Over the years I have purchased cards graded by PSA, SGC, and KSA. KSA can be a little inconsistent at times, but PSA and SGC are much better. (Although certainly not always consistent either.)
Personally, I really like the SGC holder. The prices are better than PSA and I feel that the quality of the grading is just as good. I was getting ready to submit some cards to SGC for my personal collection, but a dealer, whom I trust, told me to stick with PSA. He said the SGC is a good company with a good reputation, but that most collectors prefer PSA and that their cards commanded much higher prices.
I don't have any plans to sell my cards, but I'm sure that someday after I retire, I'll decide that it's time to pass some of these cards along to other collectors. So what do you guys think about using SGC to get some cards graded as opposed to PSA?
Earl. I would stick to Psa just for the liquidity factor if nothing else. Why get them graded by sgc and then take the time and money to send them for regrading to Psa when it's time to sell. Sgc is a good company but Psa's set registry is a powerful thing and I think it will be for a long time. Jim.
I guess we all have our opinions, I like this one tho...so I will respond even though I am not a graded card guy although I have owned many over the years.
Beckett is bang on with grading, I like their holds as they float the card whereas other companies have their cards in direct contact with the card and inner holders, tsk.tsk.
PSA is so popular, why I will never know, they don't have half grades, anyone ever see a good 8 or a bad 8 or a qualified 8....they get away from centering by making it a qualifier which is taking centering out of the complete grade and other excepts like stains...Grading is grading, if its 80/20 it can't be mint....nuff said there.
Jim is right about the liquid part tho...! PSA is the market preference. Then again, as time goes on and the 1 of 1's turn into 1 of 8's that people paid crazy money for, slowly turn into 1 of 20 etc...and the dollar value does drop considerably.
SGC is pretty good, I like how they grade, the out of 100 system works well with me but it is confusing if you don't know what an 86 is....nice holders but the same with the card hitting the inside plastic, a no no...
I have used PSA, KSA and SGC for grading.....SGC is very tough, but PSA is going to get the better prices period. In fact, I love buying undervalued SGC cards and re-submitting them to PSA because I know that there is a good chance that a SGC 92 is going to turn into a PSA 9.
KSA, while very nice and friendly, simply do not command the respect of the market place that PSA does. Grading wise, they are very weak, and I have re-graded over 20 KSA cards to PSA with an average of a grade drop.....
Also, I like to have my cards in the same frames/boxes/storage containers, so that is another reason to stick to one company..
I have used PSA, KSA, BVG and SGC for grading and have found all of them to be rather inconsistent. I have had SGC 2.5 cards grade PSA 5, I've had KSA 8 cards grade PSA 6, And I've had BVG 3's grade KSA 6's. Its such a frustrating business. As to your question, I think PSA is just the best to use simply because at one point or another your going to sell your cards and PSA does bring the most respect. Beckett grades so hard that people get annoyed with them, KSA is known for undergrading and people don't want 8 cards that are really 6's. And SGC for some reason just doesn't get the respect they deserve.
Thanks for all the input. I seem to be getting the same answer everywhere I look. I agree that KSA overgrades at times. They didn't used to, but they do now.
I also agree that SGC doesn't get the respect they deserve. The PSA qualifiers are a killer. Mostly the OC! If the card is way off, then lower the grade. I would also like to see sub grades, but they seem stuck on the single 10 point system. I really don't think that they are the best, but are the biggest name. They are also more expensive, which I really hate.
I guess I will have to just deal with the problems and go with PSA. Eventually I will be selling these and I will want the price they deserve.
Earl - I really think it depends on what you are grading. For big name hall of famers in pre-war I do not think the holder be it PSA or SGC really matters for price. For common cards, PSA because of the registry holds a premium. For 1950's to 1970's hockey there are just so few cards in holders other than PSA that it makes it difficult to track re-sale prices.
For modern cards I think Beckett does a great job and the resale value holds in the market. I can't say that value holds for pre-war cards or even cards in the 50's. Frankly, they are perceieved as a modern grader and perception is everything to buyers.
The opposite holds true for SGC. They are perceieved as a grade pre-war grading company. Frankly, for my money I agree that they are the most consistent and accurate I have seen. I think the value of pre-war cards in their holders is good ...but I do think PSA's value is better because of registry collectors. Crossing is a gamble (but a snall one for an SGC to PSA cross) and a pain in the ass.
The Set Registry has firmly made PSA the best value in grading. Even if they do have higher prices and aren't as consistent as the other two companies.
I agree with Tom and Albie - SGC is probably the most consistant grader and does ok for stars and prewar but overall PSA will command the best resale due to Registry freaks (like me).
