KSA grading standards vs PSA/BGS?

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Zetterchuk

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Hey guys,

In a trade I am being offered a 54/55 Topps Terry Sawchuk that's graded KSA 7.5. I don't have a lot of experience in the graded market, but behind BGD/BVG and PSA, I would say that I've seen more cards from KSA on the 'bay over the years than any of the other lesser-known companies.

So my question is...knowing that grading companies have varying standards, what do you think that this KSA 7.5 would grade if it were sent in to either PSA or BGS?

Thanks for any input,
Joshua
 
First KSA is only lesser known because they are a Canadian company, they are well known in Canada.. Second they are quite reputable with their grading standards. Third you can probably count on the card cross grading at about par with PSA and maybe a half point below BGS.
 
My experience with KSA on the vintage stuff is not so encouraging. The few I've crossed over to BGS over the years have been 1-2 points lower (usually closer to 2) and PSA has usually been a full point less.

Darren
 
Joshua, Great question. First off I will say that KSA is for sure a legit company. I have never heard of a vintage KSA card being crossed over and coming up as altered or bogus. That said, you "should" be safe trading for the card. As far as the Grade itself, it's a crap shoot. I grade all of my Vintage BVG. I prefer their slabs over the PSA slabs. BVG can be pretty picky with the grades though and sometimes can come back a full pt. less than a PSA. That said, I would look at a KSA 7.5 as at least a BVG 5/6 and or a PSA 5/6 and pay or trade accordingly. Hope this helps. Also, '54 Topps is my Favorite set of ALL-TIME.:beer: Mike
 
dahabsfan said:
My experience with KSA on the vintage stuff is not so encouraging. The few I've crossed over to BGS over the years have been 1-2 points lower (usually closer to 2) and PSA has usually been a full point less.

Darren
Click to expand...

Same experience as Darren. I've always received close to 2 points lower when crossing over KSA to BVG/BGS.
 
You should pm offsidesportscards as ROB uses them quite often for his vintage. He is very high on them.

I was taught if you have nothing good to say about someone - don't say anything at all. I therefore have no comment.
 
Hey folks,

Thanks a bunch for all of the input! :)

I had my suspicions when he made the offer, and after speaking with the potential trade partner this morning, it was confirmed...the card that he was trying to pick up was on ebay, and was purchased overnight by someone else with a higher offer :cool:...

http://cgi.ebay.com/1954-55-TOPPS-5...s=65:13|66:2|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

...he is now offering to go after the PSA 7 copy of this card that's currently in an ebay store...but I don't know...I'm still debating if I want to jump into the world of vintage, especially at the cost of a 1/1 from my collection that he is wanting in return (which is another dilemma altogether).

Stadium Sports said:
You should pm offsidesportscards as ROB uses them quite often for his vintage. He is very high on them.

I was taught if you have nothing good to say about someone - don't say anything at all. I therefore have no comment.
Click to expand...

And people at work wonder why I'm so quiet :rolleyes:...
 
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All I know is I have seen a few KSA graded cards and thought they were graded by a blind guy hahah. Maybe they have new ownership now?
 
Dosent `Tradingmart` , Martin from St-Jerome works there ?

I know i saw him behind the KSA booth at the Montreal show

A grader selling his own `graded cards`, i would stay far.
 
dahabsfan said:
My experience with KSA on the vintage stuff is not so encouraging. The few I've crossed over to BGS over the years have been 1-2 points lower (usually closer to 2) and PSA has usually been a full point less.

Darren
Click to expand...

I think this is probably a reasonable expectation.
 
Maybe the card you speak of did not sell after all. The winning bidder has 0 feedback and is now no longer a registered user. Good luck with the vintage collection. I would agree that KSA is pretty reliable as well, but would likely grade at least one full point lower than PSA/BVG.
 
terry1hockeyfan said:
Maybe the card you speak of did not sell after all. The winning bidder has 0 feedback and is now no longer a registered user. Good luck with the vintage collection. I would agree that KSA is pretty reliable as well, but would likely grade at least one full point lower than PSA/BVG.
Click to expand...
Agreed. I think KSA is legit too, a step below PSA and BGS, but far above the shaddy grading companies. The problem is that often times, collectors view them with skeptical lenses and won't want them at all. I've seen instances where guys would rather have the ungraded version than the KSA graded version (and this is from guys who like graded stuff). Some bargains can be had for cards in KSA holders on the bay as well. Many collectors will just avoid them all together. Snagging some of the good rookies in those holders can turn out for your benefit. Even if they cross-over slightly less with BGS or PSA, you will still, in many cases have yourself a deal.
 
KSA switched over ownership a couple of years ago. After the switch their grading has been much improved. A lot of the poor grading which lead to prices being the way they are was due to the old ownership. I can tell you I have seen cards that I thought would grade 7's come out 5.5-6's on multiple occasions since the switch over. That said in the older style slabs (look alot like PSA) I have seen cards with 8's that should have been 6's.
 

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