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Sunday Morning Soapbox: Beckett Collectors Club Grading (BCCG)
Bloggers and collectors have been offering their opinions on card grading services for years. Some collectors love graded cards. Others hate them. And then there are collectors like me, who are caught in the middle.
But today's post isn't about whether or not you collect graded cards. Today, I'm venting my frustrations on BCCG graded cards.
For those of you who aren't familiar with Beckett Collector's Club Grading, they were created to give collectors a more affordable option to their regular grading services in exchange for a simplified 10 point grading scale.
Unfortunately, I think BCCG does more harm than good.
How many times have you seen people mistake their BCCG 10 graded card as being perfect, because it's the highest grade they offer? What about the dealers who take advantage of this flaw?
Yesterday, I met a woman at the flea market who had just purchased a BCCG 10 graded Michael Jordan Air Time card for her husband's Father's Day present. She was so excited about the purchase that I didn't have the heart to tell her that the she paid way too much. Within the five minute conversation, she mentioned that the card was graded a 10 at least five times as she told me the story about how she got the vendor to sell her the card for half off the $50 asking price.
Now, I completely understand that it's the responsibility for buyers and collectors to do their homework. But there's no denying that BCCG's grading scale can be misleading to the novice collectors.
Here's a comparison of the simplified 10 point grading scale (used by BCCG) and the regular BGS service:
But today's post isn't about whether or not you collect graded cards. Today, I'm venting my frustrations on BCCG graded cards.
For those of you who aren't familiar with Beckett Collector's Club Grading, they were created to give collectors a more affordable option to their regular grading services in exchange for a simplified 10 point grading scale.
Unfortunately, I think BCCG does more harm than good.
How many times have you seen people mistake their BCCG 10 graded card as being perfect, because it's the highest grade they offer? What about the dealers who take advantage of this flaw?
Yesterday, I met a woman at the flea market who had just purchased a BCCG 10 graded Michael Jordan Air Time card for her husband's Father's Day present. She was so excited about the purchase that I didn't have the heart to tell her that the she paid way too much. Within the five minute conversation, she mentioned that the card was graded a 10 at least five times as she told me the story about how she got the vendor to sell her the card for half off the $50 asking price.
Now, I completely understand that it's the responsibility for buyers and collectors to do their homework. But there's no denying that BCCG's grading scale can be misleading to the novice collectors.
Here's a comparison of the simplified 10 point grading scale (used by BCCG) and the regular BGS service:
BCCG 10 Mint or Better = BGS 9 or Better
BCCG 9 Near Mint or Better = BGS 7 or Better
BCCG 8 Excellent or Better = BGS 5 or Better
BCCG 7 Very Good or Better = BGS 3 or Better
BCCG 6 Good or Better = BGS 2 or Better
BCCG 5 Poor or Better = BGS 1 or Better
BCCG 9 Near Mint or Better = BGS 7 or Better
BCCG 8 Excellent or Better = BGS 5 or Better
BCCG 7 Very Good or Better = BGS 3 or Better
BCCG 6 Good or Better = BGS 2 or Better
BCCG 5 Poor or Better = BGS 1 or Better
If I'm trying to sell a card that's in Very Good condition, which looks better to the novice? BCCG 7 or BGS 3?
Beckett... I know that it's a business and you guys have to make money. But hopefully you'll take a few moments to rethink this service, because I truly think it's flawed.
Which is why, I freed my awesome 1992 Donruss Elite Tony Gwynn from it's BCCG holder.
Thanks for taking the time to read my rant. But I'm curious...
What are your thoughts on Beckett's cheaper and simpler grading service?
Happy Sunday and sayonara!
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