Grading Question...

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Posted By: Dave

So let's say you purchased a card graded by GAI or PSA but you really wanted it in an SGC holder... the one catch was that you were worried that it may get a lesser grade (which you always assume might happen with SGC when dealing with a graded card from another company)

Do you just say to hell with the number and cross over? Or do you keep it as is in it's GAI or PSA state? Do you care about the grade or the financial re-sale implications it could possibly have by the hammering of an SGC grader?

I'm curious to know what this board thinks.... all opinions are welcome!

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Posted By: Matt

I'm sure it depends on if you're planning on selling it or not.

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Posted By: Dave

Let's say you don't have any plans on ever selling it, but it's not a cheap card and if times get tough you might need the funds from it...

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Posted By: Marc S.

sounds like it is an expensive card, and it's not in the holder you want it in, but you feel it is slightly overgraded in the holder it is in.

My suggestions are:

A) Don't buy it if you're not happy with its grade.

B) If you do buy it, don't cross it to anything lower if there is a chance you may need to sell it.

For better or worse, an overgraded card still sells for more in its overgraded holer than it does when properly graded in your preferred grading company's holder.

If it is a significant amount of money at stake, the delta (between current and expected grade) is what you're putting at risk if you cross it.

Marc

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Posted By: Matt

If there is the possibility of selling it, then I suppose it's subjective since you have to weigh:
1) The potential loss in value due to the crossover
vs.
2) The value to you of having that card in an SGC holder


If we're talking about a significant card, then for me 2 would never outweigh 1.

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Posted By: Dave

Pretty sound advice Marc... I purchased this card and on further examination am a little worried about it losing a grade should I cross it over... not a huge difference, but the re-sale price of a 4 is always better than a 30, a 2 is better than a 10... so on and so forth.

Can you send specific instructions to SGC not to remove the card from the holder should they feel it deserves a lesser grade? I live in NYC so I would plan on bringing it in person.

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Posted By: Joe D.

You can state a minimum grade on crossovers.

They will not crack if they are not going to give you your grade.

Thats exactly how I would proceed in this type of situation.


edit to add:
SGCs policy is - on crossover - the minimum grade stated must be equal to or lower than the already graded card.

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Posted By: Dave

I've never brought cards in person but it looks like this card is the perfect reason to make the trip. Thanks all!

This board makes tough decisions a lot easier!

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Posted By: Matt

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the grading companies charge significantly more for on-site grading.

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Posted By: Dave F

I once submitted a T206 Shappe (spelling variation) to SGC. It was in a Beckett holder...and I asked that it get the equal grade in an SGC holder or not cross at all. I end up getting a phone call from Bob Luce saying the card does look ok...but to be sure he is going to have to crack it out of the Beckett holder...talk about a couple hours of worrying!

Basically with cards valued over $500, I believe based on the phone conversation with Bob Luce that SGC will examine a card in its current holder..and then if they feel it will "probably" cross, your going to get a phone call letting you know that they will need to bust it out...and you may or may not get it into a SGC holder. Obviously once they bust it out its easier for them to examing edges and such which if they do find something alarming, suddenly you have a card with no holder at all!

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Posted By: Dave

Yeah, on-site will be more money, but in the case I'd be willing to do it