SGC grading is super fast.

[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.