You’ve got something cool — maybe a holographic Charizard, a sealed VHS tape from your childhood, or a comic you found in your attic — and now you’re wondering:
“Is this worth getting graded?”
It’s a smart question. Grading can increase value, boost buyer trust, and protect your item long-term — but it’s not always the right move. Here’s how to know when to grade, when to wait, and what to consider before submitting anything.
🧠 First — What Is Grading?
Grading is the process of sending your collectible to a third-party company (like PSA, CGC, WATA, or BGS) where it’s:
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Authenticated (confirmed real)
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Inspected for flaws, condition, and centering
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Given a numeric score, usually between 1 and 10
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Encapsulated in a tamper-proof case (“slabbed”)
You’re paying for peace of mind, market trust, and often a bump in resale value. But grading can cost anywhere from $20 to $150+ per item, depending on the item’s value, company, and turnaround speed.
✅ When Grading IS Worth It
1. The item is valuable or rare
If it’s already selling for $100+ raw (ungraded), grading often makes sense. Graded high, it might double or triple in value.
2. It’s in excellent condition
Grading benefits mint and near-mint items. A card that gets a 9 or 10? Huge win. A card with whitening or scratches? Not so much.
3. It’s iconic or historic
First edition Pokémon, first print comics, original Game Boy games, sealed VHS — if it launched a franchise or has cult value, grading can help prove legitimacy.
4. You plan to sell it
Buyers trust graded items more. They know the condition is verified — and many prefer to only buy slabbed pieces, especially online.
🚫 When Grading Isn’t Worth It
1. The item is very common
If the market is flooded (think: common base set Pokémon or modern reprint comics), grading won’t add much unless the grade is perfect.
2. It’s in rough shape
Unless it’s ultra-rare, low grades (PSA 1–5) usually don’t justify the grading cost.
3. It costs more to grade than it’s worth
If you’re paying $25 to grade something worth $15 raw and $22 graded… yeah, not the move.
4. You’re keeping it forever
If you’re just building a personal collection and don’t care about resale value? Skip the fee, enjoy the piece raw, and display it proudly.
🧪 Real-Life Example: Should You Grade a Charizard?
Let’s say you have a raw Charizard in great condition:
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Ungraded value: ~$80
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Grading fee: ~$25
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If it grades a PSA 9: Could sell for $250+
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If it comes back a PSA 6: Might sell for $90–100
If you’re confident in the condition, it’s probably worth it. If you’re unsure — or it’s beat up — you might just break even (or worse).
🧰 Quick Tools That Help
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eBay Sold Listings – Check what similar items have actually sold for
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PSA Pop Report / CGC Census – See how rare a specific grade is
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130point.com – Track what people accepted for “best offers”
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Professional Pre-Grade Evaluations – (We offer these 👋) We’ll review your item and let you know if it’s grade-worthy
⚠️ What Are the Risks?
Grading isn’t without its downside:
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📉 You might get a lower grade than expected
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📦 Items can get damaged in transit (always pack securely)
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⏳ Turnaround times can take weeks to months, depending on tier
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💸 If the item isn’t valuable or rare, you may not recover grading costs
Grading is a tool — not a golden ticket.
💬 Should You Grade It?
Ask yourself:
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Is it rare or in high demand?
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Is the condition mint or near mint?
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Would a graded copy sell for much more than raw?
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Am I planning to sell this, or keep it?
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Can I handle the cost and wait time?
If you answered “yes” to most — grading might be the move.
If you’re unsure — that’s what we’re here for.
👋 Need Help?
We help collectors decide what to grade, what to skip, and how to price both.
Sometimes, grading’s a no-brainer. Other times… not so much.
👉 Submit your item here and we’ll take a look — no pressure, no cost.
🔁 Final Thought
Grading is best used for items that are:
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In great condition
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Culturally significant
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Likely to increase in value
Know what you’re sending in, research your comps, and always weigh the potential return. And if you're stuck — just ask.
Because grading should be smart. Not stressful.
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