This is true in general but even more so in Pokemon. Why? Because:
PSA is the standard for Pokemon, BGS is secondary
PSA 10s sell for much more than BGS 9.5s
BGS 9.5s sell for more than PSA 9s
Because of these facts, people try to get their mint cards graded as PSA 10s first.
If the card fails to get a PSA 10 they may try to convert it to a BGS 9.5.
So I would guess that an extremely high % of the BGS 9.5s in this hobby were originally PSA 9s that were turned into BGS 9.5s in order to turn extra profit.
On the other hand, I would guess that almost no BGS 9.5s were originally PSA 10s (outside of perhaps a handful of people attempts at turning PSA 10s into BGS 10s).
Only some cards perform better as BGS 9.5 than PSA 9. Very few people are paying more for BGS 9.5 and in most cases it’s not by much, and not worth the effort. Trust me I’ve tested this market a lot. The only card I even consider grading with BGS are 1st ed base charizards.
The gap between BGS 9.5 and PSA 9 prices is obviously far smaller than the gap between PSA 10 and BGS 9.5 prices, but going by sold listings it always seemed to me that BGS 9.5s would sell for more than PSA 9s, at least historically. But PSA 9s are undoubtedly far more liquid, the market for people collecting PSA in Pokemon is just so much larger than the market for BGS.
For high value WOTC cards they are absolutely selling for a significantly higher amount than 9s. But as @hyruleguardian said above, the difference between 9.5s and 10s is certainly larger. Im sure it varies by card & set as well though. I’d say it’s worth it for any high value WOTC card for sure
Case in point, a 1st Edition Neo Gen Steelix BGS 9.5 sold on auction in Australia for 275 AUD 2 days ago. I have had my PSA 9 version up for sale in Australia at 199 AUD for about 2 weeks and haven’t even received an offer.
Watch out for a 10K-11K 1st edition shadowless PSA 9 Charizard sale in the coming days. Most likely this week. A new PSA 9 Charizard record is about to be born and it will not be mines.
The guy who wants to buy my one keeps messaging me about how badly he wants my one but says he will take the next one if I don’t accept his offer for $9850.
Watch out! Indeed.
How about we just focus on completed sales prices, instead of murmorings of intentions to purchase at X, which we have no way to verify, and from someone biased towards expanding prices by inciting FOMO.
Just do what the majority of us in the same boat do, sit tight, lay back and let the market sort itself out. If you don’t have any intention to sell then don’t field offers to treat as sound, as you can’t know whether someone will follow through with an offer until you have the money in your possession.
May the pokemon gods have mercy on my soul, I swear.
I’m so conflicted right now. I’m actually helping others to sell by rejecting his offers like 3rd time now but this dude keeps making it so tempting. From $9500, to $9850, to now a wooping $11,100.
One positive is if it’s a public eBay sale people would see a new price point and would help other people with this card. I always encourage not selling but I understand your dilemma
Why are you gun shy on selling? Have a look at the chart of past Psa 9 1st Ed Charizard sales - you have buyer full of FOMO and a price higher than any before. After big spikes it retraces so you’ll more than likely get another chance to get another.
Really Gary? Really looked up to you. You were the one who hyped Pokemon to the max. Anyways I’ve sent an offer for 12K. I hope he rejects so he can make the decision for me. Thanks everyone for your input.
New offer $11,450. Going to pull the trigger and accept it. I heard on blowoutcards forum ebay is offering 6% or 8% fees for select sellers. Cosrob made a great point and showing me charts and examples that it’s a great offer. I’m going to message them in the morning and see if they can change my fees before I accept. Well everyone you can thank me for increasing the Charizard value. Your welcome your welcome lmao.
