Differences in grading companies ?

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Posted By: sweetguy28

I am new to the forum and was just wanting some opinions on some things. I understand there are some major differences in grading companies but look at this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2740019462&category=31718

That one is a Gem 10 from 1910 ?? Seems odd ?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31721&item=2739744909

That one is a 5 but its cut off ??

What do you guys think of the different companies like PRO ??

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Posted By: Todd (nolemmings)

Welcome to the forum. Once you've had a chance to read through several threads on this board (and the CU board too), I think you'll find:

1. PRO grading has the uncanny effect of making collectors both break out in chills and have their blood boil. Their stuff is at best overgraded, and at worst/usually altered, trimmed, etc. AVOID.

2. Any high dollar item that is run by private auction is suspect-- proceed with extreme caution. If a PRO card is sold by private auction, then refer to preceding admonition.

3. Any seller with any significant knowledge of the hobby knows that his PRO card, if genuine and unaltered, would fetch several times more if it resided in an SGC or PSA holder (perhaps others too, depending on the card and grading company). To not spend the extra $15 or so to have it re-graded with these companies shows the seller's own lack of confidence in the card's true condition.

4. SGC and PSA (not necessarily in that order) are preferred by the folks here. Other companies have their supporters, but PRO is roundly greeted with two thumbs down.

5. AAA, or whatever name Libertyforall and his ilk are self-grading under, make PRO look good (at least PRO almost always actually grades real cards).

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Posted By: dan mckee

The 2nd 1 is a complete joke! It is a mutilated card and is poor by any standard. The 1st 1 is trimmed blatently and is bad. Stick to SGC, GAI, PSA. You will be better off though far from in the clear always!!!!

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Posted By: leon

I was at a small area show this last weekend and went by a table with some AAA crap. The guy behind the table had about as many teeth as I could count on one hand....although, I am not quite sure what was going on with the bottom ones, it didn't look good, and I didn't look too hard. But teeth aside he still looked like he was probably pulling his home behind him (not that there's anything wrong with that). I proceeded to say how I thought AAA was an up and coming company and wanted his opinion. He agreed quickly. He had $60 on each of his AAA crap but quickly told me he would take $30ea for them. It was mine and Scott B's opinion that this guy probably really didn't have a clue.....which, unfortunately for the hobby is probably all too common with this NASA - AAA shiite.....regards all......(just thought it interesting what a seller of these would say in person...answer...."not much")

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Posted By: Hankron

Todd and Dan's collective advice is right on. PRO and AAA are frauds. Never bid in private auctions (where the bidders identities are hidden). PSA, SGC are most popular. Beckett and GAI are largely compentant (certainly when compared to PRO or AAA).

My best advice is to find good (honest, experienced, knowledgeable, reliable) sellers. A top notch seller is worth gold.

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Posted By: sweetguy28

What about this auction ? This is yet another grading company thats seems fishy ? I am losing faith in grading unless its PSA or SCD I guess ?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2740208076&category=23836&rd=1

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Posted By: James Robbins

The question you should ask yourself is as follows:

Why would a guy that has such a great card send it off to be graded by some sub-par company? I don't know about you, but I would go with sgc or psa if I had a card like that...I would think it paramount to go with the best when I have a card like that. If it doesn't make sense then it probably doesn't. If it is too good to be true then it probably is.