SGC grading inconsistencies

[Phil68]

Originally Posted by Mike in Vt

Hello all,
I recently sent cards into SGC for grading, as I hope to sell all my cards to pay for my photography gear. I used SGC for two reasons, first, it doesn’t require a subscription and second, I always read they are better with vintage cards. Before sending them in, I carefully examined each card and compared them with others I found online. I estimate the condition score conservatively and what I got back left me flabbergasted.

I know, I know, it’s common for collectors to not get what they were expecting. That’s happened to me with PSA in the past, but with them they were consistent with everything I had sent in. With SGC, the grading was like a Rob Dibble fast ball...all over the place. Cards I thought for sure that were 7s got 5s and cards that should have gotten 4s got 6s.

Has anyone else had this issue with SGC? Do I have any recourse? Does the same grader do the entire order? Any advice would help.

Hi Mike!
It's typically a mixed bag and even more so with mid-grade cards. Different graders react differently to various "ailments". Some look right past a little surface pimple--others demolish it. Some think a 70/30 card is NM material--I would demolish it. Written standards mean comparatively little when a grader is actually holding the card. A minor surface scuff can lower a card 2-3 grades OR go completely ignored!
It's been said grading is subjective a million times...it bears repeating, however. To send your cards to another person for their subjective opinion is ludicrous when you think about it, unless you're looking to sell them.
That said--one thing that is NOT subjective is value-added service.
Why would you send your cards that you intend to sell to SGC? I understand they are a reputable 3rd party and certainly as competent as PSA--but cards in those holders are crucified when the day comes to sell them.
Remember, Mike, the vast majority of the collecting world is stupid beyond what you can comprehend.
I would strongly recommend submitting anything you wish to sell to PSA only or give it to Greg Morris to sell raw (he gets better prices raw than cards in holders).

Now...tell us about this photography equipment! You have a project in mind? Change of career? Sounds exciting!