I admit I know nothing...please help a new grader!

[notoriousrmb]

I'm looking to send in some cards to be graded, mostly modern prospect cards (Bowman, Elite, etc). I have never done this before in my life, so I beg advice from the experts! I've been thinking about this for a while, so I have a few questions I've put together in hopes of gaining enough confidence to do this right the first time.

#1. Which grader for modern cards? I've heard arguments for both BGS and PSA and if I've been listening correctly, PSA submittals tend to be more for vintage cards (please correct me if I'm wrong). Or is this all more of a personal preference?

#2. How do I pack the cards? Again, I've done some research and it appears a penny sleeve with a card saver soft sleeve seems to be the best way. Then what? Do I tape the whole thing up in cardboard? If I have 20 cards do I wrap them in one big package? Any tips would be appreciated!

#3. Obviously the 4 key things to look at before submitting are corners, surface, centering and edges. I've used a 10x magnifier to hand pick a few cards, but always see a common condition with most chrome cards. There appear to be "hairs" of cardboard sticking up from the edges of the card. Is this a major flag? I have yet to come across a card that does not have this. I can tell the difference between a good and bad corner, but the edges really stump me.

#4. What is the best way to submit to get the best deal? Are there coupons out there for discounted gradings? Time is not really a huge issue for me, so I don't need 3 day turnarounds. Do I wait for sales and specials, and where would these be announced?

#5. Final question and I appreciate you sticking with an uber-noob this far! What is the best way to send the cards in? I assume insurance and DC are necessary? Do I use a box or a bubble mailer? UPS or USPS?

Thank you in advance for all your help, this is my first shot at any of this and hope to avoid any major screw ups up front!

 

[jeff550]

I'm looking to send in some cards to be graded, mostly modern prospect cards (Bowman, Elite, etc). I have never done this before in my life, so I beg advice from the experts! I've been thinking about this for a while, so I have a few questions I've put together in hopes of gaining enough confidence to do this right the first time.

#1. Which grader for modern cards? I've heard arguments for both BGS and PSA and if I've been listening correctly, PSA submittals tend to be more for vintage cards (please correct me if I'm wrong). Or is this all more of a personal preference?

#2. How do I pack the cards? Again, I've done some research and it appears a penny sleeve with a card saver soft sleeve seems to be the best way. Then what? Do I tape the whole thing up in cardboard? If I have 20 cards do I wrap them in one big package? Any tips would be appreciated!

#3. Obviously the 4 key things to look at before submitting are corners, surface, centering and edges. I've used a 10x magnifier to hand pick a few cards, but always see a common condition with most chrome cards. There appear to be "hairs" of cardboard sticking up from the edges of the card. Is this a major flag? I have yet to come across a card that does not have this. I can tell the difference between a good and bad corner, but the edges really stump me.

#4. What is the best way to submit to get the best deal? Are there coupons out there for discounted gradings? Time is not really a huge issue for me, so I don't need 3 day turnarounds. Do I wait for sales and specials, and where would these be announced?

#5. Final question and I appreciate you sticking with an uber-noob this far! What is the best way to send the cards in? I assume insurance and DC are necessary? Do I use a box or a bubble mailer? UPS or USPS?

Thank you in advance for all your help, this is my first shot at any of this and hope to avoid any major screw ups up front!

1 it is a personal preference but psa tends to be for post war vintage sgc for pre war vintage and bgs for modern cards. bgs has the best slab but they dont have a registry. psa you have to pay money to join there club

2. you are right about packing you can put up to 20 cards in one pack of cardboard.

3. sorry dont know about that but those are the four manly look at sections of the card

4. the best deal would be through the bulk submission through our forum if you want to use bgs

5. use insurance and dc in a box because cards can get bent in a bubble mailer and it dosent matter usps or ups

hope i helped

 

[hofautos]

generally bgs for modern, but you may want to consider PSA for the super high end stuff.
BGS stuff rarely makes it to auction houses, and the PSA buyers on the super high end stuff will generally pay more than BGS (e.g. PSA 10 2001 pujols chrome auto will sell for more than bgs 9.5 of same card). I would say PSA for any key classic/investor class card. Wright's key card, Pujols, ichiro, etc...

nothing to add to OP's response on other items.