PSA, BGS, Or SGC? What To Know About Every Grading Company 

I sent some cards to SGC and got them back in one week so I think they’re doing better to meet the demand. They’re also cheap, only $30 bucks per card!

You should do "Grading the grading companies 1 year later" and see how collector sentiment has changed. Also update some of the information presented which is outdated. SGC is now back on point meeting/exceeding turnaround times while HGA has all but fallen apart with their turnaround times. Thanks for the great content.

Hi Scott, just wanted to say this was an excellent video. I just got back into cards last year after collecting in the 80's/90's, and this was a great way to learn about the nuances between the different companies (ie thick vs thin cards, vintage vs modern cards). I prefer raw cards (which is fine as I collect lower end stuff), but I still enjoy learning about the current state of the hobby and slabs are obviously a huge component. I also wanted to say that I've enjoyed several of your videos -- I'm more of a hockey guy versus baseball but it's still very interesting. I also appreciate how there's not a lot of unnecessary hype or fluff, just the straight goods supported with actual information and communicated in a clear and concise way. Well done!

SGC turnaround times are back to normal for the most part. I had a order I just got back that was 14 TOTAL days turnaround time. Feb 11th- Feb 25th. Just a basic service level. Have seen many ppl getting the same turnarounds. Great video though! Love the breakdown!

Really interesting going back and watching this 6 months later. IMO, SGC is doing everything right at the moment. Not only are they turning out cards super fast (even with the updated timeline), but their grading seems to be tough and consistent. Their QC really seems to be top notch. I feel like they are the Rodney Dangerfield of card grading right now. Brilliant, but "I don't get no respect!" I'd like to see there slabs continue to gain value and market share. With PSA and BGS still largely shutdown they are using their moment to solidify themselves as wearing big boys pants now.

Nice video. I like the idea of having more options for grading companies and the market becoming more balanced for it. As mainly a collector, I plan on using SGC for my subs. My last 2 orders with them that were this year took only 1 and 2 months to get back to me. I like being able to have the option of recouping some of the money if I want and I like their grading scale. I would look at Beckett and HGA that are already posted up in eBay, for now, personally. To me, a good deal is a good deal and minimizing risk can be more important than maxing my return.

I appreciate the video, and the research that went into it, especially given recent event. I do however wished you talked more about the post-war vintage cards. I believe PSA has the market cornered, but I'm not absolute in that knowledge.

Good job buddy. I like the comparisons a lot, because I've only used 1 Grading company. BGS. So, in short, I have little experience with grading. I only have a Total of 4 Graded! It's good to know the differences for sure. Thanks.

Great video you've obviously put your work in

Great video. Very well done and thought out. Tons of great info. I didn't even know about HGA...which I'm going to check out now... I just submitted a bulk order to CSG because I use CGC for my comics, so I look forward to doing my own review and reveal on those.. I have such a hard time waiting for the the turnarounds on the top 3...I just don't have the patience and won't pay for the quicker service..I used both BGS and SGC last year's and both at the time took 4 months..good to have options though...I use GMA for quick turnarounds and Im usually okay selling and getting the lower price for the GMA graded cards.. Great video again. Really enjoyed it.

Great info about each of these companies.

I prefer BGS over PSA although they both work for me. I had PSA cards and they move around inside as mentioned on this video. I also like the thicker slab of BGC and their subgrades. That way, I know exactly what I am buying. Cards of the same grade are not made equal even within the same company (e.g. PSA 10 vs. other PSA 10's).

This video is spot on. I prefer BGS as well for PC.

Finished watching it.......great video Scottie :-)

Crazy how the market works. A High subbed BGS 9.5 should basically be worth more than a PSA 10 Pretty sure if we had the specific 9.5 true gem (+) 💎 pop counts, they could sell for a massive premium on the market but those minimum grade 9.5s make it very tough on the 9.5s as a whole

SGC no longer has slow turnaround times. I have done three subs already this year and have gotten all of my cards back in under 32 days @ $15 per card

Just throwing this out there. I sent an order to PSA and SGC at the same time back in October. Ive had my SGC cards back for a month now, and PSA is still "researching" my cards.

I have a HGA query. If you submit a card and request label as neutral match card. Would everyone who submits that same card and label type get an identical label or would it depend on who is processing the order at HGA?

Thanks for another great video. What's everyone's preferred solution for cards valued in the $40-100 range? I have a ton of raw 9s and 10s in that range I think but at 30/card for grading, the math just doesn't make sense. Any SGC bulk discounts out there to be had, or other recommendations?

Keep up the great work.

Extremely helpful video. I'm from Canada 🇨🇦 and we have a newer company here called MNT. Do you have any information about them as I've started grading with them along with PSA. MNT is fairly cheap, their turnaround time is fast but they are very strict in their grading so it can be difficult to get a high grade with them from what I have heard I have only graded a few cards with them so far and they match up to what people say about them so far...fast, cheap, but not easy to get high grades with. Thanks and keep smiling 🤘 🙂

Nice video! Very interesting! I'm a new subscriber and will be checking out more! Good info on this vid too.

If I did not know what he was talking about I would think that these were new government agencies. My issue with these companies is if the various companies are hard graders then no one will submit cards and those that grade easier will get more submissions. How do each company avoid this and do their standards change depending on the number of cards they are seeing come through?

We need an update. Interested to see how much SGC has taken out of BGS

I have purchased several GMA graded cards in auctions. Sure am glad to see the good comments on here about them. At least I now know they are a reputable grader.

I bought some cards at an estate auction that are graded by Professional Grading Service. I had never heard of the company. What can you tell me about them?

Any idea when BGS will open back up ?

Good stuff , maybe you could talk about how they grade ? Like PSA an off center card can get a ten. Who's toughest on corners and surface xcetera. Just an idea

I many have just gotten unlucky but I don't like how with Beckett graded cards the label bounces around a lot and I have even seen the label fall out and start going down to where the card is.

if you got an hga 10 back, would you try to send it in for a bgs 10 black label?

HGA is the only one that is currently open to grading autographs (not counting PSA's auto only service, but cards that are authenticated and the auto graded.)

Is sgc harder on grading?

I agree. The CSG labels are unnecessarily big. I do like the green color though.

HGA has a good looking slab and label.

What are your thoughts on the new BGS without subgrades? I'm sending off some cards soon an am curious if you think the BGS without subgrades will offer a good ROI for the money. Probably a mix of modern and some 80s/90s cards (basketball, football, baseball).

What do they charge for grading?

SGC sent my card back in 10 days. For 25 bucks I dont think you can beat that.

Thx Scottie

When I noticed BGS uses an integrated sleeve on top of thicker casing, I instantly started to favour them over PSA. Although extremely minimal and shouldn't cause damage unless you were to shake it non stop, the fact that the card can move in the PSA case just bothers me so much. Could you imagine dropping a Gretzky 10 and turning it into a "noticeable" 9.5 (yes I know PSA doesn't have 9.5 but in terms of quality) or even 9!? (I couldn't imagine dropping my cards period but still). BGS it is for me. Might try HGA for a few moderns because I do like their slabs despite the too many color options

This was a great video although it didn’t age that well as far as sgc goes. Sgc seems to be doing great right now. I wouldn’t be surprised if within the next 3-5 years they have the same reputation as psa or Beckett

CSG...they have an incredible history in grading across a lot of disciplines. They have also been able to get some senior graders from another Popular grading company. They dont tale six months or cost 50 a card. Beckett brought us bccgs....for that alone...I would toss a card before I used them

Great Video. BGS IS GOOD

Has anyone heard of or know what the acronym FCGS stands for?

csg same size as psa card just sits lower in csg case, love csg cases and grading on point psa 150$ a card crazy town

🔥

I have started a new grading company. We have what I believe to be the nicest slabs available. We have nice labels and offer a custom service where you can design your own label and upload it to the site. If I sent you some, would you do an honest review of us? Thank you TCGC

Confusing? My head is spinning trying to keep up with this information. The avalanche of information is greatly appreciated, but a lot to take in all at once, so I’ll probably be watching this a few times.

what is ROI .?

I'm a BGS loyalest. I value and highly covet BGS 10's over every other grade from any other company. PSA would only get my pre 1980 cards.

I want to ask u something between all grades who u think is the most and highest amount of money , what you have to do is find the best card you bcgs be is the 1 period 9.5 is more money then any of the others period , .. no it what do e u want most for the best ,.

CSG!!! That’s who I would trust!

Having a tough time selling hga slabs ppl offering like half of a psa equivalent

is gma anygood

TGA next?

Honestly I am considering HGA now

What about the ags with artificial intelligence grading so u trust them I think I would

Amazing what a few years make. Not long ago BGS was the only one ppl wanted for modern cards. Ppl would pick a bgs 9.5 over a psa 10 for a chrome auto. PSA was more for memorabilia then cards

If you can turn 30 SGC orders over in the same amount of time as it takes to get one back from PSA Who wins the return on investment? Now say you both submitted in November 2020. The SGC submitter is so far ahead that it is insane!!! Oh and the PSA submitter might still be waiting for their 30 day return, and maybe just got back their 10 day!!

Very glad I chose SGC. Could care less about the PSA fanboys, I want TUXEDO SLABS!

Sgc is where it's at.

All for bgs and I think sgc is stepping up tho still third they grade tougher I feel then psa

Thank you for this great comparison, I am listening to you speak and their is a guitar soundtrack in the background (noise). It would be awesome if you could remove that in the future as it does not add to the knowledge you wish to convey if anything it hinders it and it is annoying for some viewers. Thanks again for your channel and time.

BGS is the toughest grades. PSA puts out lots of 10’s. I’d recommend PSA because you will get the best return on investment. Higher likeliness of a higher grade. PSA appeals to consumers.

BGS best value

I use KSA and MNT out of Canada. When you're selling, you just want an unbiased opinion on the quality of the card so the buyer knows what they're getting. If the grading company is that important to you , crack it and send it in to a grader of your choice. The value is in the cards.

Nice CSG example there XD A card that is clearly not a 10 centering, but graded as 10. Hate stuff like this, its impossible to grade the centering wrong

I know PSA has the best pop report and the most experience but they also have the weakest cases and no subgrades. They just raised their prices showing to me that they dont feel the need to improve their product because people will pay more for less

Have you guys heard about AGS? They apparently use AI which is more consistent and transparent than normal grading.

I like the CSG grading slabs and think they will do well and remain in the market. The green is attractive and reminds me of PSA’s style slabs.

For HGA using AI I would see that being the next big thing so cards get out faster for people and not over thorough like psa has done.

No way will i ever go with PSA again! i have been collecting baseball cards since the age of 10. when PSA began, use to be reasonable to send your cards to PSA and get them graded. It is difficult to go through the entire process and very very time consuming to get the same level of grading like lets say from SGC. SGC is 1000% legit, VERY VERY easy to submit your card, all you have to do is fill out the information ONLINE and mail your cards in and get them back within 30 days. They seem to grade the cards better than PSA (seen cards off center get a 10 from PSA on a constant basis). This is important to know as we move forward, lets say 10 years from now, SGC will be ahead of the pack considering their ethical grading practices. 30 dollars a card to me is still very expensive, and i think for them to increase the cost of grading due to the cost of the card is dumb...so they are basically telling me they dont give the same evel of inspection from a 100 dollar card in comparison to a 2K dollar card? All of them need to get it together and need to learn how to adhere to the adverse effects of long term investments.

Anyone who doesn’t like CSG, I would bet haven’t sent a card to them. They are much nicer in person from what I’ve heard people saying. I’ve submitted to each company. I think CSG has the nicest quality slab/label and they will pass up all the companies with the exception of PSA.

Cgc is a very good grading company

HGA are now starting to SUCK. They are starting to take in more cards and they can't meet the turn around times. I have 27 cards that were received 8/20/2021 and it's now 12/9/2021. This was supposed to be the 60 day option.

I like BGS over PSA BECAUSE they have the 4 grades to get the final grade. PSA you just have to guess why it`s not a 10.

GMA GRADING 👍

Where’s the love for GMA and GEM ELITE?

PSA Graders are people who found a way to devalue card holders, and get their hands in the cookie jar... Back in the days it was about if the buyer liked what they were buying eye balling the cards only... Was up to the buyer and seller, and not a middle man... Rip offs...

Send the same card to all the grading crooks, you'll have a different grade from each one of them. Save your money and enjoy your cards. If you your in the money game, go to Vegas and play Blackjack, your odds are probably better, than getting a "HIT" from sports cards. It's no different than playing the lottery and we all know the odds in that game.

Both HGA/CSG slabs are tacky. You nailed it on HGA...they won't age well. You want something simple that will look okay in 30 years. As far as cards go as an analogy...I loved 85 and 86 Donruss when they came out--they looked 'cool'. Now they scream 'tacky 80s'. I guess that's ok if you still love acid-washed jeans.

You clearly haven't held a CSG slab. They're literally the same size as PSA.

GMA isn’t included???

I'm grading the graders, grading the graders..

@4:50 you should mention "with HGA if you get (2) 9s and (2) 9.5s sub grades, your card IS given a 9 !, NOT a 9.5" @hga THAT S*CKS!

SGC is easily the second best grading company out there and the real question is will they surpass PSA. BGS has fallen off since this video was made. SGC has great specials, don't add price for auto's. PSA is still the gold standard but new card grading has become a coin flip between PSA and SGC. SGC get's there orders out in 10-12 days and sometimes less than 10 days.

doubt hga will do well have high hopes for csg i feel they will pass sgc in time considering they mainly known for old cards not good all around and sgc experiance in grading comics no .1 and tied for no.1 in coins and they been grading since 1988 there impact should be massive

Grading Company is the biggest Grift ever put into any Hobby! PSA is literally running a Oligarchy, boarder line Monopoly! PSA has over 100 Million Cards on the market as of today, and that's not including non sports cards. HGA is way off on thier grades, and the slabs over 10 years let's have this conversation. There is a reason why PSA didn't do color slabs. Great video my friend

CSG will blow out significantly once people realize how great and reputable the company is. They are known for coins, currencies and comics.. sooner or later, they will be one of the top tier card grading companies.

God dam guitars 😆 🤣

Why is HGA top 5 ??? They're a brand new company !!!

HGA!!! 100%👍👌💪😎🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

You spelled Beckett wrong

A BGS card can be 9.5 with an 8.5 sub, a lot of people think they have a rule that the highest grade cannot be more than .5 above the lowest sub, and that is incorrect. It also isn't a direct average of the 4 subgrades, they are weighed differently. Don't know formula off hand but I've seen 9.5 slabs with an 8.5 sub.

PSA is at the bottom of the list . GMA grades harder than PSA and that has been proven time and time again. I consider a GMA 9 a PSA 10 , and I've been correct with the grading GMA 9s and getting PSA 10s more than 30 times. PSA is a joke , I will only buy PSA if it is the same price or cheaper than a raw card.

*BGS IS KING! I don't care what others or uninformed people THINK.. BGS gives the most consistent and TRUE grades. Ive seen so many PSA 10s that weren't even as good as BGS 9.5s. BGS 10 way better than PSA 10. PSA just hands out 10s too easily*

HGA will not make it, it's GMA if cool slabs

With PSA charging based on card value it's no wonder they give so many 10s. More 10s the more money 💰 they get and charge. Shady. Grading should be one price regardless of value.

Con: PSA sucks. They cant explain why a card was graded as such. Ive watched tons of PSA reveals, people are always flabbergasted as to why it was graded as such. The look on their faces of dissapointment and the pondering confusion as to why their card was graded a 9 and not a 10. Fast forward 25 years, your at an auction sale, whats going to sell for more? The 9 with an explanation as to why it is what it is, or a questionable 9 from PSA.

Wow this didn't age well 😂

I love you bro but to be honest you talk extremely fast super low key though. I think you have a delightful channel and hate to be negative but my slow am brain can’t keep up with u going “pretty quick “