Grading Company documentation??

[showtime]

Originally Posted by mcap100176

I don't think it would entail scanning.

When the grading company prints the numerical grade, how is that done? I assume it must be a software program as it consists of a numerical grade, description and serial number?

Could or would it be possible for the grading company to have internal check marks related to the serial number? Such as "bent corner," "off center," etc.

Ideally, the company can make there database public. By entering the serial number, collectors could see what was wrong with the card. I don't see a reason for including a scan as the description is there.

BVG is close with what is on the the label (centering, corners, etc) but not to the level of detail I think everyone would want.

I have seen it posted before on the forum, if there was a universal database, that would be utopia (VCP I nominate you, haha). And I am not even going to start a discussion on the problems with creating such a database.

BVG no longers puts sub grades on vintage cards and has not for quite some time. Most are aware of that. Another reason BVG lost many customers (besides the obvious reasons)

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[tiger8mush]

Originally Posted by showtime

Another reason BVG lost many customers (besides the obvious reasons)

What are the obvious reasons?

[Bridwell]

I would suggest that a 1st class grading company should keep written details and a front/back scan on file for high-dollar cards. If someome is spending $50-$100 to have a card graded, than there is enough money for someone to spend 5 minutes documenting that card.

PSA could have saved itself a lot of embarassment by spending more time on certain high-profile cards they've graded in the past.

Ron

[Kehfee]

It would appear that PSA is having a hard enough time making money these days. Increasing their costs OR passing on higher grading fees to customers is not the sort of thing that is going to help them.

One thing I learned when I got into the graded card game is that I actually had to really educate myself about the grading of cards. The more I handled graded cards the more familiar I became with how grading is done. That is not to say that there isn't head scratchers here and there, but that sort of thing is expected when you add the human factor into grading.

[showtime]

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

What are the obvious reasons?

the fairly poor grading of vintage cards in general, as i see it. i recently sent 10 bvg's i had, individually purchased and others also sent to bvg by myself before i knew better, to sgc for crossover.....1 crossed at the same grade, several were a full grade lower, 1 was even two grades lower. i later did some research on the teams at bvg vs. sgc and the knowledge and careers of the sgc graders were much more impressive to me, other than Andy Broome at BVG who is solid. when i compare some of my bvg cards to sgc cards with the same grade its night and day which card is better, SGC. I dont think that means SGC is harder on grading, simply more accurate. BVG seems to let softer corners and not so clean surfaces get higher grades they just dont deserve. My opinions of course.

[Wite3]

Okay...how about this...card arrives and is logged into a computer and assigned a serial number. Then given to grader who sits in front of a computer, types in serial number and then has fields to fill in with a ten key. Let us say that instead of writing down on that little slip of paper PSA and SGC use, the grader ten keys the grades for the corners, surface, centering, wear, etc. in some fields. When done, he hits enter and the computer automatically figures grade and prints label. It would probably save them time and would keep a record. In this way, a rep. would be able to look up a card by serial number and get the values given for each grading criteria. There could even be a note section with a drop down menu for simple notes like "paper loss", "factory miscut". etc. Not that hard and not that time intensive for the grading companies.

This would also help to cut down on the fraud side as well with re-opening holders, fake labels, etc. by having a more complete record of the grading.

Joshua

[Rich Klein]

This situation would literally add 1-2 employees per grading company.

The bigger question is,.. would "YOU" pay a much steeper price for that documentation. I bet the answer is a loud "NO, are you out of your mind"

And this problem moves over to modern cards as well -- just ask those collectors who have traced the history of the 2001 Bowman Chrome Albert Pujols card. When that card first came out; the value is no where near where it is today; thus a few "fake" serial numbering issues have occured. Again; who would have thought to do a detailed exam of a card graded in the year of issue?

Just MOO

Rich

[cyseymour]

First off, what a contrast between the customer service of PSA and SGC. PSA responds to a complaint by bumping a couple cards up a grade, a pretty cynical way of pleasing a customer. SGC came and posted ON THIS BOARD when it saw that a trimmed card had been given a numerical grade, looking to repurchase the card.

Probably a Mac/Pc analogy is the best for SGC/PSA. That SGC has survived while all these other companies flopped is impressive enough. I doubt there is much evidence that one company's grades are more accurate than the others - both will make mistakes. Yet I find PSA's approach more authoritarian and arrogant than SGC's. Of course SGC needs that personal touch or people may not go to them at all. Still, it rings much more true than PSA's approach. I hope that PSA can improve its customer service relations in the future.

PSA cards have probably proven to be the best investments for those most worried about that, especially for high grade cards, but SGC is appealing in many other ways.