Grading Companies

[Ben Yourg]

Is AGS as reliable as PSA etc.?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Ben Yourg

Is AGS as reliable as PSA etc.?

Since I am quite addicted to the hobby and have never heard of them I am going with a "no" on this answer. I am not sure we need more grading companies besides the big 3 we have today. Since grading is a little bit about perception of the grading company I would only use one of the 3 standard ones, SGC, Beckett, or PSA.....As for buying something in a holder from another company than those 3, I would be very leery. And even if in a holder from one of those three you still need to know what you are buying....(card-wise)...best regards

[nebboy]

I know that Canadas biggest grading company is KSA and if your dealing with OPC Hockey its OK to be in that kind of holder. But how does that company stack up to the big 3 in USA?
Are there any other grading companys outside of the US that you have ever bought a graded card in?

[BobbyVCP]

Personally I would put KSA is the same category as all the other grading companies AGA, AMA, GMA, etc. I took a close look and they are no better then the others. SGC, PSA, BVG and if you want to add a 4th there is GAI.

[Ladder7]

Ive seen KSA's with paper loss get VG 3. Scary stuff

[JamesGallo]

Originally Posted by Ladder7

Ive seen KSA's with paper loss get VG 3. Scary stuff

This doesn't say much, I have seen PSA 4's and 5's with paper loss.

I have heard that they are ok, with maybe a half grade off either way, but I don't have any personal experience with them.

Not sure I would take a chance unless it was really cheap or a no lose situation.

James G

[glynparson]

KSA has more support then most of the small time grading companies, but personally I would avoid their cards. Unless I had the card in hand and the holder allows me to see the edges.. PSA and SGC both have Canadian drop off locations, at least they did the last I heard. I believe Lem Pottie (SP?) does this for PSA and Larry Kerrigan does it for SGC. Again these arrangements may have changed but i know they were both in place a few years ago.