Techniques and best practices for “DIY” card grading before submission

[Republicaninmass]

If you are hesitant or question anything, dont send it. Tiny bump, indent, wrinkle, etc. 99/100 they catch it

[x2drich2000]

IMO it really just comes down to experience. The more cards you have looked at to see why the card graded such and such the better you will become at accurately grading the card before submitting. If you have only looked at 100 cards, you're not going to have the same eye as someone who is looking at a 100+ cards everyday. You really can't cheat that experience.

Also graders are kind of like meteorologists, they can be off 50% of the time and still keep their job.

[53toppscollector]

do your homework on each card, look at it under magnification, examine it thoroughly, make sure to use a cloth to wipe off any fingerprints or dust. evaluate what grade you think the card deserves, then subtract at least 1 full grade off it. then evaluate whether or not it is worth having it graded. if you are sending it to PSA, you are basically pulling the arm on a slot machine. if you send to SGC, you'll more likely get an accurate and fair grade.