Every time I log into E4 and there’s another thread with ~super funny~ CGC takes from people that have never utilized their services or HOT GOSSIP about Logan Paul, I log out and go to Instagram because it’s less toxic.
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Take a look at PCGS cases -similar to CGC coloration- and you’ll see that their label didn’t stop them from becoming a top contender in the coin grading realm. Go back and read the threads covering every little tweak PSA made to their cases over the years (PSA lighthouse, case dimensions, etc). Us collectors are so picky and sometimes miss what matters.
As long as CGC maintains integrity and service they’re going to become a larger player in the game and bring value. Value, service & integrity are #1. The label color is so insignificant!
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My latest submission was CGC and the majority, if not all, I plan on keeping. Mainly because I wanted my cards back in a month, instead of 6-8 months from now.
Data thus far suggests that CGC is as strict, if not more than PSA. Subgrades are a nice bonus too.
The only cards I care about being PSA is my 1st Edition Base collection, but that’s because I am going for a complete set in the PSA Set Registry. Aside from that, I don’t mind having a mix of PSA, CGC and BGS. At the end of the day, I’m looking for the cards, safely encased in plastic and labeled with a reliable condition. All three companies provide that.
Sometimes I buy Coca Cola, sometimes I buy Pepsi.
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Personally I prefer PSA and will continue doing business with them for the foreseeable future, so to answer the OP; No, I am not buying CGC.
I hope both companies succeed and, to be honest, think CGC is a more than welcome addition to a market in which the two major players (PSA and BGS) were already so overwhelmed that their operations were close to what customers would consider a grinding halt.
Despite their flaws, the existence of these companies benefits both the people who like CGC and the people who like PSA because we are still at a point at which demand outweighs supply so disproportionatelly that the failure of either company would add more strain to the other and we as a community would be at the losing end of that proposition.
I know ferocious tribal mentality is the ‘flavor du jour’ in other aspects of society like culture and politics, but in regards to this topic I truly think that we all stand to gain from having choice.
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Pretty sure if you mention consistency or quality of service In the same sentence as PSA you haven’t sent enough cards to have an opinion.
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Couldn’t have said it better myself
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Seriously. It’s a joke
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I only buy Luxury Grading cards for my collection, that way everything I own is confirmed mint.
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Whenever I read these threads I really have to wonder whether people collect pokemon cards or PSA cases. There are some pretty damn good deals out there on CGC cards at the moment and I couldn’t imagine giving them up because I don’t like the label.
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Only the best GMA grading for all of my replica trophy cards
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It’s not the case that I am opposed to. It is whether the market is accepting enough of the brand so that resale would be possibly if necessary.
Why would I buy a $1000+ card from a brand if the other serious collectors don’t feel confident in the brand to purchase?
Not pointed at you, but That was the purpose of my question, despite some of the salty responses from others wishing topics would never be brought up.
is it toxic if i say i don’t like the label?
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Lol. Apparently any discussion about CGC is toxic now. Don’t you know that !?
Also not a huge fan of the label.
It’s toxic when the questions being posed are just thinly veiled attacks on the company from people who haven’t used it (and I don’t necessarily mean you since you said why you want to keep all your slabs uniform)
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I don’t really get why it has to always be one vs the other. I’m currently using three grading companies.
PSA:
Preferred choice for mint cards that are slightly off-centered. BGS and CGC have stricter centering parameters than PSA. Value wise, if a card I am planning to sell will get a 9.5 due to 9 or 9.5 centering, but would be a PSA 10, I will send to PSA.
BGS:
Preferred choice for crossgrading strong PSA grades. I think BGS 9.5s are a great value right now. There is massive fluctuation in card condition within PSA 8 and 9 grades due to no subgrades and no 9.5. If I have a PSA card that is woefully misgraded it is easier to cross with BGS than to wait a very long time and pay an upcharge/high cost to review with PSA.
CGC:
Preferred choice for buying and collecting, I prefer binder cards in general but like the clear plastic and enjoy paying cheaper prices for same-or-better quality cards, especially if I am planning to crack for my binder anyway. Along with BGS, preferred choice if I don’t want to pay large amounts for service tier level due to max flat rate.
The high tier rates at PSA are a massive turn-off. If you find your old collection and it has a 1st Ed. Base Charizard, you’re looking at $500 to grade one card, and $1,000 if it gets a 7 or higher. If you’re not getting high enough offers due to not being PSA graded, you can always just crossgrade.
I’m running out of cards to submit, but if I can sort through enough to make a bulk order worthwhile, I will be sending to CGC, since I am not willing to wait a year or more.
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I have no intention of every buying a CGC slab unless it contains a card I’ve been looking for a long time. And then I’ll be sending it to PSA.
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Yep, I have bought a corrected illustrator WotC #21 Moltres in CGC-9.5 recently (I already have a BGS-9.5 and PSA-10 for the corrected illustrator Moltres).
I’m currently also looking for a CGC-10 (preferably Pristine quad-10, but that would be a bit too optimistic probably) error illustrator Moltres promo (I already have a BGS Black Label BGS-10 and PSA-10 for the error illustrator Moltres). Unfortunately Ludkins UK doesn’t grade with CGC yet, and I’m not sure when they will. 
I might try sending some directly to CGC, although the best quality raw Moltres I have in my possession were already send to PSA/BGS before, so I doubt many will have a chance at a CGC-10.
Greetz,
Quuador
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I know people bash on psa label being plain but to be honest I want a plain label. I want the focus on the card and the grade is there to tell me the condition and not act as the focal point. This is why I think the cgc label is just a little distracting for me to look at.
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Controversial opinion: CGC labels look good.
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I’m definitely open to buying CGC since I think it’s important to buy the card and not the grade. Mint cards are mint cards, the company it’s graded with shouldn’t affect that aspect of it. That being said, I’m still much more likely to pick up PSA cards rather than CGC (or BGS). I’m not a PSA purist or anything like that but I like just having one company’s slabs for the consistency aspect. If I’d started with BGS or CGC I’d still do the same and just try and have uniformity still. The CGC label isn’t a favourite of mine but I don’t think it’s the end of the world (PSA isn’t much better but it’s a touch less prominent which helps).
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