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

[glynparson]

like I said, but I can assure you they bought back high grade cards because of creases that were missed or pressed out and returned. PSA does allow for a wrinkle on a card up to a 6 so because there are different standards you can't really scream about it thats just a fact, like sgc allows for weaker corners on an average 5. Plus Paul have you ever seen anything negative from SGC you may be the biggest fanboy on here and if you are calling me a psa apologist also a fool. I have ripped PSA unmercifully at times but Im just sick of many on here criticizing PSA for things that SGC also does than applauding SGC.

[Peter_Spaeth]

If I were submitting a card and wanted the best assessment possible of authenticity and grade, I would choose SGC. If I were buying a card of unknown origin on the open market, I would lean slightly towards PSA, although I would be wary of both.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by glynparson

like I said, but I can assure you they bought back high grade cards because of creases that were missed or pressed out and returned. PSA does allow for a wrinkle on a card up to a 6 so because there are different standards you can't really scream about it thats just a fact, like sgc allows for weaker corners on an average 5. Plus Paul have you ever seen anything negative from SGC you may be the biggest fanboy on here and if you are calling me a psa apologist also a fool. I have ripped PSA unmercifully at times but Im just sick of many on here criticizing PSA for things that SGC also does than applauding SGC.

Fanboy? You mean SGC proponent? Sure, I may be the biggest SGC supporter on here. But what's my bias?

I have purchased 32 PSA 5 T206s since April for my mid-grade set. And it drives me crazy how much crap is currently for sale in a PSA 5 holder. I have to be a lot more careful with PSA than I am with SGC. That was my experience 10 years ago, when I began my first set, and that is my experience today as I work on a second.

2 stories.

I have a PSA 4 T205 Shulte pied 42 with 4 pin holes in it. One in each corner. An SGC 1 tops and I am fine with that. It would be accuratly graded then.

About 6 yrs ago I drove to whicita ks to buy a collection of new and vintage. He produced an unopened pack of 57 topps that I had him throw in to seal the deal. I busted the pack and pulled a Clemente that was mint. I sent it to sgc and it came back a 5. I resubmitted it for review thinking there is no way it is that and they put it in a graded bag and circled the upper left corner on the back where there was a slight spider crease or what I thought was a flaw in the cardstock. I sold the card for decent money though. What got me was the dealer that bought it submitted it to PSA and it now resides in a PSA 9 slab is what he told me. So how's that right? I could have did that also but would have felt like a thief had I sold it for 9 money. So if you sleep better at night using PSA over SGC that is fine but for me I prefer consistancy and integrity. I buy the card and not the holder anyways. Took me a while to learn but it was an easy choice after I learned my cards.

[glynparson]

Peter has made in my opinion the most accurate post of this entire thread.

Also Paul i will admit T206 does seem to be the set with the most PSA screw ups, and this may be part of the explanation for your vitriol, which I dont necessarily disagree with, I just have no more faith in SGC because of thier cronyism than PSA. If you look at some of the right places I think you'd be just as disgusted as many others have become.

[Matthew H]

Originally Posted by Pup6913

2 stories.

I have a PSA 4 T205 Shulte pied 42 with 4 pin holes in it. One in each corner. An SGC 1 tops and I am fine with that. It would be accuratly graded then.

About 6 yrs ago I drove to whicita ks to buy a collection of new and vintage. He produced an unopened pack of 57 topps that I had him throw in to seal the deal. I busted the pack and pulled a Clemente that was mint. I sent it to sgc and it came back a 5. I resubmitted it for review thinking there is no way it is that and they put it in a graded bag and circled the upper left corner on the back where there was a slight spider crease or what I thought was a flaw in the cardstock. I sold the card for decent money though. What got me was the dealer that bought it submitted it to PSA and it now resides in a PSA 9 slab is what he told me. So how's that right? I could have did that also but would have felt like a thief had I sold it for 9 money. So if you sleep better at night using PSA over SGC that is fine but for me I prefer consistancy and integrity. I buy the card and not the holder anyways. Took me a while to learn but it was an easy choice after I learned my cards.

You should have absolutely had that pack fresh Clemente graded a PSA 9 that's a no brainer. It's very simple. Just put in the description that you feel it should not have received the grade it did because of a spider crease, if that's what it was. Flip collectors don't care about the card, you should have allowed them the opportunity to bid.

To those who want scans of overgraded SGC cards you won't find many, but you will find countless undergraded ones, just as bad IMO, since I use neither to collect. Couple SGCs lower realized prices wih undergrades, the choice seems obvious.

[oldjudge]

PSA has the advantage in the marketplace on high grade cards in sets that are actively contested on the registry. At present, SGC's registry does not have the critical mass to lead to similar financial results. That could change as I know they are working to improve their registry program. However, my experience with the two companies has led me to firmly believe that SGC does a much better grading cards. They are more consistent, they have not good, but great customer service, and they have the best looking holders in the market. When I grade cards I use SGC.

Originally Posted by Matthew H

You should have absolutely had that pack fresh Clemente graded a PSA 9 that's a no brainer. It's very simple. Just put in the description that you feel it should not have received the grade it did because of a spider crease, if that's what it was. Flip collectors don't care about the card, you should have allowed them the opportunity to bid.

To those who want scans of overgraded SGC cards you won't find many, but you will find countless undergraded ones, just as bad IMO, since I use neither to collect. Couple SGCs lower realized prices wih undergrades, the choice seems obvious.

But that's dishonest. I won't allow myself to put my integrity in stake for the sake of money. I would rather sell an accuratly graded card for what it's worth and if condition warrants add a bit extra on it.

I used to spend between 1-4k a month on cards and memoribelia before my kid got sick and now only very little if I sell something or do some side work for people. I always bought SGC cards and very very few PSA cards for my sets. I could have crossed the so called under graded cards to PSA holders and made a lot more when I sold them but I believe what the flip said was accurate to me so I got what they were worth and not what the flip said. Now I chase certain backs so as long as the card is valued based on condition I could care less if it's in a PRO holder.