Are you a sports card enthusiast looking to unlock the true value of your collection?
In this article, we will provide you with a beginner’s guide on how to get sports cards graded, including the steps you need to consider before submitting your card to grading companies, allowing you to enhance their authenticity, condition, and overall market value.
Key Takeaways
- Investing in cards that have good returns when sold or traded can be a wise choice.
- Conducting initial assessment of the card’s attributes, such as centering, corners, edges, and surface, to ensure it’s in good condition can save you time and money.
- When selecting a card grading company, research their reputation, expertise, and reviews. Accuracy, consistency, turnaround time, and cost are important factors to consider.
How to Get Sports Cards Graded in 5 Easy Steps
Step 1: Determine Your Purpose of Grading the Card
The first step is to determine the whys. Do you want to have your personal collections authenticated and protected, or do you want to increase the value of your card to reselling or trade in the foreseeable future?
Whatever your purpose is, it is always up to you. You can’t go wrong with either choice.
But if you’re talking about investment, it is always wise to put your money on cards that will give you good returns when you sell or trade them.
Step 2: Choose Which Card to Grade
In order to decide which card you are going to grade, the first thing you need to do is look up some references online and check the comps of the raw cards vs ersus graded cards. And then ask yourself, is it going to be worth it putting the investment of grading into it or not?
One good rule of thumb is if you can sell the graded card for 150% (or more) of what you’ve invested into it including the shipping and grading fee, you’re good to go.
If you’re going to invest in a certain player, especially on rookie cards, you need to think long term and check if it’s going to be worth it putting the money into it over time.
Pro sports card investors often do some serious forecasting like researching the player’s potential, where that player is going to be in the future, etc. In this regard, it’s always best to go for parallel, short-printed, numbered, case-hit, and autograph cards of the hottest rookies and established veterans.
Step 3: Prepare Your Card for Grading
Once you have chosen the card you want to send for grading, it’s time to examine it. While there are services available that handle cleaning and submission to grading companies, conducting your initial assessment can save you time and money in achieving that gem-mint grade.
The key attributes to evaluate are the card’s centering, corners, edges, and surface. If you notice minimal to no issues in these areas, the card is likely in good condition.
If you want to increase the chances of getting a higher grade for your submission, you may consider sending your card to a reliable third-party service that will inspect, clean, and add protection to it before submission.
But if you want to inspect and clean it yourself, here’s a sports card grading kit you can buy online.
Step 4: Pick Your Grading Company
When selecting a sports card grading company, it is crucial to ensure their reputation and expertise in the grading field. Look for reviews online and seek advice from friends or experts who have previously had their sports cards graded by specific grading companies.
Another important factor to consider is accuracy and consistency. The grading should be accurate, consistent, and unbiased for all items being graded. This ensures fairness and transparency throughout the process.
You should also consider the turnaround time. If you need them fast, find a service that can give them to you in the time you want.
Another important aspect is grading cost. Most grading companies price their services from around $15 to $600 or more depending on the estimated turnaround time and declared value of the card.
Take note that different grading companies demand a higher rate for more expensive cards while those that are low-valued cards are generally more affordable.
If the pricing and turnaround time works for you, you’re good to go to send it to the card grading company of your choice.
Related Article: Best Card Grading Companies
Step 5: The Waiting Game
The anticipation builds as you eagerly await the return of your graded sports card. You find yourself constantly checking the tracking status, hoping for that long-awaited update.
Thoughts race through your mind: Will it receive the grade you hoped for? How will it compare to other cards in your collection?
The waiting game can be both thrilling and agonizing, but the moment when your card finally arrives, and you hold it in your hands, is an exhilarating experience like no other.
It’s a culmination of anticipation, satisfaction, and a newfound sense of pride as you witness the tangible proof of the value and quality of your cherished sports card.
FAQs
The cost of getting cards graded varies depending on factors such as the grading company and card type, card value, and turnaround time typically ranging from $15 to $100 or more per card.
Gem Mint refers to a flawless or perfect condition of a card, indicating that it is visually appealing and without any imperfections. It is commonly used by card grading companies when assigning ratings to serviced cards.
Wrapping Up
The process of getting your sports cards graded is an exciting journey that unlocks the true potential of your collection. We, at Last Pack Mojo, hope that this article has provided you with valuable insights and guidance on how to get sports cards graded.
But our journey together doesn’t end here!
Stay connected with us to dive deeper into the fascinating realm of sports card collecting. Be sure to explore our other blog posts and updates, where we delve into various topics relevant to the hobby.
Together, let’s continue to elevate the joy and fulfillment of this incredible hobby. Happy collecting!
