Best Grading Service

[Krakenfan]

I was considering sending out some of my nicer highend cards for grading. I have never had anything graded before. What is the best price wise. I am considering having 100 cards graded. I know Beckett and PSA are the best in the hobby and KSA isn't the best for trading. Or is there a wildcard grading service I am not thinking of.

 

[webottew]

Personally, I consider the following criteria (in loose priority for me) when deciding which company to grade with. I go with different graders depending on my response to these factors. Generally, cost is my least priority since they are pretty much in same ball park.

1) Is the card Vintage or Modern?
2) Why am I grading? Protection vs investment (resale, etc)?
3) Do I mind sending cross border (to Canada? to USA?)
4) Quality of the slab, and general visual appeal?
5) Do I value a Population Report, or similar look-up for the graded cards?
6) Price and service
7) Are there any options available to me for onsite grading/submissions at local shows?

FYI, there is a new player in the market now: MNT Grading

How you answer these questions for your cards may result in different recommendations.

 

[sprague11]

Vintage: PSA
Modern: Beckett

 

[Zorro]

dat registry tho!

In all seriousness, PSA is known for vintage but they are doing quite well with modern cards too.

 

[odjickfan]

I want PSA and BGS, and nothing else.

 

[cburt]

Vintage: PSA
Modern: Beckett

Definitely the rule of thumb I follow. SGC is also reputable and trustworthy. KSA is too inconsistent and you gain almost zip value-wise putting cards I their slabs. Though I have had cards in KSA slabs that have been fine, but with them it is a crapshoot. You have companies like GMA and MNT which are a waste of time also.

 

[creasecollector]

I voted BGS, but it really depends on what cards you want to grade. (Modern or Vintage)

 

[Muir6]

I like sgc and psa.

 

[junyab]

Definitely the rule of thumb I follow. SGC is also reputable and trustworthy. KSA is too inconsistent and you gain almost zip value-wise putting cards I their slabs. Though I have had cards in KSA slabs that have been fine, but with them it is a crapshoot. You have companies like GMA and MNT which are a waste of time also.

What don't you like about MNT? Why are they a "waste of time"? From what I've seen and experienced they have high standards, very good customer service, and quality slabs.

 

[bwmechtech]

I agree with the others, PSA for vintage (and some modern), Beckett for modern. The others don't seem to add much value on the secondary market. Not that I have anything against them, just going by what I've seen for sales results.

 

[cburt]

What don't you like about MNT? Why are they a "waste of time"? From what I've seen and experienced they have high standards, very good customer service, and quality slabs.

Very new company with not much in the way of a reputation. They look more like a BGS copycat to me (without the inner sleeve). Doesn't seem like they have anything great to offer the card grading industry. I guess they feel they can make an impact with how KSA has failed as viable third party grader. Not sure if that will happen. But if you like them, then all the power to you.

 

[oiler8]

I have a side project which is grading Taylor Hall Rookie year cards from as many graders as possible. I totally understand that some of these are adding ZERO value, but that's not an issue for me.

BGS
PSA
SGC
ACA*
PGi
GMA
ISA
BCCG
KSA*
WCG
MNT*

*= Canadian Company

I still need to get cards graded from WCG and MNT, but I have at least 1 from all the rest. (52 in total)

I would without a doubt recommend BGS and PSA for anything high value. ACA wasn't too bad for service.

 

[cburt]

I have a side project which is grading Taylor Hall Rookie year cards from as many graders as possible. I totally understand that some of these are adding ZERO value, but that's not an issue for me.

BGS
PSA
SGC
ACA*
PGi
GMA
ISA
BCCG
KSA*
WCG
MNT*

*= Canadian Company

I still need to get cards graded from WCG and MNT, but I have at least 1 from all the rest. (52 in total)

I would without a doubt recommend BGS and PSA for anything high value. ACA wasn't too bad for service.

Sounds like a cool project. It will be nice to see your S&T once you've completed this. Good luck!

 

[drkicker]

Use to be an avid BGS guy but in recent years PSA seems to pick up even in modern.

Completed sales of cards from both companies tend to advantage PSA.

They added some registery`s like must have rookies from all sports, H.O.F`s etc.

Dont know if BGS fixed there registery`s yet, but there site change/direction change costed them alot. 45 days turnaround time lost cost grading is now change to we will grade em when we can. ( I See its up to 90 open days and plus now and not going the right way.

Havent busted anything since 2014 but if i did or add to submit a bunch a cards for grading (modern) i would probably go with PSA now.

 

[plubers]

I chose Beckett because i believe they are more strict with the grading plus the cases are a million times better than PSA. I did finally buy a MNT graded card off ebay and i’m very impressed with the job they did on the grading. Case is top notch as well.

 

[99goals]

I will approach this from another angle. I will never send to Beckett again. They have had my cards for 9 months. So I highly recommend that you have one of their preferred customers send for you. They can get their items back in a month. I had to do this recently and it worked. Mind you I sent via a friend of a friend of a friend.

 

[gobuffalo2331]

I will approach this from another angle. I will never send to Beckett again. They have had my cards for 9 months. So I highly recommend that you have one of their preferred customers send for you. They can get their items back in a month. I had to do this recently and it worked. Mind you I sent via a friend of a friend of a friend.

This was about to be my point. For years I preferred BGS. But now, they're so backed up, the customer service is so bad, and their prices are now double what PSA charges. Due to issues like these, most people are going the PSA route and their values have gone up a lot.