PSA vs BGS

[bendmitchell]

Which company does everybody favor for getting graded cards? I am under the impression that PSA is used for older, non-autographed cards and BGS is used for newer, autographed cards. What does everybody think? At the National, I bought a Gordie Howe/Bobby Orr dual autograph, a Ovechkin glacial graph and a Bobby Clarke RC. What company should I use to get these graded? Thanks in advance for the help.

[v3rs3]

I see no reason to get a card graded unless it's pre 1970 and at that point PSA is the only way to go.

[borcky90]

PSA also has confermed fakes graded.

[skyride39]

I've read in a blog that PSA graded a card with a fake auto and when the blog writer asked PSA about this, PSA told him we were only asked to grade the card, not authenticate the signature (?!?!). With Beckett, the only thing that sticks out for me is they graded that Strasburg 1 of 1 card a 9.5 when really it should have been a 8.5 because it was off centered, rough edges, etc. Blog world went nuts. Then Beckett tried to defend it on youtube but didn't even sound convincing themselves. Beckett did this supposedly to protect the value of the card or some weird reason to do with helping out Topps, I'm not sure. Maybe someone can elaborate what's wrong sometimes with beckett's grading. Sorry, maybe this is too much info.

[bendmitchell]

That is definitely not too much info. I am looking for as much feedback as I can get. Is the general rule that PSA is used for old cards and BGS for newer cards with autographs since BGS grades both the card and autograph?

[jdawds]

If it's vintage, I've definitely come across the feeling that PSA is the way to go. Newer cards I don't think it matters as much, but autos I like BGS, just because it gives it a separate grade.

[mr ozzie]

In my opinion, PSA is more lax when it comes to vintage grading - hence why people recommend PSA over BGS for vintage cards. For example, a vintage card grading 5 through BGS, may grade 6 with PSA.

As a Canadian, I am restricted to using BGS because my LCS only deals with BGS. And quite frankly, I don't want to deal with customs alone when it comes to cards I've already paid for. One thing I should also point out is that BGS has added protection compared to PSA. PSA cards are simply slabbed whereas BGS cards are laminated (sort of) and then slabbed. Something to think about.

[pwskelly]

Most people agree that PSA's main niche is vintage cards while modern collectors tend to favor BGS.

Here are some additional points to consider

PRO BGS points:
1) BGS cases are considered by many to be the most sturdy in the industry, even on the PSA message boards.
2) BGS cases offer UV protection, something no other slab currently offers.
3) BGS offers subgraded on the card's surface, centering, edges, and corners which allow you to see why you received the overall grade that you did.
4) BGS also offers a seperate grade for autograph which many autograph collectors seem to like.

PRO PSA points:
1) PSA cases are not as bulky as the BGS ones and so they are often easier to stack or store when amassing a large collection.
2) PSA's Registry absolutely destroys the BGS Registry. They even offer prizes, free grading vouchers for completing collections, heck they even have a Hall of Fame for the impressive collectors.
3) PSA's customer service is much better. I have always had a great response from dealing with both companies but others have told me they get better service from PSA.

Please note this final and very IMPORTANT point ..... in order to submit to PSA you must become a Collectors Club member. The cheapest membership is currently $110 USD. Beckett, you only need to pay for the cards you send in (no membership fee).

For modern autos such as the one you are thinking about getting graded, I would choose BGS. It's a very high end card and I want the best, sturdiest slab available to protect my card. That's my opinion.