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Last Updated On: May 5th, 2024
It’s no secret that getting a card graded could potentially transform its value, sometimes even by thousands of dollars (if you don’t believe us, just compare the prices of a raw and graded Michael Jordan Fleer RC. We’ll wait). This magical transformation in value is one of the key reasons why card grading is so popular among collectors and enthusiasts. But if it’s such a no-brainer, why doesn’t everyone participate in grading?
There are plenty of reasons – time, pricing, those pesky shipping instructions from grading companies – why one might not be so quick to send a card in for grading. Unfortunately, it’s not quite as simple as tossing a card in a bubble mailer, stamping, and shipping.
To simplify this process, there are group grading submissions. These services act as a bridge between someone looking to get a card graded and the grading company itself. In this post, we’ll delve into the benefits and drawbacks of group submissions, what they entail, and how you can make an informed decision when choosing one.
Let’s get grading!
Table of Contents
Overview
If you have ever considered getting a card graded, then you’ve probably discovered very quickly that the process of submitting, grading, and returning can be a hassle or somewhat overwhelming the first few times. For starters, you have to choose the appropriate grading company for your needs. But assuming you have that part figured out, there are additional decisions you need to make.
Some companies like PSA want you to guess the approximate value of your card based on its perceived condition. From there, you’re picking a service level that is determined based on the value of your card and the speed of service desired. There are different rules for different grading companies. Then there are the shipping rules — putting the cards in the proper order, avoiding excessive tape, etc.
This is where bulk grading services come in handy. Let’s say you only have a few cards you want graded, but don’t have enough to meet PSA’s 20-card minimum for its cheapest submissions. Or what if you don’t want to pay for a company’s membership service (a la PSA’s Collector’s Club) to access those cheaper prices? Or what if you’re worried about incorrectly packing and shipping your cards?
Group submissions takes those concerns off the table. Here’s a simple definition of group submissions from our friends over at PSA:
Instead of submitting directly to PSA, which includes creating an account and purchasing a Collectors Club membership to unlock discounts and specials, certain collectors prefer to join group submissions.
Group submissions are run by PSA dealers who aggregate cards from multiple collectors into one submission.
Think of it like eBay consignment services. Getting your cards graded through a group sub-service is similar in that you’re having others help do the work — in this case to review, prep, pack, and ship to a grading company.
3 Advantages of Group Submissions
With a basic understanding of group submissions on the table, let’s discuss some reasons why you might go with this option to get your cardboard cased:
1. Experience
Group submission services utilize their vast experience to get your grading completed as quickly and professionally as possible.
As we’ve alluded to, grading cards takes time, energy, and, ideally, some experience. For first timers, the process can take some time adjusting to. For instance, here are just a few factors one might consider when getting a card graded:
- Most grading companies require putting cards in semi-rigid holders (or at least it’s their strong preference)
- Each company is a bit different when it comes to packing and shipping, but the rules are rigid (e.g. knowing how to combine multiple orders within one shipment, or where to tape submission stickers on the outer box when applicable)
- Choosing the right company (and avoiding others) based on the card you’re looking to grade — to get the most value, save money, achieve the highest grade based on different conditions such as card centering or surface issues, or even whether the company grades that type of card to begin with (e.g. 1986 Star Cards are not currently accepted for grading via PSA)
- Understanding risks to reholdering an already-graded slab (the grade could change if the slab is damaged across the card)
Ultimately, using group or bulk grading services is all about convenience. It’s the difference between trusting yourself on a home renovation project or going with an expert contractor.
2. Pre-Grade Reviews
Another advantage of group submissions is a process called pre-grade reviews. As the name suggests, some group submission services will actually pre-grade a card (for a small fee) before sending it off to an official grader.
In addition to weeding out cards that will grade poorly and therefore aren’t worth the price of the grade, pre-grade reviews give a collector a general idea of how their card might turn out after the formal grading process. The detail to which group submission services inspect a card varies. Some, like the PSA-recommended Got Baseball Cards undergo a simple pass/fail process, while others like Filth Bomb Breaks provide a more comprehensive inspection.
3. Better Deals
There’s no way around it: grading is expensive. Companies like PSA know full well that they’re selling a valuable product, and their pricing reflects as much. To access the cheapest level of PSA grading, for instance, one still needs to hit a 20 card minimum and subscribe to the site’s Collector’s Club (which starts at $149 per year).
Group submissions get around this issue by aggregating card submissions to graders. For instance, if I only have three cards to be graded, I could send them to a group submission service, who will cobble those three together with others to hit the grading company’s minimum threshold.
Let’s say you decide to submit your three cards through Got Baseball Cards. At $19/card (Value tier), you’re looking at $57 total (plus shipping). If you went through the same process directly with PSA, the cheapest option would be $24.99/card, coming out to nearly $75 before shipping.
Along with the convenience factor, the better deals is a major advantage to using a group submission service over submitting yourself.
Potential Pitfalls
While group submissions certainly have their benefits, there are drawbacks worth keeping in mind, as well. Like using any third party for virtually anything, the lack of control opens one up to risk. Such was the case in early 2022 when Group Submitter Marx Cards filed for bankruptcy without much warning to the patrons who relied on its services.
Marx was a PSA-approved Group Submitter, an indicator that even the trusted names of the most trusted brands can be susceptible to collapse.
And grading in and of itself isn’t a perfect process. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the damage, inaccurate grades, and awful customer service that have haunted grading companies for years.
This isn’t to scare anyone off of grading; by and large, the process runs smoothly. But when a company like PSA is grading over 40,000 cards each day, then there are bound to be hiccups.
Finding a Group Submission Service
So you’ve examined your options and decided group submissions are for you. But how do you select the right option? First, don’t forget common sense. Avoid cheap or unknown companies — if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Second, we suggest going with a group submission service recommended by PSA, SGC, and CGC (once upon a time, we would have included BGS, but if you’ve been following along lately, they could be on the brink…).
Finally, your local card shop may offer grading services, as many of the ones below are scattered across the nation. So before rushing off to UPS, check to see if any reputable group submission services are located in your neck of the woods.
Dealers Offering Group Submissions
After what happened with Marx Cards several years ago, grading companies like PSA restructured their group submission process, making it much tighter and safer. They also have a handy dealer lookup to find the right group submission service.
In addition, we’ve cobbled together a few highly recommended services below:
| Name | Affiliated Grader | Services Offered | Pricing (Starts at) |
| Boca Raton | SGC | Grading Submissions | $13.50+ per card |
| Got Baseball Cards | PSA/CGC/SGC | Grading Submissions; Pre-Screening | PSA: $19+ per card CGC: $12.50+ per card SGC: $10+ per card |
| Slab 10s | PSA | Group Submissions; Competitive Yearly Membership | $19+ per card |
| Black Jaded Wolf | PSA/SGC | Group Submissions; Reholdering | PSA: $21+ per card SGC: $15 per card |
| Diamond Elite Card Services | BGS/PSA/CGC | Group Submissions; Crossover Grading; Consignment | BGS: $15+ per card PSA: $22+ per card CGC: $12+ per card |
| Poké Vibez | CGC | Grading Submissions | $20+ per card |
Group Grading Submissions: Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the decision to go with a group submission service comes down to the needs and experience of each individual collector. Grading isn’t impossible to get right, but convenience is definitely nice. Equally beneficial is a cheaper alternative to the exorbitant pricing of professional grading companies.
Before making a decision, evaluate your own needs and standing. Do you want the problem out of your hands? Are you looking for the most cost-effective option available? Or are you too risk averse to trust a third party?
If you’re looking for a place to start, check out our post on the cheapest grading options available and our recommendations. From there, you’ll get a sense of where each grader stands in terms of pricing (and value in the marketplace), which will help you make an informed decision about using a group submission service.
If you have a preferred group submission service, let us know in the comments below! We’re always on the hunt for top-notch services we can highlight for our readers.