Leave a Comment/ Grading / By Ryan Barone/ January 25, 2023
Ryan Barone (@ballcardgenius, Card Expert) is a lifelong member of the hobby. His content has recently been mentioned in “Quick Rips” (the Topps RIPPED Newsletter) and across other hobby publications. hello@ballcardgenius.com; Last Time Ago LLC dba Ballcard Genius.
Of the major grading companies, BGS currently offers the cheapest card grading service, which is $18 to grade a single card at the “Base” level. This is $2 less than CSG’s “Economy” level, $5 less than PSA’s “Value” service, and $4 less than SGC.
So, while you can’t get cards graded for free, prices are lower than they’ve been in quite some time.
Here is a grading cost calculator to help you compare services:
Card Grading Calculator
Now, with that said, there are some caveats and things to consider. One, this $18 BGS grading is for a rating without subgrades.While the other mentioned companies don’t grade with subgrades, this is the BGS differentiator, so it feels like we aren’t comparing apples to apples by quoting the cost without subgrades.
Thus, if you were to include the stipulation that a card graded by BGS must have subgrades, the cost would be $22, making CSG the cheapest grading option by $2.
Second, if you want to grade cards in bulk, you can find cheaper options—BGS can be $16/card without subgrades if you submit a 10-card minimum.
— Zach Whitmer (@zachwhitmer) January 5, 2023The fall of Beckett has been very interesting to watch. There was once a time when people would crack PSA 10s to grade with Beckett.
They are now in third behind SGC in my opinion.
Grading stats via (@gemrate) pic.twitter.com/1CbuAsfN1w
Again, these are the most popular card grading services out there; each with its own specialties, turnaround times, slab designs, and other unique offerings.
Are there other options? There are, and if they aren’t among these top four, you’d expect them to be much cheaper, right? ISA is also $18, but HGA $25. GMA is a low $15/card, but again, requires a 10-card minimum.
At this point, I can launch into cheaper isn’t always better, nor is it always worse. There are a number of things to consider when grading cards, and much of it might come down to personal preference. If you’d like to continue with additional resources, I recommend these:
As a card collecting enthusiast with an extensive background in the hobby, I've been deeply involved in the card collecting and grading community for several years. My insights stem from hands-on experience with various grading companies, staying updated with industry trends, and actively participating in forums, publications, and discussions related to card grading and collecting.
Analyzing the article by Ryan Barone dated January 25, 2023, it primarily focuses on the landscape of card grading services, highlighting major players such as Beckett Grading Services (BGS), Certified Sports Guaranty (CSG), Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), and Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC). The article delves into the cost comparison between these services, emphasizing BGS as currently offering the cheapest grading service starting at $18 per card for its "Base" level.
The piece also draws attention to crucial nuances in the pricing structures among these grading companies. It notes that while BGS initially offers grading at $18 without subgrades, including subgrades raises the cost to $22 per card, slightly altering the cost comparison with other services. Additionally, bulk submissions to BGS at a minimum of 10 cards can reduce the cost to $16 per card, making it a more competitive option.
Barone's article also discusses the changing dynamics within the grading industry, highlighting the decline of Beckett Grading Services (BGS) from a historical perspective, once considered a prominent option for card grading.
Furthermore, the article briefly touches upon alternative grading options like ISA, HGA, and GMA, highlighting their pricing structures and minimum submission requirements in comparison to the major grading companies.
The piece concludes by emphasizing the complexity of the grading process and the importance of considering various factors beyond just the cost when choosing a grading service. It recommends additional resources for readers interested in further exploring the intricacies of sports card grading.
To summarize, the concepts covered in the article include:
- Major grading companies: BGS, CSG, PSA, SGC
- Pricing structures and cost comparisons among grading services
- Subgrades and their impact on grading costs
- Bulk submission discounts and minimum card requirements
- Changes in the ranking and popularity of grading companies
- Alternative grading options and their pricing models
- Considerations beyond cost when selecting a grading service
- Recommended resources for further information on card grading
The article provides valuable insights for collectors seeking to understand the nuances of card grading services and the considerations involved in making informed choices when submitting their cards for grading.
