[deez283]

kingtopps Wrote:I have two newbie questions from someone who would like to have his modern cards authenticated and protected although not graded:

1. Which company's slab looks best in your opinion? Sorry if this has been brought up ad nauseum, but maybe someone could point out a slab I haven't seen before.

BGS hands down...

2. I would prefer a slab that doesn't have the 'pane' on top of the slab that tells what the card is, I would rather have an abbreviated/smaller version of that on the SIDE of the slab - does such a thing even exist?

No..

I just want the slab to take up as little space as possible and have the focus be on the card and not the slab.

Well SGC are taller and wider than BGS slabs plus they are just about as thick so in reality the sgc slab is bigger..

PSA is thin and cheesy If for the pc I would rather just have my cards in penny sleeves/ top loader with team bags..

It seems that the cost of authenticating is the same as authenticating plus grading and this drives me nuts.

[gregbara]

PSA has many graded cards out there due to the Registrys that people started. They were on the market first so many people started to build PSA sets and that was that.

[kingtopps]

Thanks guys, I appreciate your input.

[rick7ny]

alifaxwa2 Wrote:

rick7ny Wrote:

dfr52 Wrote:

kf4hee Wrote:Well, if you want a slab that takes up as little space as possible, unfortunately BGS is not for you. If you want a slab that is the best on the market for protection, then BGS is the overwhelming favorite.

As for the other visual aspects, I can't really help you there. PSA slabs are compact but they're JUNK. BGS slabs protect better than any other.

The BGS case is the best for protection and the fact it does offer some UV protection. PSA's case isn't as durable and it lacks the inner sleeve. PSA's case might offer better visibility though. SGC's case offers high visibility and cards look nice aginst the black insert.

If this is true how come there are nothing but PSA graded cards on the market instead of BGS cases ? I am confused about this one lol

Because PSA came first and people are afraid of change. Plus, the biggest reason, is the PSA registry is such a huge advantage for PSA, makes people spend crazy money on PSA 10 cards that are 50cent commons.

You're right, and this is what scares me about PSA. I know its traded on the stock exchange, and any of us can own there stock. If my memory serves me PSA has been grading coins for many, many years, and only has started grading trading cards for how long ? Another thing scares me is Beckett's graders training ? means what. I am able to grad coins with20 year experience but in no way am I an expert lol May be because the word Hobby helps to have less standards for grading trading cards. I am still trying to trust a good solid grading stander like I have as a numismatic member.

[deez283]

You're right, and this is what scares me about PSA. I know its traded on the stock exchange, and any of us can own there stock. If my memory serves me PSA has been grading coins for many, many years, and only has started grading trading cards for how long ?

Late 1990's I believe.. And no the guys that grade the coins have nothing to do with grading cards and no they do not have the same graders as when they started as a matter of fact they are looking to hire new graders every other month..

Another thing scares me is Beckett's graders training ?

It's the same as any other grading companies why should this scare you??

means what. I am able to grad coins with20 year experience but in no way am I an expert lol May be because the word Hobby helps to have less standards for grading trading cards. I am still trying to trust a good solid grading stander like I have as a numismatic member.[/quote]

[rick7ny]

deez283 Wrote:You're right, and this is what scares me about PSA. I know its traded on the stock exchange, and any of us can own there stock. If my memory serves me PSA has been grading coins for many, many years, and only has started grading trading cards for how long ?

Late 1990's I believe.. And no the guys that grade the coins have nothing to do with grading cards and no they do not have the same graders as when they started as a matter of fact they are looking to hire new graders every other month..

Another thing scares me is Beckett's graders training ?

It's the same as any other grading companies why should this scare you??

means what. I am able to grad coins with20 year experience but in no way am I an expert lol May be because the word Hobby helps to have less standards for grading trading cards. I am still trying to trust a good solid grading stander like I have as a numismatic member.

[/quote]

Well there is real no process in learning how to grade except learning experience, and time.

[cburt]

I agree there are advantages to the BGS slabs - i.e. the protective nature of the slab, and the inner sleeve. But no need to be too worried about PSA. They have extremely high and rigorous standards for grading as well. It is not the corners one needs to worry about in PSA holders, it is on occasion the edges. Sometimes cards will move around a bit in their slabs. But I don't see this being as big of a problem as some state. In the end go with your own preference, but overall you can't really go wrong with any of the big three - BGS, PSA or SGC. You will get quality, accuracy and precision with all three. It just boils down to preference and opinion as to which is the best.

[promodeltodd]

rick7ny Wrote:

alifaxwa2 Wrote:

rick7ny Wrote:

dfr52 Wrote:

kf4hee Wrote:Well, if you want a slab that takes up as little space as possible, unfortunately BGS is not for you. If you want a slab that is the best on the market for protection, then BGS is the overwhelming favorite.

As for the other visual aspects, I can't really help you there. PSA slabs are compact but they're JUNK. BGS slabs protect better than any other.

The BGS case is the best for protection and the fact it does offer some UV protection. PSA's case isn't as durable and it lacks the inner sleeve. PSA's case might offer better visibility though. SGC's case offers high visibility and cards look nice aginst the black insert.

If this is true how come there are nothing but PSA graded cards on the market instead of BGS cases ? I am confused about this one lol

Because PSA came first and people are afraid of change. Plus, the biggest reason, is the PSA registry is such a huge advantage for PSA, makes people spend crazy money on PSA 10 cards that are 50cent commons.

You're right, and this is what scares me about PSA. I know its traded on the stock exchange, and any of us can own there stock. If my memory serves me PSA has been grading coins for many, many years, and only has started grading trading cards for how long ? Another thing scares me is Beckett's graders training ? means what. I am able to grad coins with20 year experience but in no way am I an expert lol May be because the word Hobby helps to have less standards for grading trading cards. I am still trying to trust a good solid grading stander like I have as a numismatic member.

The big three grading companies hire people that have been in the hobby for a while, many of the guys have owned shops and/or have a special area/era that they are extremely familiar with if not experts in. Many times, these companies bring in experts in areas/eras to do training, so some have been trained by the same people. It is each companies choice as to who they bring in to do training. As far as modern cards, they are in contact with the card companies as far as what to look for, and examples are used from box breaks to compare and look at trends and other points that should be noted for each release. You also have to realize that these guys don't just walk in off the street and start grading.

My opinion is not to be worried about the training of the graders, rather the time spent on each card. I am sure any of us would be down to just a minute or two to grade a card after one day of grading cards and have pretty good accuracy, but my worries are the less than a minute standard spent on each of these cards, and the mistakes made on major serial numbered cards. Until someone(HELLO BECKETT?!?!?!), is a leader in the grading industry and starts to label, track, and include population reports of serial numbered cards, sub bumps, and cards not being slabbed due to lack of meeting minimum grade or being altered, trimmed, etc, there will always be big issues with grading and those that will not respect or even acknowledge grading.

As far as slabs go, I believe Beckett has the best slab due to the protection the slab AND the inner sleeve offers. I have seen issues with ALL the different slabs out there, including Beckett, however, Beckett seems to be the least likely to fail or damage your card on a numbers basis.

[rick7ny]

If all that you've said is true, and I'm sure it is. I've read all I could on Google about the grading process which I have done Its my business to inform myself to the best of my ability. One thing comes into play, I'll call them the big 2 BGS, and PSA as the main leaders in the grading process having similar grading processes. One believes protection with a good 10 point standard of steps are in the company's best interest. I believe there can be a universal grading process if the companies can agree on such a universal standard. While on the old hand the other company believes in the investment process, along with a similar grading standard but with that investment process guiding there standard. Either way you look at it it comes down to the same end...TO MAKE MONEY. So why not a universal grading process that will ensure the hobby.

This is what I see. It comes down to this It's "A BUISNESS." your here to make "MONEY" how that money is obtained without damaging the hobbyist, and / or the private collector secures that money. IN today's world, money is getting hard to come by, but I always seem to find enough to support my habits like my collections. I see systems of any kind can always improve itself, and/or expand on its self even without need just based on the business itself. There is always a better way. Sorry if I seem to ramble still waking up lol

[promodeltodd]

rick7ny Wrote:If all that you've said is true, and I'm sure it is. I've read all I could on Google about the grading process which I have done Its my business to inform myself to the best of my ability. One thing comes into play, I'll call them the big 2 BGS, and PSA as the main leaders in the grading process having similar grading processes. One believes protection with a good 10 point standard of steps are in the company's best interest. I believe there can be a universal grading process if the companies can agree on such a universal standard. While on the old hand the other company believes in the investment process, along with a similar grading standard but with that investment process guiding there standard. Either way you look at it it comes down to the same end...TO MAKE MONEY. So why not a universal grading process that will ensure the hobby.

This is what I see. It comes down to this It's "A BUISNESS." your here to make "MONEY" how that money is obtained without damaging the hobbyist, and / or the private collector secures that money. IN today's world, money is getting hard to come by, but I always seem to find enough to support my habits like my collections. I see systems of any kind can always improve itself, and/or expand on its self even without need just based on the business itself. There is always a better way. Sorry if I seem to ramble still waking up lol

Welcome to the boards and the lowly grading world.

It seems as though you are one of the few that take the time to look in to the process and ask the neccessary questions in the grading world. Another key thing is you are above many others by understanding that this is a business and they are in it to make money while providing a service.

With that said, don't count out SGC. While I am not a huge fan of the black border insert, there are many that are, I do respect them greatly as a grading company, and would actually use them as my next grading company should I decide not to use Beckett anymore.