Have a PSA 10 Moonbreon I graded myself that looked perfect under microscope. Zero experience with cross-grading; worth the Black Label lottery? And if so, should I crack, cross-grade, or go through a middleman? Prices on them have been going crazy lately and I think this one has a shot (famous last words I know).
1 Like
You are literally just gambling for it, as most Black Labels are a dice roll. Remember the more hands your card goes through the more likely it is that it picks up some damage along the way.
If you think it’s worth spending hundreds of dollars to go for the label than go for it, but if you want to make money you could surely do safer things to get equal amounts of gains.
8 Likes
Really just want a 10b moonbreon for myself, but I don’t think the gamble is actually all that bad. The population report ratio of BGS Pristine 10’s to Black Label 10’s is 5:1. BGS 10p’s sell for $1900, 10b’s go for ~$8000. Therefore expected value for a cross-grade is
$8000/5 + 4($1900)/5 - $125 grading cost = $3120 EV. Even if we include a 9.5 in these calculations we are basically breaking even.
Every time you crack and submit, you risk your card getting lost in the mail there or back, and you risk damage occurring during grading or encapsulation. You waste money and time having to crack and resubmit each time as well.
The odds displayed on the pop report will not reflect your specific odds with your specific copy.
That said, don’t let us stop you. If you want to try it out, go for it. Just let us know the results!
10 Likes
Would you be submitting this with a grade minimum? 60% of graded moonbreons got 9.5s…4% for black label. 9.5s only get $1200. I guarantee most of those 9.5 would be mostly indistinguishable from the black labels even under magnification. Lots of risk here for a 4% chance at reward especially if you wouldn’t be selling the black label afterwards anyways
2 Likes
The minimum grade you can sub a PSA card to BGS is is 9.5 so there is a risk they will crack it to a 9.5.
BUT
You can get the card reviewed in the PSA slab at an event where BGS is doing graded card reviews (GCR), WITHOUT a risk of them cracking it. Not sure the price but it’s like 30-100$ tops.
It is 100% worth the shot with no risk to you if you sub GCR at an event.
Most people in this forum hate BGS and will tell you not to do it (they told me not to do it too) but I’ve had many grade and value bumps.
Do they do reviews and give 10? Or is it min 9,5 there also?
They do
Yes, there are some folks who hate BGS on here, but I think the vast majority of e4 users are ambivalent (i.e., they have neutral or mixed feelings) or they use BGS’s services selectively (e.g., hunting Black Labels or Pristine 10s of their favorite chase card).
I’ve met folks like you who mostly collect BGS graded cards, but they are more concentrated in the modern sector of the hobby in my experience. You’re a bit of an outlier in that you prefer BGS for vintage Pokemon, and there’s nothing wrong with that at all.
Everyone should collect what they like, and should use the company that best fits them. If OP wants to transition to BGS for the chance at Black Labels, they should absolutely do that as long as they fully understand the potential costs and benefits of doing so.
7 Likes