That’s interesting they provide better uv protection as well. Is it the thickness of the case or likely better plastic material being used?
Hi fourth star, I am having high level poke collector conversation and you keep barging into my threads to ask me why I’m talking and how my opinions are useless. You must treat women in Pokémon community with respect. I’m not sure what you are reading as attacks because I ask for more explanation that bgs is indeed non waterproof. I did not suggest they are.
I’m curious why you’re so interested in water protection? 99,99% of all members here judge only by the grading consistency and the quality of the overall service when comparing BGS vs PSA.
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In case there is a leak/flooding, it is a valid concern that another person brought up. I don’t necessarily agree that the beckett slab claim is not waterproof and cards can get ruined so I stated my view and experience opening BGS. Others have also noted that beckett offers better protection so there is no argument.
I obviously don’t know how frequent and bad floods are where you live. But if there are valid concerns, I’d recommend you invest in a waterproof safe and store them reasonably high so they’ll still be above the water (maybe second floor?).
An argument could be made that PSA’s better grading quality, their financial guarantee and their status as market standard outweigh the possibly better water protection of a BGS case.
Plus no matter how waterproof your case is, the flood could still sweep your card right outta the window if you don’t store them safely 
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I think Beckett Cards are adequate from water, unless it flys out the window as you suggested could happen.
When you speak about PSA’s financial guarantee, they will reimburse water damaged cards with the monetary value? That’s amazing if it were true! I learned today that PSA cases are not waterproof, but if they reimburse for water damage, that would be helpful to replace the cards in the unlikely event that it occurs.
Nope, they guarantee that a card is graded according to their standards. If they made an obvious grading mistake (missing a crease etc.), they’ll pay you the difference between what you paid and what the card would actually be worth if graded correctly.
I looked over the financial guarantee via psacard website and found the following:
the Guarantee does not apply to any card that has been environmentally damaged due to improper storage or natural disasters, such as fire and flood;
They state it as if expecting people’s cards are damaged by floods. That’s pretty specific… If they sealed the card in a plastic sleeve like Beckett, it would protect against the card getting water damaged, ie. floods.
Since Beckett is the clear winner here, I don’t think this thread needs to continue, unless there is additional evidence that PSA is water resistant, or that the beckett soft sleeve sealed is not enough and ‘trivial’. I’m open to consider my answer is flawed.
Many forums/threads I’ve come across ignored the sealed penny sleeve/ultra deck style sleeve consideration, amazing.
So are you now going to exclusively submit to and collect BGS?
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I do like BGS cases, they are very sturdy!
However with proper storage and handling a card should not be damaged even if its just in a penny sleeve. At some point the extra protection becomes overkill, where does it stop?
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I put all my Gem Mint PSA and BGS slabs in a Pelican case.
The Pelican case is 100% water proof, shock resistant, and organizes cards wonderfully.
The Pelican case with proper desiccant would be your best storage option for your card collection to prevent moisture damage or accidental disturbance (earthquakes, floods, etc).
I think the 1200 series is ideal for most collectors.
The Pelican case is not fire resistant. I put all the Pelicans in a giant floor model gun safe that is fire rated.
BGS labs are sturdy and great. The high density plastic is nice, but it will chip! Be careful.
PSA slabs are also well made and store well.
Neither slabs on their own is good enough. All cards should be properly housed in a secondary/secure case/vault/safe/box.
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What he said
Yes, we can continue to discuss BGS vs PSA slab protection until becomes 12 pages, if it it must… be a very interesting and highly discussed topic.
@professoroakcali , The Beckett slabs seem better in that are denser, good point. I have not measured the thickness of the plastic that closes card, but it seems significantly more due to the weight difference. I would go further and say the plastic quality is different and am not sure which one is better, but others including yourself, have highlighted it’s brittle nature.
It could be more weight and more impact, or likely it’s the plastic used. I’m not a plastic manufacturer specialist so I can’t comment on what plastics either company used.
Are there any tight cases for PSA slabs or BGS slabs that add an extra layer of protection? I’m newer to the graded slabs so having another slab over the slab may be necessary, especially considering PSA’s non-waterproof and not as sturdy design. Different from Pelicans; something that can be showcased and avoid flooding, etc. Surely, some collectors, myself included prefer to showcase their PSA cards, rather then clump them once they’re graded and not to be seen or appreciated for years.
@muk , I would prefer my best cards to be stored in BGS, especially black label level cards. I use both. Beckett Seems to be a good cost effective option.
I see the allure to both companies butBeckett offers a more premium protection for your pokemon cards, whether you’re worried about floods or not…, for those that like minty cards. Beckett’s slabs I have noticed may be returned to customers with with sharp ends (requires a little sanding down the middle bottom area they snapped the plastic off from the others slab holder. not related to protection of card though, just a note).
Raising your cards off the ground or basement will do far more in a flood than the difference between psa and bgs. When you talk about flooding are you concerned about pipes / bathroom or act of God? If there is a natural disaster flood such as from a hurricane or tsunami they will get washed away so you may want a safe regardless of which plastic case you go with.
Not so fun fact… My high school had lockers in the basement and during hurricane sandy the building got flooded, all of basement and half of first floor. I actually had a pokemon deck in my locker along with gym clothes books etc and that was completely lost, forget water damage they probably ended up in the ocean. Since then I refuse to have cards on ground level. If you are that concerned I think an elevated water proof safe is your best bet.
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A concern is just as you mentioned, a pipe busting and not noticing for hours, until it has been hours. The moisture in the room can seepinto the protective graded case as well in a wet environment.
I think a beckett slab could survive that type of flooding, it’s just a card case with sealed card submerged in water. If graded card is submerged in water, you can recollect the slab, send it back to get reslabbed, but the card remains mint and water didn’t get to card, so it can maintain it’s resale value as water never touched the card. PSA will not reimburse or regrade if it has water damage.
That’s unfortunate your cards were lost by a flooding situation, it happens even if other e-four members suggest that flooding isn’t a concern and trivial. Not everyone lives in a 30th floor apartment building
I honestly couldn’t say. Both offer UV protection. I’m assuming it could very well be due to having a thicker case, but again the problem lies in very little thorough investigation.
Safer not to assume anything water wise. I have bgs cards I am happy are in a flood resistant container even if the slab may end up Protecting them.
As for apartment height that can surprisingly be a nightmare for flooding. Due to safety regulations your building may require sprinkler system in every apartment. Cards may not get washed into the ocean but you can live on the hundredth floor and still have your apt flood.
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I was really intrigued by this so I looked and found a 2011 sports thread that noted the response from the developers that the UV comes from the plastic they used. It’s not painted UV or anything.
@dblast, I dont think either PSA or BGS cases are practically “waterproof” . What I would suggest is to grade your cards in your choice of slab, then purchasing sleeves for slabs. I personally use “perfect fit innovations”. They cost abour $6 for 45 sleeves. They fit really well and are designed specifically for PSA or BGS.
Next, store your cards above the ground in a PELICAN STORM case. These are waterproof in a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. Between the slab, sleeve and case, your cards should be well protected.
Only other thing I can think of is to … vacuum seal the slabs! Hahaha. best of luck!
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Yes Jc. Vacuum seal is interesting idea. Thanks for your response and specific ‘pelican storm’ case suggestion. But, are pelicans waterproof longer then 30 minutes? That does not seem like much time.