Future of Grading - CSG and HGA

[Jay Wolt]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

With PSA effectively shutting down earlier this year, I expected an uptick in cards being graded by other companies. Mostly SGC, but also newbies CSG and HGA.

The uptick in SGC cards happened, but I am not seeing an increase in CSG or HGA graded cards. Any ideas why? Still too new? Anyone use either company recently?

CSG (like PSA & Beckett) couldn't handle the quantity that was sent their way.
I submitted a few cards w/ another collector, mailed them on March 3rd.
We're told maybe we'll get em back by the new year.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Jay Wolt

CSG (like PSA & Beckett) couldn't handle the quantity that was sent their way.
I submitted a few cards w/ another collector, mailed them on March 3rd.
We're told maybe we'll get em back by the new year.

Wow the timelines are long and seem to be getting longer.

Hopefully they and the others start catching up soon

[CobbSpikedMe]

I really don't like the HGA flips with all the color and the busy label. And I didn't like the CSG flips at first. But the CSG flips have grow on me a little and I may pick up a card graded by them at some point just to see one in hand. I wouldn't pay a lot but would consider an 80's rookie or something like that.

I wish them the best and think it would be great if they caught on and eventually sell for good prices and become a real competitor. That would be awesome for the hobby.

[Exhibitman]

I was thinking simpler and cleaner. The HGA ones are too busy and distracting.

[Snowman]

I can't stand the HGA labels. I have one card graded by them, but only because I treated it as a raw purchase and intend to crack it out. The slab itself is actually nicer than I had anticipated. It does feel robust and has a clean look. But those flips could give someone a seizure! They're absolutely horrible. And they're printed with inkjet printers! lol.

I really like the CSG slabs. I just don't like their grading scale. A 10 is too difficult to obtain, and modern collectors want gem mint cards to say '10' on their slabs. They've made that pretty clear over the past couple years just by watching price movements across TPGs. They're just too strict on the top end of the scale, but they're also too loose on the bottom end. I read earlier that someone got 5s and 6s on their creased vintage cards. That's ridiculous if true.

I think SGC is going to become a major player in the modern grading space over the next couple years. They're closing the gap, and I really like the look of their new flips. I'm reslabbing all of my vintage stuff with the newer flips.