How are the grading companies doing?

[Orioles1954]

How many professional graders are employed by PSA, BGS/BVG and SGC combined? Other than hobby experience there is no criteria for being a professional grader....and I'm certain they don't apply their standards to each card. We mistakenly think that TPGs analyze each card under a microscope with the highest degree of scrutiny. In reality, they are probably under tight and stressful deadlines and maybe eyeball a card for a couple of seconds before rendering a verdict.

[vthobby]

From some recent conversations at bigger shows with some insiders I would estimate:

Beckett: 5 graders
PSA: 10 graders
SGC: 4 graders

I think during the heyday, these numbers were double or triple these numbers.

Just an educated guess.

Peace, Mike

[Rich Klein]

I don't know the exact numbers but BGS is doing just fine on a monetary basis

In fact they are doing so well they sent out public emails seeking out more graders.

Rich

[mrvster]

......thinking that their "quality" control in all tpg's need to be tightened up...

pssstt...

you know how I feel......

maybe one day a grading co. will be started by the obsessed collector??? hint...hint...hint...you will be part of it a little birdie told me

I still think sgc does a " tits up job" inmho....a little vulgar of me to say, meaning "a great job".....sgc makes mistakes and their gaskets are sucking lately, but that should be easily fixed, and are the best tpg!!!! inmho...

sgc has great customer service, and are the most knowledgable...

Earl, Bob , and the rest of the crew at SGC are Godsends ....yes they occasionally make a mistake, but we are all human...

[chipperhank44]

Card grading is subjective, so consistency is impossible.

The value of grading is a third party's opinion on condition and the protection to keep the card in it's stated condition (some better than others).

Whether you disagree with the grades you receive or think you were fortunate, your bias played no factor in the process. That is the beauty of TPGs.

[felada]

When did sgc start assigning grades to altered cards? And why? They refuse to holder a caramel card that shows no evidence of trimming but measures 1/16 short based on dimensions on the standard catalog but will grade a rebacked card a 20?

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by felada

When did sgc start assigning grades to altered cards? And why? They refuse to holder a caramel card that shows no evidence of trimming but measures 1/16 short based on dimensions on the standard catalog but will grade a rebacked card a 20?

what are u referring to?

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

How many professional graders are employed by PSA, BGS/BVG and SGC combined? Other than hobby experience there is no criteria for being a professional grader....and I'm certain they don't apply their standards to each card. We mistakenly think that TPGs analyze each card under a microscope with the highest degree of scrutiny. In reality, they are probably under tight and stressful deadlines and maybe eyeball a card for a couple of seconds before rendering a verdict.

Tight and stressful deadlines you say,,, well,,
when PSA first formed an autograph authentication division it was Spence, myself, Stinson and Ron Gordon. Any one of the last three would gladly tell you that time was a most important factor to the company. Do not spend too much time on one item. Speed over accuracy was the rule. If it applied to autographs, it only follows that the same rule would apply to cards.