Question about getting cards graded?

[BAZINGA0212]

Hey guys I have NEVER had a card sent in to be graded or anything and was just wondering what you look at for sending a card in. I have a lot of GU/Autos and I like some but dont wanna send them in and get graded a 7 or 8 or something like that.
So Just wondering how I decide?

[70sbestcardboard]

You want to look at, preferably with a magnifying glass, the same things they are going to look at and grade. Corners, edges, centering, and surface. A card can look gem mint to you and I so be prepared after this initial inspection that they might find a flaw that you did not catch simply because they probably use higher magnification and they have different/higher standards. And if they do well then that is out of your control. To not take that risk is to not send your cards in at all. Thanks

[BAZINGA0212]

Alright thank you

[mrveggieman]

Yeah unless it is a vintage card or I want to get an autograph cerfitied I usually stay away from card grading. I had a derrick rose rookie that I got fresh out the pack and I had a 1992 alonzo morning classic promo card that both looked pretty good to me. Beckett kept sending me coupons for a "free" grading after paying for S/H. When the courrier came to deliver my cards back I was horrified to see that they only came back 4.5. What a waste of $13. SMH.

[BAZINGA0212]

Oh wow, sorrytohar that

[pwaldo]

There really isn't a point in grading a card that is a game used or an autograph to turn a profit unless it is a rookie card. If you are just grading it for protection in the case you can have BGS slab the card without a grade and it is much cheaper yet still provides protection for your cards (waterproof etc).

[BAZINGA0212]

Oh you can get it without having it graded?

[pwaldo]

Oh you can get it without having it graded?

I think only Beckett allows you to do that. I know they do but I don't know if the other companies do as well since I don't grade any cards.

[BAZINGA0212]

How much is it?

[Ianril]

PSA will just slab a card as well. I think it's $5 or so. Shipping is killer though.

And the grading companies will catch almost anything. Newer cards (like Chrome, refractors, etc) can sometimes tend to crack (barely noticeable) and this brings the grade down a ton.

So far I've been fairly accurate in guessing the grade of the cards I send in and I've never had a negative experience with the grading process.

***EDIT***

After looking, PSA may not actually just encapsulate. They don't specify on their site.

http://www.psacard.com/fees/index.html

Sorry about that. :)