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THE BENEFITS OF CARD GRADING

Grading companies received a lot of attention with the introduction of E-bay and other on-line auction houses where the person bidding on/ buying a card is not able to physically see or handle the end product they are purchasing. Card grading exploded (along with the industry) during the Pandemic, and having a card graded can greatly affect the card's value. There are two other main benefits to getting a card graded.

First, the buyer doesn't have to rely on the seller's description of the card and whether that description is accurate or truthful. A third party has examined the card and attached their grade (a score from 1-10) as to its condition to it. Factors that affect a card's grade are centering, corners, edges, and surface. Different grading companies weigh those factors differently.

The second purpose of card grading is establishing the card's authenticity. Having a card graded also guarantees that the card is not a counterfeit. This is especially useful for high dollar, often counterfeited cards, like Michael Jordan's rookie, or seldom seen, scarcer vintage cards.

Once a card is graded, it is "slabbed" in a thick plastic card holder that can not be opened without obviously breaking the slab. This is a plus for the collector to know that the card will be in the same condition once received as it is in when purchased (and to know that the card can't be switched with another one). We have many collectors who grade their "PC" (personal collection) cards.

WHO ARE THE GRADERS?

Due to grading popularity, there are now more choices than ever in who to choose to grade your cards; however, for increased value alone, PSA (Professional Sports Authenticators) is presently the industry leader. Getting a PSA 10 can greatly increase your card's value...especially for a card that doesn't normally grade high. BGS (Beckett Grading Services) is another big player in the grading biz, and it's thought that a score of BGS 9.5 is roughly equal to a PSA 10, as BGS has a reputation of being a tougher grader (especially when it comes to centering, where PSA is more permissive). Both companies are experiencing a serious backlog (as of this printing in March 2022), so wait times can be long, and cost has increased greatly over the last two years.

Those last two factors have opened up the Grading choices to other companies like SGC (Sportscard Guaranty). Around since 1998, SGC is not new, but has seen an uptick of submissions due to quality and the sheer volume of cards being graded. CSG (Certified Sports Guaranty), also not new to the game, is part of the same company known for coin, paper money, and comic book grading and encapsulation. HGA (Hybrid Grading Approach) IS new, and offers appealing, custom labels as an add-on option. SGC, CSG, and HGA have cheaper price options and faster turnaround times than both PSA and BGS...another attractive feature.

HOW IT WORKS

While several companies make themselves available for in-person submissions at large trade shows (especially the annual National Sports Collectors Convention, where some on-site grading is done), most submissions take place through the mail. Instructions for mail-in submissions can be found on each Grading Card Company's website, and include directions for how cards should be packed (such as what card holders to use).

PRICING

Prices vary between companies and depend on wait time and card value. Check their respective websites for current info.

PSA
www.psacard.com
(800) 325-1121
Info@psacard.com

 

BGS
www.beckett.com/grading
972-448-9188
grading@becket.com

SGC
www.gosgc.com
To Contact, use online form https://www.gosgc.com/collector-support/contact-us
CSG
www.csgcards.com
888-CSG-4723
941-361-1950

To Contact, use online form https://www.csgcards.com/contact OR
service@csgcards.com
HGA
www.hybridgrading.com
865-224-3783
To Contact, use Chat or Form on main page OR
help@hybridgrading.com