Most accurate grading service for modern cards?

wb987 · 01-31-2025, 03:48 PM

As someone just getting back into the hobby, I’m seeing allegations of the top grading companies using “population control” to limit gemrate and/or being inconsistent with their grading standards. Most of these allegations are against PSA. Is SGC any better?

I’m leaning towards using TAG since they have a transparent standardized system, so at least I’ll know my bulk submission will be graded consistently. My preference is consistency and accuracy, not so much on max resale value. A downside of TAG is that they charge $30 for the 1000 point score and only the $30 service gets you the more detailed score report which includes corner surface wear and other information about how the grade was calculated.

Hellcat · 02-01-2025, 04:16 AM

The answer is always PSA. The most respected company in the hobby. The best ROI even though you said it doesn't matter until you go to sell then you will be glad you graded with PSA.

salsdali · 02-01-2025, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wb987

I’m leaning towards using TAG since they have a transparent standardized system, so at least I’ll know my bulk submission will be graded consistently. My preference is consistency and accuracy, not so much on max resale value. A downside of TAG is that they charge $30 for the 1000 point score and only the $30 service gets you the more detailed score report which includes corner surface wear and other information about how the grade was calculated.

go with TAG because even their lessor priced 1-10 grade still includes most measurements that matter and include ALL measurements that PSA does by eye and don't record/publish in a report so there is no benefit gained by risking going with PSA.

KGD54 · 02-01-2025, 07:02 AM

In terms of accuracy I think SGC does a pretty good job. The last order I had with them with vintage they were actually pretty harsh and I cracked out a couple and sent to CGC and got a 2 grade bump but overall SGC is known for accurate grades, fair price and amazing turn around times.
However if you care about value PSA is the clear cut choice.

Bosoxfan5990 · 02-01-2025, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellcat

The answer is always PSA. The most respected company in the hobby. The best ROI even though you said it doesn't matter until you go to sell then you will be glad you graded with PSA.

OP asked for most accurate. It's certainly not PSA.

rfgilles · 02-01-2025, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

OP asked for most accurate. It's certainly not PSA.

TAG is the most accurate and consistent. If you resubmit the same card it will be identified as such.

discodanman45 · 02-01-2025, 11:45 AM

Is this a TAG post? Someone comes in here for their first post questioning the accuracy of all grading companies and giving detailed information about TAG...

JustRachel · 02-01-2025, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by discodanman45

Is this a TAG post? Someone comes in here for their first post questioning the accuracy of all grading companies and giving detailed information about TAG...

Yes it is.

wb987 · 02-01-2025, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by discodanman45

Is this a TAG post? Someone comes in here for their first post questioning the accuracy of all grading companies and giving detailed information about TAG...

I’m not questioning anything, I’m pointing out the well documented issues that people have had with grading consistency and accuracy on this board and elsewhere. I have an issue with TAG charging $30 for their complete service (especially when they have all of that data anyway and charge double to disclose it) and that’s why I’m asking if people consider SGC to be more accurate than PSA

majestik101 · 02-01-2025, 01:52 PM

Most accurate? Not a damn one of them.

I guess if you want transparency, then you can submit to Beckett for their sub-grades and POP Report

And I would as soon hand my cards over to Cletus who works night shift at the corner gas station than send any of my cards to TAG

discodanman45 · 02-01-2025, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wb987

I’m not questioning anything, I’m pointing out the well documented issues that people have had with grading consistency and accuracy on this board and elsewhere. I have an issue with TAG charging $30 for their complete service (especially when they have all of that data anyway and charge double to disclose it) and that’s why I’m asking if people consider SGC to be more accurate than PSA

What price point of cards are you thinking of grading? Personally, I don't see the purpose of grading ultra-modern cards since it is a lot of money spent to make a card lose value half the time. Raw cards sell more than 9's from any grading company, so unless you are doing this for 10's and profit, it is a financial risk from any company.

SGC is a little better than PSA, but you could get a harsh grader and get the same results. I have seen SGC get a little tougher recently and that could be under orders from Collector's Universe. CGC does a pretty good job from my experience on grading ultra-modern. My biggest issue with them is that they sometimes will put a card in a plastic sleeve if it is cut slightly bigger from the factory.

Personally, I stopped grading all my ultra-modern cards. I am using Zion Mag-pro cases and may grade some of them in the future. The price difference between a 9 and 10 is stupid and I don't want to play that game, especially for the price of grading and shipping. I will occasionally grade vintage or expensive cards, but I have been backing off.

The only thing I ask, is don't use Arena Club! They don't know what they are doing. They average their centering grade, instead of using the worse to determine centering. Their "AI" also doesn't know where to calculate centering from and how to handle cards with a slant. GMA is a far superior grading company to Arena Club.

JustRachel · 02-01-2025, 02:04 PM

I don't think most submitters are wanting accurate grades. They just want profitable grades.

rfgilles · 02-01-2025, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by discodanman45

Is this a TAG post? Someone comes in here for their first post questioning the accuracy of all grading companies and giving detailed information about TAG...

Take off the tin foil hat. The poster complained about TAG pricing.

discodanman45 · 02-01-2025, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfgilles

Take off the tin foil hat. The poster complained about TAG pricing.

We might want to tell the OP that they can't grade acetate, die-cut, lenticular, memorabilia, cards before 1989, or cards thicker than 50 pt stock. The more information about TAG, the better.

majestik101 · 02-01-2025, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustRachel

I don't think most submitters are wanting accurate grades. They just want profitable grades.

Rbradleigh · 02-01-2025, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellcat

The answer is always PSA. The most respected company in the hobby. The best ROI even though you said it doesn't matter until you go to sell then you will be glad you graded with PSA.

I’m starting to think this only matters for ultra modern “gem 10.” As 9s seem to sit and treated as a scarlet letter. IMO someone buying a PSA 9 for their collection is likely to buy the same card as a SGC 9.

discodanman45 · 02-01-2025, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rbradleigh

I’m starting to think this only matters for ultra modern “gem 10.” As 9s seem to sit and treated as a scarlet letter. IMO someone buying a PSA 9 for their collection is likely to buy the same card as a SGC 9.

That is why it is 10's or bust. Raw cards are better sold ungraded than getting a PSA 9. The same price without paying $20 to get an opinion.

I actually go after SGC 7, SGC 8, PSA 8, and PSA 7's if I buy modern cards graded. People will avoid this types of cards and if they go through auction you can usually get a great deal well below raw prices.

rnocards · 02-01-2025, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by discodanman45

I actually go after SGC 7, SGC 8, PSA 8, and PSA 7's if I buy modern cards graded. People will avoid this types of cards and if they go through auction you can usually get a great deal well below raw prices.

For your personal collection, or is it so you can crack them out, and try to resell them raw?

discodanman45 · 02-01-2025, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnocards

For your personal collection, or is it so you can crack them out, and try to resell them raw?

PC, for slightly more expensive cards. For instance I got a SGC 7.5 1996 Topps Kobe NBA 50 parallel for what I think was a great price. Looks like a 8/9.

salsdali · 02-01-2025, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wb987

As someone just getting back into the hobby, I’m seeing allegations of the top grading companies using “population control” to limit gemrate and/or being inconsistent with their grading standards. Most of these allegations are against PSA.

and this is why you should go with TAG, or another computer generated grade because computers don't do population control because they can't.

If a card is a computer graded 10 then the computer MUST give it a 10, it has no choice otherwise. PSA chooses how many 10's it's willing to give and that is the fatal flaw in human grading, the corruption.

Computers cannot be corrupted.

majestik101 · 02-02-2025, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salsdali

and this is why you should go with TAG, or another computer generated grade because computers don't do population control because they can't.

If a card is a computer graded 10 then the computer MUST give it a 10, it has no choice otherwise. PSA chooses how many 10's it's willing to give and that is the fatal flaw in human grading, the corruption.

Computers cannot be corrupted.

What exactly is your job title at TAG?

discodanman45 · 02-02-2025, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salsdali

Computers cannot be corrupted.

We don't know TAG's process. Could they be checking every card and manipulating the data? Are algorithms different for TAG investors versus individual submitters. With all the shenanigans in this hobby, my trust in any company is not very high. I am not saying TAG does this at all, but data can be easily manipulated.

salsdali · 02-02-2025, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by majestik101

What exactly is your job title at TAG?

I did say:

Quote:

Originally Posted by salsdali

and this is why you should go with TAG, or another computer generated grade...

which could be AGS, etc.

I have no stake in TAG but I do believe in any computer generated grade over a human grade any day.

rfgilles · 02-02-2025, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by majestik101

What exactly is your job title at TAG?

Anyone who likes TAG must be working for them, comical.

Scottish Punk · 02-02-2025, 11:38 AM

If accuracy is the number one criteria. PSA is out for the simple fact there isn't a 9.5 grade. This means a large swath of cards that is a 9 one day and 10 the next. I do agree with above that grading ultra modern isn't about accuracy, after all they are mint coming out of the pack (mostly). Gem Mint is just a way to put some manufacturered scarcity and reason to slab. I love buying 9's for the cost of raw. It is like free grading fees.

01-31-2025, 03:48 PM	#1
wb987 Member Join Date: Jan 2025 Posts: 9	Most accurate grading service for modern cards? As someone just getting back into the hobby, I’m seeing allegations of the top grading companies using “population control” to limit gemrate and/or being inconsistent with their grading standards. Most of these allegations are against PSA. Is SGC any better? I’m leaning towards using TAG since they have a transparent standardized system, so at least I’ll know my bulk submission will be graded consistently. My preference is consistency and accuracy, not so much on max resale value. A downside of TAG is that they charge $30 for the 1000 point score and only the $30 service gets you the more detailed score report which includes corner surface wear and other information about how the grade was calculated. Last edited by wb987; 01-31-2025 at 03:51 PM.

02-01-2025, 11:45 AM	#7
discodanman45 Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: CA Posts: 9,640 danch27	Is this a TAG post? Someone comes in here for their first post questioning the accuracy of all grading companies and giving detailed information about TAG... __________________ Updating my entire collection on Card Ladder. Lots to go... https://www.cardladder.com/showcase/IOBB7AY2qTVVKSgU9Aqj02kfF4I3

02-01-2025, 01:52 PM	#10
majestik101 Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Socially Distanced Posts: 42,387 majestik101	Most accurate? Not a damn one of them. I guess if you want transparency, then you can submit to Beckett for their sub-grades and POP Report And I would as soon hand my cards over to Cletus who works night shift at the corner gas station than send any of my cards to TAG __________________ "Watson alone sells for over $20" https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1182760

02-01-2025, 04:16 AM	#2
Hellcat Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Posts: 2,317	The answer is always PSA. The most respected company in the hobby. The best ROI even though you said it doesn't matter until you go to sell then you will be glad you graded with PSA.

02-01-2025, 07:02 AM	#4
KGD54 Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 167	In terms of accuracy I think SGC does a pretty good job. The last order I had with them with vintage they were actually pretty harsh and I cracked out a couple and sent to CGC and got a 2 grade bump but overall SGC is known for accurate grades, fair price and amazing turn around times. However if you care about value PSA is the clear cut choice.

02-01-2025, 02:04 PM	#12
JustRachel Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 5,663	I don't think most submitters are wanting accurate grades. They just want profitable grades.

02-02-2025, 11:38 AM	#25
Scottish Punk Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 9,415 scottishpunk	If accuracy is the number one criteria. PSA is out for the simple fact there isn't a 9.5 grade. This means a large swath of cards that is a 9 one day and 10 the next. I do agree with above that grading ultra modern isn't about accuracy, after all they are mint coming out of the pack (mostly). Gem Mint is just a way to put some manufacturered scarcity and reason to slab. I love buying 9's for the cost of raw. It is like free grading fees.