SGC/TPG Submission Question

[drcy]

Originally Posted by 53toppscollector

... If you actually want to get an "unbiased" review of the card and a grade . . .

An encapsulation of today's industrial grading complex.

Strangely, one might think that grading of the condition of a card would and should be based solely on the condition of the card.

[JollyElm]

How many cards could a card grader grade if a card grader could grade cards?

[drcy]

Originally Posted by jollyelm

how many cards could a card grader grade if a card grader could grade cards?

lol

[53toppscollector]

Originally Posted by drcy

An encapsulation of today's industrial grading complex.

Strangely, one might think that grading of the condition of a card would and should be based solely on the condition of the card.

I think my opinions on the whole concept of card grading really shifted in the last year or so, especially after watching PSA reveals from a guy with about 10k youtube subs who has been doing bulk PSA submissions for 10+ years. This guy knows junk wax in and out, has submitted literally thousands of cards and knows exactly what to look for in each set. And pristine cards with no flaws come back PSA 8s, and then some come back 10s and they look identical to the 8. You are really just at the whim of the guy handling your card for 12 seconds, what kind of mood he is in, etc. That feels like a pretty flimsy foundation to build your house on....anyway, I digress.

[fkm_bky]

For me, the SGC slab is the best looking and it will protect my card(s) at the same time. My OCD doesn't like all the randomness of how my cards are situated with raw mixed with random TPG's.

I'm not in it for the grade as much as the display, protection and the ability to more easily liquidate at some point in the future if need be and not have questions abound about edges, authenticity, etc.

I'm not a big fan of the grading world, but I get why we have it and I really don't have much of a stake in the game given my collection is smaller and typically lower quality.

I really appreciate the insight on my question and I have my answer (i'll plan to break them out prior to sending in, if it indeed is easy enough).

I don't want this post to digress into a religious debate about grading practices or beliefs.

Thanks all!

Bill

[53toppscollector]

some advice, if you do decide to snap the cards out.

1. Buy a really cheap slab from the same TPG on ebay. Just the cheapest card you can find in a low grade, so you can practice on a card and if you go horribly wrong, you ruin a $3 card and not something you really cherish

2. You need a cutting pliers and a flat tip screwdriver, preferably one with a longer, sturdy handle

3. You use the cutting pliers to clip the top two corners on the card. You need to cut off enough of the slab where you see an opening that you can wedge the screwdriver into.

4. Once the screwdriver is inside, twist it and turn it until it is wedged between the two layers of the case, then gently turn and lift it up and the top of the case should snap right off.

5. Avoid clipping the middle of the top edge of the case, from my experience that can create a sharp jagged break down the middle of the slab, which jeopardizes the card.

6. The case pieces will fly everywhere as you clip them. I use a plastic grocery store shopping back to put the case inside, and I snap the case while it is in the bag, so pieces don't go flying. Also, if the slab is in a perfect fit sleeve, that helps too, it contains the flying pieces. After you've clipped the corners, you can take it out of the sleeve.

All told, you can get the pliers you need and a screwdriver, if you don't already own them, for less than $20. Experiment on one worthless slab first before you start cracking anything you care about. Good luck

[vthobby]

I've had my fair share of SGC submissions. I would simply break them out and send them raw to SGC. Just be careful in breaking them out!

Good luck and nice cards!

Peace, Mike