MNT or KSA?

[McGuillicuddy]

Before anybody starts up about how terrible KSA/MNT are (some people are *really* passionate about grading companies! I am not), don't bother. I know PSA and BGS bring FAR higher returns but they are very expensive, shipping across the border is expensive, and wait times are very long. So for anything that's only worth a few hundred dollars or less it's just not worth it to me.

In my case I have all the OPC sets from 1979 - 1992 and I'd like to have some of the marquee cards graded just so they're slabbed, not because I want to maximize their value for resale. None of them will be 10s so there's no big money involved. That said, if there is a compelling reason to choose one of the Canadian grading companies over the other then I'd like to know about it.

 

[langway05]

There is a good thread: Honest Review of MNT Grading

And another here: MNT grading...

As for KSA...

 

[SNobles]

I will be sending in another order to MNT in the coming days. At this time as you said they will not give you the same ROI that BGS, PSA and now SGC will but for the ability to not have to send across the border, deal in CDN funds and the turnaround time they are my go to.

I've never used KSA but I can say I am not a big fan of the way their holders look. However since you are talking about grading older vintage stuff the KSA holder might be more appealing for those cards since it is more in line with the PSA ones.

MNT for sure has the more modern BGS feel to it.

Best of luck with whatever you choose, hope they grade better then you think.

 

[gomaz]

Since all you are really looking for is a nice slab, go with MNT - theirs is quite nice and sturdy. KSA's is worse than a top-loader.

 

[creasecollector]

MNT all day.

 

[McGuillicuddy]

So it seems like the point of going with MNT is there is potential there. Meaning they have started off solid and have the potential to bring value down the road. Currently though I think MNT actually brings less value than KSA. Unfortunately KSA has kinda made their bed already with some dodgy grading in the past. People don't trust them even if they've tightened up their act more recently.

 

[japhi]

I'm curious to understand why you would just want them slabbed? No judgement, but if it is to protect the card, nothing will do that better then a Card Saver 1. And viewing a vintage card in a CS1 is sublime. Unless you travel with your cards, or treat them rough, slabs will not protect any more then a CS1.

And in fact you are putting your cards at risk - very low risk mind you - but risk nonetheless by shipping them to TPG, having them remove, slab and reship the card. And all the slabs save for BGS with their sleeve allow for movement. So they really do a poor job of protecting the card anyways. And are hard to store, expensive to get slabbed, etc.

Just a second opinion. But if you are going to pay the money to have them slabbed may as well add value to them by using a TPG that is widely recognized. Cause they are better protected floating in a CS1.

 

[japhi]

So it seems like the point of going with MNT is there is potential there. Meaning they have started off solid and have the potential to bring value down the road. Currently though I think MNT actually brings less value than KSA. Unfortunately KSA has kinda made their bed already with some dodgy grading in the past. People don't trust them even if they've tightened up their act more recently.

FWIW, and just trying to give you another perspective but....

Nice raw vintage cards sell for more then outlier slabbed cards. Look at what Greg Morris gets for his raw cards. I actually buy KSA cards all the time because they sell for less then a comparable raw card, and significantly less then PSA. And have had many KSA cards cross over but of course you have to know the card you are buying, and understand they slab sheet cut, etc.

There is very little chance that MNT can break through without some sort of clear service differential. Better technology, a crazy new slab, etc. If they are just humans encasing cards then there will be no long term upside, you are possibly decreasing the value of your cards when you consider the cost to have them encased.

Apologies to the MNT guy, I am sure he will read this. I hope he kills it but 20 years in watching outlier TPG's fail gives us a pretty clear understanding on how this all ends.

 

[CeddieB]

I recently received back some PC Cards from MNT and posted a S&T about it. Overall I was pretty happy with them. 1/2 the price and 1/3 the wait vs. BGS.


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[uvic99]

I've gone with KSA in the past. Just like you, they were cards I just wanted slabbed; some lower valued cards with no plans for resale. Basically, KSA offered slabbing at shows (and they also have holder inserts for odd sized vintage cards) so for me it was just convenience. It's cheap and fast and you don't have to fill out forms, package them up and send them through the mail. I was going to show/expo anyways. Obviously, you'll have to wait a while before that's an option again.