to be preferred...as they are more accurate, more consistent...and have nicer holders.

If this were a vintage bb card "investment" forum...dominated by mainly collectors of the "popular" sets(T206, 33 goudey, 52 topps)...I'd expect PSA to dominate!

I agree w/Barry's sentiment...I just wished there was more uniformity... and more anonymity with the 3PGServices.

[Matthew H]

According to your statement Peter:

SGC collector= hard core

PSA collector= investor

Raw collector= ?

[ullmandds]

Matthew...I wouldn't say it is absolute...of course...but if the main reason to have PSA graded cards is for resale...make your own judgments!!!!

Raw collector = smartest collector as he/she can handle his/her cards and really learn about them!

[Rickyy]

This is just based on my own experience....PSA grading is more all over the map...I like SGC holders better in terms of aesthetics and also the cards don't float around loosely (I can't understand why PSA still can't fix that on some issues). I have had positive experiences with both in terms of customer service and PSA has done a better job of labeling the cards (I had to resubmit a few back to SGC for errors). SGC is also easier to make submissions to...without having to join a club and without having to label the cards etc...

If I had to choose between one or the other I guess I prefer SGC, but I don't dislike PSA.

Ricky Y