Grading services: who's who and what's what.

[Mongoose]

I was thinking about getting some cards of mine graded and I realized there are a number of grading services. Beckett and PSA seem the most entrenched.

Who has the most credibility? Are there other good services besides these two?

Is it possible to pay less than $10 or so a card. How are the other grading services?

The whole idea of sending in my cards and trusting complete strangers with them makes me antsy. What if they damage them? What if they switch them?

Can anybody explain the process from a customer's perspective?

Thanks.

[stang05]

I was thinking about getting some cards of mine graded and I realized there are a number of grading services. Beckett and PSA seem the most entrenched.

Who has the most credibility? Are there other good services besides these two?

Is it possible to pay less than $10 or so a card. How are the other grading services?

The whole idea of sending in my cards and trusting complete strangers with them makes me antsy. What if they damage them? What if they switch them?

Can anybody explain the process from a customer's perspective?

Thanks.

I will only use BGS and PSA just because I can trust them and there grades are legit. Thats why if you ever look a PSA grade vs a no name grade will always sell for more

[PVNICK]

How do the mechanics of that work?

[Extra Innings]

I will only use BGS and PSA just because I can trust them and there grades are legit. Thats why if you ever look a PSA grade vs a no name grade will always sell for more

BGS and PSA are more widely known and respected grading services. For resell value, you would likely get more attention and money selling a card graded by those two over a lesser known service. Their grading fees are also higher due to recognition.

Another notable is GAI. I think this company was formed by ex-PSA employees. You may save a few bucks by going with them if you didn't intend to resell the card. BCCG is another one and it is Beckett affiliated, but I wouldn't use them. They seem less restrictive on grading and loosely throw out a high grade on cards.

I would research the companies and just see which one suits you the best. I think most people do prefer BGS or PSA.

[Mongoose]

I wonder if there have ever been any difficulties with sending these companies valuable cards on, essentially, the "honor system". Have there ever been any publicized issues with them switching cards out?

If anything happens to the card, how can submitters make sure the grading service doesn't claim the card was damaged when they received it?

[Extra Innings]

I wonder if there have ever been any difficulties with sending these companies valuable cards on, essentially, the "honor system". Have there ever been any publicized issues with them switching cards out?

If anything happens to the card, how can submitters make sure the grading service doesn't claim the card was damaged when they received it?

They hold some kind of liability insurance. Here is a FAQ from PSA. It should have most of the answers to your questions about the grading process.

http://www.psacard.com/faq.chtml#faqid201