SGC Up-charges

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by sb1

Common practice by both SGC and PSA, if the card grade/value post grading falls into a higher grading tier they charge the difference between the fee paid and the one it is now in. Nothing new.

^^This^^ Plus I always loved up charges because it means you are getting higher grades than expected.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I always loved up charges because it means you are getting higher grades than expected.

Precisely. I was not in the slightest bit pissed off when I got upcharged on a Bill Russell RC.

[brianp-beme]

In my mind still ridiculous to skyrocket grading prices based upon perceived value of the card being graded. Not only a money grab, but also a practice that would incentivize a grading company to increase the grade of a high value card.

Brian

[esehombre]

I know SGC advertises prices and grading "tiers" on their website but from my experience this has been loosely enforced (not at all in my case). I can remember a video from the SGC president firing a shot at one of their competitors for constantly upcharging for cards that received the grade you had hoped. I submit through Eric Drew at Boca Subs - Occasionally, I will get a message saying that a card has exceeded the size threshold and the cost would go from $14 to $85 or something like that.

I have submitted in excess of 700 cards in the past 2.5 years. Never an upcharge - not one. Several have come back well in excess of 4 figures. A few 5 figures.

How much value did they place on the cards that were upcharged and what was the breakdown?

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by esehombre

I know SGC advertises prices and grading "tiers" on their website but from my experience this has been loosely enforced (not at all in my case). I can remember a video from the SGC president firing a shot at one of their competitors for constantly upcharging for cards that received the grade you had hoped. I submit through Eric Drew at Boca Subs - Occasionally, I will get a message saying that a card has exceeded the size threshold and the cost would go from $14 to $85 or something like that.

I have submitted in excess of 700 cards in the past 2.5 years. Never an upcharge - not one. Several have come back well in excess of 4 figures. A few 5 figures.

How much value did they place on the cards that were upcharged and what was the breakdown?

Here's the breakdown... But to preface it, an SGC Rep at the show walked me through the process and told me what to value each card at, and what the corresponding grading cost would be. It was a 13 card submission, of which the following 3 cards were hit with a second up-charge...

'33 Ruth:
Valued at $7,499 / Paid $250 to grade at show and was assessed additional $250 post-grading

'33 Gehrig:
Valued at $3,499 / Paid $85 to grade, and was assessed additional $415 post-grading

Colgan Chips Wagner:
Valued at $1,499 / Paid $15 to grade and was assessed additional $70 post-grading

The Wagner (which looks near-perfect, with no creases, wrinkles or surface wear) was given a 4.5 grade, which seems absurd (but is an entirely different matter I plan to address).

Anyway, I understand their upcharges are based on perceived value, but was told by many reliable sources that SGC would not hold the cards hostage after the initial submission. Just trying to determine whether this is a typical occurrence, as it may impact my future decisions on which cards to grade.

Many thanks!

[sbfinley]

Yeah, I'm an SGC guy and I can't defend that. The Ruth was probably declared egregiously low, but not in a manner to take advantage of the service. I will say that I have seen SGC gaining popularity on modern forums I frequent and a popular word of advice given out daily is "Send it to SGC. They will grade any card for $15" in response to people asking for grading advice on four and five figure cards. I used to try to correct them, but my life is too short to spend it teaching adults reading comprehension. It's likely you are paying the price incurred by countless idiots trying to sub everything under the $15 service level.

[Lorewalker]

I have heard from several people that they are getting more upcharges from SGC in the last few months. I think this Nat's influence from the acquisition. SGC used to let a lot of stuff slide.

I have no issue with it. I look forward to getting the emails/calls.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by perezfan

The Wagner (which looks near-perfect, with no creases, wrinkles or surface wear) was given a 4.5 grade, which seems absurd (but is an entirely different matter I plan to address).

Mark,

Not really sure what you expected it to grade; 4.5 seems very generous considering all the corners are rounded.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

Mark,

Not really sure what you expected it to grade; 4.5 seems very generous considering all the corners are rounded.

Excellent.... I can see that now!

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

Mark,

Not really sure what you expected it to grade; 4.5 seems very generous considering all the corners are rounded.

Nicer than mine with the 4 corners...

Thatsa gorgeous Culligan man chipwich and the rest are beautiful too Mark

[puckpaul]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Here's the breakdown... But to preface it, an SGC Rep at the show walked me through the process and told me what to value each card at, and what the corresponding grading cost would be. It was a 13 card submission, of which the following 3 cards were hit with a second up-charge...

'33 Ruth:
Valued at $7,499 / Paid $250 to grade at show and was assessed additional $250 post-grading

'33 Gehrig:
Valued at $3,499 / Paid $85 to grade, and was assessed additional $415 post-grading

Colgan Chips Wagner:
Valued at $1,499 / Paid $15 to grade and was assessed additional $70 post-grading

The Wagner (which looks near-perfect, with no creases, wrinkles or surface wear) was given a 4.5 grade, which seems absurd (but is an entirely different matter I plan to address).

Anyway, I understand their upcharges are based on perceived value, but was told by many reliable sources that SGC would not hold the cards hostage after the initial submission. Just trying to determine whether this is a typical occurrence, as it may impact my future decisions on which cards to grade.

Many thanks!

With those new upcharges PSA would have been a better option.

[jethrod3]

A third party grading company that is willing to charge a flat reasonable rate, regardless of card value, plus actual rates for insurance and shipping, will be able to build a grading site in almost every state because of demand, and still make money hand over first at every site they build. There would be zero bias, since there would be no incentive to charge more money if the grade is higher and no incentive to grade higher to make more money.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by puckpaul

With those new upcharges PSA would have been a better option.

Agree, and I have seriously considered cracking and submitting the Colgan Chips Wagner to PSA. The only thing holding me back is... well, check out these FUGLY pics.