Slam Dunk Investments: The Surprising Value of Graded Basketball Cards

Do you have a bunch of old basketball cards lying around that you’re not sure what to do with? Well, one option is to get them graded! Grading can provide you with an accurate assessment of your cards’ condition and value.

There are a few different companies that offer grading services, so it’s important to do your research to find the one that’s right for you. Once you’ve decided on a company, simply send in your cards and wait for the results.

Why Get Your Basketball Cards Graded?

One of the most common questions we get here at PSA is, “Why should I get my cards graded?” It’s a great question, and one that deserves a thoughtful answer.

There are really two primary benefits of having your cards graded:

1) To ensure that your cards are authentic and correctly identified, and
2) To find out the value of your cards.

Of these two benefits, the first is probably the most important. In recent years, there has been an explosion in the number of counterfeit and fake cards being offered for sale, often at very high prices. Getting your cards graded by PSA will give you the peace of mind of knowing that you’re not buying a fake card.

The second benefit – learning the value of your cards – is also significant. In order to make money from selling your cards, you need to know what they’re worth. Even if you’re not looking to sell your cards right away, it’s still helpful to know their value in case you need to raise some quick cash at some point down the road. A card that is graded as “Mint 9” is worth significantly more than one that is ungraded or graded as “Good 2.”

So those are really the two main reasons why people choose to get their basketball cards graded: authenticity and value.

The Benefits of Getting Your Basketball Cards Graded.

Many people don’t realize the benefits of getting their basketball cards graded. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider it.

Grading protects your cards from further damage. Once your cards are sealed in a hard plastic case, they will be well protected from the elements and any potential damage that could occur.

Graded cards maintain their value better than ungraded cards. If you ever decide to sell your collection, you will be able to get a higher price for graded cards than ungraded ones.

Graded cards are more aesthetically pleasing. If you are a collector, you will want your collection to look as nice as possible. Graded cards add a touch of class and sophistication to any display.

Getting your basketball cards graded is a wise decision for any collector. It will protect your investment, ensure that your collection maintains its value, and make it look more attractive.

The Process of Getting Your Basketball Cards Graded.

There are a few companies that grade basketball cards, the most common being PSA and Beckett. To get your cards graded, you will need to send them in to the company, along with a submission form and fee. The turn-around time for grading is usually 4-6 weeks.

Your cards will be evaluated on a number of factors, including condition, centering, corners, edges, and surface. Once they have been graded, you will receive a report indicating the grade of each card, as well as an overall grade for your submission. Cards that receive a grade of 8 or higher are considered to be in mint condition, and are very valuable.

If you are looking to sell your basketball cards, it is important to get them graded first. This will ensure that you get the best price possible for your collection.

The Different Types of Basketball Card Grading Companies.

Basketball card grading companies are organizations that will judge the condition of your cards and assign them a numeric value based on that condition. The three main basketball card grading companies are Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), Sporting Goods Authentication (SGA), and Beckett Grading Services (BGS). Each company uses a different system to grade cards, so it is important to know the difference before you submit your cards to be graded.

Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) is the largest and most well-known basketball card grading company. They use a 10-point scale to grade cards, with 10 being mint condition and 1 being poor condition. PSA also uses plus and minus symbols to further refine the condition of a card, for example, a PSA 9 card could be graded as a 9-, 9, or 9+. submission fee for PSA is $10 per card for standard service and $50 per card for express service.

Sporting Goods Authentication (SGA) is a less well-known basketball card grading company that uses a 6-point scale to grade cards, with 6 being mint condition and 1 being poor condition. SGA does not use plus or minus symbols. The submission fee for SGA is $6 per card.

Beckett Grading Services (BGS) is another less well-known basketball card grading company that uses a 10-point scale similar to PSA’s, but they also use plus and minus symbols as well as half grades, so a BGS 9.5 card would be considered slightly better than a BGS 9 but not as good as a BGS 10. The submission fee for BGS is $10 percard.

When deciding which company to use, it is important to consider the cost of submission as well as the value of your cards. If you have rare or valuable cards, it may be worth the extra cost to submit them to PSA or BGS because their higher grades will command higher prices from collectors. If you have common or less valuable cards, SGA may be a better option because their lower grades will not devalue your cards as much.

How to Choose the Right Basketball Card Grading Company.

When you are looking to get your basketball cards graded, it is important to choose a company that is reputable and has a good track record. Here are some things to look for when choosing a basketball card grading company:

1. Make sure the company is accredited.
2. Check to see how long the company has been in business.
3. See if the company offers a money-back guarantee.
4. Find out what kind of customer service the company offers.
5. See if the company has any negative reviews or complaints against it.

The Cost of Getting Your Basketball Cards Graded.

The cost of getting your basketball cards graded can vary depending on the company you use and the number of cards you have. Typically, it will cost around $10-$20 per card, plus the cost of shipping. Some companies may offer bulk discounts if you have a large number of cards to be graded.

The Turnaround Time for Getting Your Basketball Cards Graded.

Most grading companies will take approximately 6-8 weeks to grade your cards and return them back to you. There are a handful of companies that offer an expedited service for an additional fee. For example, PSA offers a 5-day expedited service for an additional $100 per order. Once your cards have been graded, you will receive them back in a hard plastic case with the corresponding grade on the label.

FAQ’s About Getting Your Basketball Cards Graded.

What is card grading?

Card grading is the process of assessing the condition of a trading card and assigning it a numerical score on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being mint condition. Grading is performed by professional services such as PSA, Beckett, and JSA, and can add significantly to the value of a card, especially if it receives a high grade.

Why get your cards graded?

There are several reasons why you might want to get your cards graded. If you’re a collector, you may want to have your cards graded in order to increase their value. Or, if you’re looking to sell your collection, many buyers will only be interested in purchasing cards that have been professionally graded. In addition, getting your cards graded can provide peace of mind by ensuring that they are well-protected from damage.

How much does it cost to get your cards graded?

The cost of card grading varies depending on the service you use and the number of cards you’re sending in for assessment. However, you can expect to pay around $10-$20 per card.

What factors affect the grade of a card?

There are a number of factors that affect the grade of a card, including its centering, corners, edges, print quality, and surface wear. The condition of the front and back of the card are also assessed separately.