Grading at a time like this?

At this point, no one can deny the current economic situation in this country. Will it get worse before it gets better? Brother, if anyone had the answer, they wouldn’t worry about money again.

Life goes on and so do we. Yes, prices have gone up on everyday things like food but gas is down and that helps. Just this morning, gas was $1.73 a gallon near my home. It is things like gas prices that seem to affect the working class more than the stock market.

So what does this have to do with card grading? The economy can have a great deal to do with card grading. Even if you are not directly impacted by the down economy (ie, a layoff), you, like many Americans are probably looking for way to trim some fat. I don’t mean from around your middle section, I mean from your budgets and your spending habits.

It seems that some collectors are streamlining their collections and focusing their buying. This means not buying items that simply appeal to you at the time but really narrowing down your focus like by player, by team or whatever is your fancy. This also means you probably have some cards or memorabilia ready to sell.

As nearly every active collector knows, selling items from their collection probably means heading to on line auction sites like eBay. They also know from buying that if it isn’t graded, you run some risks as a buyer.

Sure, a 9.5 on a condition sensitive card can mean a nice premium when you sell but keep in mind buyers want more. Take a Michael Jordan Fleer rookie card. If I was buying one, I want to know if it is real and if it had been tampered with. If I have the choice between a raw or ungraded card versus a card graded by one of the top reputable companies, as a buyer, I am willing to pay more for the piece of mind of an authentic graded card.

Like anything else in life and especially in this hobby, do your homework. A little research can go a long ways. Get out the cards you are thinking about moving and go online. Beckett.com offers online pricing and auctions can show you the difference in a raw card and graded card.

Of course the whole reason for selling the cards is to streamline and put away a little money. Maximizing your grading order saves money as well.

In October, BGS ran an incredible $5.00 a card offer for orders of 25 cards or more. That is the type of offer you want if you have a quantity of cards to grade and sell. Other offers like the November 10% off JSA orders can be a real plus, too. Watch your email and the website for more grading offers.

As always, if BGS is attending a show near you, drop your order off at the BGS booth and save on shipping and insurance. Just another way to save a few bucks. Upcoming shows can be found on the BGS website.

And speaking of shows, this weekend is the Chicago Sun-Times show in Rosemont, IL. A great show to attend and a chance to drop off BGS and JSA orders, ask a few questions and take advantage of show-only specials.

- Andy Broome, BGS Grading

Have a Question?

Q: I have a Honus Wagner card that has been in my family for years. How can I get your opinion on my card and get it graded? I do not feel comfortable mailing in to you guys. What options do I have?

A: It is always exciting to find what could be a huge card and a huge sum of money. Amazing finds do still happen, including the discovery of T206 Honus Wagner cards.

Before you jump on a plane and head to our Dallas office, stop and take a breath. Your first step is to call or email us here at BGS. Believe it or not but our experts can discuss your card with you, educate you about your card. One email could save you hundreds of dollars or it could tell you to book that flight!

Of course, you can always submit cards to us by insuring and shipping it. You can also bring cards by the BGS booth at any show BGS attends. A list can be found on our website www.beckett.com/grading. You can also submit cards in person at our office in Dallas, TX during normal business hours. Call or email us to find out more.

Have a Question?

Do you have a question about the autograph authentication process? James Spence answers your autograph questions here in the Report Card.