Isa graders?

[pclpads]

Originally Posted by CMIZ5290

Does anyone have opinions or thoughts about this new grading service? I must admit, some of there recent cards on ebay look very strictly graded....still very skeptical however.

If you are looking to slab vintage and want to maximize your investment, why go to a start-up? Stick w/ PSA or SGC.

[travrosty]

Originally Posted by pclpads

If you are looking to slab vintage and want to maximize your investment, why go to a start-up? Stick w/ PSA or SGC.

because they were startups once too. why would you ever go with sgc, when psa started their card grading service first? how did sgc get off the ground if people just said "why go with sgc, stick w/psa?

[pclpads]

Originally Posted by travrosty

because they were startups once too. why would you ever go with sgc, when psa started their card grading service first? how did sgc get off the ground if people just said "why go with sgc, stick w/psa?

Maybe you missed this earlier post: "On an ebay search, the first card that comes up is an ISA 9 33 Goudey. That was enough for me."

My post was obviously over your head. The point is, PSA & SGC now have years of cred. So, why go to a newer, unproven? When PSA & SGC started, what was the slab competition . . . CSA, PRO, KSA?? I'd take my chances on a PSA or SGC slab any day of the week over the same card in a ISA slab. What are you, a flack for ISA?

[buymycards]

I was surprised to see a full page ad in SCD this week. $7 per card for 2 day service.

[travrosty]

Originally Posted by pclpads

Maybe you missed this earlier post: "On an ebay search, the first card that comes up is an ISA 9 33 Goudey. That was enough for me."

My post was obviously over your head. The point is, PSA & SGC now have years of cred. So, why go to a newer, unproven? When PSA & SGC started, what was the slab competition . . . CSA, PRO, KSA?? I'd take my chances on a PSA or SGC slab any day of the week over the same card in a ISA slab. What are you, a flack for ISA?

no, i had never heard of them before, i just reject out of the hand the old argument that a new startup cant be trusted, then no one would have trusted sgc, because psa was already up and running by then, so why take a chance on sgc.

you are suggesting psa and sgc opened at the same time, and they didnt - psa started first, please correct me if i am in error.

same with autographs, people will say - "why go with someone other than psa or jsa.

well, when jsa started, where were those people saying "why go with someone other than psa?"

no startup would or could succeed following that line of reasoning.

[drc]

It's true that people in the hobby can be automatically dismissive about the new and different. I've noticed that through the years.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Who is the grader? What are his qualifications and more importantly his reputation?

[Wymers Auction]

If I was that curious I would buy an inexpensive ISA card and view the item for myself. There are several of these startups that grade dinged up cards as 10's.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Who is the grader? What are his qualifications and more importantly his reputation?

The head grader's qualifications: he was born to grade.

[pclpads]

Originally Posted by travrosty

no, i had never heard of them before, i just reject out of the hand the old argument that a new startup cant be trusted, then no one would have trusted sgc, because psa was already up and running by then, so why take a chance on sgc.

you are suggesting psa and sgc opened at the same time, and they didnt - psa started first, please correct me if i am in error.

same with autographs, people will say - "why go with someone other than psa or jsa.

well, when jsa started, where were those people saying "why go with someone other than psa?"

no startup would or could succeed following that line of reasoning.

So, if you had a '52T Mantle, your grading co. of choice would be ISA and you really believe that would maximize the value over the same card in a PSA or SGC slab?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by pclpads

So, if you had a '52T Mantle, your grading co. of choice would be ISA and you really believe that would maximize the value over the same card in a PSA or SGC slab?

It might if ISA gave it a numerical grade and the others would have deemed it altered; or graded it 2 grades higher. Otherwise, clearly not. More generally, I don't think it's impossible for a new market entrant to make headway, but I think the market would require a lot of information about the grader and his reputation. There have been quite a number of sham grading services in the past and the burden is on any new one to convince us that it isn't one more.

[drc]

I agree that a new company has to demonstrate their skills and/or document their experience. If a new company does a credible, good job it can catch on with time-- though I'd think card grading can be a tough area to get a foothold.

I think if a company does a good job, many collectors will eventually be welcoming. Collectors often say it would be nice if there was a new quality grader.

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

It might if ISA gave it a numerical grade and the others would have deemed it altered; or graded it 2 grades higher. Otherwise, clearly not. More generally, I don't think it's impossible for a new market entrant to make headway, but I think the market would require a lot of information about the grader and his reputation. There have been quite a number of sham grading services in the past and the burden is on any new one to convince us that it isn't one more.

+1

The only reason I could imagine someone sending in a high profile card like a 53 Mantle or an 86 Jordan to a company no one has heard of is that they couldn't get a numerical grade out of PSA or SGC. Anyone buying these cards is probably hoping to cross but chances are someone has already tried and failed.

[rocarroll]

Originally Posted by travrosty

no, i had never heard of them before, i just reject out of the hand the old argument that a new startup cant be trusted, then no one would have trusted sgc, because psa was already up and running by then, so why take a chance on sgc.

you are suggesting psa and sgc opened at the same time, and they didnt - psa started first, please correct me if i am in error.

same with autographs, people will say - "why go with someone other than psa or jsa.

well, when jsa started, where were those people saying "why go with someone other than psa?"

no startup would or could succeed following that line of reasoning.

That may be true, but I don't want to be the guinea pig for them. Especially considering the fact I'm only saving $3 over SGC. No thanks but best of luck to you on that.

[midmo]

If nothing else I really like their simple pricing structure. I wish the others would take note. I've never understood why the value of a card should dictate the price to grade it. That always seemed wrong to me.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by midmo

If nothing else I really like their simple pricing structure. I wish the others would take note. I've never understood why the value of a card should dictate the price to grade it. That always seemed wrong to me.

Because a flat rate would be much higher than the lowest rate and would create a disincentive to grade less pricey cards. Simple business.

[ksabet]

Originally Posted by rocarroll

That may be true, but I don't want to be the guinea pig for them. Especially considering the fact I'm only saving $3 over SGC. No thanks but best of luck to you on that.

Am I the only person here who is understanding what Travrosty is getting at?

He is not trying to promote the company or saying they are worth anyones time. He's simply stating that competition is good and that its a shame that no one wants to try new companies but insist on bashing the current ones.

We want change yet as collectors we stick with what we have been doing right or wrong. Because after all we buy the holders not the cards right?

[travrosty]

thats right i am not trying to promote the company, just trying to understand that when the phrase "buy the card not the holder" is bantered around i guess when push comes to shove, it's "buy the holder not the card". thats what i can glean from all of this.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by travrosty

because they were startups once too. why would you ever go with sgc, when psa started their card grading service first? how did sgc get off the ground if people just said "why go with sgc, stick w/psa?

True. Maybe they're great guys. Maybe they do things the right way. Maybe they aren't greedy bastards who just care about money.