Whether you’re new to the hobby or just want to add some more value to your collection, grading baseball cards is an excellent option. But it can also be a complicated process. Choosing the right grading company is important. The company you choose will affect the look and feel of your slab, as well as its resale value.
PSA
PSA is the world’s most popular card grading service and is trusted by collectors around the globe. Whether you’re new to collecting or have been around the hobby for years, getting your cards graded is an important step in maximizing the value of your collection.
The PSA grading process is based on several criteria, including the condition of the card and its label. The label features fugitive ink to prevent tampering and is accompanied by a QR Code that allows collectors to access the card’s certification verification.
In addition to its grading services, PSA offers a variety of resources for sports card collectors. Collectors can use PSA’s Sports Market Report, Set Registry, and Population Report to streamline their collections while obtaining a valuable appraisal of their items.
Unlike other card grading services, PSA offers in-person grading for high-value cards at its headquarters in Woodbridge, NJ. This service is a premium and costs more than standard mail submissions, but it can be the best choice for those who want to avoid shipping fees or have high-value items that aren’t easy to transport.
Another way to get your cards graded is by attending a card show and submitting them in-person. Both Beckett and PSA have pages on their websites with details of up-coming shows where they will offer grading services.
BGS
Getting your favorite baseball card graded is one of the most satisfying experiences a collector can have. Whether it’s a coveted rookie card or a legendary grail, seeing your dream card slabbed by PSA or BGS is like winning the lottery! But before you send your cards off to have them graded, there are some important factors to keep in mind.
The first step is to find a company that is known to authenticate cards and other collectibles. This will ensure that your cards are properly graded and that they will not be resold at a lower price by someone who does not know their worth.
Both PSA and BGS have verified millions of sports cards and other collectibles, making them reputable companies that will give you accurate information about your card. However, it’s important to note that there is a backlog of cards at both companies, which can lead to delays when it comes time for your cards to be graded.
Another factor to consider is that both grading services are more expensive than the GMA. The prices vary depending on the service you choose and how many cards you want to submit. The cost can range from $20 to $100 for standard services and $30 to $250 for premium services.
As for the grading process itself, both companies use algorithms to determine the grade of your card. They also offer sub-grades, which can help you determine the exact grade of your card without having to wait for a final grade.
A BGS card is rated using four categories: centering, corners, edges, and surface. A higher numerical grade indicates a more pristine card.
SGC
The SGC is the lesser-known of the big three card grading companies, but it has made a lot of strides lately. Their pricing is a bit more affordable than BGS and PSA, and their turnaround times are lightning fast.
SGC grading is available through their website or by mail, with rates starting at $30 for a base grading. However, they also offer a range of other services, including Express service for $15 and Priority service at $35 with a five-day turnaround.
When you submit your cards for grading, they are graded on a 1-10 scale. A 10 is in Gem Mint (perfect condition) and a 1 is in Poor condition.
As the oldest card grading company in the United States, SGC has a reputation for being honest and fair. Some collectors believe that SGC is more trustworthy than other grading companies because of the company’s long history.
You can send in up to 100 cards for grading, and their standard base rate is only $30 per card. They also offer a super premium service for cards that are worth more than $100,000, which costs $3,750.
In addition, SGC offers subgrades on some of their cards, allowing you to see how your cards faired in specific categories like centering and wear. They also offer a Pristine grade, which is perfect centering and no defects.
If you want to resell your cards, it’s important to consider your grading choice. Some grading companies are more expensive than others, so you may need to choose wisely if you want to get the best resale value for your card.
eBay
There are a lot of steps to get your baseball cards graded, and it can take a long time. Even if you are selling a small collection on eBay, you could have to spend several months on the process. The seller has to set up an account, purchase auction software, inventory the cards, list them, scan them, pay commissions to eBay, collect the funds, package and mail them out to different places.
There’s a newer company in the grading industry called CSG (Certified Sports Guarantee), and they are offering their services to eBay sellers who sell ungraded baseball cards. They will check the card for authenticity and, if it is authentic and matches the description of the listing, they send it directly to the buyer.
If a card is not authentic, CSG will return the card to the seller and the funds will be refunded. It’s a little confusing, but it’s worth it for sellers to have their cards checked for authenticity by someone who is reputable and who knows what they are doing.
One of the biggest challenges for sellers on eBay are that a large percentage of their resale value is eaten up by shipping fees and commissions. For this reason, eBay has added a new program called Authenticity Guarantee, which lets them guarantee that all the items they sell will be genuine and will not contain any fakes.
The program is designed to prevent sellers from selling counterfeit cards, but it’s also good for buyers who want to make sure they’re getting a real physical object. It’s also a great way for collectors to get their hands on rarer cards that might be hard to find elsewhere, like an autographed Mickey Mantle or Mike Trout.