SO SGC just tripled its prices?

[Frankish]

Not really unexpected. It was clear the PSA shutdown on submissions would cascade over to SGC, and SGC had warned it would adjust its model to prevent going back to a massive backlog. So I can't fault the business decision, although it's a personal disappointment...was on vacation with the kids this past week and had planned a submission of mid-value vintage cards this week, many of which don't make sense at the new pricing.

Anyway, the options for those on a budget or wanting lower value cards graded are certainly getting limited. Although SGC promises to lower its pricing again (and I hope they do), I think it will be quite a while before we see PSA and SGC offering $20 grading with reasonable turnaround times.

I wonder if CSG will be able to take advantage of this? Do they grade pre-war and other vintage cards? The language on their submission guidelines seems to suggest so, but there is a large carve-out for returning "obscure" issues. CGC certainly has a strong reputation in other collectibles. While I don't love the CSG labels, the current dislocation seems to create a big opportunity for someone....

[swarmee]

https://www.gosgc.com/update-20210509

Now for something entirely different. SGC has just released new pricing to start submissions at $30/card.

[Exhibitman]

That's good news.

[Eric72]

I imagine the sudden price increase practically eliminated new subs for a while. Catching up on the backlog was likely easy to do. Glad to read they've dropped the price back down to a more reasonable level now.

[Frankish]

Definitely an improvement. I think it was smart for them to get caught up.

Does anyone have any clarity into what types of cards they are grading now? Earlier this year, I was in contact with them and told they no longer grade some of the more esoteric stuff they used to (vintage Japanese baseball cards, for instance). Anyway, I have some older soccer, boxing, etc., that I'd like to get graded along with the baseball so wanted to know if anyone has any clarity into what they do and don't accept.

Thanks!

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Frankish

Definitely an improvement. I think it was smart for them to get caught up.

Does anyone have any clarity into what types of cards they are grading now? Earlier this year, I was in contact with them and told they no longer grade some of the more esoteric stuff they used to (vintage Japanese baseball cards, for instance). Anyway, I have some older soccer, boxing, etc., that I'd like to get graded along with the baseball so wanted to know if anyone has any clarity into what they do and don't accept.

Thanks!

From what I've read here, they're only grading maybe half the cards sent in....

[scmavl]

Originally Posted by Frankish

Definitely an improvement. I think it was smart for them to get caught up.

Does anyone have any clarity into what types of cards they are grading now? Earlier this year, I was in contact with them and told they no longer grade some of the more esoteric stuff they used to (vintage Japanese baseball cards, for instance). Anyway, I have some older soccer, boxing, etc., that I'd like to get graded along with the baseball so wanted to know if anyone has any clarity into what they do and don't accept.

Thanks!

In the past month, I sent in a '59 Menko Oh and they graded it. Well, it got an "A" but that was because it was obviously hand cut at an odd angle.

[tbob]

Originally Posted by swarmee

https://www.gosgc.com/update-20210509

Now for something entirely different. SGC has just released new pricing to start submissions at $30/card.

Thanks John. I just submitted a batch of cards to them at the $30/card price. When I prepared a submission sheet Saturday it was $75/card so I balked at the price. This is more normal although I still miss the $15/card price for my last submissions last year.
I appreciate your heads up.

tbob

[swarmee]

No problem. There are also some videos that show the behind the scenes work at SGC:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YNOs6Xu80w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVx4REVu-TY

[sportscardpete]

Sooner than later these grading folks should implement some dynamic pricing. Demand is high raise prices in real-time. Demand low? Drop those prices. Looks like SGC is attempting that.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by sportscardpete

Sooner than later these grading folks should implement some dynamic pricing. Demand is high raise prices in real-time. Demand low? Drop those prices. Looks like SGC is attempting that.

Agreed. In my opinion, SGC is attempting to control the inflow of material by tweaking prices.

Hopefully, they'll also begin tinkering with the types of items by offering monthly (weekly, perhaps) specials. I would love to see, for example, a promotion during which T206 cards could be submitted at a discount. Then, a 1956 Topps special. Yes...look at my signature...I'm biased.

These types of narrow promotions wouldn't cause to avalanche of orders they saw when PSA practically shut down. They would also be able to control the issues covered by their promotions.

If executed properly, this strategy would win SGC quite a few customers, especially among vintage collectors.

[Oscar_Stanage]

SGC now dropped the price back down .... to $30, not $25.

I amazes me that they cannot figure out their price structure. I do not mind that they jacked up prices to control flow. it is the only way to stop these idiots from sending in junk. But why is the price not back to $25? When they announced their new business model, presumably they did a lot of work to think about the pricing, and landed on $25. And now all of a sudden it is $30?