New SGC grading fees

[frankbmd]

Gosh, grading high valued cards must be a lot more difficult.

[BeanTown]

If I was really into grading my cards. I would bring a box full of them to a show and take advantage of a show special. SGC might want to have a sliding scale down on the fees, when they don't meet the timeframe the customer paid for. Accountability would be gladly welcomed by most, and it will help the number two used TPG catch up to PSA.

[Republicaninmass]

Last time they were here in NY, it was $35 a card on site

[Exhibitman]

Yeah, except when they decide it should be more. I took them a Clemente RC at the AC National for grading, one that cost me under $500 because it was lower grade. They wanted over $100 to grade it because it was a Clemente RC. We argued for quite a while with them claiming that the card is worth multiple thousands of dollars and my pointing out that it is worth that in better shape but it is a beater that cost me $500, so not. They finally stood firm at $75 and I did it, but it left a really sour feeling about their services. I've found a lot of that at the Nationals with SGC; bait and switch on grading costs. The $35 seems to be the starting point, and they negotiate up from there. Needless to say they aren't especially busy at the show while the PSA booth was swarmed from the moment the place opened.

I have been a fierce critic of PSA in the past and a fan of SGC, but that started changing a couple of years ago. When PSA upgraded its holders, improved its web site dramatically, started offering real, valuable specials to club members, and generally professionalized its approach, that all resonated with me. Add to that the whim and caprice of SGC's pricing, especially for autograph authentication, the poor quality of the large slabs, blown turn times, a stupid club, the idiocy of nearly every card except a basic set getting forced into 'custom cut' inserts at the regular price, and now the prices going up, and I am not really sending them anything like the volume I used to. SGC gets my business if PSA won't grade the issue.

[mechanicalman]

So if you have a card valued around $4K (say a mid-grade T206 Cobb or Goudey Ruth), you will pay $250 at SGC or $95 at PSA.

Yeah, good luck with that, SGC.

[sycks22]

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

So if you have a card valued around $4K (say a mid-grade T206 Cobb or Goudey Ruth), you will pay $250 at SGC or $95 at PSA.

Yeah, good luck with that, SGC.

+1. I get it that SGC is getting more popular, but PSA still is the top dog.

[botn]

I like SGC more than PSA. Most of my collection is in SGC holders. I think they are more consistent, their holders make cards look better and their customer service is far better than PSA's but this new pricing makes no sense to me. Maybe it is a push to get people to buy memberships in order to take part in the grading discounts? Fact is that card for card by grade, PSA crushes SGC and since most of my submissions for grading are for resale there is no way I could pay more to sell something for less.

[CMIZ5290]

Originally Posted by sycks22

+1. I get it that SGC is getting more popular, but PSA still is the top dog.

Pete- You are a very experienced in prewar cards, but I disagree with your assessment on SGC getting more popular (at least pertaining T206s). I have never seen high SGC graded T206 cards (7's and higher) selling for less than they are now. Yes, they look fantastic in their black holders, I get all of that. But return on investment (high graded cards) trumps that big time....

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by CMIZ5290

Pete- You are a very experienced in prewar cards, but I disagree with your assessment on SGC getting more popular (at least pertaining T206s). I have never seen SGC graded cards selling for less than they are now. Yes, they look fantastic in their black holders, I get all of that (as long as they don't slide between the gaskets!). But return on investment trumps that big time....

+1

[bobbyw8469]

I think SGC is shooting themselves in the foot and ruining EVERY SINGLE edge that they had over PSA. In all honesty, I really don't see ANY advantage they have over PSA now.

[sycks22]

Originally Posted by CMIZ5290

Pete- You are a very experienced in prewar cards, but I disagree with your assessment on SGC getting more popular (at least pertaining T206s). I have never seen SGC graded cards selling for less than they are now. Yes, they look fantastic in their black holders, I get all of that (as long as they don't slide between the gaskets!). But return on investment trumps that big time....

I just felt like building up SGC before I ripped them