Baseball Card Shows

Getting your most valuable cards graded can be an effective way to maximize the value of your collection. While dealers and fellow collectors at a baseball card show can carefully examine your cards and assess their condition, selling your cards via online auctions (such as eBay) can present a much greater challenge. Look at it from a buyer's point of view. If you list your card on eBay as being in EX+ condition, how can your buyer trust that the card is truly EX+? The only way your buyer can be 100% sure that you are both speaking the same language is if your card has been graded by a reputable grading service.

Grading services such as Beckett Grading Services (BGS), Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGA), and Global Authentication Incorporated (GAI) are all well-respected companies that allow collectors to speak a common language when buying and selling high-value sports cards and memorabilia.

Getting your cards graded is actually quite easy. Many of the larger baseball card shows will have a table set up sponsored by one of these major grading services. In order to get you cards graded, simply fill out the required forms and leave your card with the representative. They will grade your card and ship it back to you quickly.

There are numerous benefits to getting your cards graded. Not only does it allow you to get the most for your collectibles when selling, but most renters and homeowners insurance policies will not include your most valuable cards in your policy unless you set up a separate rider to include these cards. This rider must have certified appraised values, which would require these cards to be graded.

Keep an eye open for grading services when visiting your next baseball card show and learn more about the benefits of using such a service.