PSA vs. SGC

[Millerd33]

I'm going SGC all the way. They are much more consistent with their grading and their customer service is top of the line.

Currently PSA cards sell for more but I don't look to sell them so i'll take the cheaper fee and must more attractive holder all day. When they finally roll out this registry with images I may even enter a few of our cards into it.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by Millerd33

I'm going SGC all the way. They are much more consistent with their grading and their customer service is top of the line.

Currently PSA cards sell for more but I don't look to sell them so i'll take the cheaper fee and must more attractive holder all day. When they finally roll out this registry with images I may even enter a few of our cards into it.

Will agree that on the whole SGC's holders are more aesthetically appealing. Unless you are doing '71 Topps. I do like the new PSA holders with the hologram or the lighthouse logo, but for some of the older ones, they have been around long enough now where some of the early 2000's slabs are downright nasty. Why people will buy a card for hundreds or thousands of dollars but then not bother to take care of the slab it may be residing in for the long run is something that has always perplexed me about collectors of graded cards.

[SetBuilder]

Are slabs airtight?

I was thinking about this the other day when it comes to slabbed Old Judge cards...

Those cards have organic material on the surface that is basically decomposing very very slowly and releasing tiny amounts of gas (sulfur?). If the air is trapped inside the slab and can't circulate, then it is probably speeding up the decomposition of the images.

I read an article that the Hall of Fame removes all cards from slabs because they're not sure what the long term effects are.

[mrvster]

great question....I would assume so??

but you know what that means!

all my ojs are slabbed

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by SetBuilder

Are slabs airtight?

I was thinking about this the other day when it comes to slabbed Old Judge cards...

Those cards have organic material on the surface that is basically decomposing very very slowly and releasing tiny amounts of gas (sulfur?). If the air is trapped inside the slab and can't circulate, then it is probably speeding up the decomposition of the images.

I read an article that the Hall of Fame removes all cards from slabs because they're not sure what the long term effects are.

i'd assume NOT airtight!

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by SetBuilder

Are slabs airtight?
I read an article that the Hall of Fame removes all cards from slabs because they're not sure what the long term effects are.

True. The HOF if they put a card into any type of holder uses inert mylar. There is a site where you can buy products like this for cards, but I remember thinking they were very unconventional, in addition to being pretty pricey.

If you look at some of the older cards the Hall has in their collection and has used for images on calendars and the like - they used to write their collection numbers in pencil on the backs of many of the cards themselves. I would assume they don't still do this, but no way to know for sure.

[oldjudge]

I'm sorry for every card I ever had graded with SGC. PSA is the clear choice.

[steve B]

I asked SGC, and they are not airtight.
I believe PSAs slabs are also not airtight.


Now whether they have enough air transfer to prevent problems is another thing. We do know that there are PSA slabs with acidic cardboard that have been sealed for over 25 years, and they seem fine. But archivists look for more.

Originally Posted by SetBuilder

Are slabs airtight?

I was thinking about this the other day when it comes to slabbed Old Judge cards...

Those cards have organic material on the surface that is basically decomposing very very slowly and releasing tiny amounts of gas (sulfur?). If the air is trapped inside the slab and can't circulate, then it is probably speeding up the decomposition of the images.

I read an article that the Hall of Fame removes all cards from slabs because they're not sure what the long term effects are.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

Will agree that on the whole SGC's holders are more aesthetically appealing. Unless you are doing '71 Topps. I do like the new PSA holders with the hologram or the lighthouse logo, but for some of the older ones, they have been around long enough now where some of the early 2000's slabs are downright nasty. Why people will buy a card for hundreds or thousands of dollars but then not bother to take care of the slab it may be residing in for the long run is something that has always perplexed me about collectors of graded cards.

SGC holders, at least until the brand new ones, scratch if you breathe on them and get cloudy, and get these little internal cracks that reflect light. PSA holders, on the other hand, in my experience are more durable and in any case clean up beautifully for the most part with Novus. SGC do not clean well at all. My percentage of sending in SGC cards for new holders is much much higher than PSA.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

SGC holders, at least until the brand new ones, scratch if you breathe on them and get cloudy, and get these little internal cracks that reflect light. PSA holders, on the other hand, in my experience are more durable and in any case clean up beautifully for the most part with Novus. SGC do not clean well at all. My percentage of sending in SGC cards for new holders is much much higher than PSA.

I've used some of the Meguiar's products for cleaning scratches from car headlights to freshen up PSA cases before. For the most part it works quite well.

[iwantitiwinit]

Bottom line for me is SGC holders with that gasket sux. I love the black background but the cut out is terrible for securing cards. Here's a suggestion SGC keep the black gasket but insert a plastic ridge on one piece of the holder like PSA, you do that and I would bet submissions would increase. In general I think many collectors like that black background.

[Fred]

Originally Posted by iwantitiwinit

Bottom line for me is SGC holders with that gasket sux. I love the black background but the cut out is terrible for securing cards. Here's a suggestion SGC keep the black gasket but insert a plastic ridge on one piece of the holder like PSA, you do that and I would bet submissions would increase. In general I think many collectors like that black background.

Yes, the black background/border is the key to SGC packaging. Cards look better in SGC holders but PSA has a price advantage when it comes to sales. Since I don't sell much, I don't care.

As of late, I wouldn't trust much of what SGC authenticates in the way of signed cards. Probably goes the same for most of the signature/autograph authenticators (opinions). What a mess....

[sycks22]

GMA is the best

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by sycks22

GMA is the best

Hard to argue with that. Only company I know of that will sell you empty slabs and a machine to seal those slabs.

[silvor]

BOTH.

I think SGC does a better job on the pre-war cards. To me a 3 or 4 in SGC looks nicer than PSA, even newer PSA ones with the hologram. Now, PSA today may have caught up, I don't know.

For my 70's cards, I prefer PSA. And yes, much because of the registry.

I have no clue about the 50's and 60's cards who is better.

[jayandbutton]

loved their old holders, far better quality than PSA. but when they changed to cheaper looking labels and holders they lost my business. but then you are stuck with those ridiculous wait times at PSA. no win situation.