Poll: Are you concerned about buying SGC graded vintage cards?

[parkplace33]

With all the recent news about SGC, are you concerned about buying SGC graded vintage cards?

Here is what AI said about SGC since the Collector's buyout:

Since its acquisition by Collectors (the parent company of PSA) in February 2024, SGC has undergone significant changes, shifting its strategy from being a major competitor in the card grading market to a more "boutique" brand.

Here's a breakdown of what has happened to SGC:

Shift to a "Boutique" Brand: SGC is no longer being positioned as a direct competitor to PSA. The company's new strategy is to scale down operations and focus on what it does best, particularly vintage and affordable, fast grading. This is a deliberate move to avoid duplicating the massive investment in capital and technology that Collectors has made to scale up PSA's operations.

Leadership Changes: Peter Steinberg, SGC's president, resigned from his role in July 2025. He had initially been expected to continue leading the company's day-to-day operations after the acquisition.

Operational Integration: A significant portion of SGC's staff is being shifted to work with PSA. SGC's Boca Raton, Florida location will also be used to support PSA's grading efforts.

Initial Promises vs. Reality: At the time of the buyout, Collectors and SGC had stated that SGC would continue to operate as an independent brand with no changes contemplated. However, the recent announcements indicate a clear shift in this strategy, with SGC's role being redefined within the larger Collectors portfolio.

Market Impact: The move is seen by many in the collecting community as a consolidation of the market under Collectors. While SGC is not going out of business, its reduced role has led to speculation that other grading companies, such as CGC and Beckett, could have an opportunity to gain market share.

[conor912]

I said no, but with a big asterisk. History has not been kind to defunct grading brands. Public sentiment will change over time after their eventual demise.

[Johnny630]

My big worry is 10 years down the road when new high-end collectors come back to the hobby will they remember SGC and trust that they were a very good grading company worth their investment or not. That’s a question. I don’t know how to answer.

[Neal]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

My big worry is 10 years down the road when new high-end collectors come back to the hobby will they remember SGC and trust that they were a very good grading company worth their investment or not. That’s a question. I don’t know how to answer.

In 10 years, the PSA and SGC brands may be gone and replaced with COLLECTORS ... that could very easily be the plan all along.

A lighthouse tux may be coming soon




Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Neal

In 10 years, the PSA and SGC brands may be gone and replaced with COLLECTORS ... that could very easily be the plan all along.

A lighthouse tux may be coming soon




Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

That would be awesome. The SGC slab itself sucks but he PSA slab with the awesome black insert around the card would be the perfect combo IMHO.

[bobbvc]

Most of the current SGC graded cards are fine. Worst case, you'd have to cross over to PSA or -insert flavor of month grading company here-. I don't think it's a huge deal either way.

[bandrus1]

Originally Posted by bobbvc

Most of the current SGC graded cards are fine. Worst case, you'd have to cross over to PSA or -insert flavor of month grading company here-. I don't think it's a huge deal either way.

It costs over $2000 to cross my one big investment card and that is not insignificant to me

[jtq81]

I want PSA to offer some sort of crossover special. They brought over graders from SGC so that tells me they think they are more than credible/accurate at what they do. PSA would make a killing at like $15-20/card.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by jtq81

I want PSA to offer some sort of crossover special. They brought over graders from SGC so that tells me they think they are more than credible/accurate at what they do. PSA would make a killing at like $15-20/card.

Would wait times to get cards back go back to what they were during COVID?

[BRoberts]

Originally Posted by jtq81

PSA would make a killing at like $15-20/card.

They make a killing now. They have no incentive to practically give away their product.

[DeanH3]

I voted no. I will still buy an SGC card if I like the card. As Neal said, who knows if PSA, as we know it, is still the grader of flavor in 10 years. Plus, how many "older" graded PSA cards aren't up to snuff due to the change in grading standards? And will those standards change again?

Actually, there might be a buying opportunity if SGC slabs getting the cold shoulder from buyers. It's all about the card inside the holder. I won't buy some PSA/SGC cards because I don't like the card in the holder. And if I can get a discount on a nice SGC card, all the better.

[cmcclelland]

I voted no. My view on this issue is limited to vintage card grading. I am not a modern card collector.

There was a time many years ago when SGC had an issue with vintage grading, almost exclusively in terms of allowing cards with poor centering to receive grades that were too high, particularly in terms of cards graded NM or NM/MT.

However, there was also a time many years ago when PSA was far too lenient with its vintage grading. Many vintage cards in old PSA holders are significantly over-graded based on today's grading standards. PSA's issues extend beyond centering; many cards in old PSA holders are grossly over-graded across nearly all grading components, including centering, corners, edges, and surface.

PSA has more egg on its face in terms of cards in old holders that are over-graded than does SGC.

All of this said, comparing PSA and SGC today as it relates to grading vintage cards, SGC is far superior to PSA in terms of the accuracy and consistency of the grading. In addition, SGC's holder is far superior to PSA's holder aesthetically.

No matter which grading company outlasts the other, if you buy the card and not the holder, your investment should be secure. However, suppose you don't pay attention or don't care about the card vs. the holder. In that case, you're making a safer investment buying SGC vs. PSA for vintage cards, because I believe SGC is now and always has been, far superior to PSA in terms of the accuracy and consistency of their vintage grading.

[bbcard1]

Realistically, there must always be a competitor. They should figure out how to make SGC their competition and keep all the money.

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by cmcclelland

I voted no. My view on this issue is limited to vintage card grading. I am not a modern card collector.

There was a time many years ago when SGC had an issue with vintage grading, almost exclusively in terms of allowing cards with poor centering to receive grades that were too high, particularly in terms of cards graded NM or NM/MT.

However, there was also a time many years ago when PSA was far too lenient with its vintage grading. Many vintage cards in old PSA holders are significantly over-graded based on today's grading standards. PSA's issues extend beyond centering; many cards in old PSA holders are grossly over-graded across nearly all grading components, including centering, corners, edges, and surface.

PSA has more egg on its face in terms of cards in old holders that are over-graded than does SGC.

All of this said, comparing PSA and SGC today as it relates to grading vintage cards, SGC is far superior to PSA in terms of the accuracy and consistency of the grading. In addition, SGC's holder is far superior to PSA's holder aesthetically.

No matter which grading company outlasts the other, if you buy the card and not the holder, your investment should be secure. However, suppose you don't pay attention or don't care about the card vs. the holder. In that case, you're making a safer investment buying SGC vs. PSA for vintage cards, because I believe SGC is now and always has been, far superior to PSA in terms of the accuracy and consistency of their vintage grading.

Well said. I completely agree with you.

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

Realistically, there must always be a competitor. They should figure out how to make SGC their competition and keep all the money.

Todd, hopefully CGC will become the very viable competitor to PSA/SGC, as I believe the company (or its parent company) has the resources to do so.

[Lucas00]

Speaking of CGC, has anybody ever had an oversized card graded by them?

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by Lucas00

Speaking of CGC, has anybody ever had an oversized card graded by them?

I keep asking them about a tallboy holder but so far I only see they have these holders...https://www.cgccards.com/news/articl...-holder-sizes/

Edited to add this: Appears they have two jumbo holders too...https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/13107/

[BobbyStrawberry]

I'm not concerned at all. Their graders have shown to be at least as competent as PSAs, and for many vintage cards, I find their slabs much more visually appealing than PSAs.

And, I agree with what DeanH3 stated, if they happen to start going at a discount, even better.

[ClementeFanOh]

1) My poll answer is "no"

2) to cmcclelland- that's a spectacular answer. There seems to be a "sky is
falling" element to these sorts of inquiries. If a collector purchases a nice
looking slabbed card and is confident about it's grade and authenticity,
the fact it's in an SGC holder shouldn't matter at all. After all, people go all
in on raw cards, still, even with slabbed options.

3) Will people ask this same question if Collectors debuts a new slab that
lights up, does your taxes, and parks your car for you? Will PSA join some
imaginary ash heap at that point? Nah.

Trent King

[MVSNYC]

No

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

I keep asking them about a tallboy holder but so far I only see they have these holders...https://www.cgccards.com/news/articl...-holder-sizes/

Edited to add this: Appears they have two jumbo holders too...https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/13107/

Chase, as I read what you linked us to, CGC's two new jumbo holders are soft plastic, which I'm guessing doesn't provide the strongest protection for one's card.

"Similar to the Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) state-of-the-art holder for banknotes, CGC Cards has created a soft-plastic holder tailored for jumbo cards. The holder can be used horizontally and vertically, and comes in two different sizes to accommodate jumbo cards of different types and eras: one for cards sized up to 5" x 7" and one for cards sized up to 6" x 9". Get a closer look at the holder below!"

[perezfan]

I bet that if you conducted a poll asking "Are you concerned about buying PSA graded cards" the numbers would be worse than SGC's. Collectors will be making a big mistake if they disband SGC. They will lose a lot more market share to CGC and Beckett than they would gain.

And when AI, UV slabs and other new technology inevitably take PSA's place, their slabs will quickly become obsolete. Buy the card you like, ignore the randomly assigned number, and stop enabling corrupt 3rd Party entities by feeding them money.

Below is an excellent video that exposes the TPG scam. Using a fake grading system to determine what price you pay for a card is just asinine...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHHZm9kV0Uk&t=189s

[Leon]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

Chase, as I read what you linked us to, CGC's two new jumbo holders are soft plastic, which I'm guessing doesn't provide the strongest protection for one's card.

"Similar to the Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) state-of-the-art holder for banknotes, CGC Cards has created a soft-plastic holder tailored for jumbo cards. The holder can be used horizontally and vertically, and comes in two different sizes to accommodate jumbo cards of different types and eras: one for cards sized up to 5" x 7" and one for cards sized up to 6" x 9". Get a closer look at the holder below!"

I am having meetings with CGC and will ask about the softer plastic. If I'm not incorrect, it will be more secure than brittle plastic, due to the encapsulation process. More on that later but I'm very excited about this news....and so are many collectors I have spoken with. We'll see but I wouldn't count CGC out...and I doubt big brother will buy them out. L

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by Leon

I am having meetings with CGC and will ask about the softer plastic. If I'm not incorrect, it will be more secure than brittle plastic, due to the encapsulation process. More on that later but I'm very excited about this news....and so are many collectors I have spoken with. We'll see but I wouldn't count CGC out...and I doubt big brother will buy them out. L

Leon, to add to my earlier comment, I do hope that CGC's new jumbo slabs are high quality and become a very viable alternative to PSA's and Beckett's slabs.

Furthermore, I am extremely hopeful that CGC becomes a very viable TPG alternative to PSA for vintage cards, especially pre-War cards, especially if in the future SGC no longer fulfills the essential needs of pre-War collectors as it has in the past.

[toledo_mudhen]

Originally Posted by jtq81

I want PSA to offer some sort of crossover special. They brought over graders from SGC so that tells me they think they are more than credible/accurate at what they do. PSA would make a killing at like $15-20/card.

I have approximately 1000 SGC Slabs - I won't be crossing over anytime soon....

[LEHR]

I voted NO.

Hopefully Collectors doesn't completely kill off SGC with their asinine changes.

Regardless, If the grade and price fits what I'm looking for I'll still continue to buy SGC cards even if they go belly up tomorrow.

[HOF_Forever]

I voted NO.

I'm big on buy the card, not the grade/slab. If the card is good I'll buy it no matter what slab it's in. If SGC values tank I'll end up buying more. Years down the line, when it's time to sell the collection, they can always be crossed over or cracked and submitted to the current company of choice if the value justifies it.

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by Leon

I am having meetings with CGC and will ask about the softer plastic. If I'm not incorrect, it will be more secure than brittle plastic, due to the encapsulation process. More on that later but I'm very excited about this news....and so are many collectors I have spoken with. We'll see but I wouldn't count CGC out...and I doubt big brother will buy them out. L

Would love to see CGC be more prominent in the market. It merely takes more auction houses, like Hake's, in order to assist with that.

As for the Jumbo holder news, that was over a year ago they announced. I have not seen any cards in them but have seen the NGC paper money holder and they are firm but they are not nearly as rigid as the plastic used on the smaller holders for cards.

[Fred]

What is the market share for PSA, SGC, Beckett, et al.?

Worst case is that there's a small discount on the SGC slab vs PSA because of the registry aspect of collecting. In any case, I think we've seen the incompetence for all TPGs. Subjectivity is all over the place.

It's been mentioned before, there should be AI grading when it comes to centering, corner wear, creasing, etc. The only bad thing is that when people have higher graded cards that get smashed a few grades, then there's going to be some unhappy people. Could you imagine having a PSA 5 card that is shot down to a PSA 3 because AI was being more accurate and less subjective? For that reason it'd be difficult for PSA to do AI cross overs because they'd have a lot of pissed off submitters that bought the grade and not the card.

[particra17]

PSA could crossover the top 1000 SGC cards in value for free and it would be irrelevant to its financials. The cost associated with doing that is inconsequential. And they can absolutely promise a grade within .5/1 of the SGC grade and the hobby at-large would not care at all. These are immaterial concerns.

This is always what was going to happen. Companies don't buy other companies to carry separate competing brands with duplicative costs that destroy the ability to secure cost synergies from the deal. There's nothing special about card grading that differentiates it from every other product that is the subject of an acquisition. SGC will end up being a niche brand for lower-end, quicker grading.

The reason why this works is the absolute insanity of pricing based on the value of the card. The cost to PSA to grade a $500k card is probably marginally higher than a $50 card, yet the profit is several 100x. It would be like someone charging you 500x to mow the same sized lawn because of the value of your house.

[Johnny630]

I think the high-end vintage SGC card holders have no fear of the future value in keeping their high-end cards that are vintage in SGC slabs

Everyone I’ve talked to over the past eight months about SGC‘s future who are vintage guys are not concerned.

[pherbener]

Originally Posted by HOF_Forever

I voted NO.

I'm big on buy the card, not the grade/slab. If the card is good I'll buy it no matter what slab it's in. If SGC values tank I'll end up buying more. Years down the line, when it's time to sell the collection, they can always be crossed over or cracked and submitted to the current company of choice if the value justifies it.

Absolutely agree with this Greg! I'll gladly buy nice looking cards at a discount if that happens. When the time comes to sell, if I need to crossover to PSA or whoever is the flavor of the day at that point, that's what'll happen.

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by HOF_Forever

I voted NO.

I'm big on buy the card, not the grade/slab. If the card is good I'll buy it no matter what slab it's in. If SGC values tank I'll end up buying more. Years down the line, when it's time to sell the collection, they can always be crossed over or cracked and submitted to the current company of choice if the value justifies it.

Much easier said than done on the crossover.

General comment: I read a lot of people stating they are SGC buyers no matter what. Are you though? Looking forward, let's say the worst happens and the brand goes away. An SGC graded card that sold for 1K in 2025 starts to lose significant value as the years pass. Are you eagerly going to pay $500 for it now? I don't think I would.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

Much easier said than done on the crossover.

General comment: I read a lot of people stating they are SGC buyers no matter what. Are you though? Looking forward, let's say the worst happens and the brand goes away. An SGC graded card that sold for 1K in 2025 starts to lose significant value as the years pass. Are you eagerly going to pay $500 for it now? I don't think I would.

I like a lot of your questions Chase.

I think here you’re asking a question that’s just not going to happen. SGC Cards' value is not gonna be/by 50% 10 years down the road. Especially not the higher-end vintage quality cards that most people here collect or invest in.

[HOF_Forever]

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

Much easier said than done on the crossover.

General comment: I read a lot of people stating they are SGC buyers no matter what. Are you though? Looking forward, let's say the worst happens and the brand goes away. An SGC graded card that sold for 1K in 2025 starts to lose significant value as the years pass. Are you eagerly going to pay $500 for it now? I don't think I would.

I agree with you on the crossover.

In your hypothetical situation above, I would still buy the card if it meets what I look for in a card. If the value drop due solely to the slab is that big when I need to sell I would most likely crack it and submit to the current grading company of choice.

As a side note, I bought two cards at the National and immediately dropped them off at SGC. I was the only person in their whole area at about 3p Friday afternoon. It was eerie. In this case, I just wanted to get them slabbed for protection. I'm far from a grade everything guy but they are non-standard size and I didn't trust myself enough to get them home crease free, haha.

[Mr. Mitt]

I’m hopeful that PSA will follow NGC’s extremely successful business model of separating “ancients” from “modern”. Keep the black inlay that frames vintage cards so well and simply rebrand the flip. PSA Vintage, nice and easy!

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Leon

I am having meetings with CGC and will ask about the softer plastic. If I'm not incorrect, it will be more secure than brittle plastic, due to the encapsulation process. More on that later but I'm very excited about this news....and so are many collectors I have spoken with. We'll see but I wouldn't count CGC out...and I doubt big brother will buy them out. L

For some items it could be a better option.
But not for all.
My one T3 is very fragile and has been since I got it. It won't stand any flexing.
So much that back before there being large hard holders I made my own hard screwdown.

[sportscardpete]

People forget that CGC is owned by a much, much, much larger company than Collector's Universe.

[Knightlax5]

I'm a slave to the PSA registry. My thoughts regarding to buying SGC cards is the exact same: I'll buy the card if i can cross it for the same price as a PSA equivalent card and grade.

I'm a collector so I can wait a month or two to get the card in final form in hand.

[toledo_mudhen]

Originally Posted by ClementeFanOh

Will people ask this same question if Collectors debuts a new slab that
lights up, does your taxes, and parks your car for you?

Will PSA join some imaginary ash heap at that point? Nah.

Trent King

I want a "light up" slab??????

[JJ McGraw]

I buy the card…..raw, slabbed , doesn’t matter and I’m one who prefers the SGC slab over others, but ultimately it comes down to the card and then the price I can buy it for. Try being “picky” buying Cracker Jack cards these days. I doubt anyone who finds a good deal on a 1914 Cracker Jack will say, “ Oh I want that card and the price is right, but I’ll pass as it’s in an SGC slab.”
It is hard and challenging enough being a Cracker Jack card collector these days with their ridiculous prices, with then worrying about who graded the card. Bottom line…..I collect the cards.

[StraightRaceCards]

I am admittedly a fan of SGC and most of my collection is SGC but I do own slabs from everyone.

If anything, I see an opportunity for collectors to take advantage of SGC's perception falling in the hobby and pick up some cards at better prices.

Will SGC stick around? I'm not sure, but loved the idea someone had about a combined "collectors" slab with a black PSA holder similar to SGC Design

[boneheadandrube]

I voted NO. I would be more concerned about buying CGC vintage cards right now, they are rapidly becoming a TCG and ultra modern "brand", and never had a reputation for vintage to begin with. You might as well be putting cards in one-touches and making your own labels, why bother paying a fee for no added value?

[Balticfox]

I'm concerned about buying anybody's slab. I mean what is it they're trying to hide within all that plastic?



And of course that plastic isn't Mylar or any other kind of archival plastic. It does degrade over time. I'm afraid that will tone or otherwise damage the card over time.

[Fandom0610]

I wonder between the two companies who's more inconsistent. Nobody's perfect and both are going to have their faults, but honestly ive seen more people complain about PSA's inconsistency than any other grading company. SGC's holders imo look so much better, but unfortunately the hobby has turned into a sh*t show so people want PSA because they command more money for some reason. To me it seems like people don't trust SGC's grading as much. Ive always heard they are very stringent, but who knows.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by Fandom0610

I wonder between the two companies who's more inconsistent. Nobody's perfect and both are going to have their faults, but honestly ive seen more people complain about PSA's inconsistency than any other grading company. SGC's holders imo look so much better, but unfortunately the hobby has turned into a sh*t show so people want PSA because they command more money for some reason. To me it seems like people don't trust SGC's grading as much. Ive always heard they are very stringent, but who knows.

PSA caters to the lowest common denominator. Same reason McDonalds sells more Burgers than Ruths Chris. Same reason Bud Light was always the #1 selling beer (despite tasting like p!ss water). It doesn't matter which one is obviously better.

As for the other post above, calling CGC into question.... Check out PSA's ratio of vintage SportsCards to Pokemon, TCG and Ultra-modern cards. You'll be shocked at how miniscule PSA's numbers are for vintage SportsCards. And once all the vintage cards eventually get graded, this segment will not matter to them in the least. They already act as though it doesn't exist, and have done absolutely nothing to benefit the vintage collector.

[Johnny630]

To me the PSA Slab gives you the best return on investment and the easiest liquidity out of all the major grading companies.

Like it or not I'm good with it.

[Fandom0610]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

To me the PSA Slab gives you the best return on investment and the easiest liquidity out of all the major grading companies.

Like it or not I'm good with it.

Ya but why? Better graders? Better slabs?

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by Fandom0610

Ya but why? Better graders? Better slabs?

Registry and Pop...PSA owns them both and rich buyers who want to be number one on the registry pay the most.

[jsfriedm]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Registry and Pop...PSA owns them both and rich buyers who want to be number one on the registry pay the most.

If what you're saying is correct, do you think SGC just screwed up by investing in other things - turnaround time perhaps, customer service - instead of building their registry? Was that just a bad (fatal?) business decision?