[quackcab69]

Im the same way with BGS. Price point is helpful for sure. Knowing everywheres wait time is insane doesnt really affect the choice or shouldnt

[tallica1981]

I’ve only personally ever graded with PSA, but I haven’t been grading for very long. If your intention is resale or maximizing value, It really depends on what type of card is being graded. For vintage, PSA and SGC are the only 2 I would consider. For 80s and 90s I would only look to PSA or BGS. Ultra modern, I would stick with PSA. Much bigger market demand and value.

[quackcab69]

There a reason why you separate them by decades or type of card I should say? Just curious

[tallica1981]

SGC still carries a lot of respect amongst the vintage and non-sport community. They compete with PSA for value and a lot of vintage collectors prefer the appearance of vintage cards in SGC slabs. Plus a lot of set collectors can grade more cost effective through sgc when going for a complete graded set. Most commons aren’t worth the PSA grade cost.

For 80s and 90s, BGS is the only company that really competes for value with PSA. A BGS 9.5 can outsell a PSA 9 in a lot of cases, but the PSA 10 still commands a large premium over the 9.5. However, since BGS’s grading system allows for a few more imperfections and still achieve a 9.5, it can be a better option for people not chasing 10s. Just a personal opinion, but I think collectors that grew up in the 80s and 90s recognize the Beckett name as a brand that created the modern card market and was associated with card values.

Ultra Modern on the other hand is heavily geared towards chasing 10s or bust. The new collector base has no brand loyalty to Beckett and SGC was gaining ground for the quick flip community until Collectors (PSA’s Parent Company) bought them and turned them into a “boutique” grading company. Now that they have raised the prices and turn around time, they aren’t viable outside of non sport and premium vintage, imo. With CGC being known by a lot of new collectors thru TCG/Pokemon and Magazine/comic circles, I think they have the best chance to make some inroads into the ultra modern sports space, but have a long road to match PSA. Until a CGC 10 competes with a PSA 10, they will have a hard time being anything better than a distant 2nd, imo

[quackcab69]

Oh okay yeah I was debating on where to send some cards but this for sure provides some clarity! Appreciate it!!

[KJXploR]

Thanks for this breakdown. VERY helpful!!

[lesagecollectibles]

Nice breakdown of the grading process you use! Definitely helpful! I just know from the limited selling I’ve done people are looking for PSA first. Beckett, sgc, and cgc are next in line. I personally purchase all of them as long as it’s a card I want.

[KJXploR]

I’ve used PSA once. Sent 10 sports cards at the value level through my local hobby shop in February and got the cards back in July. This was before PSA paused the value level. Five cards graded 10, four graded 9, and one was an 8. But the card that I most wanted to be a 10 was a Panini directly out of the top loader and only got a 9. Really hurt the possible price I could get for it.

I’ve also used Degree grading and like that they have 3 categories that show why your cards get the grades they do. Several people on here have used Degree and I used it because of their experiences. But we use it for our PC. I still think at this point even with the changes they’re making PSA dominates the resale market. If you want to sell the card then I’d say use PSA. Even though I’m not a fan of theirs.

I don’t have any personal knowledge of using any other grading services but do see when I’m buying graded cards that PSA gets the highest prices. When I was selling a graded card to my local hobby shop they treated an SGC 8 as a PSA 7.

[chadinha]

Degree? Now thats a new one to me.

[KJXploR]

I had never heard of it until some people on here used it. I’d only use it for PC if I mainly wanted a card slabbed. Because of this. No one has heard of it. But I can also say I was pleased with the service and the cards

[quackcab69]

Yeah most people use it for PC but its a newer company thats actually pretty quick on the turnaround

[mysteried]

I’ve used Degree multiple times. It’s great for grading for PC, but it doesn’t compete with PSA or BGS for resale. It’s generally more affordable though, so I still send stuff for my PC all the time.