Getting valuable baseball cards professionally graded is an important process that verifies authenticity and assigns a numerical grade that indicates the card’s condition andquality. This greatly impacts the card’s overall value for collectors. There are several professional third-party grading services that are trusted within the hobby to provide an unbiased assessment. The top three that most collectors recommend are PSA, BGS (Beckett Grading Services), and SGC.
To find one of these services near your location, the best option is to search online for their authorized dealers and submission centers. PSA, BGS, and SGC each have directories on their websites listing authorized partners across the country that can accept cards for submission. Many local hobby shops, card stores, and memorabilia dealers serve as submission centers as it’s a service they can provide to customers. Simply search for “[grading company] submission center near me” or contact your local card shops to ask if they partner with any of the main services.
Another option some collectors prefer is to directly mail cards to the grading companies themselves to skip the middleman. PSA, BGS, and SGC all accept mail-in submissions. Going through a local dealer can make the process more convenient as you don’t have to handle the shipping logistics yourself. It also allows you to inspect the cards in-person before submitting rather than having to rely on photos for any potential flaws.
Some large hobby shop chains that commonly serve as submission centers for multiple grading services include Dave & Adam’s Card World, Steel City Collectibles, Monumental Sports, Lelands, Blowout Cards, Stadium Cards & Collectibles, Card Collector Universe, and Mile High Cards & Comics. While the selection may vary by location, many of these national retailers have knowledgeable staff that can guide you through the submission process for PSA, BGS, or SGC.
Beyond nationwide chains, thorough online searches for “[your city/state] sports cards” or “[your city/state] card shop” will uncover many independently-owned local stores that may also offer grading submission services. Calling around to these smaller mom-and-pop shops is worthwhile as some work directly with one or more companies as an authorized dealer. Gathering information over the phone about their submission process and fees can help you decide.
For collectors living near major metro areas, another convenient option is to check if any of the grading services have a physical location within driving distance that accepts walk-in submissions. For example, PSA and BGS both have headquarters in California where you can visit in-person to submit cards. SGC’s physical office is located outside Chicago. While walk-ins tend to have higher costs, it eliminates shipping and allows you to get instant estimates on turnaround times.
With a bit of online research and local calling around, any collector should be able to easily identify grading submission options near their location. While services and availability may vary between rural vs. urban areas, the top grading companies all make it a priority to have local authorized partners nationwide to best serve collectors in their local communities. With some initial legwork, finding a reputable nearby dealer to handle your submissions should be straightforward.
