How To Submit Your Sports Cards To Be Graded
Time to get your cards graded. Which cards do I chose? What company do I send them to? How do I send my cards to be graded? All good and common questions collectors ask all the time about grading their trading cards. Hopefully this article will answer some of those questions for you and lead you down the path of high grades and big money!
What are the best cards to send in to be graded?
Typically Rookie Cards, and high quality autograph cards are the best for cards manufactured during the 1990’s to the present. Card manufactures have gotten better at making high quality cards that grade higher than previous eras. Because of this you want to focus on premium or high-dollar cards only because the value of a high grade is not applied across the board. Higher value Rookie Signature cards, Autographs of star players, and premium muli-color jersey cards are a good starting point before you experiment with other cards.
Vintage cards or pre 1970’s can all be candidates for grading. Collectors sometimes try to collect an entire set that has been graded. These sets are tough to put together, and can attract huge premiums at auction. Even “common” cards graded NM and above can be worth looking for because the cost of grading will be far less than the premium gained at sale in most cases. For whatever reason, collectors tend to favor PSA for vintage cards likely because of Set Registry & for the fact PSA has been around the longest.
What Company do I send my cards to?
Phone: (800) 325-1121
Professional Sports Authenticator
P.O. Box 6180
Newport Beach, CA 92658
PROS
Clear & Simple Grading Scale
Huge Population Report
CONS
3 PSA Board of Experts were implicated on an FBI Shill Bidder List
Phone: 972-991-6657
Beckett Media LLC
4635 McEwen Road
Dallas, Texas 75244
Interested In Submitting 50 Cards to Beckett Grading?
PROS
Regular Sales & Discounts
Heavy Duty Card Case
Detailed Grading System
CONS
Used Be Known For “Tougher” Grading Standards
BGS, BVG, BCCG & BG Variations
Phone: 1-800-SGC-9212
Sportscard Guaranty LLC
951 Yamato Rd, Suite 110
Boca Raton, FL 33431
PROS
Regular Sales & Discounts
Trusted Experienced Company
CONS
Odd 100 Point Grading Scale
3rd Choice among Grading Co.
The Black Card Holder
Dave Forman – owner of SGC Grading – was named by the FBI as a shill bidder in auctions conducted by convicted felon Bill Mastro. The same week the list of shill bidder names were released, SGC moved their company headquarters to Florida.
Should I Grade My Cards With A Company You Don’t List?
No. It really doesn’t matter how low the price is, you are mainly paying for reputation when you’re grading cards. When you grade cards from a no-name grading company … you’re not going to add any value to the cards. Just because I list some “cons” about the companies above … at least these grading company’s have some brand/collector recognition – which is really what you’re paying for.
How Do I send my cards to be graded?
First thing you want to do after selecting a company to send your cards to is find their Submission Forms. Some offer electronic submissions, others require you to print out the form and send it in with the cards. Always include the form when you send your cards in so they are not misplaced or lost when being graded. Double check your form as well for any errors, misspellings, and other information.
How to package your cards?
This all depends on how many cards you are sending. If you are sending multiple cards, a box works the best. Be sure the box is large enough so if it is partially crushed your cards will not be damaged. A large box with foam/padding and a smaller box with your cards in it is the best way to send cards in via the mail. Find a few empty boxes around the house and you’re good to go.
If you are only sending a few cards packaging them in-between cardboard and placing them in a bubble mailer is usually acceptable. I would not recommend this for high value or rare cards, a box is always the way to go.
Remember, Fedx, UPS, and USPS all have different rules for packaging and you will want to make sure you check them before you package your cards. Also, they all offer FREE boxes to use for your packaging. I would use Fedx or UPS if you are sending very valuable cards because their tracking system is far better than USPS. However USPS offers the lowest prices for the most part and you can pick up Priority Boxes at almost any post office for Free! Just be sure to use Delivery Confirmation and possibly registered mail too. The grading company’s require you to declare a value and pay a return shipping which includes insurance for the amount you have stipulated.
Can I Submit My Cards In Person?
Yes. While can’t walk directly into PSA/BGS and submit cards you can submit your cards in person. PSA/BGS/SGC routinely tour the country at card shows and individual card shops. You can also find some reputable dealers across the country who will submit your cards for you was well, but the number of these shops has dwindled down to a point that I’d be surprised if you found someone in your area.
– Comic Book Collectors: How To Grade Your Comic Book Information
where can i get my derek jeter signed draft card graded
Word up.
This article was soooooo helpful!
Thank you!!
That seems like a good idea to put your cards in a smaller box that’s put into a larger one. My husband loves to collect baseball cards. I want to find him some for his birthday, and now I know how to get them graded and store them.
I am interested in getting my 1914 Cracker Jacks baseball cards graded. How can I best go about this? I have no idea of the value of these cards as the conditions are all over the place (from nearly perfect to ones with holes and creases) I have a few of the big names: Ty Cobb, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Honus Wagner, Smoky Joe Wood, Grover Alexander). all totalled I have 36 cards (most of them are considered common players) and all in screw downs. I would prefer to bring these to a grading company in person as opposed to shipping them
I have been collecting and selling cards since 1987. I now have the most valuable card of all and just want it authenticated; then graded. No mail due to theft of 1956 Mantle (9) to finish a set and the mailman actually opened the envelope and stole the card. How do I find someone to authenticate and grade this card, very safely. I live on the West Coast of Florida and am attempting to perform this service w/o losing the card. (which) I truly feel, after doing my own research, to be the # 1 card. I do not wish to fly to PSA but would appreciate any suggestion you have. I hesitate to list name, e-mail, etc. Any way to perform this? If I did not truly believe this was Honus, I would certainly not waste anyone’s time & effort.
Florida has shows where PSA and BGS might grade it on site. Check http://findacardshow.com/
You need to search out a mental health facility, not a grader
I have like 9 kobe bryant rookies and rookies of all the players that where drafted from 96-98 tim ducan Allen Iverson ext most topps chrome gold label ext I bought them all back in. 96-98…. I know the kobe rookies are worth a lot and so are a lot of the others what is the best way to get them graded
I’m new at all this i have at least 50
I think have value and at a least 900 cards I haven’t looked at to see what player are rookies in the collection . Can you give me an idea of how much they charge per card and how much for insurance
All in it will probably run you about $20 per card.
I have A card of Roberto Palomar Rookie card. 1896…its been n a screw down case.I also have Atomic refractory
Card in Topps Finest of 2016 Cam Newton &also of Russell Wilson and Panini Autographs by certified Authentic Autographs Johnny Bench
Card Topps #147 card rookie card! !!!! &
Micheal Jordons Retrospective card 2 of
Them from 11 yrs ago.! Prism Refractory of Paul Pearce RE of Taurean
Prince Atomic Refractor card Panini 2016-’17 pack on Dec.3rd 2016 from
Walmart.Demarcus Ware Numbered #81 and Another card but not (RC-)of
Roberto Alamoor in 4th year…….its A
Upperdeck card 1991 numbered # 325
And lastly card of Call Ripen Topps 1986
Card.So my question to u is are these good players n cards to be worth my time too b graded and if possibly to see
If after graded— worth selling on EBAY!!
And see if I could get around. $ 120.00 &up on my cards? Should I go with USA
Or Beckett grading Services???…..for
These many cards what will it cost me too have all these cards graded total ???
Please do have someone get Back to me on my cards?? Will u do this for Me?
Thank you,
MrRobert D. Jackson
From Fort Worth, Texas God B.
Would like to get my Nolan Ryan card #177 graded are there any places Boston area I can bring card in person to be graded.
It will depend whom you want it graded by. Vintage cards typically are graded by PSA, you may have to keep checking back to this page on thier website for 2017 dates: http://www.psacard.com/resources/shows
I live in the UK now, but used to live in Washington dc, I bought a 1986/87 fleer basket ball set including stickers, was hoping to get advice on the best way of getting them graded then selling them, really worried about sending them in the mail in case of damage, any advice would be gratefully received
You’re only real options to get something like that graded is either BGS or PSA. I do know BGS has international offices. I would check PSA’s and Beckett’s website to see what options they may have available for collectors in the U.K.
Where can I take an appointment to get all my cards graded
Hello Frank! Did you have a company in mind that you were interested in submitting cards to? I can then check what shows/options might be coming up in your area.
Hi I have a lot of hockey cards worth a lot of money and worth grading for example I have a Wayne Gretzky rookie card his 2nd year card his third year .. Mario Lemieux rookie card etc etc I even have the set of Wayne Gretzky rookie year of opechee … They were my dads and he gave them to me he collected them when he was younger. I don’t trust people by sending my card I want to be there in person to make sure they are being looked at carefully .. I also have old stamps and comic books