One of our favourites, Beckett Boy, took the time to review Slabd in his recent YouTube post. Sending the respect right back at you, Faz!  Thanks for your support.

In this video Beckett Boy walks through the Slabd website incluing our services, pricing and PSA submission process. At the end of the video he goes through the packging guide and shows you how he packs his cards for transit.

Check out some of Beckett Boys content on his YouTube channel or website.

Keep up the great work!

Slabd Submission review by Beckett Boy

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• Who is PSA?

• Grading standards

• Devil in the grading details

• Ungradable and no-grade definitions

• Where to start

• Additional resources

Who is PSA?

Professional Sports Authenticator, commonly known as PSA, is the world’s largest card grading and authentication company.

PSA is also part of PSA/DNA Authentication Services, the world’s largest autograph authentication provider, and through its parent company, NASDAQ-listed Collector’s Universe, is also linked to Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), the leading third-party coin grader.

Slabd uses PSA and related companies for all collectible services, including card and coin grading, autograph authentications, and other sporting memorabilia grading.

Grading standards

Experienced trading-card customers will be well aware of PSA’s 10-point grading system, ranging from PR1 (Poor) through to GEM-MT 10 (Gem Mint).

PSA also overlays the 10-point grading system with six different Qualifier (‘defect’) attributes, spanning printing, manufacturing and general wear issues.

These grading and qualifier codes, along with card details (player name, print year, and card manufacturer name), are found at the top of the final ‘encapsulated’ (or ‘slabbed’) plastic coverings, on completion of PSA grading.

Following are two examples of how the ‘slabbed’ cards appear post grading: On the left, a Gem Mint (GEM-MT 10) example of a ‘virtually perfect’ 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card. On the right is an example of Near Mint-Mint (NM-MT8) 1954 Topps Walley Westlake, which also has an Off Centre (OC) qualifier.

Left: Gem Mint (GEM-MT 10) 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle; Right: Near Mint-Mint (NM-MT8) Off Centre (OC) 1954 Topps Wally Westlake.

Devil in the grading details

Examples of grading criteria include: general wear (e.g. bends, fraying, scratches; discoloration; stains); printing accuracy (e.g. colour, contrast, or other printing attributes); image ‘centeredness’ (range tolerances are defined per grading score); and, overall (naked) ‘eye appeal’.

Condition

Even though each grading score has a defined set of criteria, cards with the same grading score can often have a different set of flaws or strengths.

Consider the three example cards below, each of which were graded Excellent to Near Mint (EX-MT 6) (as seen in PSA’s Card Grading Tips video).

On the left, we can see the 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card, the edges and corners of which are worn and chipped and especially noticeable against the red border (‘eye appeal’); however, the corners themselves are not bent.

In the middle 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth card, the top right-hand corner is slightly bent, and all four corners show signs of wear; by virtue of its age, the printing value is the lowest quality of the three examples.

And on the right 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente card, print lines or print defects appear throughout the facial region; otherwise, the general printing quality is somewhere in the middle of the three examples.

Near Mint (EX-MT 6) examples. Far left: 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card; middle: 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth card; far-right: 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente card.

Context matters

In the world of grading, the context of trading cards matters, including: the age of the card (wear and tear); the particular card series (e.g. printing consistency compared to cards of that same series); technology variances over time (e.g. earlier cards will have lower-quality printing attributes compared to more modern cards).

In this way, more ‘leniency’ may be afforded to older-generation cards in terms of general wear, printing accuracy, image centredness and overall (naked) ‘eye appeal’, compared to more modern cards.

Ungradeable and no-grade definitions

PSA and other grading organisations won’t grade ‘altered’ cards (e.g. cards which are suspected to have be trimmed, cleaned, recoloured, ‘mis-cut’ or be of ‘questionable authority’), among other misdemeanours.

Following is a list of PSA No-grade categories. You can read the full descriptions on the PSA grading page.

[1] Descriptions abbreviated by Slabd for illustrative purposes only. For full descriptions, visit the PSA grading page

Where to start?

Slabd customers have access to PSA’s wide range of services, from card and coin gradings, autograph (signature) verifications, through to a range of other collectibles-related services.

Because of the high volumes of items sent for grading, Slabd customers generally pay less for PSA services compared to individuals who have their cards graded by PSA directly.

If you’re thinking about grading a card, first decide on your motive: is it for financial, personal or other non-financial reasons?

If you’re in doubt, Slabd staff can help you make an informed decision.

Additional resources

• PSA Grading Standards
• PSA- About
• Slabd – To grade or not to grade?
• eBay – Sporting cards and accessories

The post Beauty is in the eye of the grader – how PSA checks if your card makes the grade appeared first on Slabd.

• Financial reasons not to grade a card

• Financial reasons to grade a card

• Other reasons to grade a card

• What’s right for you?

• Additional resources

Financial reasons not to grade a card

Grading is not always likely to increase a modern card’s value.

Damaged or modified cards

In general, most experienced card collectors don’t choose to grade cards which are in poor condition, such as cards which are damaged (e.g. bent, scratched or frayed), and never for cards which are modified (e.g. cut, coloured, ‘waxed’, or altered in any other way).

In general, the reason why it may not be financially worthwhile grading a card in poor condition is because reputable grading companies like PSA will either give the card a poor grading (rated on a scale of 1 to 10), or in some cases, not provide a grade at all.

Modern cards which receive poor gradings are very unlikely to increase in value. In fact, having a card confirmed to be of poor quality by a reputable grading company may only provide reasons for a buyer to either ignore the card sale altogether, or otherwise seek to negotiate a lower price.

Of course – like any collectable item – some buyers will still buy cards in poor condition, however often at a (heavily) discounted price.

For cards which have been modified or altered, reputable grading companies like PSA will most likely not grade the card at all. If PSA doesn’t grade the card, they won’t charge a fee in some cases; however, the owner of the card is still liable for shipping costs, in addition to any other shipping insurances if purchased.

Slabd staff are usually able to identify modified or altered cards on physical inspection, and will recommend avoiding sending them off for grading.

Counterfeit cards

Grading companies generally won’t grade counterfeit cards for the obvious reason that counterfeit cards are generally worthless. Of course, individuals who counterfeit cards or knowingly deceive buyers about the authenticity of cards can face civil, or in extreme cases, criminal repercussions.

Overspending – not worth the cost

Grading a card which is not particularly valuable – even if the card is in excellent condition – is unlikely to materially increase its value.

Consider spending $24.95 to send a card off for grading (Slabd’s least expensive option – minimum three-card orders, or 3 x $24.95): in this example, if the un-graded card is expected to be sold for a value of $40, the owner would very likely have lost money compared to not grading it and having sold it at the un-graded expected sale price.

The situation is made all the worse for those who send single or a small number of cards to be graded themselves compared to sending through services like Slabd. Compared to sending cards to PSA directly, individuals can save money by going to companies like Slabd who can reduce costs due to the high volumes of cards they frequently send to be graded.

Grading is also generally more expensive for certain card types, such as newer cards (from 2017 onwards) or in certain other cases (for example, certain cards between 1972-2016).

Financial reasons to grade a card

Grading can – and in the right circumstances very likely will – increase a card’s value.

Valuable and/or rare cards

Grading a card which is rare and/or highly-valuable is generally very likely to increase a card’s value, especially if the card is in excellent condition.

Consider the expected return-on-investment of restoring a rare classic car compared to a mass-produced low-end family sedan. The same is true for collector cards, where usually greater financial returns are realised when the card is already valuable and/or rare.

Of course, many factors affect a card values: rarity; desirability (e.g. player, era, or team); uniqueness; or other special features (e.g. signatures, rare editions, or cards which are made from or contain unique physical materials).

Cards in good, excellent, or ‘new’ condition

Like all valuable objects, condition makes all the difference. Highly-graded cards are much more likely to attract higher sale values, especially from experienced collectors.  In fact, many experienced buyers may only buy graded cards.

New cards ‘fresh out of the pack’ may be one of the most likely items to appreciate in value by grading. Since the condition of new cards is likely to be excellent, by grading the card, the seller can assure buyers of its premium condition.

Card grading is especially important for online selling, where physical inspection is not usually possible, and as sellers increasingly demand quality assurances.

Other reasons to grade a card

To some collectors, financial considerations aren’t the main – or even an important – factor in deciding to grade a card.

Some collectors limit their purchases to single or a select few player(s), team(s) or event(s). For those with niche collections, knowing their items are in excellent condition can be an important consideration.

Likewise, collectors with personal or sentimental attachments to particular cards may also take comfort in knowing their items are professionally graded.

Gifts and endowments are other possible non-financial reasons for deciding to grade a card, for some or all of the reasons listed above.

What’s right for you?

Whether or not you grade your card may be a financial, personal or other non-financial decision. Slabd staff can help you determine if it’s worthwhile grading your cards, based on the card’s significance, condition and your motivations.

Additional resources

• Beckett – Card price guide
• eBay – Sporting cards and accessories
• PSA – Ten tips for building a collection
• Forbes – David Seideman (sports collectibles writer)

Disclosure: The information provided in this article is general in nature. Card collectors and traders should consider their own circumstances to assess if this information is appropriate for their situation.

The post To grade or not to grade? appeared first on Slabd.

• Insurance for long-term graded card collectors

• How does home and contents insurance cover collector graded cards?

• Replacement or current value of your cards?

• What’s the card collection worth – and how to prove it?

• Insurance for professionally-graded collector cards

• Additional resources

Few people like to think about insurance. But protecting the value of cards could save a lot of pain – and money – if the worst happened

Insurance for long-term graded card collectors

For card collections  which have grown to reasonable amounts based on either the estimated or declared value, having appropriate home and contents (household) insurance is a must.

But like all insurances, there are a few things to consider.

How does home and contents insurance cover collector graded cards?

Home and contents insurance covers for the loss to collector cards caused by defined or insured ‘events’, including things like damage (e.g. fire or weather events), theft, or vandalism. Many contents policies may not automatically cover accidental card damage; however, it can be added at an additional cost.

Understanding what is and isn’t covered is just as important as any exclusions which may apply (for example, policies may cover for storm events but not flood damage). Of course, the fewer exclusions, generally the more expensive is the policy.

Some insurers may also offer a lower cost of premiums for cards safely stored, such as in a safe, or for homes fitted with security systems or safety shutters.

When choosing insurers, it’s important to read the policy document to understand what is and isn’t covered, as well as they type of policy being offered.

Also remember, that contents insurance generally only covers cards while in a home (and not while  cards are sent out for grading).

Replacement or current value of your cards?

Home and contents policy vary, but are generally classified as either current or replacement value.

Current value policies generally cover the value of cards based on estimations at the time of claim. To arrive at the current estimated value, insurers may consider things like the original card purchase price, recent valuations, or other factors like the general rate of inflation.

Replacement policies generally cover the value of cards if they were to be bought in the current marketplace. In addition to the card purchase price or any card gradings obtained, insurers may also consider reliable resources such as Beckett valuations or by searching for similar selling items in the public domain such as card pricing on eBay.

Again, card collectors should ask about any conditions and check the policy document(s) to understand what may need to be provided at time of claim.

What’s the card collection worth – and how to prove it?

Card collectors with existing home and contents cover should check with their current insurer to ask the value of existing total home contents value limits. For example, policies may cover all the items in a home up to a certain amount.

Having receipts, card valuations, photos and card catalogue lists can be important at time of claim – especially for card collectors with sizable collections.

For card collectors, having photos and details of important card characteristics (e.g. series numbers, special card types, or bespoke features like signatures) can also make a big difference in proving the uniqueness, rarity – and therefore value – of card collections.

Again, card collectors should check with the insurer and read the policy document to understand what evidence is required at claim time.

Check the excess

Like most types of insurances, the cost of cover (premiums) can be increased or decreased based on the nominated excess (the additional amount paid at claim time). Of course, the lower the excess, the more expensive is the policy and vice versa.

Insurance for professionally-graded collector cards

Experienced card collectors and traders understand that having cards professionally graded may be worthwhile to understand the value of their cards.

However, some investors who send off their cards directly to PSA may not be aware that their cards generally won’t be covered for things like postal damage or other damage incurred during the grading process.

Collectors who decide to have their cards graded through Slabd have the option to insure the value of the card when it’s sent off to PSA. Of course, this is an optional cost, however Slabd generally recommends it – especially for more valuable cards.

For collectors who choose Slabd to send of the PSA for them compared to doing-it-themselves, they’ll need to ensure they have the right postal insurance to get it to the Slabd office if they can’t deliver it in person themselves.

Additional resources

MoneySmart (ASIC) – Contents insurance
MoneySmart (ASIC) – Comparison websites
Insurance Council of Australia – Household insurance
Insurance Council of Australia – Contents calculator
Slabd – Card insurance

Disclosure: The information provided in this article is general in nature. Card collectors and traders should consider their own circumstances to determine if this information is appropriate for their needs.

The post Insurance for graded collector cards – now and later appeared first on Slabd.