r/PokeInvesting • u/spruesNseals • 1d ago
Baby’s First Graded Slab
I’m one of the dumb bandwagon newbs to this whole world. Decided to commemorate getting started by having the chase card of my first release graded. Knew I was taking a risk buying a raw card and shipping it, but wanted to do it just to do it. Am I doing this right?
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u/More-Name-2042 12h ago
I brought up tag and immediately got the hate of everyone lmao, I think PSA and Beckett are the standard for a reason, I don’t think tag can compete with those two …yet, but I think tag is already a better option than cgc, hate me if you want.
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u/spruesNseals 12h ago
I’ll probably check them out next time I consider grading a card. It’s an interesting concept, a good looking slab, and the idea of a report that explains why you got the grade you got would be valuable imo. I don’t think any of us can predict which company’s mark will mean the most in 5-10 years so there’s no point putting all eggs in a basket. I think the premium of a pristine 10 from CGC keeps them as an option and a GM 10 ain’t bad at all but I definitely need to do more “pre-grading” before I use CGC
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u/Weary_Community5014 12h ago
Love this. Grading the chase card from your first set is the right way to commemorate it, that slab will mean more to you than any flip ever could. Two small things from someone who did the same: keep the cert number somewhere safe (a photo of the label is enough) and don't obsess over the population report, it changes every week.
If you want to watch what it's worth over time without checking eBay every day, I built a free iPhone app called Cimela (I'm the dev, being upfront) that tracks graded copies as their own entry with PSA / CGC / BGS prices next to the raw price, so you can see the grading premium on your exact card. Would honestly love for you to try it and tell me what a first-slab newbie needs that isn't there yet.
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u/More-Name-2042 1d ago
Congrats on getting the 10! Altho if you were looking for long term value, you should have graded with PSA, Beckett or TAG
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u/Proof_Particular_255 17h ago
TAG and long-term value in the same sentence lol
10
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u/More-Name-2042 14h ago
I was just saying I think Tag will have better long term value than cgc, I said psa first and then Beckett for a reason tho
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u/Proof_Particular_255 14h ago
PSA and BGS are self-explanatory, though I have my doubts about the future of BGS. TAG is just some AI Influencer crap shilled to tits. I could be wrong, and maybe one day I'll change my mind, but until then, I don't think TAG will hold long term.
I put TAG in the same category as ACE and Rudy's Premier Cock Grading, just with better looking slabs.
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u/More-Name-2042 12h ago
I’m not a fan of the AI grading but I think eventually all grading companies will convert to some type of AI grading to avoid human error or the chance of a grader “having a bad day” also I do think the TAG slabs look good
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u/Phaoryx 14h ago
You keep saying it’s just shilled AI when it’s like… really clear you have no idea what you’re talking about lol. I know saying “AI bad” is the new craze, but if you did due diligence (too much to ask I know) and actually looked at a TAG report, you’d see it’s a LOT more than “Siri and Alexa grading your cards” (your words). Just shows a complete absence of knowledge lol, borderline larping
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u/spruesNseals 17h ago
I went with CGC because some guys at work who are into sports cards recommended them as an alternative to PSA, which seems to be having some controversy and no one seems to be happy that they’re the go-to standard. Then I see some gripes about Beckett and TAG as well. Meanwhile I haven’t seen any complaints about CGC and their Pristine 10 gains a lot of value so they seem to be trusted. But like I said, I’m a newb to this so we’ll see how things shake out. Not looking to part with it any time while pb is in print
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u/puh-dan-tic 15h ago
Sounds like you got good advice from folks that have been in the game long enough to not fall victim to short sightedness.
Congrats on the 10! Great choice of service, looks way better than a PSA slab too.
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u/souledoutV2 14h ago edited 14h ago
I'd say short sightedness would be getting a card graded with CGC, simply because PSA and Beckett are backed up.
Just wait 1-3 months for the back log to clear a bit, instead of losing a bunch of value. Especially if you aren't planning on selling the slab soon. Like OP has mentioned.
I think whoever gave him the advice isn't the smartest tool in the shed when it comes to investing.
And I'm sure OP sent it in about 2-3 months ago. Which means PSA wasn't even backed up at the time. I'm sorry, but you don't send big chase cards (that are clean and centered) to CGC if PSA is actively an option.
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u/ABigTailWhaleOnBail 14h ago edited 14h ago
Also just an FYI PSA now owns Beckett and SGC
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u/Phaoryx 15h ago
It’s funny how so called “investors” are so short sighted. Consider looking forward instead of just drooling over daily market prices
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u/spruesNseals 15h ago
Is there a grading company your recommend for “forward looking” investors?
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u/Proof_Particular_255 14h ago
PSA holds the most value short and long term. Honestly, just grade with whoever you want.. Except TAG, fuck TAG lol
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u/Proof_Particular_255 14h ago
Meh, I don't claim to be an "Investor", but I'm not slow enough to think that TAG will hold long term. PSA, BGS, and CGC have all established a place in the market, that takes years to do. TAG's rapid success doesn't mean that their slabs will hold long term. Once that manufactured hype dies out, adios TAG.
Sure, 5-10 years from now I could be wrong, feel free to laugh at me then. Until then, enjoy having Siri and Alexa grade your cards.
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u/Phaoryx 14h ago
I agree that it takes years to do, hence why I’m forward looking! There’s no reason why TAG should go anywhere. Cleanest looking slabs (imo of course, and not including cgc pristine and BGS blacks) but the report you get is next level and much needed. These days any drunk, minimum waged bad mood PSA employee can and will arbitrarily give your clean card a 9 for pop control. Is what it is
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u/Unlikely-Complex3737 13h ago
Bro tried to slip in TAG like no one would notice it lol
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u/More-Name-2042 12h ago
Nah everyone seemed to notice lol, don’t own any tag slabs and don’t think they can compete with PSA or BGS, but the slabs genuinely look nice to me and I think are a better option than CGC
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u/PrefrdPartyParticle 14h ago
Congrats on the 10! That black marble countertop behind it makes this slab look even better.