What if Beckett's top priority isn’t grading?

Recent news out of Beckett suggests that grading isn't the top priority at the company, which would be different than what the hobby has assumed.
IG: simon466cards
Disclaimer: This content expressed in this video is my opinion only, and is for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
#whodoyoucollect #thehobby #sportscards #beckett

[@CollectorsWorldFargo]

I think you're reading to much into this. I think this is great news for Beckett. You need this great talent for Authentication as this part isn't going to be replaced by machines any time soon. If we had heard that Steve Grad had left to go to say CGC, then I would be worried about Beckett.

[@simon466cards]

You might be the only person in the hobby who isn’t already worried about Beckett 🙂

[@CollectorsWorldFargo]

@simon466cards Don't get me wrong, it's a dumpster fire over there, but I think this sends a good message that their not throwing in the towel. And using the money wisely, I think there'll be more to come in the first half of 2025

[@35auburn]

With all of the other Beckett issues, certainly an interesting move to promote. maybe Beckett needed to do so, as companies were recruiting the authentication team?

[@simon466cards]

If that’s the case, it says a lot that nobody is trying to recruit the grading team…

[@35auburn]

​@simon466cards PSA is coming to town... Somewhat tied into grading numbers. I don't believe BAS (encapsulated autographed cards) are documented on Beckett's population report, like PSA does. With 2 million authentications referenced in that article. A simple (maybe not for Beckett) change in grading data, could produce a bump in Beckett's gemrate, grading totals.

[@35auburn]

​@simon466cards Remember, PSA is planning to open a Texas location. Might have an interest in the graders.

[@simon466cards]

I think you’re making the assumption that the BAS team mainly does cards. They do all sorts of memorabilia autograph authentication beyond cards.

[@35auburn]

@simon466cards not really, I fully understand cards are just a segment of BAS. I was commenting on your remark about the graders. PSA's move could impact both the existing graders but also the ability to find good talent to expand.

[@pennyhelpjes]

just goes to show, they dont care who grades the cards. no one knows who they are and they can fast track, like whoever to grade ... sad really

[@mookiechillson]

I think what this shows is that autograph authentication is the more specialized, difficult and valuable skill in the marketplace. Graders can be trained and retrained, hired and fired… autograph authenticators and their vast catalogue of exemplars just don’t grow on trees. The evidence for this is that SGC doesn’t even authenticate autographs, and CGC had to buy JSA to offer the service. Beckett (and every other grader for that matter) has some wiggle room on grading tolerance. Grading opinions have some small margin for error… autographs are pass fail. I don’t think this is a white flag on grading, I think it’s a statement about how valuable auto authentication is in the marketplace

[@simon466cards]

Right, and as a result, Beckett is prioritizing authentication because they have an actual competitive advantage in that area, which is not the case with grading. But many people in the hobby (myself included) would have thought their #1 priority would be to address grading.