Future of Beckett Grading

[sbfinley]

They lost their primary sports card niche (Ultra Modern Baseball) during Covid by bungling the boom. While people were complaining about PSA taking 4-6 months BGS had standard subs going 12-14 months. A ton of people missed key selling windows for prospects and rookies because Beckett never adjusted to the influx of submissions. Five years ago a modern player's Bowman Chrome Auto BGS 9.5/10 was the key card to own and easily out sold PSA. Now those collectors have pivoted to PSA. I'd venture to guess the only segment of the hobby they haven't cratered in is TCG cards and I only know that because my 13-year-old collects. One top of the covid mess, they put their name on a garage grading company (BCCG) that duped green collectors with it's terrible and confusing grading scale and unveiled a "Black Pristine" grade that garnered huge premiums until evidence showed the vast majority of cards that received the grade came from industry insiders. All this just built up a ton of bad will with collectors and they turned away.

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by sbfinley

They lost their primary sports card niche (Ultra Modern Baseball) during Covid by bungling the boom. While people were complaining about PSA taking 4-6 months BGS had standard subs going 12-14 months. A ton of people missed key selling windows for prospects and rookies because Beckett never adjusted to the influx of submissions. Five years ago a modern player's Bowman Chrome Auto BGS 9.5/10 was the key card to own and easily out sold PSA. Now those collectors have pivoted to PSA. I'd venture to guess the only segment of the hobby they haven't cratered in is TCG cards and I only know that because my 13-year-old collects. One top of the covid mess, they put their name on a garage grading company (BCCG) that duped green collectors with it's terrible and confusing grading scale and unveiled a "Black Pristine" grade that garnered huge premiums until evidence showed the vast majority of cards that received the grade came from industry insiders. All this just built up a ton of bad will with collectors and they turned away.

"Industry insiders" is a rather favorable way to say "one particular former BGS grader".

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Snowman

"Industry insiders" is a rather favorable way to say "one particular former BGS grader".

You mean you don't buy the explanation that his black label rate, which was virtually statistically impossible, was due to his unique "eagle eye"?

That thread, by the way, was one of the best I've ever read.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

You mean you don't buy the explanation that his black label rate, which was virtually statistically impossible, was due to his unique "eagle eye"?

That thread, by the way, was one of the best I've ever read.

Peter, can you post the thread?

[packs]

I see a lot of Beckett LOAs in major auctions for high dollar autographs. I wonder if that's where their attention is now.

I do have this Cobb that I feel like I got at a discount because of the slab. But if you ask me, I think I could sneak it into a 1.5 holder with another TPG:

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by packs

I see a lot of Beckett LOAs in major auctions for high dollar autographs. I wonder if that's where their attention is now.

I do have this Cobb that I feel like I got at a discount because of the slab. But if you ask me, I think I could sneak it into a 1.5 holder with another TPG:

That is a nice 1. I would think it would def do a better grade in another company's slab.

[Andrew1975]

Originally Posted by packs

I see a lot of Beckett LOAs in major auctions for high dollar autographs. I wonder if that's where their attention is now.

I do have this Cobb that I feel like I got at a discount because of the slab. But if you ask me, I think I could sneak it into a 1.5 holder with another TPG:

Tough to tell from those pictures, but certainly appears better than a 1. It is a nice looking card. I have cracked out one BVG card, a T205 Cy Young graded a 3. Submitted to SGC and it came back a 3.5.

[packs]

I used to have more BVG cards in my collection but have since crossed them over. When I was using Beckett it was because they were one of the rare TPGs who did onsite and same day grading at shows. I dropped off a number of cards at White Plains shows early on when they got started.

I'm not sure if any of the TPGs are still doing same day onsite grading. It was an amazing service while it was around.

[sbfinley]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

Peter, can you post the thread?

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1297069

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by sbfinley

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1297069

Yes that's the one. Blowout at its finest, IMO.

[sbfinley]

Originally Posted by Snowman

"Industry insiders" is a rather favorable way to say "one particular former BGS grader".

It’s been a long time since I read that thread. I remembered it being 2-3 submitters getting the treatment. Either way it’s a bit absurd.

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by sbfinley

It’s been a long time since I read that thread. I remembered it being 2-3 submitters getting the treatment. Either way it’s a bit absurd.

If I recall correctly, I believe one eBay seller (who was said to have been a former grader at BGS) had sold ~75% of all black label 10s on ebay over a period of a few years.