5 Key Things I've Learned Grading Sports Cards

These are some cool things I've learned about grading sports cards. I still have a lot to learn but I hope this is helpful to someone!

[scottvaughn]

The whole “check the sellers other inventory to determine if they grade frequently” is SUCH a great tip. I’ve had success with that and it was always one of those “ace up my sleeve” tactics that I wondered if others did. Dropping knowledge!

[JirehForever]

Appreciate the video man. I’m just getting started with buying cards raw and grading so this video was very informative and helpful 👌

[gwydion]

Great video! Would love to see more content with specific grading successes or busts.

[cazschiller]

Great video. I think one other thing to consider when grading is the frame. Like clear cut doesn't always look good in some versus others. GMA (10s) look great with black and/or gold cards.

[drwily]

One gem rate watch-out: Make sure the demand is high. High Gem Rates = High Gem Populations = Lowered Scarcity = Value Dipping over time. The only thing that helps mitigate this is consistently high demand.

[Goodfelladh]

Great video - very helpful for someone just starting to grade!

[mr.richard]

In my case, I do vintage and buy lots. The cost per card is normally, but not always, cheaper per card. I try to find lots that are no worse than EX-MT on average. Once I buy a lot, I look at the cards especially the star cards and go from there.

[johnnygarcia]

I appreciate the video. I been out of the game for 30 years and just started up again. A lot has changed. It was very informative thank you.

[RawGradeFlip]

Fun video, one thing I would disagree with is the point on cards in the $5-$10 range not being good for grading. I believe they are great candidates to send in and that is mostly the range I work in. Such great opportunities to gem and make a nice profit. Another tip like the HFA comment is to not wishcast a 10 on a card or cards as you prep them no matter how much you spent on the raw. I've had that problem where I spend up on a card and it realistically is a 9 or even an eight but I just hate that I sent the $$ and put the rose color glasses on and send it in anyways. If you're not watching Little Victories channel then he is a must watch, he has been doing raw to grade for decades and has great advice and videos.

[mcap]

One thing about the gem rate that I think people don’t realize is that while it’s a great guide for how a card generally grades, you should discount it/assume a lower gem rate because the longer a card is considered worth grading, the ones that are already graded are on average better condition than the ones still out there.

People think that this is PSA getting tougher with grading, and to an extent that may be true, but it’s mostly just more of the best supply is already graded.

[RecksCollects]

This was an awesome video. Had no idea about the gem rate website. Thanks very much for sharing

[thereverendripps]

Another way to think is multiples. For instance. Take a 5 card lot of a star player if a PSA 9 goes for 25, but a PSA 10 goes for 75, you need 2 10’s to cover the cost and the 9’s become profit. It is wise to look at the overall submission instead of individual cards. A 50% gem rate on a 50 card order should be profitable. It has been for me, but I pick specific cards.

[jazzarenice]

super informative man. as someone whose about to send their first sub to psa this was really helpful

[HewettBrian]

I really like your videos. I came across your page yesterday. Love that you are a Seattle fan like me. I’m new new in the hobby, only a few months. I’ll keep watching.

[Dogmyhomework]

For tip #2, it’s important to address not just the market value of the PSA 9 but what you actually net after seller fees

[RookieCardVault]

Thank you! Video was just what I needed as I’m preparing my first batch of cards to send to PSA.

[donaldflemingii]

Also, if you are going to use PSA try to see if they are backlogged or turning cards quickly. There have been several times where it took 3-6 months to get submissions back and completely missed the chance to sell or trade them during the season or at larger shows.

[gm_collectibles]

Great video, been in the game for 8 yrs, very strong recommendations

[thereverendripps]

Grade cards that are lower pop, but popular players. Condition sensitive can really be profitable.

[cloudseysufccards]

Sweet video bud 👌 Thanks for sharing 👍