SGC grading is super fast.

[ClementeFanOh]

Peter Spaeth- great question! I agree that PSA cards somehow (voodoo/
deals written in blood with underworld creatures??) draw higher sales prices
than their SGC counterparts. Why is that? I will start with why it is NOT:

1) It is not because of better accuracy or consistency, that's for sure
2) It is not because of sterling customer service
3) It is not because of professionalism or integrity

The best explanation I can come up with, is that PSA was "first" in grading. I
am absolutely not saying this makes them best. They just got out ahead of
everyone. I think of a certain lawn mower/farm tractor company that has
been in the American consciousness for decades (their paint is green and
yellow). In my life, the clear worst mower I ever purchased was made by
this company, and it's not close. Yet people keep repeating their TV mantra.
It's familiarity, style over substance. People keep flocking to a restaurant
with a famous arch, despite the meat originating from skunk or opossum
(yes, this is sarcasm). Why do some people keep doing that? It's been
drilled into their skulls forever and they can't shake loose.

I like cards that are graded correctly and consistently. SGC fits that bill
more than PSA ever will. Every single PSA I own has been gone over with
a fine tooth comb and, unless there is a seismic change in their character,
always will be. I know my SGC 6 is a 6; however, all I know about a PSA 6
that I haven't seen, is that it is likely somewhere between a 1 and a 10.
They sure are rolling in money though

Trent King

[Peter_Spaeth]

Trent, it's hard for me to believe that all these decades later first mover advantage is the explanation, but then again I don't know. My own guess, I think PSA is better at self-promotion.

[ClementeFanOh]

Peter- I hear you; heck, I could be persuaded to agree. But what else is there?
They survive scandal after scandal, are utterly ramshackle in their actual
business of grading, and treat most customers like filth. Is it the registry
after all? I don't give a darn about it, but is there some legion who do, and
who continue fueling hammer values for shaky product? Trent King

[Lorewalker]

It is not just modern in which SGC sells for deep discounts to PSA. It is almost universal to all issues and all years when you compare cards grade for grade. Sure there are individual exceptions but overall PSA out performs SGC on prices realized. The data speaks for itself.

This is clearly due to the Set Registry. When buyers see as many people participating in the registry it gives them assurances that the PSA product is well supported.

[55koufax]

I honestly believe that if Cosetta left PSA, the Set Registry will never be as well organized, and well run as under Cosetta's domain. Also, it is quite possible (probable?) that many of us older in age, vintage dinosaur SET collectors, will fade off into the sunset after she departs...

One other reason to consider the PSA edge over SGC, is their website. To me it is night and day better..

I may kinda disagree with Clemente Fan who feels the SGC grading is the more consistent and accurate, but cannot be totally in dis-agreement as I have no submission experience with SGC. I, and presumably several others on this board and thread, can attest to the fact that when cracking out SGC cards and subbing to PSA, you are always taking a chance of getting an ungraded card back. It has happened to me more times than I can remember.

[tod41]

I wish SGC would take up tickets again. PSA could use some competition in that regard.

[Snowman]

Surely, PSA's advantage is a combination of factors. First-mover advantage certainly helps, plus the registry, and having slabs that don't look like they were bought from the dollar store all play a role. The registry is huge though. It creates dual demand which creates pricing separation from SGC on widely collected sets like 33 Goudey, 52-56 Topps, 48 Leaf, Cracker Jacks, T206s, etc. All the key cards in these sets sell for significant premiums over SGC solely because of the added set collector pressure on the market. This has a trickle-down effect on other sectors of the market as newcomers.

I'm really interested in how CSG does in the future though. IMO, they are doing just about everything right. Their slabs are so much better than everyone else's, their new flips are nice, and their grading scale is accurate and consistent in my experience.

[cammb]

Originally Posted by clementefanoh

peter spaeth- great question! I agree that psa cards somehow (voodoo/
deals written in blood with underworld creatures??) draw higher sales prices
than their sgc counterparts. Why is that? I will start with why it is not:

1) it is not because of better accuracy or consistency, that's for sure
2) it is not because of sterling customer service
3) it is not because of professionalism or integrity

the best explanation i can come up with, is that psa was "first" in grading. I
am absolutely not saying this makes them best. They just got out ahead of
everyone. I think of a certain lawn mower/farm tractor company that has
been in the american consciousness for decades (their paint is green and
yellow). In my life, the clear worst mower i ever purchased was made by
this company, and it's not close. Yet people keep repeating their tv mantra.
It's familiarity, style over substance. People keep flocking to a restaurant
with a famous arch, despite the meat originating from skunk or opossum
(yes, this is sarcasm). Why do some people keep doing that? It's been
drilled into their skulls forever and they can't shake loose.

I like cards that are graded correctly and consistently. Sgc fits that bill
more than psa ever will. Every single psa i own has been gone over with
a fine tooth comb and, unless there is a seismic change in their character,
always will be. I know my sgc 6 is a 6; however, all i know about a psa 6
that i haven't seen, is that it is likely somewhere between a 1 and a 10.
They sure are rolling in money though

trent king

home run!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Yoda]

What I would like to know how this influx of new graders at all the TPG'ers are first hired and then trained, obviously a necessity by the flood of new submissions. More to the point, consider the following:
1. What is their experience?, e.g. modern, vintage or pre-war.
2. How are they then placed within the co.?
3. Is there a training program for all new graders?
4. Is there a system of checks and balances for high value cards so they are reviewed by more than one person before determining final grades?
5. Is there an alert system to determine whether any cards may have been submitted by known fraudsters?
6. How are the workflows organized?
And, of course, I would love to see their salary structure for all graders among the big 3.

[jamest206]

I just sent a card today to SGC, to arrive Wednesday, I am paying for a two day turnaround and 2 day shipment back to me. Looking forward to getting the card back, graded by them. My only experience with PSA was a nightmare.

SGC is prompt in their email response, and assume they will be with the card I sent. Looking forward to this!!! Thanks to this post, decided to pull the trigger with SGC.

[troutbum97]

Holy Schnikies, did SGC just blow me away.

5 card order - all pre-war or 50s HOF.

Order form filled / paid = July 7.
Cards shipped = July 8.
Cards received by SGC = July 10 (yesterday afternoon).
Grades received + shipment notification = July 11 (today, 15 mins ago).


I only paid $30/card, and they basically turned my cards around in a single day.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by troutbum97

Holy Schnikies, did SGC just blow me away.

5 card order - all pre-war or 50s HOF.

Order form filled / paid = July 7.
Cards shipped = July 8.
Cards received by SGC = July 10 (yesterday afternoon).
Grades received + shipment notification = July 11 (today, 15 mins ago).


I only paid $30/card, and they basically turned my cards around in a single day.

That is crazy fast. Makes a person wonder if yours was there only submission.

[55koufax]

Just now heard from my PSA Rep.

My last large bulk rate sub (1000+) sent 3/7/21 is slated to be completed by 9-2022. Basically 1 1/2 year lead time.

I asked what the turnaround tie will be if sent them a 100+ card order at the $18 level...........150 to 180 days.

As mentioned on some other thread in the past few weeks, my 800 card sub to Beckett took almost 20 months.

Now if we could just start paying more for ALL SGC cards and pumping up their value, that ONE day turnaround aforementioned is looking mighty fine..

[scotgreb]

Originally Posted by bnorth

That is crazy fast. Makes a person wonder if yours was there only submission.

I just had a similar [great] experience with SGC. I sent them an 1888 OJ, in part because PSA denies their existence. Scott