If you are thinking about grading Pokémon cards, whether you want the card value to increase, or you are doing it for nostalgia, it’s important to consider pricing and understanding the grading process. For those looking to potentially re-sell cards, you need to understand the value of graded cards and when not to grade. So, if you are asking yourself, ‘is it worth grading my trading cards?’, you are not alone—and we’re going to go through what you should know.
So, which cards should you get graded, and which ones should you skip and add back to your collection for simple viewing pleasure? You are going to have to consider the design, the age, the condition of the card, and more, to come to an informed decision.
Is It Worth Grading My Trading Cards in the US?
It is absolutely worth grading your cards in the US if you are working ‘is it worth grading my trading cards?’. There are several grading companies to choose from in the US, with some companies being big, with lots of history, and some smaller and newer with incredible grading services and quality—like us at GetGraded!
So, should I grade my cards? There are a couple of things to take into consideration, and you need to know why you want to get your cards graded in the first place: nostalgia or saleability? If nostalgia is the answer, you can’t put a price on grading for protection, but if the answer is saleability, then you need to approach grading from a logical standpoint.
What Are the Real Benefits of Card Grading?
The benefits of grading include protecting the card, proving authenticity of cards (especially important for signed cards), easier sales, and increased value. We’ll look at these in more detail below.
Four big benefits of getting your cards graded include:
- For protection – the slab you get from a card being graded will protect the card and preserve it in the long-term, so you and buyers can benefit from ease of mind
- To prove authenticity – autographed and vintage cards are authenticated when graded, making them more appealing to buyers as they are guaranteed to be what is claimed
- You want to sell the card fast – buyers don’t have to be subjective when they are looking at a graded card, and they will know exactly what they are getting with their purchase, leading to easier and faster sales
- Grading offers a significant jump in value – getting a card graded means that the value of the card is basically set in stone, and you can’t be tricked into underselling it. When a card is graded, the objective assessment determines the quality and authenticity of the card, making them highly appealing to investors and collectors
How Does Grading Affect Resale Value?
A card with a high grading can have its resale value significantly increased across the board, whether you want to resell it on eBay, Goldin, Whatnot, or through a different professional service. According to investors, a mint-graded card can easily sell for several times the value of the same card in its ungraded, raw form. Because grading is basically a seal of approval, buyers know that the slab speaks volumes—making it a crucial step for reselling collector’s cards if you want to get your money’s worth.
Should I Grade Pokémon Cards or Sports Cards?
Card condition and grading go hand-in-hand, whether you grade Pokémon cards, Magic: The Gathering, sports cards, or Yu-Gi-Oh! If you are trying to pick one avenue in your card-grading choices, the smartest decision is probably to stick with Pokémon, due to its unrelenting popularity and potential for high pay-outs.
While there are plenty of cards that can be worth an incredible amount of money from every category, Pokémon is a stable option that is suitable for anyone who wants to go down the grading and reselling route for a side hustle.
What’s the Difference Between PSA, Beckett, and GetGraded?
The big difference between GetGraded and the other big card grading companies is simple: we are newer, and they have been around for years. Unfortunately, that means that a lot of bigger companies have the prestige and fame to go with their names—but that usually also comes with a much higher price and sometimes even longer waiting times due to their in-demand services.
We’ll lay out the prices you should know about if you are considering getting your cards graded in the US, with comparisons between us here at GetGraded, PSA, Beckett, and CGC—not forgetting that our accessible locations mean that walk-in appointments are a popular option for anyone living in the Tampa/Event locations.
Get Graded Prices | PSA Prices | Beckett Prices | CGC Prices |
$15 Per Card (standard; no subgrade) | $24.99 per card (value) | $14.95 per card (base; no subgrade) | $17 per card (economy) |
$28 per card (express; no subgrade) | $39.99 per card (value plus) | $17.95 per card (base; with subgrade) | $45 per card (standard) |
$19 per card (standard; with subgrade) | $59.99 per card (value max) | $34.95 per card (standard; with subgrade) | $85 per card (express) |
$32 per card (express; with subgrade) | $74.99 per card (regular) | $79.95 per card (express; with subgrade) | $14 per card (bulk; 25-card minimum) |
$39 per pack (standard; booster pack/sealed promo) | $149.00 per card (express) | $124.95 per card (priority; with subgrade) | $14 per card (quick submit; bulk; 25-card minimum) |
$69 per pack (express; booster pack/sealed promo) | $299.00 per card (super express) | $0–$10 for extras (for autographed cards. Oversized cards, etc.) | $17 per card (quick submit; economy; 25-card minimum) |
$8 per card (non-encapsulation grading) | $599.00 per card (walkthrough) | $10 per re-slab (Beckett only) | $275 per card (walkthrough) |
$55 per card (walk-in/same day/on-site grading) | $18.99–$19.99 per card (Collectors Club only) | $10 per card for relabelling | $20 per card (jumbo cards) |
Is GetGraded a Good Option for US Collectors?
GetGraded is a fantastic choice for any card collector who wants their cards assessed and graded to a high quality without emptying your pockets. While turnaround time (standard, express, etc.) plays a major role in the cost of our services, we have made our grading affordable for everyone if you are willing to wait. Our standard card grading is estimated to take between 15–20 working days, while express grading is just 2–5 working days—putting us ahead of some of the larger grading companies like PSA, Beckett, and CGC.
We are proud of what we do, and we love it, too. That means that we always want to do our best, and offer the best services you could hope for to increase the value of your cards. If you don’t take our word for it, just check out the reviews we’ve received, and let all of our happy customers speak for themselves—you won’t be disappointed.
How to Decide If Your Cards Are Worth Grading
Ultimately, you need to decide if your cards are worth grading so that you avoid wasting money (unless you are getting your cards graded and slabbed for nostalgic reasons). Take some time to analyze your cards as harshly as possible, taking into consideration the condition of the card (fading, damage, etc.) and how popular it is (check online to see what that card has been sold for, making sure it’s in the same/similar condition).
If your research turns up that your card’s potential value is more than the cost of grading, then it could be worth grading! But remember, not every card is worth grading, so take that into consideration when you ask yourself, ‘is it worth grading my trading cards?’!
Ready to see what your cards are really worth? Create a free account and try GetGraded today to get fast, accurate results without breaking the bank. Or, find out about our shop or service pricing, population report, or CERT checker, and create an account or find your nearest store now.
Here at Get Graded, we like to show you the ins and outs of the grading process, and teach you how to pick Pokémon cards for grading. We like to keep our grading process transparent, and give you as much information as possible so that you know the thought process.
Choosing a trusted grading service is key, and we aim to please. So, now that you have an answer to ‘what Pokémon cards should I get graded’, are you ready to take the dive? Or, find out about our shop or service pricing, population report, or CERT checker, and create an account or find your nearest store now.