The PSA 10 Premium Is OUT OF CONTROL🤦🏻‍♂️

Today We dive into The PSA 10 GAP between SGC and BGS
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[@knickknack6746]

Honestly, I have come full circle and am going back to looking for BGS 9.5's

[@gullomic]

9s all day brotha and 8 is always my magic number for everything

[@brandonmartin9117]

What’s actually crazier is psa upcharge up to thousands for one card

[@JohnDellaPenna-hk6tp]

PSA where the ones who graded the famous H. Wagner card,once owned by Wayne Gretzky. This card was bought raw for around $1200. The owner then trimmed the card and sent it out to be graded by PSA.. This was in the mid 90's when grading was just taking off. So PSA grades a trimmed Honus Wagner card that went on to be sold several times and it last sold for 2.5. million dollars. The man who trimmed the card was found guilty in court,but PSA who graded this trimmed card ends up being the top grading company if you're looking for the big bucks. PSA started off shady and has had it's share of other scandals over the years since the Wagner card. The grading system is the middle man of sports cards and they decide who gets to make the big bucks and who doesn't....... With AI why can't cards be graded online for all to see... I'm oppose the middle man (grading companies) my Trout rookie card would never grade 10 but someone else's would... Think about the power of the middle man. Not fair,not fair at all!!

[@PhuryousOne]

Easiest way to take from you. Theft by "fee".

[@ICee712]

At this point, its a money racket. Its almost entirely like the corruption within the free market - a monopoly. A singular entity gains too much power, creates their own arbitrary laws and rules, everyone falls in line and abides by these guidelines - because for some reason, they are now the authority on artificial scarcity by quality rarity. Over time, it bullies out people that have lesser resources to participate in the hobby. Went from charging to grades cards at a semi-reasonable rate, to now seemingly grading cards a certain rating to maintain a certain population on the grade pop reports, and charging astronomical amounts based on what they think the card might be worth. It's crazy

[@user-hm5zb1qn6g]

@@ICee712 You basically just described government.

[@aparise1]

And half the 10's are 9's and half the 9's are 10's......its a joke

[@BrentonPercy]

100% a fact

[@geodio]

This. 100% this.

[@willzsportscards]

Yup. The whole weak 10 and strong 9 thing drives me nuts. I know I’m in the minority, but psa not creating a 9.5 is frustrating…especially when you get to high end cards where granularity starts to matter more.

[@PhuryousOne]

@@willzsportscards Nah, PSA is in the minority with that one. SGC has a 9, 9.5, 10, and Gold Label 10. BGS has 9, 9.5, 10, and Black Label 10. CGC has 9.0, 9.2, 9.4, etc. You need accuracy and precision at the highest grading levels. PSA avoids that at all costs. So many off-centered 10s. So many of the previously stated 9s swapped with 10s. It's the worst. It's the Wal-Mart of grading companies. Do I own a bunch? Of course. Will I be surprised if that empire falls? Not really.

[@justinkittleson3295]

Well said

[@PattysCards]

The reason for the gap is because nobody is actually collecting these new cards. They are all to be flipped. If they were worried about collecting they would buy BGS, CGC and SGC slabs

[@ryo1549]

This is just not true. PSA is the most prestigious, thus more collectors will buy and pay a premium.

[@PattysCards]

@@ryo1549 overrated

[@TheRealJohnHamp]

Not sure I would classify a nearly 30 year old, pre junk wax era card as a new card

[@aparise1]

Spot on....its about the slab not the card

[@thebakersmancardgallery6431]

I collect these new cards! Only super rare tho. I love the rare game worn/used patches and 1/1s. Unicorn farm

[@mauriciobori]

Tpott rants are the best rants in the hobby. Classy calm , full of insight and data. Even if you don’t agree you get to see new cards and learn something new about the hobby you are a True Gem for the hobby thanks for all you do

[@chrisplaysmadden8053]

The entire sports card investor team has killed it in the past previous years, sure they have made mistakes bur they always try thier very best to give good advice, etc. I could give them much more praise but I'll keep it short. Awesome work guys, keep it up & goodluck with the store in the future, just don't burn out & try doing too much

[@Al-ImprovEd2022]

Yes the price differences between grades is insane.

[@DanielCordone9]

Lol $27k for a BGS 9.5? It's probably in better condition than the PSA. You no longer need 4 sharp corners to get a PSA 10

[@card_zar]

Thank God! You make so much sense it hurts. I've been laughed at for picking up rare cards in psa 9

[@sp123]

Optimal collector grade is different than investment grade. For collectors it makes more sense to buy the 9

[@robintaylor-mockingeemill8223]

No one should laugh at that , everyone has their own price they are comfortable with .

[@BigDirtDawg]

Everything you’ve said in this video is 100% accurate. And this is why psa is a joke to me. And I’ll never get why the hobby puts such a premium on PSA 10 graded cards. But then again look at the current state of the hobby. The dumbest things make cards run. People have no common sense

[@kevinquiles1903]

Its crazy how a PSA 10 is 372K and SGC 10 is 67.1K. So you are telling me a PSA 10 is over 300 Thousand dollars more valuable then a SGC 10. That is ridiculous.

[@RickM23]

Long time collector here. I grade my cards and sell most of my PSA 10s and the profits I use to build my PC.

[@1predrag]

...and PSA doesnt even disclose why a 10 and why not a 9...Beckett DOES!

[@DanielCordone9]

Beckett are the best of a bad bunch

[@thatsamare5346]

When it comes to grading, especially a card like the Jordan, they are more interested in the scarcity of a PSA 10, not necessarily the better condition.

[@slimmyhendrix4067]

Card Collecting isnt just for fun no more. Thats at the bottom of the totem pole now and something mostly for Rich ppl and Card thieves. Its more about the Lottery of it and the side hustle after ppl seen what Trout and Mahommes cards were doing during covid.

[@slimmyhendrix4067]

With that said, the cards are irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. Condition and Scarcity are merely sales points. Ppl want whatever familiar object that has the most potential to make them the most $$.

[@RobertLee-wi5kc]

@@slimmyhendrix4067 I think Modern lottery started with 1975 Brett Yount and Carter. First time I saw people trying to get 5 or 10 for future value. In basketball magic Bird 79 and football Payton in 75. They hype outside the stort. Anyone remember Todd Zeile played 16 years 265 hitter but his card was never worth more than before the season started because all of the women in St Louis loved him:)

[@slimmyhendrix4067]

@@RobertLee-wi5kc I feel like the Yount's and others were more so a Collective Hope as oppose to what we started seeing in 2019. 5 and 6 figure cards in packs smh. All of our American sports have collector's Globally now. So many ppl collect now that dont even watch sports. My brother is addicted to Cards but only knows the players from collecting only lol. Stores cant even keep them on the shelf just because there's a 1 and 10,000 chance of pulling something significant. Yeah I remember Zeile very well, he played on the Louisville Redbirds when I was a kid. Ppl here all thought he was a jerk cause he would refuse to sign anything. He had some good yrs but never like the Votto they thought he'd be. The good ole days huh lol

[@richardbianco9674]

They aren't scarce though.

[@southFLrips]

The insight and brutally honest truth.. is sorely welcomed.. and the fact of all the work and time it takes to do the data and the math and the research to put out such informative videos is very great for the hobby thanks for all you do

[@ryanfell8559]

This was a great video. I am a 45 year old, new collector, who was roped in by my boys who just started collecting as well. My oldest son, is fascinated by PSA10s, and I've had many discussions with him on this topic. I'm looking to build a PC, and as such, could care less about the graded or slab cards, with the caveat that they are more protected. As a guy just trying to build a collection of cards that I like (I'm not looking to be a high-rolling investor), I see slabbed cards as a barrier to me collecting the cards that I want without spending what feels like a manufactured premium. I think that barrier stands not only before me, but others as well. Especially young collectors, and those without deep, deep pockets. It feels like a hobby once accessible to the masses, regardless of socioeconomic status, appears to be out of reach for the masses. For the record, I do not have any slabs in my PC, but should I get my hands on cards that I wish to protect for my own collection, I think I would look to the grading company that I believe has the best looking slab. Once again, thanks for the great video.

[@MarketMovers]

Thanks for the feedback and for watching!

[@xennialcards]

💯 Thanks for the truth T Pott!

[@chrisolivo6591]

This is why most of collection are PSA 9 cards. I know that PSA 10 cards command a premium now but there just isn’t much difference in eye appeal between a PSA 10 and 9 to justify the price increase. Now I’m not saying that PSA 9 cards will jump in price, I just think PSA 10 cards will come back to the PSA 9 so there is more balance. The example I always use is the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey rookie. The PSA 9 goes for $200 while the PSA 10 goes for $2,000. It makes no sense that 2 cards that many cannot tell the difference is 10x more expensive.

[@KareemPies49]

How many more PSA 9 versus PSA 10 are there? Most financially savvy people in the industry avoid mass produced cards like 89 Griffey, but if they do buy they have to go to a PSA 10 to at least have somewhat of a lower pop count.

[@chrisolivo6591]

@@KareemPies49It doesn’t matter the specific pop count as you said it’s not a rare card. I can go on eBay right now and have multiple options at a PSA 9 or 10 Griffey. Thats what it makes no sense that the PSA 10 is 10x more. Now if there were only 40 Griffey PSA 10’s out there, that’s a different story as it would be a tough card to find and push up the price. I hate to say but the reason the Griffey PSA 10 is 10x more is because we have a lot of dumb people in this hobby. They are followers and gravitate to what they feel will please other collectors. In the end, to each his own!

[@brad2879]

30,000 PSA 9s vs 4,000 PSA 10s. Can you tell the difference between a PSA 6 and 7? It's all perception. But it's a business and in capitalistic market - of course you need to have varying grades (which is subjective at this time). PSA would have failed a long time ago if this wasn't the case. Someone would run a rest and buy 10 KGJR rookies that are graded a 9 and resubmit and see if they can get a 10. Even if you just made some money!

[@chrisolivo6591]

@@brad2879A PSA 7 isn’t worth 10x a PSA 6. The Mint grade has always been the gold standard in all types of collectibles before the GemMint term was invented for sports cards. It’s a scam, it’s an artificially inflated high end market that too many people have bought into in the hobby. I see so many off-centered PSA 10 cards on the market, as it’s an absolute joke. As I said, people can waste their money paying for 10’s, yet there is no difference between a 9 and 10 (hence why people know they can resubmit and eventually get a 10).

[@KareemPies49]

@@chrisolivo6591 if you don’t think Pop counts matter then yes this will never make sense to you. Pop counts explain rarity, if there are 40,000 9s and 3,000 10s then it’s a 13X more rare of a card. I never look at this card but id be shocked if 10s sell at 10X unless there are 10 times as many 9s. I buy a lot of cards , never thought about what others think, I look at comps and use logic

[@ryanra44]

THANK YOU for making this video. This is why I almost exclusivley buy BGS/SGC slabs when buying gem mint graded cards. Makes no sense paying that premium. If the player performs and the card goes up all the gem mint copies will rise. If the player stinks, you lowered your exposure

[@EdAnde]

I know you may not agree with this but it’s to extent to just buy sgc and bgs and send it to psa for regrading , I actually really enjoy bgs by the way

[@ryanra44]

@@EdAnde I don’t know what you are trying to say in your comment “it’s to extent to buy BGS”. What does that mean?

[@EdAnde]

@@ryanra44 that bgs has always been the go to for grading and that if it were to ever be on top again it wouldn’t surprise me one bit at all

[@ryanra44]

@@EdAnde I think they are in a death spiral unfortunately. It would take dramatic changes to turn that company around. Slab redesign, new labels, better marketing, turn around times, pricing. Basically all they have going for them is their brand name, sub grades, and labels

[@bran7134]

I have thinking this for a while as well. Thank you for this video. It needed to be said.

[@tipofthemittcollectablesan9248]

I have thought this forever. 12.00 psa 9. 1700 psa 10. Pure ridiculous. Thankfully I love. SGC. And love 8's and 9.5.

[@KareemPies49]

It’s cool if you guys like less desirable cards and grading companies yourself. But ideally we wouldn’t be making videos to spread bad advice to others. Some people like to eat a lot of fast food or smoke cigarettes, but let’s not encourage others to do so.

[@bhfromnh3914]

I collect SGC 8 Jordan’s. The difference between an 8 and a 10 is literally almost microscopic. Buy the card, not the grade. For PC anyways.

[@AlanForest]

Hey T-Pot thanks for the informative video personally my choice of grading companies are BGS,PSA,SGC,&TAG. I don’t have a 1 dominates all choice despite the price difference and PSA being king of the market.As long as it’s a 9 or higher and slabbed I’m happy

[@brushben22]

@pattysCards nailed it !! To top it all off, our hobby is now full of those who follow rather than think for themselves. I am a pure BGS fan and have crossed many directions with all companies. Beckett is the most consistent

[@kryptic8956]

I'm a dad and my family is a single income home (me). I like to collect for my little kids to give them something nice when they get older and I also like to try to buy and flip so I can make more money to give them a better life. Sadly if it's not a PSA 10 its almost not worth grading due grading fee and etc.. I truly wish PSA had some good competition, but everyone wants a PSA 10.

[@alessandrorossi1294]

Stocks are better for building wealth

[@justinkittleson3295]

I respect PSA and their dominance in the grading industry. Their slabs hold the most value. But the PSA 10 premium is sickening. I pulled a 2023 wemby Select premier silver. PSA 9’s are around the same price as RAW…..RAAAWWWWWWW. But it won’t change unless the consumers do 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@JSP_EMAN]

T Pott - love the content and message. Please do a Data Dive on the pop report of junk wax rookies graded pop vs modern rookies graded pop and compare why the junk wax rookies pops are lower than the modern pop rookies.

[@TheBnicholas1606]

Giving another sticker and grade to an already graded card is dumb too

[@robinrahmani4705]

To add to all this, I have searched certain vintage cards’ pop count of the same card in an SGC slab vs PSA, same grade, and the SGC pop count is lower, but the PSA still fetches a higher amount!! This makes no sense. It’s a vintage card, so already rare, it’s in a decent grade slab (let’s say a 7.5-8), they look the same in the slab (and sometimes the SGC looks better), but the PSA still fetches a higher amount!! No sense. A good example: vintage basketball cards. You can pick up a nice Jerry West/Oscar/Wilt for a great discount if the card was graded by SGC. For the 2nd tier players, the gap is even higher! Hall of famers. It’s absurd, but great for those of us patient enough to know that the gap cannot continue for the high end cards. More and more of the ones in a high grade PSA slab are going into PC’s and not see the light of day for a long time. So if the demand for those cards continues (which I anticipate), then those interested buyers will have no option but buy their desired card in an SGC slab (because that’s what they find on the open market and internet). They will have to go to shows if they absolutely want it in PSA. However, for the buyers who primarily rely on the internet for their sales and purchases, SGC is what they will find as a the best available option, especially when they would be more-appropriately priced. That will organically drive up the value of SGC slabs. Same would happen to PSA 9’s, just not as much for the modern cards due to high pop counts. This is what I believe. Let’s see.

[@michaelcreeden1560]

I am a fan of SGC, but SGC doesn't "really" have a lower pop count (with everything else being equal). SGC has a lower pop count because they receive fewer grading submissions than PSA. Also, just because a card is vintage doesn't make it rare. Lots of vintage years were produced in pretty large quantities. The rarities with many vintage cards is more based on them having better centering/condition/eye appeal. I am collecting a base Topps player run of Hank Aaron, in mostly SGC 3 and above. There isn't much rare about a mid 60s/70s Hank Aaron card in a mid grade. If there a is a price premium on certain mid-grade vintage cards it's due to eye appeal. There is a non data-driven element to "buying the slab, not the grade" and that is collector OCD. I have slabs in both SGC and PSA, and I will admit displaying them visually together does bother be a little bit. I have had to remind myself I bought the card, and simply try and display my PSA slabs with other PSA slabs, and my SGC with SGCs. For those that started collecting with PSA, they may just never want a different type of slab of this exact reason. Just my two cents.

[@raouldelacruz9677]

OH BTW, I love the quality of your videos! Can't say enough good things about you guys are doing for "the hobby we love".

[@StreeterBen]

what worries me is if you are holding a large stock of PSA slabs and something happens (a shift in the hobby, a scandal with psa, etc) and all of those cards drop in value ... we are kind of vulnerable to something like that happening. It happened with BGS slabs sort of, and PSA is not immune. They certainly have their share of horror stories ...

[@jleezy259]

With older cards I absolutely can see why the gap. Much harder to get 10’s on them

[@CollectorsWorldFargo]

Just shut the door already 😅 it's ridiculous the gap between grading companies and it seems the gap between 9s and 10s is getting greater. Been waiting for you to do this video, you did a great job 👍

[@ThatsWhatSheSaidSportsCards]

Great job T-Pott, I appreciate a channel and someone with influence finally addressing this nonsense. The shilling of and fanboying over PSA 10 slabs is and has been for some time now quite ridiculous. It is easily understood why people mostly flippers within the hobby talk up the values of their PSA 10 slabs since so much of their business and flipping collection consist of these slabs. However, discounting other third party graders more detailed yet differently scaled slabs not due to superiority but due to a chosen difference in simple numbering systems is ridiculous (PSA GEM MINT 10, BGS GEM MINT 9.5) and only preys on the ignorance of collectors who understand nothing other than following trends and the intentionally poor advice of those trying to sell them something. Kinda reminds me of when Burger King tried selling a 1/3 pound hamburger for less than a McDonalds 1/4 hamburger. More meat at a cheaper price, but due to consumers ability to be fooled by simplistic math and a misunderstanding of what numbers truly represent we get this mind boggling, nonsensical following of manipulated trends that make absolutely no sense. In theory the following can be and is most likely true… PSA sub grades: C-9 E-9.5 C-9.5 S-9.5 Equals PSA 10 McDonalds 1/4 pounder BGS Sub grades: C-9.5 E-9.5 C-10 S-10 Equals BGS 9.5 Burger King 1/3 Pounder 😁

[@will-grier-investor]

Validation is priceless! I want someone to grade my graded cards! Wait...they already have that? 😮😮😮

[@jwiedle86]

lol went from buying the card, to buying the slab, to now buying the sticker lmao 😂 idiots spending $150-200k extra for a gold sticker

[@DanielCordone9]

It's a joke. I'd never pay that for a PSA 10. Should buy the card. Most PSA 10's are equivalent to BGS 8.5's

[@christopherstory2136]

Your points at the end are positive for the few of us left who adore a favorite team or player and collect cards just for the fun of it. It's an investment scheme now, not a hobby. Might as well be flipping houses, classic cars, pink sheets or crypto and just as volatile. Not to mention the endless prisms, refractors and other limited edition nonsense. Worst part are the arbitrary grading standards of the different houses. How does a BGS 10 become a PSA 9 on a reslab. REALLY?? Such a sad state of affairs, indeed.

[@user-bm9ph9py4y]

The PSA 10 Jordan is a Gold Diamond... equivalent to a black label BGS 10

[@plng5353]

13x is not 1300% more. It is 1200% more.

[@t-pott4504]

haha youre right! good catch!

[@josiahmcctchn]

I totally agree. Great video. The gap makes no sense at all.

[@johnshoemaker234]

Would it help if I toss a Hundo in my box when I send my card in to get graded? LMAO

[@fredoblong]

I got out of the hobby in 1993 (kids) and just got back in a 4 months ago. This subject, among many other things, is one difference that has stood out to me. Seeing the insane prices for highly graded cards, I have been happily buying PSA 8's and even 7's at deep discounts because I get FAR more pleasure over owning the card than any care that it isn't perfect. A little ding here or there gives a card character and uniqeness and is a great reminder of what collecting is really about for me. That said if it gives others joy to own perfect 10's at premium prices then good for them too. Just don't look down on others who may not care about that as much as you do.

[@JackCecil]

I totally agree that graded cards are disproportionately valued due to obscure sales figures. Especially a low pop count card. There’s essentially no set value to cards, and they sell for what the market provides. The graded cards are great for higher populations in order to set the higher quality apart from lower, but honestly the graders are so inconsistent, there needs to be a set standard universally followed and proofable before a grade will actually have tangible and comparable value. Essentially, Graders need to be graded or governed. Probably impossible.

[@802Projects]

If you look at the yellow ring around that PSA Jordan you'll see that on the bottom the yellow goes outside the black edge lines. That drives me nuts. No way should it get a gold sticker. I think if SGC had thinner less bulky slabs like PSA they would be my go-to as they have a more neutral colored label. The PSA slab is perfect, just their red labels sometimes clash with certain cards. I play the PSA 9 game. They are priced cheaper and the pop reports are likely overstated from crack/resubmits. Not all 9s are equal. Obviously the perfect 9 is one you can't see any imperfections on. Keep those. There are some with a tipped corner or centering issues on the back that are also acceptable. I keep those too. But then there are some with surface scratches on the front or a print line that doesn't show up easy in photos. I'll resell those on consignment and buy another until I'm happy with it. Last sale of a PSA 10 2002 Topps chrome Tom Brady Refractor is $22k. For around 2k I own it in a 9 and can't see a single thing wrong with it. I'd rather have multiple 9s with extra cash in my pocket. If I were rich, I don't think I would think any differently.

[@ryanra44]

Agree. All these people saying, “if you were rich you would be want the PSA 10s”. FALSE. I would still buy the BGS 9.5, SGC 10, or PSA 9 for half the price for better and pocket the extra money and buy something else I want as well

[@thebakersmancardgallery6431]

I collect super rare cards as a collector. I buy the card because I need the card. As long as its authentic and in good shape it doesn't matter who grades it

[@Ragnarok691]

It shows an obsession with perfection. There's a reason I stay in the low end market, it's just gotten berserk on the high end market.

[@Huffy-gs4bq]

Dude, you are spot on on this topic. I completely agree with everything you're saying. It's getting out of hand.

[@thesandiegoupcycler2586]

The real question is: Are the PSA slabs overpriced or are the SGC 10 and BGS 9.5s underpriced? What is the "true" value of a "Gem Mint" example of any given card?

[@fantasy_writer_38]

100% agree. Was at the Philly show recently and bought a ‘85 Puckett RC in a PSA 9. It looked better than the 10 that was there and instead of paying $800 I paid $45 for essentially the same card lol wild times

[@hollywood21001]

Makes No sense to me! I have been saying this for the longest. Also, I don't get why you would pay $20 dollars to get a card graded who's value is in the $0 -$199 price range. They say the $20 is for insurance purposes for the return of the card. Now I can understand if your card grades out as a PSA 10 now the value of the card is on the high end of the spectrum ($100-$199). So what happens when your card grades out to a 8 or less now the value of the card is worth a few dollars. So now in a since you have paid $20 for a card worth a few dollars. So if the $20 is for insurance purposes PSA should be refunding you the difference in value but they don't. That is my biggest dilemma paying these high grading prices and getting told the cost is to cover insurance on you card on the return now the card does not graded out on the high end so you technically should have paid insurance on a lower valued card but you didn't and they get to keep the difference. They need to make it make since. Not a fan of the procedure. I advocate for a governing body to over see card grading to make sure the consumer is not being taken advantage of. Just my opinion.

[@howardwangleonwang88]

372k usd That’s price of a high end apartment here in Taiwan,Taipei 😆

[@RockyRomanchek]

Excellent point. Very true. PSA 10 is all about status.

[@johnmabie5266]

You know things are crazy when the cases to protect the slabs cost more than grading the cards.

[@Bearded_Viking87]

I have done my best to utilize the price differences honestly. I think we will be in a time where SGC and PSA will be called almost identical. But that's only my opinion which don't matter to much.

[@KareemPies49]

Same thoughts as the people that think Hyundai will be equal to Audi some day

[@DanielCordone9]

SGC and PSA are both awful grading companies. BGS are the best and they're not great. They don't confirm receipt of your packages

[@user-hm5zb1qn6g]

this is a good episode. Solid economic analysis.

[@urmailman]

A bad investment is your RIGHT.

[@Axle3369]

Hey, I agree to a point but I also think that grading has ruined the hobby for many. Here’s my opinion. For one, if you have a card in pristine condition, you get it graded. You pay to get it graded and then you get an upcharge because of the over inflation of the psa 10 grade as you said. If a card is mint, it’s mint without a stamp of approval that is given by a company (not just psa) but all who make mistakes and also have been known to save the pristine grades for people who aren’t common joes, especially if the pop count is low. So unless you’re going to sell that card, it is a waste of time to grade in my opinion. Because you get upcharged even say $200 because of your potential to make more, is $200 that you don’t have to spend on other cards if you’re sitting on it anyways. Secondly, as you said that the sales numbers for them are 🤯 insane amounts of money. Now to find a raw card in good condition with book price of let’s say $250 raw. Psa10 you will pay I’ll be generous and say $1250. Now to find a raw card that should sell for $250 or maybe less, you’re finding people asking $300-500 raw just because of a hypothetical potential if you decide to grade it. I quit for many years when grading came out. I returned to the hobby for a few years around 2010 and I just started again. I just am seeing that grading is out priced many hobby collectors even on raw cards and to me this is sad. Just my opinions

[@michaelcreeden1560]

I 1,000,000% agree with you on 10 premiums on ultra modern. It's bonkers in my opinion. I can understand more of a premium on vintage and even up to 80s/90s cards, because of poor printing quality at times, or on collectors not storing/protecting cards the way we do now. I am not an ultra modern collector/investor/flipper, but if I was, I'd be buying 9s all day long.

[@BigJBasketball]

I’m with you on all this. That MJ collection you put together that matched the value of the 86 Fleer PSA 10 “Gold Sticker” was insane, and I’d probably take even half of those cards over one RC PSA 10. But that also doesn’t mean I don’t like grading, because I do, but it has its own place in my PC, and that doesn’t include overpaying for base cards just because they’re in a gem mint slab. I’m currently working on a full PSA 10 run of all Deni Avdija’s serial numbered red and blue Prizm RCs because that was an added challenge to just collecting those raw (and luckily I bought and graded most of these myself before his prices started skyrocketing recently - I saw him as #3 in the top 5 cards last week!). Since they’re serial numbered, they’re already limited, and the gem rates in 2020 Prizm basketball card are not great. Almost every card has a gem rate under 50%, and some of these that I’m chasing are even worse than that. Two of them are a pop 1 in PSA 10, and luckily I own both of those! If I can manage to complete the full run, it will be a true 1-of-1 collection, just because the pop 1’s will prevent anyone else from completing the same set, unless of course there are new gems graded, but I wouldn’t bet on that given the condition issues on most of these. I only have one more left to complete the run, and I cracked an SGC 9.5 slab and submitted that to PSA hoping it could bump to a 10. I just got that sub back today…it got a 9 :( That last card is only a pop 4 PSA 10 and I’ve never seen one for sale. I hope one day I can find one!

[@MarketMovers]

Thanks for watching! And good luck with the chase :)

[@JP-qx7sv]

thank you for calling out these scam artists

[@samhill93]

Great insight from the soapbox, T-Pott! Lovin’ the new background scenery as well 👌🏼

[@stevenbook3989]

I collect hockey. A couple years ago a BGS 9.5 was equal to or had a higher value to a PSA 10. Now the PSA 10s are 2.5-5x - makes no sense to me!!

[@kenneyfizer4453]

Great content. Keep it going. Would like to see a top 5 with comparison of PSA, SGC, CSG, and BGS prices

[@larrygitlin6017]

The grade is just an opinion and I guess some people have money to blow. I take advantage of SGCs lower prices.

[@KareemPies49]

Might as well save even more money, raw is better than SGC

[@ryanra44]

@@KareemPies49how does that make ANY sense. Why would you buy a raw card (that likely has flaws) when you can get a card that is identical or better than the PSA 10 for much closer to the raw price.

[@KareemPies49]

@@ryanra44 because no one in the hobby likes or buys SGC , so now you have to take a risk and crack the holder, and get back to raw.

[@ryanra44]

@@KareemPies49 my $20,000 in sales every year says people do buy SGC slabs. They also grade over 140,000 cards a month. Always funny when I run into noobs that worship at the alter of PSA and piss away money paying a premium for that PSA 10

[@shorebreakcards]

Dude, totally agree with your sentiments and overall thesis, thanks for sharing so others can see the light! I also hate when a card I've been looking for pops up in a PSA10 for auction, I know there's no way I'll be able to get it! There has only been one time ever it worked out, that 2014 Prizm Gold (/10) Zack Greinke PSA 10 for $100, never clicked Buy It Now so fast!

[@miamibreaker3053]

That’s why it’s so tough for me to grade my cards prices are so ridiculous

[@homeroscollection]

I am new to collecting and grading. I am collecting Mattingly era cards and I also don't understand why on these "cheaper" cards a 9 is $15 and a 10 is $100. That is a 300% difference for a small defect. Therefore, I am using CGC to grade my cards. At least if I need to sell any, I ain't losing money, hopefully breaking even.

[@jayward7549]

I totally. Agree,,,,,, with you,,,,,,i remember i told GEOFF ,,3 YRS AGO,,,TO INVEST IN SHOHEI OHTANI,,,AND HE WROTE ME BACK ,,,AND SAID ,,,,,,HES NOT SELLING....RIGHT NOW,,,,,,,,,FUNNY HUH,,,,,,psa Mafia,,, FAMILY

[@Grizzgrizzly1]

Love the video. It blows my mind too on the gaps for certain cards. Wait till you look up vintage cards from 9s to 10s… crazy multipliers

[@sepasportscards]

I have been telling people this for years. If you truly love collecting, you would much prefer having two or three 9's over one 9.5 or 10. Especially if it's for your PC. The problem is people just want to talk about scarcity. However, we constantly see mistakes and inconstancies with grading. The price difference from a 9 to a 10 isn't justified for most cards. Newer collectors are following content creators quoting what a PSA 10 is worth and that is what they are chasing.

[@hectorc1663]

Buying a Gold marked PSA makes sense that it would go for more but the question that should be discussed is why a premium company like PSA's 10's are being graded by another individual or company for eye appeal. Are they not already GEM Mint? Goes to show you the scam that is both grading and PSA's lack of quality control. As PSA themselves have said. One grader could give it a 10 and another grader can give the same card a 9. So many people have drank the PSA kool-aid and in truth they are one of the worse "grade" companies.

[@grownmanlookingatsportscar194]

Agreed. Guess it’s up to buyers to stop paying so much for PSA 10s. Or pay more for SGC, BGS or CGC. Market has dictated this - not PSA’s fault.

[@NikkisCards]

Great rant TPot. I’m not a big fan of grading however I do like the idea of a card being slabbed for protection. There are 2 reasons I like the protection aspect. I like that the card is a verifiable real copy vs a scammers copy. When I started collecting there were so many shady people in the hobby that Beckett had to put a warning label in the magazine. That dates me lol. However I am not concerned with the grade because I truly don’t believe there is a 10. I just want a decent looking authentic copy

[@chrismoore7757]

This is how companies lose their number one spot is because of greed!

[@landanwoodard7569]

I have a few old bvg 9s with the subgrades on the back that look PSA 10. They are still 1 of 1 in the pop report too.

[@jasoncox478]

I personally want some upside on the PSA 10......Prizm basketball was $1,000 for goodness sakes. How can collectors hope to ever get their investment back without it? This argument doesn't make any sense to me.

[@eurostar0711]

Ive seen several PSA 10 MJ RCs look worse than that 9.5 BGS at 5:53, and those PSA 10s were S Tier eye appeal being sold on premier auction at PWCC

[@TheNoobzoid]

Speculators, not collectors, are gonna feel so bad when they can't sell their PSA 10s.

[@SpursCards21]

We are the very few that really only care about collecting anymore. Pricing tools have made it much easier for people to pay less and less for each time a card sells. Every won auction is an overpriced card. Remember when Beckett magazines overhyped the prices, we’ll pricing tools did the same but only in a much faster time thanks to the internet.

[@bsaul17-17]

Tpott is 100% correct. Couldn't agree more. It's a piece of plastic graded by someone who is giving his or her opinion. It's an opinion. This person could be having a good day and PSA 10 everything and there could be some grader having a bad day, pissed off at the world and giving a card that should get a 10, give them a 9 or lower. And I've seen many PSA 10 cards out there that don't even have 50/50 centering! So it really depends on the person's mood that day. These PSA 10 prices are out of control. I am glad someone like Tpott is calling them out.

[@markmaguire4727]

Depends on the player. The more popular the more people want the ten to separate themselves from the thousands of 9's. If the player is not well known or is just mediocre the 9-10 premium is not a as much because there is no status to be gained from owning the rarer card because nobody cared about them in the first place.

[@EdAnde]

Same card but the type of plastic (brand) covering it deciphers the price….lol insanityyy

[@apf777]

Noooooo! Why would you expose this?!? It’s been such a great opportunity! 😂

[@xumuskiefan12]

Most people in hobby don't understand why grading is the way it is or how PSA became so popular. They also ignore how unethical PSA was during the pandemic. There is ZERO reason PSA is better than BGS, SGC, CSG, or ISA. The hobby needs set standards for grading.

[@PoorMansInvesting]

It's the people. This nonsense just doesn't exist in the coin world. I honestly can trust 4 coin graders over any card grader.

[@clownworld8328]

While all that may be true, and whether you like them or not, PSA adds the most value which puts them at the top.

[@xumuskiefan12]

@@clownworld8328 There is absolutely no reason why they should be the most valued. Uninformed collectors is the only reason I can think of.

[@clownworld8328]

I don't disagree but the number of flippers outweighs the number of actual collectors.@@xumuskiefan12

[@markstein1916]

Collect cards- not slabs. Or just switch to memorabilia.

[@custardODP1989]

I’ve been thinking about this for over a year. With AI grading becoming more common, the slab will be a preference and the prices won’t be so different.

[@gullomic]

I personally silence everyone else with a buying opportunity for me

[@DRUDO28314]

The hobby continues to show this age old statement is still true today.... "A fool and his money is easily departed."

[@Joe-cf3vo]

100% agree. I do not see any rational reason for the price gap between grading companies and the grades of the same company. My strategy is to keep costs low.

[@freedomfight1933]

At the national in Chi there was a frame of about 20 PSA 10 Jordan Fleer 57s together. And the difference between them was staggering. But what there was basically none of in the whole show was an 8.5 or better Jordan Star 101, or Star 288 both from his actual rookie season. So yeah buy the rare card, not the # on the plastic holder.

[@freedomfight1933]

@High_Speed_Card_Chase so true!

[@modernlegend_gaming]

Screw graded base or short printed cards always go for numbered and on card autos..

[@refractorjones4746]

Not everyone swims in the same pool..psa 9s are drastically undervalued and underrated according to the psa 10 and has always been my happy place whether I’m purchasing or subbing to psa. I’ve always seen money to be made in this industry but it’s the long play and at the psa 9 level this goes only for cards from the 90s on back to the 70s anything before the 70s premiums start to show up so what we’re seeing here had been an opportunity for years to be in this for the long haul if your an investor but if your a collector value is just value and it only matters to what you can afford. I will say it again Psa 9s are the buy and will concreting value compared to the psa10 once people understand there’s only so many buyers for that psa 10 price tag but a lot of space for collectors & investing at the Psa9,level.

[@thunder123961]

Because people go, I am so cool I have PSA 10s! I have a few nice cards in my PC and they are 8s and 9s that I love in my collection! I totally agree!

[@sebastienhhoude]

Simple as that : The people behind PSA are pushing an artificial value on something almost identical as Beckett 9.5. The price gap is ridiculous. People in the hobby needs to wake up.

[@RobertLee-wi5kc]

If you took 10 Jordan rookies looked at them under high mag and clearly could see that 1 is the best and 2 are next best and the other 7 are equal then it is obvious that the "Finest known" would bring the big big money. Same has been true on diamonds and coins forever.

[@digginginthecards]

Wait till they grade the graded-graded Jordan, that could get 3 milliom dollars.

[@TheZorro1604]

I think, if getting the graded card for my own PC without thinking of selling it, I won't care for the grade as long as it looks apealing with the naked eye, but if getting the card graded for selling purposes, I would want the highest grade possible to make more money out of it. for example, psa 9 looks better than a psa 10, because I know I will get more money out of the 10.

[@buzzy1337]

Geoff's puppy TPot looks like a skin tag I had removed last week.

[@shinrie4989]

Let's be honest if you are in the market to buy a Jordan Rc, price is more than likely not an issue to that collector.

[@farlow126]

I may be in the vast minority, but I don’t think Saphire is a nice set. I love that they are rare, but to me they are butt ugly and that is why I would never buy one. The base Topps or a refractor are much nicer IMO.

[@geodio]

That BGS 9.5 '86 Fleer Jordan at 5:45 is like a PSA 8 graded there.