Grading Companies Questions

[D. Bergin]

Don't quite understand the complaints about the CSG flips. Easy to read, and the slabs are nearly the exact same size as PSA. They even fit in the same sized protective sleeves, unlike Becketts slabs.

The PSA slabs just have more plastic dead space and very generic and cluttered text on the slabs. Leaves room for sub-grades on the CSG flip (if you are so inclined), while they fit the bar code, id number and QR code, (you can use your cell phone camera to easily look up the card on their website) on the back of the flip.

Don't know if they will actually catch on, but I've grown to like them. Maybe not for everybody, but they aren't exactly an embarrassment, compared to the other TPG's.

Very tough to snag 10's from them though, if that's what you're looking for.

[Oscar_Stanage]

CSG seems to be taking some share, because I see a fair number of slabs given how new they are. however, I have seen many cards that are way off grade which is pretty bad considering they do not have the "old slab" excuse like PSA and SGC. I have had crosses get downgraded 2 full points. they are not consistent and there really is no excuse. however I do not have a problem buying a CSG card, and I actually think the slabs are ok... they are thin which I like.

[Schlesinj]

One thing to consider, but CSG was recently purchased by Blackstone (which includes Fanatics). With the recent announcement of the Fanatics plan to be a one stop shop, I assume we will see CSG with a larger market share in the future.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Schlesinj

One thing to consider, but CSG was recently purchased by Blackstone (which includes Fanatics). With the recent announcement of the Fanatics plan to be a one stop shop, I assume we will see CSG with a larger market share in the future.

I agree that the money behind CSG plus the prices and back log will all factor in helping gain CSG market share.
The driving factor will how Fanatics Managements utilizes all its divisions into that one stop shop.

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

I agree that the money behind CSG plus the prices and back log will all factor in helping gain CSG market share.
The driving factor will how Fanatics Managements utilizes all its divisions into that one stop shop.

Not sure they will gain much.......I am reminded of this line:

“You can dress a pig up in satin and lace and it's still a pig."

Mike

[DHogan]

Do any of these grading companies beside PSA offer pack grading ?

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by DHogan

Do any of these grading companies beside PSA offer pack grading ?

Sadly No.

GAI a long time ago.

BBCE will wrap your boxes and will wrap Rack Packs but will not grade them.

I sent some wax packs to PSA on 2/25/21 and they have 8 stages for you to monitor kind of like Dominoes Pizza lol. My packs are on the 3rd stage still. I'll be lucky to get them before 2023. lol

Mike

[53toppscollector]

An underrated value play right now might be to buy SGC and CSG 9.5s with the intention of cracking them and sending to PSA when prices drop. If you can get an SGC 9.5 for less than what a PSA 9 sells for, you have a decent shot of actually getting a PSA 10. At worst, if you end up with a PSA 9 you break even. Doing this to scale could be quite profitable, assuming PSA eventually opens up a lower service level where it makes sense.

CSG and SGC both have tough grading standards, from what I've seen, so you are basically getting a pre-screening opinion of the card before you send to PSA. Given SGC's troubles with re-sale on ebay, there are lots of bargains out there to grab.