Hmmm... Sticker on my SGC submission

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Sean1125

I don't think it's financial problems, I think it's a mutually beneficial advertising relationship. Who is to tell someone not to advertise with who they wish? It's a free market. I believe PSA does the same thing.

I agree. I think it's smart on SGC and Probstein's part. Doesn't bother me at all. I expect great grading and service from SGC and take each card on it's own merit. No way in heck do I think Rick will get preferential grading by doing it either. Kudos to both of them. If anyone doesn't like then there are other choices or they can start their own grading company.

[wonkaticket]

Originally Posted by Leon

I agree. I think it's smart on SGC and Probstein's part. Doesn't bother me at all. I expect great grading and service from SGC and take each card on it's own merit. No way in heck do I think Rick will get preferential grading by doing it either. Kudos to both of them. If anyone doesn't like then there are other choices or they can start their own grading company.

Sorry Leon disagree.

You see no need or merit for impartiality from a TPG when it comes to the vendors who use and sell their product? You see no potential message or conflict in this action to other customers who support them?

I’m not saying that anyone was or would get preferential treatment or grading buy being an advertiser. However why even put yourself at the risk of having anyone think it?

They are commercial business who depends on other paying customer’s income. They’re not Net54 a free website who offsets costs by taking advertising income. You can take the stance don’t like go somewhere else pound sand…SGC not so much. To me it’s like Coke placing stickers for 7-11 on all cans what does that say to other retailers who sell Coke products? Doing a promotion letting your customers know that Coke products are available at these fine retailers is one thing. But that’s not what this sticker is.

I like SGC a lot. Outside looking in here I kind of wish they would spend more energy pimping their brand vs. taking that time to let me know that some eBay seller is looking for material to sell. As a collector I already know that there are folks out there looking for stuff to sell and make 10-20% off the proceeds.

What would be nice to know is what kind of specials and products will SGC be offering to get more of my (the customers) business. When communicating with your end users to me that should be a company like SGC’s number one priority. Any opportunity in any other direction no matter how small is a lost opportunity as business and a missed opportunity with your customer.

In a nutshell pimp your brand to your customers. Who they sell their SGC graded cards too shouldn’t be a concern or something they should be taking time with. They should be concerned with folks sending more boxes of cards to them for grading. Not folks sending boxes of cards to an eBay seller.

In the end not upset don’t really care either way their business. So when are the B&L clings hitting the boxes Leon?

Cheers,

John

[Leon]

Originally Posted by wonkaticket

Sorry Leon disagree.

You see no need or merit for impartiality from a TPG when it comes to the vendors who use and sell their product? You see no potential message or conflict in this action to other customers who support them?

I’m not saying that anyone was or would get preferential treatment or grading buy being an advertiser. However why even put yourself at the risk of having anyone think it?

They are commercial business who depends on other paying customer’s income. They’re not Net54 a free website who offsets costs by taking advertising income. You can take the stance don’t like go somewhere else pound sand…SGC not so much. To me it’s like Coke placing stickers for 7-11 on all cans what does that say to other retailers who sell Coke products? Doing a promotion letting your customers know that Coke products are available at these fine retailers is one thing. But that’s not what this sticker is.

I like SGC a lot. Outside looking in here I kind of wish they would spend more energy pimping their brand vs. taking that time to let me know that some eBay seller is looking for material to sell. As a collector I already know that there are folks out there looking for stuff to sell and make 10-20% off the proceeds.

What would be nice to know is what kind of specials and products will SGC be offering to get more of my (the customers) business. When communicating with your end users to me that should be a company like SGC’s number one priority. Any opportunity in any other direction no matter how small is a lost opportunity as business and a missed opportunity with your customer.

In a nutshell pimp your brand to your customers. Who they sell their SGC graded cards too shouldn’t be a concern or something they should be taking time with. They should be concerned with folks sending more boxes of cards to them for grading. Not folks sending boxes of cards to an eBay seller.

In the end not upset don’t really care either way their business. So when are the B&L clings hitting the boxes Leon?

Cheers,

John

Hey John
Actually, I can still separate the difference in the branding of a dealer and SGC. It's no different than someone advertising on their site, to me. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. We can be great friends and still agree to disagree on this one. I just think it's good business and smart business for both of those companies. I think I am open minded enough to change my opinion if I am convinced otherwise, but that's not the case as of now. Probstein keeping their name in front of SGC customers is good business imo. But what do I know?

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by wonkaticket

Sorry Leon disagree.

You see no need or merit for impartiality from a TPG when it comes to the vendors who use and sell their product? You see no potential message or conflict in this action to other customers who support them?

I’m not saying that anyone was or would get preferential treatment or grading buy being an advertiser. However why even put yourself at the risk of having anyone think it?

They are commercial business who depends on other paying customer’s income. They’re not Net54 a free website who offsets costs by taking advertising income. You can take the stance don’t like go somewhere else pound sand…SGC not so much. To me it’s like Coke placing stickers for 7-11 on all cans what does that say to other retailers who sell Coke products? Doing a promotion letting your customers know that Coke products are available at these fine retailers is one thing. But that’s not what this sticker is.

I like SGC a lot. Outside looking in here I kind of wish they would spend more energy pimping their brand vs. taking that time to let me know that some eBay seller is looking for material to sell. As a collector I already know that there are folks out there looking for stuff to sell and make 10-20% off the proceeds.

What would be nice to know is what kind of specials and products will SGC be offering to get more of my (the customers) business. When communicating with your end users to me that should be a company like SGC’s number one priority. Any opportunity in any other direction no matter how small is a lost opportunity as business and a missed opportunity with your customer.

In a nutshell pimp your brand to your customers. Who they sell their SGC graded cards too shouldn’t be a concern or something they should be taking time with. They should be concerned with folks sending more boxes of cards to them for grading. Not folks sending boxes of cards to an eBay seller.

In the end not upset don’t really care either way their business. So when are the B&L clings hitting the boxes Leon?

Cheers,

John

Sorry, but that Coke analogy is bad, and does not work or make sense to this situation. Probstein and Heritage or Memory Lane do not provide the same product as SGC or PSA. They do not grade and encapsulate cards, they SELL them. If they did grade and encapsulate, yes the Coke/7-11 deal would apply. The Coke and 7-11 reference is that they have the same product, they manufacture there own beverage.

[wonkaticket]

Originally Posted by HOF Auto Rookies

Sorry, but that Coke analogy is bad, and does not work or make sense to this situation. Probstein and Heritage or Memory Lane do not provide the same product as SGC or PSA. They do not grade and encapsulate cards, they SELL them. If they did grade and encapsulate, yes the Coke/7-11 deal would apply. The Coke and 7-11 reference is that they have the same product, they manufacture there own beverage.

The Coke analogy has nothing to do with anyone offering the same services/products or being in competition with each other you missed the point.

I’m simply saying that if you’re a retailer who supports Coke and you see 7-11 stickers that have nothing to do with Coke or a Coke specific 7-11 promotion on Coke products it may send mixed messages to you the other retailer and Coke supporter.

Let me put in terms of our hobby so perhaps it’s more clear. Your say REA and you send a fair amount of business and grading to SGC and now SGC is placing your competitor’s stickers on their product. Then they are sending this stickered product to end users and potential consignors of material in effect endorsing your competitor. You see no potential pitfall with this?

In the end not sure anyone cares and that may be the case. However if I was SGC the ROI wouldn’t be worth the potential mixed message that my other customers may get from this move. With that said the above analogy is just one point and a minor one that I made. Also as I said not a big deal either way.

Cheers,

John

[alanu]

I don't see any problem with auction companies paying for advertising with grading companies as long as they are simply auctioning off graded cards.... BUT if they are submitting cards for grading I think it's a problem.

It would be like Consumer Reports full of ads for the products they are testing.

[dog*dirt]

Interesting topic with some good discussion so far. The word that comes to mind when I read this thread is perception.

No matter how innocent a business card or a cling may be in most other businesses when it comes to a TPG my expectation is that they are a neutral company with no bias as to who is submitting cards. All I really want are cards to be graded fairly whether the card is worth $20 or $20,000 and whether or not it comes from some guy who submits 20 cards or someone who submits 20,000 cards.

One can argue that SGC are free to advertise how they choose and I do not disagree. However, my perception will remain that certain people get preferential treatment over others because they advertise with SGC. While this may or may not be true doesn't really matter it's just how I will see it.

Andrew Hahn

[CMIZ5290]

Originally Posted by Leon

I agree. I think it's smart on SGC and Probstein's part. Doesn't bother me at all. I expect great grading and service from SGC and take each card on it's own merit. No way in heck do I think Rick will get preferential grading by doing it either. Kudos to both of them. If anyone doesn't like then there are other choices or they can start their own grading company.

+1, although I know Jeff L. will disagree!