Mike Baker Authenticated

[DanP]

Originally Posted by Leon

I guess a 2nd pair of eyes is good but it really shouldn't be needed if the TPGs do their jobs correctly. But not a bad idea as others are doing it, or have tried to do it, recently.

I hear what you’re saying Leon. But remember, all of us make mistakes in our job. Luckily, most of the time they go unnoticed (unless you’re in the restaurant business where you’re expected to be perfect).

I am terrible at judging the quality of a card. I trust that TPGs would do a better job than I would and 99% of the time that’s true. I also like having another opinion.

What’s nice is if you don’t like it, ignore the MBA or even PSA/SGC/BGS label. The grade is a guide to get you started. The final review is up to the buyer.

[Exhibitman]

Remora (noun): Remora spend their lives clinging to a host animal such as a whale, turtle, shark or ray. Although it was initially believed that remoras fed off particulate matter from the host's meals, this has been shown to be false; in reality, their diets are composed primarily of host feces.

Sound about right?

[rdwyer]

Confused. Wasn't Mike Baker the one who graded trimmed cards for GAI?

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by rdwyer

Confused. Wasn't Mike Baker the one who graded trimmed cards for GAI?

I believe so.

[HRBAKER]

Just think then we could have High-End Certified Certified.

[x2drich2000]

I thought the Mike Baker GAI graded cards were generally considered good? If I remember correctly, wasn't he also at one time the head grader at PSA?

[Throttlesteer]

As a business model, it sounds like a very risky idea. If a new grading company came around and did their job the first time around, these piggy-backers would be out of business overnight.

[Frank A]

Originally Posted by rdwyer

Confused. Wasn't Mike Baker the one who graded trimmed cards for GAI?

NO!!!!!!!

[1880nonsports]

you are incorrectly impugning someone's reputation without knowing anything about him or what actually went on at a couple of grading companies....... A negative suggestion followed by affirmation from another person and voila! He was the boogeyman. I believe he was heralded as top drawer grader.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by 1880nonsports

you are incorrectly impugning someone's reputation without knowing anything about him or what actually went on at a couple of grading companies....... A negative suggestion followed by affirmation from another person and voila! He was the boogeyman. I believe he was heralded as top drawer grader.

Serious question. If he was a top grader and a good guy what the hell happened with all the graded altered cards?

Also not sure if true but according to the last owner(Damian Werner) of GAI/Global Authority Mike Baker was still the grader till they completely shut down due to complete incompetence and not returning submitters cards.

[Yoda]

In or around 2000 the hobby was abuzz with the news that a new grading company was about to launch. Steve Rocci, President, and Mike Baker, Head Grader, had left PSA to form GAI with backing from several deep pockets investors. Early reaction from dealers was overwhelmingly supportive due in no small part to Baker's sterling reputation. I recall the Ft. Washington show around then when GAI was doing on site grading for, I believe, the first time. Dealers were cracking cards out cards from PSA slabs and submitting them to Mike because he had graded the same cards at PSA.
I really don't know why SGC went south but a counter guarantee from Mike certainly should enhance value for those who care. It's not for me, but I understand how others could see it differently.

[Rich Klein]

FYI: They are at almost all the large Dallas Card Shows so anyone who is interested and comes to those events can find out for themselves with 1st person evidence and come away with their own conclusions.

Regards
Rich

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by Yoda

In or around 2000 the hobby was abuzz with the news that a new grading company was about to launch. Steve Rocci, President, and Mike Baker, Head Grader, had left PSA to form GAI with backing from several deep pockets investors. Early reaction from dealers was overwhelmingly supportive due in no small part to Baker's sterling reputation. I recall the Ft. Washington show around then when GAI was doing on site grading for, I believe, the first time. Dealers were cracking cards out cards from PSA slabs and submitting them to Mike because he had graded the same cards at PSA.
I really don't know why SGC went south but a counter guarantee from Mike certainly should enhance value for those who care. It's not for me, but I understand how others could see it differently.

Yeah not for me either. I think we all can see when a card appears to have been graded conservatively...or not and know what to pay accordingly. Once a card is in a holder, a full assessment is not possible so at best they can give a nod to a card based on an incomplete review.

The other issue I have with this concept of only certifying high end cards is that we do not get their opinion on a card they do not certify and why. So to me, as a whole, it is a one-sided assurance. Nobody would pay them to certify the card is altered in the holder, as an example.

If someone wants to pay them for that service because of Mike's rep, go for it and if someone is actually willing to pay a premium for it, good for them.

[theuclakid]

business model aside, Mike Baker was the head grader or one of the head graders in the 1990's at PSA before he and Steve Rocci left PSA to start GAI in about 2001...for a multitude of reasons as I recall...GAI's grading, in my opinion, was well respected through about 2005, when changes were made to the company, one other important grader who had left PSA also, name escapes me, left GAI, investors changing etc....this is from what I heard...the company went downhill after that unfortunately...but their early grades were solid...it is too bad their graded cards do not sell....Bruce Perry

[Dead-Ball-Hitter]

Oh well… He knows cards, but is 15 years away from being relevant and ruined His reputation at GAI then GA. Many collectors never got their cards back as a result of his and his partner’s actions. First hand information.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Dead-Ball-Hitter

Oh well… He knows cards, but is 15 years away from being relevant and ruined His reputation at GAI then GA. Many collectors never got their cards back as a result of his and his partner’s actions. First hand information.

I was one of the lucky ones who got their cards back. It took several emails over a few months. I got them back just before they closed down the website to non-members. My membership password quit working at that time. The cards never did get graded and they never gave me a refund, just happy I got the cards back.

[T205 GB]

I see a lot of talk about Baker and his MBA business. Well, I can tell you first hand he has a massive presence in MSP MN and is sold by Triple Diamond Sports Cards and Gold Bar Breaks. When I flipped over one of their cards and seen Bakers name I asked if it was the same Baker from GAI. Apparently the guys didn't know the history or the background behind it. I said do your due diligence and find out. Either that or they know and play stupid to save face at a card show. I did buy a RC Auto I had been chasing for a while and the sticker that it had was absolute bullsh!t in comparison to condition. I paid full comp based on condition and removed that sticker as soon as I left the shop. The whole show is equivalent to BCCG grading where your 6's are 10's all day. Reminds me of Desert Queens Looks like a 10 till the plane lands stateside. Not going to lie, I was hoping this was not the same person that had a very conflicting past. I will say that if you are buying new unopened hobby boxes then go for it.

Seriously if you have an under graded card then have it regraded. Relying on a known scammer(s) to verify a better grade for you by affixing a sticker to a card slab promotes theft and scams rather than deter them. Plus if these guys are so good at grading then WTF have they not started a grading service of their own? Can't due it because they have no unique business model or clout in the industry.

We will add a holographic sticker to any card for $5 a card all inclusive. We can do 1000+ a day if you need and bulk subs are accepted but we won't really return your cards for months and months when we have really no reason to keep them setting there other than pure laziness. Shipping is always same day service with max insurance and at least 4 add ons that require you to be there in person at exactly 10:23 am GMT the day of shipping or days following till it is delivered. If we miss you in person the package is sent back and we recharge you continually to ship it till you give up or get fired from work for missing days. All stickers will have a unique qr code or serial # to access a blank and never updated registry. We also promise to never tell you what is seen that makes your card better or worse. Please contact me though email because we don't answer the phone due to possible liabilities. If we happen to close down due to heat and pressure from the hobby we won't be sending the cards back for liability reasons unless you pay for the service and fees. If your patient we will reopen in a few years and continue with our business under a different name. You can sub for review then.

[CurtisFlood]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Remora (noun): Remora spend their lives clinging to a host animal such as a whale, turtle, shark or ray. Although it was initially believed that remoras fed off particulate matter from the host's meals, this has been shown to be false; in reality, their diets are composed primarily of host feces.

Sound about right?

Adam, that is sort of a mean analogy. However, I love it!

[Yoda]

Despite all of the technical aids and cross-referencing employed by the TPGers, grading still remains the subjective final decision by the grader. Human nature will always play a role with the exception of Superman, Jesus and perhaps Karl Marx.
Travis, could you provide a scan of one of your PSA graded cards in your PC with a Baker good housekeeping seal of approval. I have never seen one and am curious after this cogent discussion on a polemic subject. Tks. John

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by DanP

I hear what you’re saying Leon. But remember, all of us make mistakes in our job. Luckily, most of the time they go unnoticed (unless you’re in the restaurant business where you’re expected to be perfect).

I am terrible at judging the quality of a card. I trust that TPGs would do a better job than I would and 99% of the time that’s true. I also like having another opinion.

What’s nice is if you don’t like it, ignore the MBA or even PSA/SGC/BGS label. The grade is a guide to get you started. The final review is up to the buyer.

The restaurant part made me laugh. It's 2020... NO ONE is expected to be perfect, at, well... literally anything anymore. Anything less than sheer and utter incompetence is completely acceptable these days.

Case in point, since moving to Montreal, my expectations are now as low as possible. I can honestly say that my meals are screwed up at least 50% of the time when I order or go out here, and you get no sympathy from staff or management whatsoever.
If you complain, they act like you're the problem. It's pathetic...

Rant over

[steve B]

So many stickers....

Part of me wants to buy a really nice Nascar card and get as many of those new stickers as possible on the slab.

[Fred]

Does anyone want to join me in the N54 AUTHENTICATION Super Service. We can call it N54 ASS. It will be a unique AUTHENTICATION TO THE AUTHENTICATION service.

We can come up with a really cool looking logo. The difference between the N54 ASS and the "other guys" is we will offer a certification number for the logo (for a nominal charge).

Who says we can't have 6 minute abs?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJgzXJ4AX_Y

Not sure if I'd go with a Baker auth. As others have mentioned, GAI was good to begin with, then the trimmed cards were being slabbed with numerical numbers. Step into my office... N54 ASS!

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by Fred

Does anyone want to join me in the N54 AUTHENTICATION Super Service. We can call it N54 ASS. It will be a unique AUTHENTICATION TO THE AUTHENTICATION service.

We can come up with a really cool looking logo. The difference between the N54 ASS and the "other guys" is we will offer a certification number for the logo (for a nominal charge).

Who says we can't have 6 minute abs?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJgzXJ4AX_Y

Not sure if I'd go with a Baker auth. As others have mentioned, GAI was good to begin with, then the trimmed cards were being slabbed with numerical numbers. Step into my office... N54 ASS!

Our spokesperson can be Large Ass Herzog.

[perezfan]

A serious question...

Will Baker be removing the cards from the slabs, to examine them? The only reason a service like this would add value, is to deem a questionable card as being altered or unaltered. Quite often you cannot determine alteration, if the card resides in a slab.

Look at the thousands of PSA altered examples residing in numbered slabs... for many of these, you'd need to examine the edges/sides of the card. I view this service as worthless, unless he can examine the raw card.

As far as agreeing with the grade... beauty should be in the eye of the beholder. Not some profiteering opportunist.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by perezfan

A serious question...

Will Baker be removing the cards from the slabs, to examine them? The only reason a service like this would add value, is to deem a questionable card as being altered or unaltered. Quite often you cannot determine alteration, if the card resides in a slab.

Look at the thousands of PSA altered examples residing in numbered slabs... for many of these, you'd need to examine the edges/sides of the card. I view this service as worthless, unless he can examine the raw card.

As far as agreeing with the grade... beauty should be in the eye of the beholder. Not some profiteering opportunist.

Of the 3 companies(LOL) I know of they do not remove the card from the holder. Wouldn't removing the card make the process worthless(not that it already isn't)?

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by steve B

So many stickers....

Part of me wants to buy a really nice Nascar card and get as many of those new stickers as possible on the slab.

I think you're on to something. If one sticker is good, wouldn't multiple stickers -- as many as possible -- be better?

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by icollectDCsports

I think you're on to something. If one sticker is good, wouldn't multiple stickers -- as many as possible -- be better?

The more the better for sure. You could easily get a few hundred just in grading fees on a card you could buy raw for $5.

[Throttlesteer]

Now if someone could sticker cards that haven't been owned by known scammers, doctors, or other bad actors, I might pay for that.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by Throttlesteer

Now if someone could sticker cards that haven't been owned by known scammers, doctors, or other bad actors, I might pay for that.

And the stickers would automatically detach themselves once they sense touch DNA from one of them...