How are the grading companies doing?

[Jobu]

Pete, I have often wondered what drives many of the problems you mention. I am starting to think that many of these issues may actually intentionally be built into the system. If TPGs were ultra consistent in their grading, had flawless holders, flawless flips, perfect pop reports, etc there would be no crossing over and back, no cracking and resubmitting multiple times hoping for a better grade, etc. Basically, they would be costing themselves a LOT of money. I wonder if TPGs looked at the finite number of vintage cards to be graded and decided that they could stay in business a lot longer if they built some error into the system so that over time they could get paid for grading a lot of cards multiple times. I realize that I am leaving the new card market out of the equation as I don't know much about it, but it seems many of the same problems exist there as well (though obviously new cards are still being printed).

Originally Posted by ullmandds

We bitch about SGC's crummy tombs and inserts...PSA's seemingly lackadaisical standards...BCG suspect on vintage and now in the auction business...yet they can grade Fro Joys? GAI basically a non factor.

ACC designation errors, Wrong player name, inability to consistently detect alterations, lack of fortitude to accurately grade anomalies...

TPG'ers have become a necessary facet of the hobby...but are they doing a good enough job?

[freakhappy]

Other than this nasty crease/bend in a PSA 4, I'd say not too bad...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1909-T206-T-...item2c95b1597d

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Jobu

Pete, I have often wondered what drives many of the problems you mention. I am starting to think that many of these issues may actually intentionally be built into the system. If TPGs were ultra consistent in their grading, had flawless holders, flawless flips, perfect pop reports, etc there would be no crossing over and back, no cracking and resubmitting multiple times hoping for a better grade, etc. Basically, they would be costing themselves a LOT of money. I wonder if TPGs looked at the finite number of vintage cards to be graded and decided that they could stay in business a lot longer if they built some error into the system so that over time they could get paid for grading a lot of cards multiple times. I realize that I am leaving the new card market out of the equation as I don't know much about it, but it seems many of the same problems exist there as well (though obviously new cards are still being printed).

While you may be right...this is obviously disconcerting to me! SO as a dentist it would be in my better interests to do a "shoddy" job rendering my treatment so as to "create" more return business??? Problem with this theory is that there are many other dentists out there my patients can turn too when they lose faith in my abilities...whereas we have very few options with TPG'ers!

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

While you may be right...this is obviously disconcerting to me! SO as a dentist it would be in my better interests to do a "shoddy" job rendering my treatment so as to "create" more return business??? Problem with this theory is that there are many other dentists out there my patients can turn too when they lose faith in my abilities...whereas we have very few options with TPG'ers!

Well the late 1970s to current market would die if there were no PSA 9's or PSA 10s...without TPG ..everyone would say their card is 'mint'.....raw that would be 2 bucks etc for a 1983 common..but a psa 10....10 bucks or more...

the market is bigger for people wanting graded cards ..you should thank TPGs for that.

not to mention it cases of theft and lost, people are able to find the exact card on the secondary market....

not sure how it was so great before TPGs....you don't have to have cards graded now as well if you don't want to....

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

Well the late 1970s to current market would die if there were no PSA 9's or PSA 10s...without TPG ..everyone would say their card is 'mint'.....raw that would be 2 bucks etc for a 1983 common..but a psa 10....10 bucks or more...

the market is bigger for people wanting graded cards ..you should thank TPGs for that.

not to mention it cases of theft and lost, people are able to find the exact card on the secondary market....

not sure how it was so great before TPGs....you don't have to have cards graded now as well if you don't want to....

I am not questioning the "relevance" or "importance" of TPG'ers for the hobby. I am questioning their abilities?

[Orioles1954]

How many professional graders are employed by PSA, BGS/BVG and SGC combined? Other than hobby experience there is no criteria for being a professional grader....and I'm certain they don't apply their standards to each card. We mistakenly think that TPGs analyze each card under a microscope with the highest degree of scrutiny. In reality, they are probably under tight and stressful deadlines and maybe eyeball a card for a couple of seconds before rendering a verdict.

[vthobby]

From some recent conversations at bigger shows with some insiders I would estimate:

Beckett: 5 graders
PSA: 10 graders
SGC: 4 graders

I think during the heyday, these numbers were double or triple these numbers.

Just an educated guess.

Peace, Mike

[Rich Klein]

I don't know the exact numbers but BGS is doing just fine on a monetary basis

In fact they are doing so well they sent out public emails seeking out more graders.

Rich

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

How many professional graders are employed by PSA, BGS/BVG and SGC combined? Other than hobby experience there is no criteria for being a professional grader....and I'm certain they don't apply their standards to each card. We mistakenly think that TPGs analyze each card under a microscope with the highest degree of scrutiny. In reality, they are probably under tight and stressful deadlines and maybe eyeball a card for a couple of seconds before rendering a verdict.

Tight and stressful deadlines you say,,, well,,
when PSA first formed an autograph authentication division it was Spence, myself, Stinson and Ron Gordon. Any one of the last three would gladly tell you that time was a most important factor to the company. Do not spend too much time on one item. Speed over accuracy was the rule. If it applied to autographs, it only follows that the same rule would apply to cards.