Thoughts and opinions about GMA grading?

[campyfan39]

Hello friends.
I recently purchased a lot for my 53 set I am working on completing. In it were a handful of duplicates (which I will be listing on the BST soon) but also were several HOF cards graded by GMA. They range from 2.5 - 4.
What is the general consensus on the company and will it help me in the sale for them to be graded by them?
Thank you, this community is the best,
Chris

[swarmee]

They've been around a while, but mainly limited to a regional market here in North Florida where they're from. I see them mentioned a lot, but no real data as to whether or not they're good at detecting fakes or trimming. Low grade vintage is probably okay with them, although you might get more just cracking them and listing them raw.

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by swarmee

They've been around a while, but mainly limited to a regional market here in North Florida where they're from. I see them mentioned a lot, but no real data as to whether or not they're good at detecting fakes or trimming. Low grade vintage is probably okay with them, although you might get more just cracking them and listing them raw.

John is spot on in this case. I saw a vendor at Kyle's show here in December who had fairly graded (at those lower levels) GMA Cards and they seemed to be fairly accurate on off-quality vintage.

I would not have any issues buying those cards as if they were raw but obviously for a very expensive card, DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

Rich

[nolemmings]

I saw a complaint somewhere in my brief search awhile back that their holders are flimsy--they allow for a lot of card movement or floating. Can anyone here provide first-hand experience with that issue?

[mintacular]

Just me but there are only 3 legit grading companies and gma is not one of them

[Kutcher55]

Their slabs are very, very ugly.