SGC and the Grading Company Employee

[T206Collector]

When you start working for a grading company, you were probably a collector first. But when you go work for a grading company, you ought to freeze your collection -- at least with respect to material graded by your company; and, if not, then at least with respect to sales. That just seems like common sense, no?

If I purchase an SGC-graded card and it turns out it was previously owned by an SGC employee, that is a fact I would like to know prior to my purchase.

What am I missing?

I have been a loyal SGC customer, proponent, follower, etc. for about 5 years now. Some of the best people I know in the hobby are the employees of SGC. Brian, Michael, Sean and Bob -- the SGC guys that I have dealt with personally -- have worked tirelessly to build a customer base as strong as it is today. And they have done so with a great product and exceptional customer service that is better than just about any industry I have ever encountered. The proof is in the support they have garnered with the vintage collector.

But all of SGC's customers and employees would feel far more secure if its employees, owners and operators did not buy or sell -- though sell raises a brighter red flag than a purchase -- SGC material while they were affiliated with the company. And if a rare circumstance required a break from that policy -- at least from a sale standpoint -- a full disclosure should be made. Otherwise the appearance of impropriety only threatens the value of all of our SGC-graded cards.

Graded card companies are not just selling a product. They are creating a liquid asset. They should do everything in their power to maximize the value of those assets. To not sacrifice one's own collecting interests -- as an employee, owner or operator of that company -- for the good of the owners of those assets is an unnecessary and, frankly, selfish risk.