How exactly does one become a card grader

doug.goodman · #1 12-17-2011, 05:42 PM

... to photoshop the sign...

pclpads · #2 12-17-2011, 05:51 PM

First, you apply and get accepted for a job as a monkey intern at your local zoo. Once you have successfully passed all phases of monkey training, then you are eminently qualified to become a card grader.

frankbmd · #3 12-17-2011, 06:23 PM

100 recruits sit in a room. A card is passed around and graded by each. If you are able to come up with a grade different from the other 99, you become a Sophomore. Requirements for advancing to the Junior and Senior years are proprietary secrets kept in a vault in Orlando. I'm still in the first room.

ErikV · #4 12-17-2011, 11:18 PM

Guess this thread has gone to hell. Can't have a legitimate question
asked or answered without all the PSA haters throwing in their two cents.
My guess if "PSA" was replaced with "SGC" everyone whose posted sofar
would have been a little more helpful with their responses.

ErikV

kmac32 · #5 12-17-2011, 11:25 PM

Erik, typical for the board. Would be interesting to hear from Brian Dwyer or anyone else that has worked for SGC or PSA.

Fred · #6 12-18-2011, 12:02 AM

Erik,

As someone figured out there are a few of us that really don't care for PSA. I don't think any of us posted negative things with the intentions of sabotaging this thread.

I apologize if you feel I ruined your thread, that was not my intent. In any case, I know in the early days they used a few hobby veterans at PSA but when the volume increased I'm sure the hiring requirements got pretty lienient. I honestly don't know how they pick graders these days.

barrysloate · #7 12-18-2011, 05:46 AM

Erik- let me try to answer your question since nobody else did. Of course all graders have to get some training. I believe most of them are pretty young and have excellent eyesight. If you can't see too well, not a good field to go into. If you are thinking about becoming a grader I'm sure you could call the company and inquire. I know from my own experience cataloguing collections over the years, it's very tedious work. As pointed out, most cards are not exciting and not vintage. The bulk of submissions are post-war, and many will be modern. I'm also going to guess the attrition rate is high. Only a handful will make a career of it; I'm sure many leave after a short period of time. And I'm certain all the graders are working quickly and with a deadline to get stuff out ASAP, which explains the large number of errors made. Probably not a glamour job, but somebody's got to do it.

#8 12-18-2011, 12:41 PM

And I thought I was the only one that dislikes PSA.

To answer the OP question I would think IMO that you would have to know your cards and issues. Know the correct grading scale(not PSA's

), be able to identify alterations. If applying to PSA just forget all that and only know your cards. If you can't identify them I am sure they have SGC's # on speed dial for help

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