Future of grading...

[yanks4]

I don't agree at all.......... Cracker Jacks should be in SGC only.....Really Can't beat that Black Background and red card.....Gorgeous!!!!!

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

I'm with Bobby...PSA all the way.

[EvilKing00]

in order i my choice is sgc, bvg then psa.

[swarmee]

I don't see a change from PSA controlling the vast market share. Their bulk pricing is the best, their prices realized are the best historically, and their set registry and pop reports are the best and most used in the industry.

[CrackaJackKid]

Anyone think there's a possibility of a brand new grading service emerging that could capture the market?

[steve B]

Yes, I think there's room for another grading service.

Just not one that operates the same way as any of the big three currently operate.

I have a feeling that if the right sort of grading company starts up, and has the right funding and the right setup it's possible none of the current top 3 will be operating unless they change in some major ways.

I've seen a couple things recently that have convinced me that all of the current group really aren't doing much of a good job.

Slower, more reliable, and yes, that implies more expensive.

Steve B

[iwantitiwinit]

Originally Posted by steve B

Yes, I think there's room for another grading service.

Just not one that operates the same way as any of the big three currently operate.

I have a feeling that if the right sort of grading company starts up, and has the right funding and the right setup it's possible none of the current top 3 will be operating unless they change in some major ways.

I've seen a couple things recently that have convinced me that all of the current group really aren't doing much of a good job.

Slower, more reliable, and yes, that implies more expensive.

Steve B

I don't know if I agree that another grading company could be successful much less supplant PSA and even SGC. I would think that a high percentage of high dollar/high grade cards have already been graded by either psa or sgc. If I had a large quantity of say t206 graded 6 or higher what would be my motivation to have them regraded by another company regardless of their reputation? That regrade might result in lower grades and therefore lesser value. Now might a new company emerge that can garner a portion of newer card submissions, sure, there are a plethora of post 1976 card issues that haven't yet been encased but I think they would have a tough time grabbing any market share in the pre-1977 category. If PSA or SGC went bankrupt that would be another story.

[Bram99]

I think that e-Commerce and the demise of shows and person to person dealing without an intermediary like an auction house or site makes grading essential.

I also have concerns / complaints over PSA's grading. The mere fact that they encourage me to send a card in for re-grading despite their supposed grading by one human and another who does peer review (I have the emails where they told me to do so), tells me that they have become more interested in profit maximization than long-term customer satisfaction. For that reason, I do believe there is room for a 3rd party grader to overtake PSA - and SGC seems best positioned at the moment.

It takes time for such transitions, but one thing is for sure, and that is that there are plenty of sellers out there that a grading service helps to protect us from. See the eBay ratings and feedback for Battlefield 0516 from all of their "beautiful, breathtaking, etc." cards that people have been dissatisfied with. That is what makes the future of grading bright.

[CrackaJackKid]

PSA was so much more lenient 5-10 years ago on their grading but claim their standards have not changed. They graded the trimmed Wagner and didn't catch it. They also claim there's no perks for wealthy/celebrity type individuals who submit cards for grading which I think is bs. It's all about the all mighty dollar.

[RealToppsaholic]

Originally Posted by Winston7715

Anyone think there's a possibility of a brand new grading service emerging that could capture the market?

10 years ago the top 2 companies were GAI and PSA

[deltaarnet]

Why does a cracked SGC 60 become a PSA N6 under sized? Who's doing the right thing?