Video of the Day: Sending Non-PSA 10 Contenders to SGC and CGC — The Grading Market's Structural Shift
The grading market is in the middle of a structural shift. For years, the conventional wisdom was simple: if it's not a PSA 10, it's not worth submitting to a top-tier grading company. But a growing segment of collectors is challenging that assumption, sending mid-grade and crossover candidates to SGC and CGC — and coming away satisfied with the results.
Frosty Feet Cards' latest video — "Submission Reveal: Sending Non-PSA 10 Contenders to SGC & CGC!" — documents exactly this trend in action. The premise is straightforward: take cards that are unlikely to gem at PSA — anything with visible centering issues, soft corners, or surface wear — and send them to SGC and CGC instead, where the grading standards are arguably more forgiving for mid-grade material and the pricing is significantly lower.
The Alternative Grading Thesis
The logic behind the "non-PSA 10" submission strategy rests on three observations about the current grading market. First, PSA's pricing continues to climb. A standard PSA submission now costs more than many cards are worth in raw form, making it economically irrational to send mid-range cards to the market leader. Second, SGC and CGC have both improved their reputational standing in the market — SGC's tuxedo black slabs have developed a loyal following among vintage and pre-war collectors, while CGC has carved out a strong position in the modern card and Pokémon markets. Third, the resale market increasingly accepts cross-graded cards. A card in an SGC 9 or CGC 9.5 often sells within striking distance of a PSA 9 for the same card, narrowing the premium that PSA once commanded exclusively.
What This Means for the Market
If the "non-PSA 10" submission trend continues to grow, the implications for the broader grading market are significant. PSA's dominant market share is built on the assumption that serious collectors and investors must use PSA for maximum resale value. If alternative graders become the default choice for mid-grade submissions — leaving PSA primarily for high-grade material and registry sets — the competitive dynamics of the grading industry shift meaningfully.
SGC, in particular, has positioned itself well for this moment. The company's $15 per card pricing (compared to PSA's $25-$75 range depending on tier) makes it the logical choice for bulk submissions of cards valued under $500. CGC, meanwhile, has invested heavily in its trading card grading infrastructure and now offers faster turnaround times than PSA for standard submissions.
The verdict: Frosty Feet Cards' video captures a real and accelerating trend in the hobby. The "grade everything with PSA" era is giving way to a more segmented approach where grading company choice depends on the specific card, its condition, and its intended outcome. For collectors submitting mid-grade cards — the vast majority of what gets graded — SGC and CGC are no longer compromises. They are becoming the default.
Channel: Frosty Feet Cards
