My Latest SGC Reveal- How Long Did It Take And How Did I Do?

[@wshnlc]

Vintage cards look fantastic in the SGC slab!

[@MidLifeCards]

I agree!!

[@danielbasso586]

Yes, all those cards deserve to be preserved in their holders.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks. I thought so, too.

[@landanwoodard7569]

I have a 71 Topps Lew Alcindor in a SGC 8. Its beautiful with the imperfections on the edges only visible under magnification. You had some solid rookie cards but the centering on the front of the Murray top to bottom and side to side on Ozzie brought your grade down. I think getting those vintage rookies graded is always a good idea because like you sad they are easier to liquidate.

[@MidLifeCards]

Wow. That 71 Alcindor is such a great card. Sounds like yours is incredible.

[@willg.2045]

That Murray had a really nice grade. I feel like it is tougher to be satisfied when you are grading for resale, because you are trying to maximize profit and anything less than what you feel is the maximum possible grade for a card will be a disappointment. But as a collector who buys SGC graded cards, I'm happy that they aren't always giving the maximum possible grades out, hopefully because they are scrutinizing the card and finding flaws that we (with our rose-colored gaze) are not seeing.

[@MidLifeCards]

Good point. We all want our stuff to get better than it probably deserves.

[@vintagecollector5340]

The problem with these reveals is that every submitter always pre-grades their own cards before submitting, then they get upset when they come back anything less than expected. Why? Because of value, and because it costs money to grade. Every grade has specific value attached to its numerical grade, because thats how the pop report for artificial scarcity works. Anything less than what we expect always equals lesser value. Its often hard to offset costs. Whether you identify yourself as a collector or investor, we can all agree that we are playing a money game with grading, and the only ones ever winning is grading companies. No different than gambling: the house ALWAYS wins.

[@williampotts7205]

Very well said. I like your take on this subject.

[@MidLifeCards]

Good point and well said. I think it's more the "hope" of getting a higher grade rather than the "expectation"...but I certainly think your comment has a lot of validity to it.

[@JunkWaxHero]

Nice return!

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks. Appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment!!

[@jd66cards]

Great eye appeal on the vintage especially the Mays. I would have graded those for sure.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks. Appreciate that.

[@ClementeCollector]

Grades seem kind of tough, sorry they weren’t what you expected! I enjoyed, thanks Graig!

[@MidLifeCards]

Not that it wasn't what I expected....more that it wasn't what I had hoped.

[@doug_sports_collector]

Great card reveals.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much. Always fun getting fresh slabs.

[@returntocollecting]

Great cards Graig! Those basketball auto's are sweet! Sorry about the baseball card grades. Not sure how the Feller got a 1.5!?!?! They all have great eye appeal! Thanks for sharing!

[@ACD1994]

Because of the crease in the middle of the card. I assume it went through. Would have been harder to get higher than a 2 imo.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks Darren. Appreciate that.

[@jaredmay8456]

Great cards ! I've been grading with sgc.i find them the most consistent and tuxes look great on display..i feel like they put a lot of weight into centering..Well centered vintage seems to get a bump up while off centered stuff usually gets a bump down from what you might expect from other grading companies.

[@MidLifeCards]

I like SGC a lot.

[@Whaler87]

Hi Graig, I loved that Mays! Great eye appeal. I just got my first order from SGC and I graded to protect the cards and increase the value. If I'm not selling them someone after me is so I think it can be a practical choice. I think above all I see the cards as art and SGC creates a great frame. That Mays looks so much better in the tux than the PSA slab. Good switch!

[@blixcards]

Very well said there. Love your avatar. I still have an authentic Geoff Sanderson Whalers #8 Jersey in my closet to this day. Not Sanderson-worn, store ordered.

[@Whaler87]

Thanks! I grew up in Hartford and followed the Whalers. Great logo, not such a great team. That Sanderson jersey is a classic. Very nice!

[@blixcards]

@@Whaler87 You bet! Well, I grew up a Red Wing fan and we didn't help you much by taking Brendan Shanahan away from you!

[@MidLifeCards]

I wish crossovers were cheaper. I think I'd move a lot of my cards from PSA to SGC.

[@keithroller3131]

Great cards!!! Murray and Ozzie, 2 of the hardest 70’s cards to get high gradeds ?? My opinion

[@MidLifeCards]

Yeah. Both are great cards and hard to get in high grade.

[@ACollectorsDream]

Nice cards, thanks for sharing

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much!!

[@TalkingBallCards]

I thought you did pretty well. Wrinkles through any aspect of the face really hurt grades, A LOT, since SGC is so eye appeal heavy.

[@blixcards]

Yep, the face/head wrinkles crush grades, unfortunately. When can we expect your next reveal? Always enjoy your videos as well, man.

[@MidLifeCards]

Good point. SGC definitely cares a lot about eye appeal and WHERE creases are.

[@MrFisherbike]

I think you did well man. Grade when and what you want to. I love that Murray and that Ozzie.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much. Agreed....totally.

[@cacsports]

The centering on that Murray is amazing. Great cards - I think you did pretty well.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks. I was pretty happy overall.

[@LamarrVann]

Cool reveal Graig and you're right about SGS and too that maybe they don't feel the need to control the hobby market on pricing and focus more on just grade the card based on it's condition not worry about upsetting their clique of collectors in the hobby to maintain exorbitant values solely on scarcity. Some of the other points about slabbed cards is now they're protected from the elements such smoke damage, water damage, stains, mold/mildew, insect and rodents to name a few.

[@MidLifeCards]

Good point about being air tight and protecting them from future issues.

[@Bostnfn]

As a UMass Alum, that Dr. J card is absolutely amazing!!!!! So sick. Might add to my big boy cards to get!

[@MidLifeCards]

Very cool. Agree that it being in his college jersey made it especially intriguing.

[@middleclassmike5030]

Just love your content

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much. That means a lot!!

[@earheadsix4119]

I think it’s mostly worth grading just for the purpose of having it in a slab. I think if SGC’s standard has gotten more strict? It’s ok as long as it’s consistent. I can remember 40 years ago a conversation my dad had with an umpire post a HS baseball game. My Dad said I’m ok with borderline at best pitches being called strikes as long as it’s consistent. You know going to the plate what the strike zone is. All we can ever really hope for is consistency We can adjust from there. I hope that makes sense

[@MidLifeCards]

I think SGC has remained a bit more consistent than PSA. I think PSA seems to have gotten harsher, and SGC is more similar to how they've been. But, that's just my opinion.

[@ken-pr2df]

Awesome cards!! I thought the grading was a little low by SGC. The only reason I would have had these cards graded is if they were for resale. Thanks for sharing your card reveal!!

[@ACD1994]

Yeah this seems to be most collectors mind set. If it's just for PC it could go either way. If its resale, but not for like another 5 or 10 years down the road, grading could wait too.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks. Appreciate that.

[@stevegallo8483]

I thought the grades were pretty fair overall. Thought the Murray was a little better than the 7 it got, at least a 7.5. Whether or not to grade is a personal choice.

[@MidLifeCards]

Yeah. I think you're right. The Dr. J auto seems flawless to me. At least a 9.5...but oh well.

[@3gslabs483]

I really enjoyed seeing you do a reveal!! You picked some great cards to send in. I will only comment on the vintage since the newer stuff is just too hard without really seeing the cards, but as far as vintage I would say they were pretty darn good and accurate. I typically think SGC grades easier than PSA for sure but they did good on your order. I think we can all agree to grade whatever you want as a collector. We all have reasons for grading or not grading and I don't think any of them are wrong. Do what makes YOU HAPPY!

[@MidLifeCards]

Your reveal videos are WAY better than that. I just decided at the last minute to show how mine went. Zero planning like yours have.

[@3gslabs483]

@@MidLifeCards I loved it and hope that you do more!!! I know you are not a big grader but I honestly enjoyed it.

[@LetsStormTheTeaCupRide]

The thicker the card, the tougher the grading. Flawless and National Treasures almost never get 10's. I always grade for protection and they sell easier.

[@MidLifeCards]

True. I've gotten 10s on National Treasures cards before, but you're totally right.

[@warrendinCLE]

That's probably one of the best Ozzie RC I've seen. I disagree with the grade on that. You did a great job grading them. I think you got the correct grades from what I can see. Except for the Julius Erving and Ozzie

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks. I was pretty happy with the grades overall, but agree with you on those two cards.

[@DonHamlin]

Great video, nice to see the results in real time. Could you do a video on how you package the cards to send for grading? Thanks.

[@MidLifeCards]

Not a bad idea. I thought SGC had a video of that. If they don't, I'm happy to show the process I go through.

[@DonHamlin]

@@MidLifeCards Thanks, I’ll check and see if they have one.

[@leehaskins307]

cool cards...

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much.

[@larrygitlin6017]

My feeling grade the cards you want graded, no right or wrong. My last SGC some were higher and some lower than expected but nothing outrageous. Thanks for sharing.

[@MidLifeCards]

Can't go wrong following that philosophy!!

[@chadholt1171]

I think the grades you received are fair. All the cards look good. I’d be happy with them for my collection.

[@MidLifeCards]

I agree. I think all the grades were certainly fair.

[@checkmugged]

If you’re going to do grading reveal videos in my opinion you really should do it somewhat similar to how Chris Sewall does it. Actually mark down beforehand what grade(s) you think the card should receive. Doing this assures not only yourself but the viewer that you out some time into determining what the potential grade might be and not just some on the fly wild guessing. This also allows you as Chris does to mark the grade you got compared to the grade you expected and at the end easily see how you did. If you’re always off one way or another then you have to admit you’re most likely the problem and not the grading company. What Chris also does that I’m sure most appreciate is go over the values of having the card graded in the grade he received versus how it would have faired raw and note the value you added or lost by having the card graded. Chris does well in his estimates of the grades he’ll get. Sure, there’s an outlier here and there and often the reason can be found. Most other YTers like to moan about the grades they get failing to be as forthcoming and honest with themselves as Chris is. The grading companies have issues of course but not nearly to the extent most whining ‘I don’t understand how my card got this grade’ submitters do.

[@MidLifeCards]

No doubt that Chris has a great channel and does a great job with his reveal videos.

[@s.macintosh-jc9rf]

Hi Graig, Thanks for your video today. I love the SGC slabs and they usually grade about .5 higher than PSA. I wouldn’t have got these cards graded but it’s a very personal decision. Have a great weekend and enjoy your cards! Peter

[@jude999]

On the two I flipped over from PSA they graded one whole grade lower for each. Its a pissing contest.

[@MidLifeCards]

I agree Peter. Well centered cards usually get a bit higher in SGC.

[@kfiscal01]

Grading to me is an investment. I only grade cards that are above a certain dollar amount if the card would come back with a lower than expected grade. Its a crap shoot sometimes, but im not grading a card that is worth less then the cost of grading.

[@MidLifeCards]

Totally true and totally agree. SGC seems like a little less of a crap shoot, though.

[@mclanetime7269]

I think you should always get your cards graded! Not only does it add value to the card, it also makes it easier to store and protects the card. In my opinion, SGC tuxedo’s add a nice eye appeal to the cards themselves. The contrast of the black is much better than top loaders or snap cases. Very nice cards, I have the Murray in a 7 and yours looks nicer! Keep collecting, great videos! Thanks

[@MidLifeCards]

Appreciate that. Definitely adds value having cards graded. If you're ever gonna sell, you may as well grade them.

[@chadholt1171]

I’ve been buying/submitting to SGC this year. Only HOF rookie cards and select cards of players that are important to my collection.

[@MidLifeCards]

I've been SGC a lot more as well. There are a lot of positives to using them.

[@GoldenSlumber474]

I do the same thing now. I have been buying graded cards for 18 months now. I used to buy raw from GMC but prices got too steep & I stopped for that & the same reasons you mentioned. Your results are indicative of why I stopped grading.

[@MidLifeCards]

I get that. As long as you have cards that you like, and aren't planning on selling,....there's no real reason to grade them.

[@Cardivore20]

Grades seem pretty fair to me. Love SGC

[@MidLifeCards]

Agreed. Can't really complain with any of the grades.

[@scottpope377]

Seems like fare grades to me. They seem to grade the back tougher than psa. The Feller is a really nice looking card.

[@MidLifeCards]

I agree. The fact that the crease went through his chin, probably hurt it the most.

[@carlnhalljr]

Thx😊

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks for watching!!

[@kenrogers2179]

I've graded a few hundred times with both PSA and SGC each and SGC are a bit hyper-focused on centering, so I would only send them cards that are really well-centered or are so far off-center that that detail isn't as important...

[@ACD1994]

This seems to be true, I think. SGC docks cards more on centering. PSA is sensitive with surface, which I find interesting, however, and I suppose make sense. Different people value different things. Can an O/C card still have eye appeal? Probably so. Can a centered card, with surface wear still look good too? Yeah probably possible too.

[@ACD1994]

Also, I just remembered that SGC does not do qualifiers. Whether that's good or bad... I don't know.

[@MidLifeCards]

Eye appeal does seem to be super important to SGC, making centering more important to them.

[@shootingpar]

Seems to me what you paid for the card determines whether or not you should have graded it. I'ts always a gamble to me.

[@MidLifeCards]

What you pay is certainly a factor, but the added value of the card graded is usually the main factor for me.

[@bretiverson4698]

Grading is similar to opening packs. The grading is tougher, and lower grades don't pay the cost of grading when reselling. The holders are nice, and PSA would have taken longer with worse grades.

[@MidLifeCards]

Well said. Totally agree. LOL.

[@BoosSportsCards]

I think the same way as you do as far as getting cards graded. I send in cards that I'm going to pc or cards that I think are cool and would be ok keeping but at some point may try to sell. Thought your grades were pretty fair, maybe a little low on a couple. I've sent a few 1979 topps to SGC and they seem to grade a little lower than other 70s cards. Just the tough centering I guess? That Dr. J card is really sweet!!

[@MidLifeCards]

Yeah. Agreed. Mostly fair grades overall.

[@williambartenslager4134]

Someday someone is going to sell my cards, makes it a lot easier for them. I use SGC for pre 50s cards, PSA for 50s and newer.

[@MidLifeCards]

No doubt. Slabbed cards are easier to sell for future family members.

[@mrmjmiller]

Nice cards...Your grades seemed similar to my last submission. Every borderline card got the lowest of the possibilities.

[@MidLifeCards]

Bummer they weren't higher, but can't really complain.

[@lifeboy7]

I love vintage cards in SGC slabs. That Eddie Murray is really nice. Always love Ozzie RCs as well (mine is an SGC 6 too).

[@MidLifeCards]

Totally agree. Vintage looks so good in SGC.

[@Collector.Not.Hoarder]

I think your grades seemed to be in line with what you expected. I’m no expert grader, but I always feel that if a card graded within +/- 1 grade of what I expected, then it’s probably a fair grade. You did good 👍🏻

[@MidLifeCards]

Agreed. Essentially what I was expecting.

[@dougcoleman2399]

I can see why you graded them except the autographs. Factory produced and verified auto’s I usually am fine keeping raw. For one to protect them properly you lose a one touch mailing it in and for two the manufacturer is already certifying the auto. My thought is I’m buying the auto not the card when I buy an auto so I’m not concerned with the condition of the card because they’ve already ruined it with the signature. I do send after market signatures off for authentication. That Murray card is one of the most iconic more modern rookie cards.

[@MidLifeCards]

Totally get it. I wasn't planning on grading the auto cards. I had a smaller submission and decided to do it just in case I decide to sell them. But, I totally hear what you're saying.

[@ACD1994]

Hard to say; what cards should or should not be graded. Some collectors who, send in 1980's junk wax cards; I probably wouldn't but, everyone should do what they like for their collection. I think AI will be the future of grading. And, what PSA and SGC's role will be, however, only time will tell.

[@MidLifeCards]

AI is certainly going to be a factor...will be interesting to see how it plays out.

[@wayneburbrink1215]

Yea sgc seem to look cleaner than psa

[@MidLifeCards]

That black border in the cases looks so great for vintage.

[@brentrichardsbaseballcards]

Key takeaway, Graig, grading is disappointing lol. It is no longer a fun part of the hobby. Used to be like Christmas when we got a graded card box back in the mail, now it is like Halloween.

[@jude999]

EXACTLY

[@MidLifeCards]

LOL. There's a fair amount of truth in that.

[@jbscardbreaks4389]

The Murray rc was way off top to bottom 7 was right.

[@MidLifeCards]

Certainly wasn't great top to bottom. Agree.

[@PoorMansInvesting]

Check out the flashlight trick for authenticating vintage. Pretty reliable, old cardboard was thicker.

[@MidLifeCards]

Interesting. I haven't used that one before, but makes sense!!

[@A.K.1978]

I love SGC.Also their black back. I think they are better on the vintage. Are you doing another what Not show? I like that Eddie 7. I think it should of been at least an 8.

[@MidLifeCards]

I've been wanting to do Whatnot again. I need to schedule something. When I do, I'll make an announcement.

[@aaronnoraa2055]

I think what I’ve learned from grading is only get cards graded that you like. I am not a reseller and getting cards back you think could be 10 and they are not and you also don’t really like the card are cards I don’t grade anymore. Also have a little better eye on centering some of the cards you said were well centered were pretty far off and the back of the card counts.

[@MidLifeCards]

Well said. Agreed.

[@matthewamweg5833]

Did they not come back in a sleeve? Mine had slab sleeves on them already

[@MidLifeCards]

No sleeves on mine. Maybe they've started doing that more recently?

[@marcthesilvershark]

Nice cards! Love the Jerry West but I do live in West Virginia 😜

[@MidLifeCards]

Jerry West is a legend.

[@jerrelbean]

How much for the Julius Erving auto card?

[@MidLifeCards]

I have it listed on ebay right now. But, if you're interested, send me an email.

[@cmanglover]

I'll never understand getting most autos graded.

[@MidLifeCards]

Dual grades with SGC is free. So, why not?

[@cmanglover]

@MidLifeCards I just think autos sell well as is ungraded. Why take the chance of getting a lower grade than anticipated on the card and auto?

[@bobo44donemilking51]

I think you got the grades you should have

[@MidLifeCards]

Yeah. I pretty much agree. Was hoping for better, but they were fair.

[@bobo44donemilking51]

Psa is just so incosistant ive found sgc is very concistaint ,about one grade higher on vintage has been my experience

[@MidLifeCards]

Agreed.

[@barryr8275]

Thanks for showing your SGC Graded cards to us - I really liked the Willie Mays card, the colors are beautiful, And about getting your cards graded, that's a personel choice. And, the grades seemed very fair. I'm doing much better on WhatNot thanks to your advice. I'm noticing that on WhatNot the prices on really nice Vintage cards are going up really high. What's your advice on when to go onto to Whatnot and do you have any sellers that you may recomend to me? Have a really good day. Barry

[@MidLifeCards]

I haven't done a whatnot sale in a while, and I have been thinking about doing one soon. I had a lot of fun the last time I did it. Maybe I'll do a quick refresher on some of my whatnot stuff before holding my next sale.

[@carlnhalljr]

You showed SGC slaps with auto grades. I thought SGC did not grade autos????

[@MidLifeCards]

They grade factory autos only. They don't authentic autos.

[@EverydayCardCollector-Jason]

My opinion on should you get cards graded is skewed. I grade cards that I want in cases and protected. I know I fall in the minority, but if someone asks me what cards should I grade, my answer is grade whatever card you want if it makes you happy.

[@MidLifeCards]

I think that's really great advice, actually!!

[@threeg6966]

Grading is risky. There is no real rhyme or reason to it. It is a gamble every time. This seems to be the concensus too. Grading can be very costly too.

[@MidLifeCards]

No doubt that it can be risky. But, it can always turn out to be very beneficial at times.

[@TheGodfather1955]

Why get cards graded? Everyone has a reason that is different to them. I personally only grade my higher end vintage so my family will have something to go by to look up what its worth in case something happens to me. It wouldn't be fair to leave them a collection worth thousands and they would have no idea what to do with it. Besides that, vintage looks amazing in those SGC slabs. (Especially the T-206's)

[@MidLifeCards]

Agreed....all the way around. Well said.

[@ShinobiXXXBDO]

dont wanna be that guy but your eyes might be fooling you some of those cards were way OC and you said centering was great... PSA is major on centering and SGC is fairly critical of centering on the backs as well as eye appeal... BUt when it comes to vintage really isnt a better company then SGC... Also not sure if your aware but the ppl that own PSA bought SGC so both are now under the same entitiy

[@MidLifeCards]

Appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

[@markstein1916]

I would NEVER have graded those. Crappy grades and a waste of money, IMO. All of them would be better off raw. Let the owner decide the grades. Sorry you got hosed, but well done video, nonetheless.

[@MidLifeCards]

LOL. Well, I appreciate the feedback. I think the grades were mostly fair, but maybe a tad harsh. Oh well. Live and learn.

[@RL3sports]

To tell the truth. I get tired of hearing" I dont know how this got a _____." Fill in the blank. I hate grading

[@MidLifeCards]

LOL. Yeah. I think if we were all looking at cards under heavy magnification, we'd probably see a lot more flaws.

[@jude999]

Just cannot get beyong the bulkiness of their slabs and the crappy looking labels. I do love their black backs and great service. I only do them for T206. That Mays is the Fire, a 5 in the real world. That 1.5 on the Feller must have been reviewed by three blind mice. Frankly, its an outrage they grade on a 1-5 scale, rather than a 1-10. I am not sure on the basketball cards, I don't follow modern stuff and auto cards; I think all modern cards are ugly, and that autos on cards ruin the cards, so I would not have gotten them graded..

[@MidLifeCards]

I get that. I love that we have multiple options for the reasons you mention. That way we have a menu.

[@rayman46]

I would have had them graded .

[@MidLifeCards]

Yeah...a lot of people love ungraded cards. It's hard to decide at times.