GAI is another reputable grading company, but in general, do not send cards there for grading. Cards encased with GAI tend to sell at a discount. In general, with GAI, you can expect the cards to be authentic, but they may not crossover to another grading company at the same grade. For example, a card graded at GAI 5 (Excellent) may only be SGC 50/4 (VG-EX). Again, as others have said, buy the card, not the holder. The holder only authenticates the card for you, so you know it's not a reprint and have a general guideline about the grade.
Some terms, "slab" is the card with the flip encased in the holder. "Crossover" is when you take the slab for one TPG (third party grader) and try to send it to another TPG for the same grade (or higher). Please note that crossovers aren't even close to be guaranteed to happen, and there are all kinds of conspiracy theories about this. That is, a card with a PSA4 (VG-EX) flip will not necessary be graded at SGC with the same 50/4 (VG-EX) grade. It can often get a lower grade, and vice versa. Another term is "crack out." This is when collectors break the card out of the slab, and then send it to a TPG. This is done in hopes that the card will receive the same or better grade from the TPG (or the other TPG in a crossover), and the graders won't be "contaminated" by seeing the current grade in the slab. You should get familiar with the TPG's. Some say PSA is stricter with centering. Many others prefer SGC for prewar cards and say that PSA is too lenient with other qualities in the card. PSA has a strong registry, where set collectors compete for the best set, etc. Good luck, and happy collecting. I was the same way, where I collected the 80s cards too and recently got back in the hobby. A lot of fun the second time around.
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