BVG vs. Every Other Grading Company

[jb217676]

Why does BCCG even exist? I don't know anyone who has used it, or why anyone would use it.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by jb217676

Why does BCCG even exist? I don't know anyone who has used it, or why anyone would use it.

There's a Leaf Satchell Paige on eBay right now (BIN) in a BCCG 6 holder that was cracked from either an SGC 10 or a 20. One can guess why the seller did this.

[Ladder7]

If I displayed stuff, I'd likely have a different response. Sensible holders and fair graders. Cross-overs weren't a problem. Good company, especially with David Cycleback as their new photo consultant.

[oldjudge]

Leon--I am not familiar with Beckett grading so let me ask you a question. Are you saying that Beckett has two grading services which have different standards such that the same card could receive two radically different grades from their two companies? If the "easier" grading group is providing cards for HSN, isn't Beckett just participating in a fraud with HSN?

[Leon]

Jay- They absolutely have 2 different services with different standards (though I have not seen the BCCG ones written). Personally, I don't think it's fraud but I am not a lawyer. You would have to contact them about that.
As for BVG I trust them more than anyone except SGC. I know both SGC and BVG have respect for each other's capabilities. I have always been happy with both services. I should also caveat these comments with the obvious- both are very supportive of Net54baseball.com and advertise here...but they still do a great job . best regards

[jb217676]

I totally agree with oldjudge. Are they not ripping off the novice collector who might just look at the numerical grade only, not knowing that the card is actually 5-6 grades lower? Why doesn't Beckett just grade everything BGS or BVG, so the useless BCCG graded junk is not in the marketplace? Why would Beckett slap their name on something collector's laugh at?

[oldjudge]

Jeff provides a good example. If a card would be graded Ex by Beckett's normal service but is called NrMt by a second Beckett service which provides grading for HSN, then that is just wrong. I don't use Beckett (and knowing this I never would) but if I had seen a NrMt Beckett graded card on HSN I would have assumed it was truely NrMt. In fact, I would have been paying for NrMt and getting Ex--sounds like a fraud to me.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Jeff provides a good example. If a card would be graded Ex by Beckett's normal service but is called NrMt by a second Beckett service which provides grading for HSN, then that is just wrong. I don't use Beckett (and knowing this I never would) but if I had seen a NrMt Beckett graded card on HSN I would have assumed it was truely NrMt. In fact, I would have been paying for NrMt and getting Ex--sounds like a fraud to me.

The slab doesn't call it NrMt. It would give it a numerical grade of 9/10 and then say "EX or better."

[Leon]

Originally Posted by jb217676

I totally agree with oldjudge. Are they not ripping off the novice collector who might just look at the numerical grade only, not knowing that the card is actually 5-6 grades lower? Why doesn't Beckett just grade everything BGS or BVG, so the useless BCCG graded junk is not in the marketplace? Why would Beckett slap their name on something collector's laugh at?

Agree all you want to....doesn't bother me a bit. If you care to read my last post you will answer your own question(s). It's called Business 101. They have a book on it at the library. As far as discrediting their other services that's for each person to decipher for themself. My understanding is that the BCCG is a much less expensive service and again, is geared at mass merchants looking for a cheap grading service. Think what you want to...

[jb217676]

I am O.K. with the cheap alternative theory, but why does the numerical grade have to be cheap? Why couldn't the same grade be given to a BCCG card as a BVG or BGS. Beckett could keep the BCCG price level lower by putting the cards in less expensive cases. This would keep the grading results consistent across the board.

[erstevens]

When I was buying an engagement ring several years ago, a jeweler talked to me about diamond certification. There are reputable diamond certification services (GIA) and less reputable ones (EGL). One jeweler can sell "ideal" diamonds with two different price levels. All buyers can walk out of the store and be happy with a graded ideal stone. In the end, it's buyer beware. It does seem that Beckett is being a bit risky by putting the Beckett name on both certification scales. On the other hand, they're banking a bit on the confusion.

[Republicaninmass]

59 fleer Ted Williams in a BVG holder came back sheet cut

[smtjoy]

I will not use them as I think BCCG is misleading and only hurts collectors who are new to the hobby, bad business for Beckett.

[barrysloate]

Jim- the difference between a nice 1 and a weak 2 is splitting hairs. The difference between a 2 and a 5 is huge.

Here's my take: the people who buy collectibles on HSN are not very knowledgeable and are easy marks for sellers. They are going to put a good deal of trust into those professionally graded cards they buy from HSN. But if they ever try to resell them they will find out they are virtually worthless, and that the grade is meaningless. I don't think that is a fair business model. There already is enough chicanery in the collectibles world, and this kind of looks like more of the same. I know there are worse scams than this, but hyperinflating grades just isn't a great thing.

Again, we're not talking about an EX-MT card that's graded NR MT. We're talking about a beater that's graded EX.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by jb217676

Why does BCCG even exist? I don't know anyone who has used it, or why anyone would use it.

BCCG is for the mass merchant retailers such as Home Shopping Networks. Their grading is literally about 5-6 grades too high. It exists as it is a profitable part of that companies business (I believe) and has more to do with profit/loss than our hobby, especially the pre-war market. I know the guys over there at Beckett fairly well and they are only doing as instructed by the higher ups.....best regards