SGC Grading Turnarounds

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

Harsher grading is not better grading.

Especially if your cards already, for the most part, sell at a discount.

[Lorewalker]

As discussed routinely here, both PSA and SGC are just killing submissions. If asked they will tell you nothing has changed. It has and it is very obvious. Only thing that SGC offers over PSA at this point is fast turnaround times and much cheaper cost per card. Neither of which are enticing to me. Selling an under graded SGC card for a strong price is virtually impossible.

And there is an obsession in our hobby with fast turnaround times. It is very overrated. Get the job done right in a reasonable amount of time for a reasonable fee. Getting all giddy over your cards coming back in 5 days is nothing I can relate to.

[hockeyhockey]

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

Only thing that SGC offers over PSA at this point is fast turnaround times and much cheaper cost per card. Neither of which are enticing to me. Selling an under graded SGC card for a strong price is virtually impossible.
.

and that's not even the case anymore. PSA value is $30. i used SGC a few times and have nothing bad to say about their customer service, but if i'm choosing between the 2 with no cost difference and no 16 month turnaround, it's an easy choice with PSA. at least for me.

[ClementeFanOh]

Peter- and I think you're behaving as doggedly as the people you've
criticized for being "overly concerned" with turnaround times, or for
"overemphasizing" those times. After all, you are most certainly a
participant in the very event you are condemning. You are complaining
about the verbal tennis match while being a continuing part of it. And I'll still
say that getting cards back in a timely manner is a benefit, and openly
question those who can't (or won't, more probably) admit it.

Trent King

[Peter_Spaeth]

My point which seems lost on you in all your verbal sparring is that fast turnaround doesn't do one much good or is overrated if the cards are undergraded. Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play kinda thing. How was your sub, Trent? Well, every card was too low by 1 to 2 grades, but it came back in two weeks!!!! I somehow doubt that result would thrill you.

[RCFire82]

Crazy turnaround times, exorbitant fees, inconsistencies and "favors" for certian submitters. All this makes me appreciate not being on the business side of the hobby. My only concern with grading is not damaging the card when cracking the case.

Side note. Peter and Trent...have enjoyed following some of your recent debates. Both pationate about your respective position on subjects.

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by hockeyhockey

and that's not even the case anymore. PSA value is $30. i used SGC a few times and have nothing bad to say about their customer service, but if i'm choosing between the 2 with no cost difference and no 16 month turnaround, it's an easy choice with PSA. at least for me.

True that PSA has a $30 service level but it does not allow for cards that are valued up to $1,500 like SGC permits. You have to pay $100 at PSA for cards valued at $1,500 and they will take 30 business days.

[ClementeFanOh]

PeterSpaeth- yesterday I got 2 cool cards in the mail, bought a third, and
traded for 2 more. THAT is the fun part of the hobby, and I'll continue it
today. So, my reply here will be succinct...

I have consistently held that quick turnaround times (still 3+ weeks) are
a boon to the seller/hobbyist, and I'm stunned it gets so much backlash. The
devil I'm choosing currently includes inexplicably harsh grades on vintage.
I find it odd that those collectors who pay (outrageously in many cases) for
a service, are so quick to forgive molasses-like return of cards by PSA.
Conversely, there are people who think I'm in the wrong. The point? The topic
has legs, which is why people keep coming back to it! We are all in search of
a magic grader who grades every card fairly, gets them back while we are
still alive, and doesn't extort us in the meantime. Until that time, there WILL
be debate. Trent King

[Tyruscobb]

Originally Posted by ClementeFanOh

PeterSpaeth- yesterday I got 2 cool cards in the mail, bought a third, and
traded for 2 more. THAT is the fun part of the hobby, and I'll continue it
today. So, my reply here will be succinct...

I have consistently held that quick turnaround times (still 3+ weeks) are
a boon to the seller/hobbyist, and I'm stunned it gets so much backlash. The
devil I'm choosing currently includes inexplicably harsh grades on vintage.
I find it odd that those collectors who pay (outrageously in many cases) for
a service, are so quick to forgive molasses-like return of cards by PSA.
Conversely, there are people who think I'm in the wrong. The point? The topic
has legs, which is why people keep coming back to it! We are all in search of
a magic grader who grades every card fairly, gets them back while we are
still alive, and doesn't extort us in the meantime. Until that time, there WILL
be debate. Trent King

Sometimes it seems like Peter likes to argue just to argue. I bet he’d argue with a stump.

[Yoda]

What I wonder is what with the huge number of new graders hired by the TPG's, how are they trained, how are the work flows organized and perhaps how are remunerated? Consistency is the benchmark of grading and there seems to be a paradigm shift towards much tougher grading by SGC. If so, I believe their whole business model becomes flawed.
And I agree with Peter, I would rather be patient to receive my T206 Brown, knowing it has been properly graded and receives a fair 4 rather than a 2.5 with an expeditious return.

[hockeyhockey]

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

True that PSA has a $30 service level but it does not allow for cards that are valued up to $1,500 like SGC permits. You have to pay $100 at PSA for cards valued at $1,500 and they will take 30 business days.

ahh yes, i guess i never had to worry about that since my collection isn't that high end. maybe one day i'll find that joe jackson

[babraham]

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

True that PSA has a $30 service level but it does not allow for cards that are valued up to $1,500 like SGC permits. You have to pay $100 at PSA for cards valued at $1,500 and they will take 30 business days.

My last $100 "regular" submission from PSA earlier this month had this timeline:

Fri 8/12: dropped off at USPS
Mon 8/15: arrived at PSA
Tues 8/16: entered at PSA
Tues 8/23: shipped from PSA
Thurs 8/25: delivered to my house

I was thrilled with the turnaround time (much quicker than I expected), and the card got the grade that I was anticipating.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by babraham

My last $100 "regular" submission from PSA earlier this month had this timeline:

Fri 8/12: dropped off at USPS
Mon 8/15: arrived at PSA
Tues 8/16: entered at PSA
Tues 8/23: shipped from PSA
Thurs 8/25: delivered to my house

I was thrilled with the turnaround time (much quicker than I expected), and the card got the grade that I was anticipating.

But you had to pay $100 per card. Meanwhile, $10 per card orders sit languishing for a year and a half.

[babraham]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

But you had to pay $100 per card. Meanwhile, $10 per card orders sit languishing for a year and a half.

It was only one card.
It seems like all of their levels are getting quicker leadtimes...hopefully they can get thru their backlog of older/cheaper submissions and start offering lowered pricing tiers again.