Getting valuable baseball cards professionally graded is an important process for collectors. Grading provides an objective evaluation of a card’s condition, which helps determine its value. There are a few major third-party grading companies, and submitting cards to them for authentication and assigning a numeric grade was traditionally done by sending cards through the mail. Today collectors do have the option to get cards graded in person at major card shows and conventions instead. Here is an overview of why someone may want to choose getting cards graded in person rather than by mail, and what the process entails.
One of the biggest benefits of getting cards graded at a major card show is convenience and speed. While mailing cards to a company like PSA, BGS, or SGC can take weeks or months to get the cards back due to high volumes, getting it done in person allows you to submit the cards and receive the slabs immediately. This is ideal if you have higher value cards you want professionally protected as soon as possible, such as cards you intend to display at the show or sell immediately to dealers you have connections with. It can also bypass worries about damage or loss that may occur during shipping and handling through the mail.
At major conventions run by organizations like the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), grading is offered on-site through a dedicated booth or facility during the show dates. Submitters drop off their cards at the booth along with payment and submission forms detailing the desired services. Popular shows that offer this include the National Sports Collectors Convention, Cardboard Connection, and Blowout Cards. PSA, BGS, SGC, and other companies will have staff on hand to review submissions, determine numerical grades, and encapsulate the cards in protective slabs on the spot.
Turnaround times for in-person grading are much faster than mail-in services, which currently have wait periods of many months due to unprecedented demand during the pandemic. At live card shows, cards are usually graded within a day or two at most after being dropped off. This is because the bulk of submissions come from attendees looking to have their cards protected immediately rather than waiting until after the show concludes. Staff is also on-site solely dedicated to churning through submissions to meet quick timelines.
In terms of costs, getting cards graded in person often has comparable pricing structures to mailing submissions. PSA, BGS, and SGC all provide published pricing grids detailing fees based on the number of cards submitted, the desired turnaround speeds, and value-added services like autograph verification. While drop-off in person may cost slightly more than the cheapest bulk mail-in options, it is usually cheaper than priority mail or express services that promise faster return shipping times. Collectors can also save on postage costs.
At major shows, additional services are occasionally offered too. For instance, PSA offersPopupGrading eventswhich allow collectors to have on-site experts physically review cards for potential re-consideration of grades. Dealers also tend to be present who may be open to making immediate purchase offers on newly-slabbed vintage or modern star rookies now holding respected PSA or BGS grades. For collectors displaying their personal collections at company-run booths or forums, getting cards graded on-site fits better with exhibiting plans than waiting weeks for cards to return.
Some key tips for submitting cards to be graded in person include double checking all paperwork is properly filled out, clearly communicating required turnaround speeds, ensuring cards are properly packaged or may be rejected, and understanding any limits on total submission quantities that can be processed on-site per person each day. It also helps to check show websites in advance for scheduling updates on grading hours and booth locations to avoid lines. While cards can be dropped off or picked up at any point during shows, submitters need to allot time to process transactions and have staff physically handle reviewing cards if turnaround expectations are to be met.
Getting valuable baseball cards authenticated and graded in person at major card conventions has clear advantages over traditional mail-in services. For collectors needing quick slabbing of cards in time for display or sale at shows, or who want to interact directly with grading company experts, on-site submission is a highly viable option. Proper planning and understanding policies streamlines the process, allowing the collector experience of major collecting events to be dramatically enhanced through immediate protection of high-value pieces.
