News From SGC

[sb1]

Bob, not a great need to worry, apparently the mail is being forwarded, just another step the in the delivery chain. I sent an overnight to the PO box Tuesday, which the PO still shows as undelivered, yet SGC did finally find that they had it in their possession on Friday.

[barrysloate]

Maybe this would be a good time for collectors to learn to grade their own cards. Like it was said, it's not rocket science. If there were more raw cards and less slabbed ones, the hobby might actually be more fun.

That said, I'm sure you can still send some cards to SGC and receive in return accurately graded ones....hopefully.

[calvindog]

Barry, I asked my pet unicorn about the possibility of people deciding now to simply grade their own cards; he agreed with you.

Unfortunately as we've seen on this board, people use TPG often for one reason: to maximize resale. People bitch when the grades aren't as high as they like -- because they feel they're losing money on a potential resale. I don't think grading one's own cards will fill that void, although how many schmucks do actually grade their own cards even after the card has been slabbed: "FS: 1933 GOUDEY SGC 50 BUT REALLY NM+++++ I GOT SCROOOOWED BY SGC."

Next, as noted above, customer service seems to be the most important attribute of any hobby-related company. After all, Mastro/Legendary is still lauded in some corners of the hobby --- because they send out free catalogs. Never mind that they're ripping people off left and right with their fraud, if they send out a free $2 catalog they are A-OK!

[barrysloate]

Well Jeff, I know it's not going to actually happen, but if you can learn to ride a bicycle, or learn to play chess, you can learn to grade a baseball card.

Maybe high grade high value cards should get a second opinion by a so-called expert...but I see so many low grade $20 cards in holders for I don't know what reason. Collectors get lazy and they want somebody else to do the work for them. Learning all aspects of the hobby is part of the fun, IMO.

[Ease]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

but I see so many low grade $20 cards in holders for I don't know what reason.

Here are a few reasons other than resale: set registries, protection, good looks. I do agree though, Barry, that learning to grade yr own cards is a very important skill to have and a fun process to learn. Funny how what I thought were near mint cards when i was 10 are psa 5 excellent cards today

[Jay Wolt]

Here are a few reasons other than resale: set registries, protection, good looks.

...and uniformity.
If one is collecting a 1933 Goudey set you would want more then just the Babe Ruth
& Lou Gehrig cards slabbed, many would want them all looking the same even if you don't
utilize PSA or SGC's registry.

[barrysloate]

Eric- I guess I've never understood the attraction of the registry. It just seems like a goofy concept to me. Sure, if you have the best set in the hobby I suppose that carries some weight. But who cares if you have the 14th best one? I know the registry is popular, I'm just not a fan.