PSA vs SGC...the definitive Debate!!!

[ullmandds]

I like SGC for consistency, customer service and value, but can't argue that PSA brings more $$. Not sure that will change . . .


+1!

[g_vezina_c55]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

I like SGC for consistency, customer service and value, but can't argue that PSA brings more $$. Not sure that will change . . .


+1!

+2 not sure too that will not change, many time when we talk about grading mistake etc, psa is almost everytime involve, so i am not sure this will not change

[GregMitch34]

Probably this has been done here already, but would be interesting for folks to make two lists (subjective):

What PSA tends to go easy on (very forgiving) in grading--and where it is very tough

Same for SGC.

[Jlighter]

Originally Posted by g_vezina_c55

+2 not sure too that will not change, many time when we talk about grading mistake etc, psa is almost everytime involve, so i am not sure this will not change

I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure PSA grades more cards which could explain more mistakes.

[SushiX37]

I agree with Zach and Jake. PSA offers a better case, easier to read grading, and tracking that can easily be accessed on their website.

Rich

[srs1a]

Definitive makes me laugh on this subject. It is a religious debate with financial overtones.

[zljones]

The PSA case is slimer so more of them fit into my bin. SGC cases are too bulky looking.

[RGold]

Originally Posted by zljones

The PSA case is slimer so more of them fit into my bin. SGC cases are too bulky looking.

You misspelled slimier.

[pcoz]

I like SGC for accuracy, but because of collectors affinity for the PSA Registry, they bring higher prices IMO. Also, I love how my cards stand out in the SGC holder. Drives me nuts in some of the PSA holders when the cards move all around.

[GasHouseGang]

Originally Posted by srs1a

Definitive makes me laugh on this subject. It is a religious debate with financial overtones.

I agree. I'd almost rather discuss religion and/or politics before taking a side in this debate!

[HRBAKER]

Vintage Style

[CMIZ5290]

Current score sgc 53, psa 11....i just simply don't get it. If we all are collectors and at some point want to sell, why would you not go with the grading company that brings the most money?

[philliesphan]

I like applesauce

[ullmandds]

John p...while i respect your opinion...you could not be more wrong!!!

[Piratedogcardshows]

I say SGC.They havent let me down yet and they have great customer service in regards to submitting cards.Jason

[Jay Wolt]

PSA has graded over 19 million cards. It would be crazy to say that they are all in the hands of investors or registry people.
I like both PSA & SGC to collect (I'm on both registries) and for re-sale, I've had very few problems with either & I'm glad both are in the hobby.

[bbcard1]

I cast my vote for GAI. And also for Mrs. Howell.

(if you are under 50 you probably don't get it).

[bbsports]

My vote goes to PRO. With PRO you know what kind of cards their grading. With SGC & PSA, it's like buying a box of Cracker Jack. You never know what your going to get.

[Matthew80]

Couple of questions from a rookie:

1. Is it widely believed to be true that the name of the submitter can influence the grade?!

2. Are there any studies (reputable or otherwise) that have tested the popular claim that these companies grade inconsistently? It seems like it would be a great way to objectively identify which of the two is most consistent.

3. Is the experience and anticipation of waiting for a submitted card an enjoyable or scary one? In other words, do they tend to be too generous or picky? I'm not sure which way they lean, or if they're really all over the board.

Thanks in advance.

[bobbyw8469]

Sounds like SGC was consistent and you just disagreed with the grades. I would definitely like to see scans of what you are talking about. Mutoscope is non-sports? 1940s?

SGC was consistent. Consistently bad. Mutoscopes are 1940's pin-up girls. I won a box of vending from one of the major auction houses. These cards looked brand new. I called Michael Goldberg and asked him about grading the entire set. I wanted to pay extra for the "My Divers Liscense" card as that is the money card and they had to custom make a gasket. The gaskets that they normally use don't fit the cards, and they just float around. I told Michael, that any 8's and above that I got, I wanted to pay extra for the custom gasket. When they were graded, and I asked Micahel how much extra I owed him, he laughed and said "nothing - none of your cards graded that high". I got mostly 4's-6's. The Diver's liscense card graded a '7' and looked more like and '8' or '9'.
When I got the cards back in hand, I looked them over and showed them to my girlfriend, who tolerates the hobby even though she is into other things. I showed her some of the 4's, and she laughed "How did this get a '4'? This looks brand new!?!?!" I stated, "My thoughts exactly" and proceeded to crack them all out of the cases. If I had left them in the cases with the incorrect grades, buyers woulda focused on the grades and not the cards, and I would've received peanuts for the cards. Instead, I sold them raw, got a decent amount, and the bidder who bought the majority of the cards shipped them off to PSA, where he proceeded to get 7's and 8's. I did call SGC for clarification and was told that there must have been "minute cracking/crazing" that can't be seen with the naked eye, and can only be seen with extreme magnification! WTF!?!?! That whole lesson cost me around $400-$500.

PS - I saved the scan of the "money card"