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While there are several card grading and authentication
services, the hobby acknowledges BGS (Beckett Grading
Services) and PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)
as the leaders.
Grading companies received a lot of attention with the
introduction of E-bay and other on-line auction houses/
stores where the person bidding on/ buying a card is
not able to physically see or handle the end product
he is
purchasing. A graded card serves two main purposes.
First,
the buyer doesn't have to rely on the seller's description
of the card and whether that description is accurate
or truthful. A third party has examined the card
and attached
their non-subjective score (or grade) as to its condition
to it. Factors that affect a card's grade are centering,
overall condition, crisp corners, etc. The re-sale
value of cards graded highly by either BGS or PSA can
be considerable.
The second purpose is establishing the
card's authenticity. Having a card graded also guarantees
that the card
is not a counterfeit. This is especially useful for
high dollar,
often counterfeited cards, like Michael Jordan's rookie,
or seldom seen, scarcer vintage cards. Other miscellaneous
benefits include the card's protection.
Once a card
is graded, it is "slabbed" in a thick plastic card
holder that can not be opened without obviously breaking
the slab. This is a plus for the collector to know that
the card will be in the same condition once received as
it is in when purchased (and to know that the card can't
be switched with another one).
While both companies make themselves available for
in-person submissions at trade shows, most submissions
take place through the mail. Show schedules and
instructions for mail-in submissions can be found
on their respective
websites, and include directions for how cards
should be packed (such as what card holders to
use).
Prices vary between companies and depends on the
order size and number of days allowed for the grading
to
take place. In other words, the more cards you
send in to be graded and the longer you're willing
to
wait, the cheaper it'll be. BGS prices range from
$7-32, plus shipping back to you. PSA takes the
value of the ungraded card into consideration and
requires
certain service levels based on that value. Their
prices range from $6-250, plus shipping, and include
the option of same day mail-in service.
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