Grading 101 - Page 6

kaleidosky · 11-24-2017, 09:47 PM

jewcer2k5, thanks for making this thread! I haven't posted in here before, but I've definitely used this a ton in evaluating what to submit. Appreciate both the thread and all your submissions. Without guys like you and smackvay, I'd have to do a lot more work (and probably pay more) to keep my best cards "healthy". Or maybe I'd just never do it!

pensfan87893 · 01-26-2018, 10:55 AM

How do you guys usually package up your cards when you send them to get graded? I'm going to get a few cards graded for the first time and was wondering what the best way is. Just penny sleeve, top loader, team bag and then into bubble wrap/mailer ok?

zac949 · 01-26-2018, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pensfan87893

How do you guys usually package up your cards when you send them to get graded? I'm going to get a few cards graded for the first time and was wondering what the best way is. Just penny sleeve, top loader, team bag and then into bubble wrap/mailer ok?

Should be fine. PSA prefers card savers over top loaders. They claim on their website that they don’t accept top loaders, screw downs, and snap cases but I called and the lady said they won’t turn it away.

pensfan87893 · 01-26-2018, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zac949

Should be fine. PSA prefers card savers over top loaders. They claim on their website that they don’t accept top loaders, screw downs, and snap cases but I called and the lady said they won’t turn it away.

Cool, I appreciate the info. I'm gonna be sending to BGS, so hopefully top loaders are ok there.

CardMonopoly · 01-26-2018, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pensfan87893

Cool, I appreciate the info. I'm gonna be sending to BGS, so hopefully top loaders are ok there.

BGS's website suggests you send cards in card savers, but you can send cards to BGS in Card Savers, toploaders, or magnetics. They're not going to turn your business away. Just don't tape the magnetics shut and don't expect to get any of them back.

KB81 · 01-26-2018, 12:40 PM

Card Savers are horrible

I use top loaders all the time. Hell with them not wanting it. i need to protect MY cards best I can during transit. Never been turned away.

I do not use a top loader that makes it hard for them to take card out either.
Card is snug enough and can come out easily with a slight tapping.

ThoseBackPages · 01-26-2018, 02:05 PM

i wonder if BGS/PSA have a more difficult time cutting the top loaders, which is why they dont recommend sending them in

jewcer2k5 · 01-26-2018, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

i wonder if BGS/PSA have a more difficult time cutting the top loaders, which is why they dont recommend sending them in

100% the reason.

lemongoat1134 · 01-28-2018, 07:14 PM

One of the cards in a BGS submission just returned to me has a spec inside the case on the bottom left of the card. Anyone else ever experience this?

goodole13 · 01-29-2018, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemongoat1134

One of the cards in a BGS submission just returned to me has a spec inside the case on the bottom left of the card. Anyone else ever experience this?

What is a spec? A picture may help answer your question.

KhalDrogo · 02-07-2018, 08:24 PM

Made my first ever submission two weeks ago and it popped today. 14 cards. 13 9.5s and 1 10. Very happy. Thanks for the advice!

jewcer2k5 · 02-08-2018, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Made my first ever submission two weeks ago and it popped today. 14 cards. 13 9.5s and 1 10. Very happy. Thanks for the advice!

Great job. Congrats.

KhalDrogo · 02-10-2018, 08:24 AM

How often do you have cards come back from BGS with damaged cases? I had a few come back with chipped cases. Not damaging eye appeal, but just annoying. Can you get them to ship in one of the graded card holders they sell on the website? Or do the cards get sent back in the same box every time?

chathampa · 02-10-2018, 06:51 PM

Thanks for the great article and I plan on sending in some cards to you in March.

I sent in 7 cards to BGS for the first time and I was disappointed that I only received 1 9.5. 5 were 9s and 1 was a 8.5. I'm not that upset as this was all for my Eagles PC. The biggest thing I noticed was that the corner and edge grades came out lower than I thought. I chose 7 of my best cards so I could learn from the process. Besides getting a magnifying glass with light to check out the edges and corners, what else can you do to really judges the 2 factors? What truly separates a 9.5 vs. a 9 edge/corners? I even took out a PSA 10 Ajayi card perfectly and I got a 9 back from BGS.

jewcer2k5 · 02-11-2018, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chathampa

Thanks for the great article and I plan on sending in some cards to you in March.

I sent in 7 cards to BGS for the first time and I was disappointed that I only received 1 9.5. 5 were 9s and 1 was a 8.5. I'm not that upset as this was all for my Eagles PC. The biggest thing I noticed was that the corner and edge grades came out lower than I thought. I chose 7 of my best cards so I could learn from the process. Besides getting a magnifying glass with light to check out the edges and corners, what else can you do to really judges the 2 factors? What truly separates a 9.5 vs. a 9 edge/corners? I even took out a PSA 10 Ajayi card perfectly and I got a 9 back from BGS.

Only time practicing will teach you what can get by as a 9.5 or a 9. Also comes down to the grader you get and the day that he is having. Lots of variables.

padremurph · 02-13-2018, 11:35 AM

Question on wiping the card down. Do you do it with a dry microfiber cloth or slightly wet?

I just received a 2001 Heritage chrome card this past week that was stuck pretty badly to the penny sleeve because it’s probably been in there forever. The surface is a little dirty.

jewcer2k5 · 02-13-2018, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padremurph

Question on wiping the card down. Do you do it with a dry microfiber cloth or slightly wet?

I just received a 2001 Heritage chrome card this past week that was stuck pretty badly to the penny sleeve because it’s probably been in there forever. The surface is a little dirty.

I use it dry because it is usually on chrome cards. I don't know the answer to a heritage card but you can try whatever you want.

padremurph · 02-13-2018, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jewcer2k5

I use it dry because it is usually on chrome cards. I don't know the answer to a heritage card but you can try whatever you want.

Thanks! I guess I’ll start with dry and see if it helps. It’s a card I’ve been wanting for years so hoping it works out.

whyn0twynne · 02-22-2018, 02:49 PM

What would be the best way to judge the centering of these cards?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2017-18-Pan...vP3EQEPCHCejiA

socal805 · 02-22-2018, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chathampa

Thanks for the great article and I plan on sending in some cards to you in March.

I sent in 7 cards to BGS for the first time and I was disappointed that I only received 1 9.5. 5 were 9s and 1 was a 8.5. I'm not that upset as this was all for my Eagles PC. The biggest thing I noticed was that the corner and edge grades came out lower than I thought. I chose 7 of my best cards so I could learn from the process. Besides getting a magnifying glass with light to check out the edges and corners, what else can you do to really judges the 2 factors? What truly separates a 9.5 vs. a 9 edge/corners? I even took out a PSA 10 Ajayi card perfectly and I got a 9 back from BGS.

I did the same thing in regards to submitting my "best" cards. Eventually you'll learn what to look for, what you can get away with, etc. Now I've been able to submit cards that I previously had questioned w/some success. I've receive 9.5's on cards I thought for sure would only get a 9.

As jewcer2k5 has suggest...do a self grade on your submissions and write them down (I've even recorded a few of them). Once you receive your graded cards, you can compare BGS grades with your personal grades. Maybe you'll find out you're too lenient on corners, yet too harsh on surface grades.

I've also made the mistake of "seeing what I want to see", especially with some of my favorite cards. Similar to being a parent who believes there child can do no wrong...don't let your personal feelings get in the way of grading...lol.

mjohnatgt · 02-22-2018, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whyn0twynne

What would be the best way to judge the centering of these cards?

Front side I would judge L-R centering based on the outside of the namebar at the bottom, and judge T-B centering based on the blue borders at the top and bottom.
Back side I would measure that the diagonal lines are the same distance from the corners on the top, and T-B I would judge based on the gap between the top of the N and the top border compared to the bottom border up to the base of the copyright line.

Oh, and if you're going to buy a card from comcconsignments on eBay, get a COMC account and buy it there yourself cheaper.

whyn0twynne · 02-23-2018, 04:16 PM

Thank you!

dapro · 04-01-2018, 05:20 PM

Thanks for the info! I am sending 7 cards in to PSA, 3 out of the 7 have some dimples. I am not sure how they will grade the surface. I can't find any picture online about dimple with lines coming out. Wish me luck!

rizzeedizzee · 05-20-2018, 08:07 AM

Right now I'm i limbo - PSA has my first ever submission and the cards have been received/logged. I read here about grades "popping" before the cards are actually sent out. Does that mean I'll get some sort of email telling me what the grades are, or simply that they have been graded?

mjohnatgt · 05-20-2018, 08:20 AM

Quickest way to find out your grades is to have your credit card notify you when the charge gets made. Because they charge your card the same time they post your grades. I then check the website to see the grades (this is before the email comes out), because I check for label (mechanical) errors before they get mailed back to me. If I have to correct something, I would rather them do it ASAP than have to mail the cards back, and have to correct them later. If I see errors, I call and have the order put on "Shipping Hold" so they can correct.

If you didn't charge to credit card, then you just refresh the PSA account page a couple times a day hoping the grades get posted.

01-26-2018, 10:55 AM	#127
pensfan87893 Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Pulaski, PA Posts: 14,164 pensfan87893	How do you guys usually package up your cards when you send them to get graded? I'm going to get a few cards graded for the first time and was wondering what the best way is. Just penny sleeve, top loader, team bag and then into bubble wrap/mailer ok? __________________ Collector of Rookie Cards from all Sports!

01-26-2018, 12:40 PM	#131
KB81 Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Norf Crackalacka Posts: 11,729	Card Savers are horrible I use top loaders all the time. Hell with them not wanting it. i need to protect MY cards best I can during transit. Never been turned away. I do not use a top loader that makes it hard for them to take card out either. Card is snug enough and can come out easily with a slight tapping. __________________ IT IS WHAT IT IS AND IT AINT WHAT IT'S NOT - KB81

01-26-2018, 02:05 PM	#132
ThoseBackPages Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 89,636 ThoseBackPages	i wonder if BGS/PSA have a more difficult time cutting the top loaders, which is why they dont recommend sending them in __________________ Pumpers Paradise #YouCryIBuy Four things that we cannot change each others minds about: Politics, Religion, Third Party Grading, and 2021 Bowman's Best Rookie Cards

02-07-2018, 08:24 PM	#136
KhalDrogo Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 41,142	Made my first ever submission two weeks ago and it popped today. 14 cards. 13 9.5s and 1 10. Very happy. Thanks for the advice! __________________ I love PSA!

02-10-2018, 08:24 AM	#138
KhalDrogo Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 41,142	How often do you have cards come back from BGS with damaged cases? I had a few come back with chipped cases. Not damaging eye appeal, but just annoying. Can you get them to ship in one of the graded card holders they sell on the website? Or do the cards get sent back in the same box every time? __________________ I love PSA!

11-24-2017, 09:47 PM	#126
kaleidosky Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 355 moustachee	jewcer2k5, thanks for making this thread! I haven't posted in here before, but I've definitely used this a ton in evaluating what to submit. Appreciate both the thread and all your submissions. Without guys like you and smackvay, I'd have to do a lot more work (and probably pay more) to keep my best cards "healthy". Or maybe I'd just never do it!

01-28-2018, 07:14 PM	#134
lemongoat1134 Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Bay Area Posts: 546	One of the cards in a BGS submission just returned to me has a spec inside the case on the bottom left of the card. Anyone else ever experience this?

02-10-2018, 06:51 PM	#139
chathampa Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: East Bay Posts: 3 chathampa	BGS/PSA Thanks for the great article and I plan on sending in some cards to you in March. I sent in 7 cards to BGS for the first time and I was disappointed that I only received 1 9.5. 5 were 9s and 1 was a 8.5. I'm not that upset as this was all for my Eagles PC. The biggest thing I noticed was that the corner and edge grades came out lower than I thought. I chose 7 of my best cards so I could learn from the process. Besides getting a magnifying glass with light to check out the edges and corners, what else can you do to really judges the 2 factors? What truly separates a 9.5 vs. a 9 edge/corners? I even took out a PSA 10 Ajayi card perfectly and I got a 9 back from BGS.

02-13-2018, 11:35 AM	#141
padremurph Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,896 lakermurph	Question on wiping the card down. Do you do it with a dry microfiber cloth or slightly wet? I just received a 2001 Heritage chrome card this past week that was stuck pretty badly to the penny sleeve because it’s probably been in there forever. The surface is a little dirty.

02-22-2018, 02:49 PM	#144
whyn0twynne Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 865 whyn0t_kicks whyn0t_kicks	What would be the best way to judge the centering of these cards? https://www.ebay.com/itm/2017-18-Pan...vP3EQEPCHCejiA

02-23-2018, 04:16 PM	#147
whyn0twynne Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 865 whyn0t_kicks whyn0t_kicks	Thank you!

04-01-2018, 05:20 PM	#148
dapro Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,891 Dragonshop007	Thanks for the info! I am sending 7 cards in to PSA, 3 out of the 7 have some dimples. I am not sure how they will grade the surface. I can't find any picture online about dimple with lines coming out. Wish me luck! __________________ Collecting rookie and auto of HOFer's and future HOFer's. PC: Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Anthony Davis,Mike Trout, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins https://www.flickr.com/photos/156455278@N06/collections/72157666436269628/

05-20-2018, 08:07 AM	#149
rizzeedizzee Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 333	Right now I'm i limbo - PSA has my first ever submission and the cards have been received/logged. I read here about grades "popping" before the cards are actually sent out. Does that mean I'll get some sort of email telling me what the grades are, or simply that they have been graded?

05-20-2018, 08:20 AM	#150
mjohnatgt Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Niceville, FL Posts: 14,600 mjohnatgt mjohnatgt	Quickest way to find out your grades is to have your credit card notify you when the charge gets made. Because they charge your card the same time they post your grades. I then check the website to see the grades (this is before the email comes out), because I check for label (mechanical) errors before they get mailed back to me. If I have to correct something, I would rather them do it ASAP than have to mail the cards back, and have to correct them later. If I see errors, I call and have the order put on "Shipping Hold" so they can correct. If you didn't charge to credit card, then you just refresh the PSA account page a couple times a day hoping the grades get posted.