Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ Beckett Grading Service, Is it worth it?

[Pastretta]

I have some cards that I have interest is getting graded. Is it worth it to get them graded and are those Grading compainies really trustworthy? Also have any of you all sent in a card to get it graded?

[bob_TCC]

I have some cards that I have interest is getting graded. Is it worth it to get them graded and are those Grading compainies really trustworthy? Also have any of you all sent in a card to get it graded?

Click here for a really good article that should help answer the question about which grading service to use - the trustworthy ones.

In terms of whether it's worth it, it really depends on the cards that are going to be graded. For some cards, a high grade can substantially increase the value of the card. In those cases, the grading fees can be easily justified.

What cards are you looking to get graded?

-Bob

[Pastretta]

I want them all graded but the one's I'd get first are my Fitzgerald RC's.

2004 Topps #360
2004 Topps Draft Picks and prospects #93
2004 Bazooka #175
2004 UD Rookie Prospects RP-LF
2004 Bowman #125 (3)

Then if all goes well with those:

2001 Bowman Jose Reyes #430
2002 Leaf Rookies and Stars Roy Williams Auto #276
2002 Topps Blalock/Teixeira #324(I have yet to find a BV on this card )

Who knows though. I could find these cards on Auction sites already graded for the price I would need to pay to get my cards graded

[bob_TCC]

2002 Topps Blalock/Teixeira #324(I have yet to find a BV on this card )

That's probably this one:

2003 Topps 324 H.Blalock/M.Teixeira FS $0.20 $0.50

Now, to help show what effect grading may have on the value of a card, let's look at this one:

2001 Bowman 430 Jose Reyes RC $3.00 $8.00

If you got that same card graded by PSA, the values would be the following according to the SMR price guide:

NMMT8 - $4
MT9 - $12
GEMMT10 - $40

As you can see, the value only increases alot if you have a perfect card - at least for most modern cards such as the ones you have listed.

Just some data to consider when deciding whether the expense of grading makes sense for certain cards.

-Bob

[Pastretta]

WoW very helpful as always. I just browsed for about 5 minutes on Ebay and found cards that were graded for around 10 bucks that I would like. All the grades were 9.5 and one a 10!

Yeah that's the Blalock/Teixeira card.

That Reyes card is actually one of the many few that survived the time that my cards were in storage. I wished I would've known who Pujols was back then.(Well everyone does now)

Glad too see that I didn't jump the gun and send some cards in without doing some research

[aceecards]

I thought Id chime in just becuase I have wasted so much money on grading..

Look what you think is perfect and flawless is far from it.

Before you waste any of your hard earned dollars.

1. Goto a show and watch the graders in action, look at the tools they use.
Magnifying glass, intense lighting, squares and rulers

2. Examine the cards yourself. Look for surface scratches, imperfections on front or back surface like bubbles or print smears, look at the four sides of the cards looks for dents, dings imperfections chipping tearing. check the corners any rounding or chipping lay the card corners in a square the corner must touch the point of the square, finally measure the centering of the card front and back. Is the hologram label stuck on straight?

Then reexamine the surface for color imperfections and surface anomalies.

If one thing is imperfect then you are wasting your money unless you only hope to get a 9 or 9.5

If two things are wrong dont even bother unless your happy with an 7.5-8.5

if three things are wrong dont even bother to send it in. 7.0 or less

Personally I think grading cards should be reserved for high dollar rookie cards like Pujols or Roethlisberger.

Why have any other cards than rookies graded they are the only ones that get the big multipliers in value check the Beckett if you dont believe me!!

[northicehero99]

Pastretta,

Go to a show too and check out some graded cards, because I have seen cards given Gem Mt labels by the top grading companies only to find they are no where near Gem Mint. I know a guy who had a card with an obvious print spot on the back and it got Gem Mt, not sure how it could with the print spot.

[bob_TCC]

Go to a show too and check out some graded cards, because I have seen cards given Gem Mt labels by the top grading companies only to find they are no where near Gem Mint.  I know a guy who had a card with an obvious print spot on the back and it got Gem Mt, not sure how it could with the print spot.

Couple the fact that grading can be subjective with the fact that humans are doing the grading and make mistakes and things like this happen. Wouldn't it be great (and probably less expensive) if there was a computer-based grading system?

-Bob