GMA Grading – A Comprehensive Guide to Affordable Card Grading

Unlocking the Power of GMA Grading: Your Comprehensive Guide to Sports Card Grading

Welcome to the world of sports card grading, where your collectibles are evaluated, authenticated, and assigned a grade that can impact their value and desirability in the market. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into GMA Grading, a company that provides professional card grading and authentication services, and answer all the questions you may have about their offerings.

GMA Grading Services: What You Need to Know

When it comes to grading your sports cards, GMA offers a range of services to cater to collectors with different needs and preferences. Let’s take a closer look:

• Gold Express (5 Card Minimum): This service provides a 10-business day turnaround for your card submissions at a cost of $20 per card.
• Standard (10 Card Minimum): If you’re willing to wait a bit longer, the Standard service offers a 15-business day turnaround for $15 per card.
• Economy (20 Card Minimum): For those who prioritize cost-effectiveness and are willing to wait a bit more, the Economy service provides a 25-business day turnaround for $10 per card.

For bulk submissions of 100 cards or more, GMA Grading offers additional options:

• Bulk Gold Service Express: This popular choice provides a 10-business day turnaround for $18 per card.
• Bulk Standard Service: If you’re looking for a balance of affordability and turnaround time, the Bulk Standard Service offers a 15-business day processing period at $12 per card.
• Bulk Economy: The most cost-effective choice for bulk submissions, the Bulk Economy service provides a 25-business day turnaround at $8 per card.

Submitting your cards to GMA Grading is a straightforward process. Here’s a checklist to ensure a smooth experience:

1. Download Submission Form: Start by downloading the submission form from GMA Grading’s official website. The form is essential for tracking and processing your order.
2. Filling out the Submission Form: The submission form contains two main sections:
   • Top Section: Here, provide your customer information, including your name, shipping address, phone number, and email address. This information helps GMA Grading know where to ship your graded cards.
   • Middle Section: Fill in details about your cards, such as quantity, card company, year of production, player name, and variety (e.g., rookie card, autographed card). If you’re new to grading, don’t worry; you can leave some fields blank, as GMA Grading uses this information as a guide when checking in cards.
3. Grading Fee Calculation: Count the number of cards you’re submitting and multiply it by the fee you’re paying per card to calculate the total grading fee.
4. Shipping Fees: Calculate the shipping fees based on the UPS ground service. Ground service is ideal for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. You can also opt for insurance at $2.00 per $100 of card value.
5. Payment Information: GMA Grading accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, checks, money orders, and PayPal. If you prefer to pay via PayPal, include your PayPal address and an invoice will be sent to you upon card arrival.
6. Packing and Protecting Cards for Shipping: Protecting your cards during transit is crucial. GMA Grading recommends using top loaders or card savers to secure your cards. Tape the holders together to create a protective stack, place them in a box with the submission form, and cushion the box with bubble wrap, foam, or newspaper. Seal the box shut and send it for grading.

Card Sizes and Thicknesses that GMA Grading Accepts

Card companies have produced cards in various sizes and thicknesses over the years. GMA can encapsulate 99% of the cards produced, but there are specific guidelines to keep in mind:

• The thickest cards GMA can handle are 138 points.
• Cards wider than 2 3/4 inches by 3 3/4 inches are not accepted for grading.

Why Choose GMA Grading?

1. Affordability: GMA is known for its competitive pricing, making it an attractive choice for collectors on a budget.
2. Fast Turnaround: GMA offers expedited services with quicker turnaround times, allowing collectors to showcase or sell their graded cards sooner.
3. Variety of Cards: GMA may accept a broader range of card submissions, including modern and lower-value cards, and may be more lenient with cards that have minor flaws.

When Not to Choose GMA Grading:

1. High-Value or Vintage Cards: If you own high-value or vintage cards, you may prefer more established grading companies like PSA or BGS due to their market recognition and potential long-term value. Compare the pros and cons of PSA, BGS, SGC, and CGC.
2. Market Recognition: GMA-graded cards may not command as high prices in the market compared to cards graded by well-known companies, which may impact resale value and liquidity.

Common Questions About GMA Grading:

1. How does GMA Grading’s pricing compare to other grading companies?

• GMA Grading is known for its competitive pricing, making it an attractive option for collectors who want to grade their cards without breaking the bank. While other grading companies may charge higher fees, GMA offers a more budget-friendly alternative.

2. Can I track the status of my card submission with GMA?

• Yes, if you include your email address on the submission form, GMA will send you an email with the tracking number on the day your graded cards are shipped back to you. This allows you to monitor the progress of your order.

3. Are there any restrictions on the types of cards GMA accepts for grading?

• GMA Grading has specific guidelines regarding card sizes and thicknesses. Cards wider than 2 3/4 inches by 3 3/4 inches are not accepted for grading. The thickest cards GMA can grade are 138 points.

4. Can I submit cards with autographs, relics, or special variations to GMA Grading?

• Yes, you can submit cards with autographs, relics, or special variations to GMA Grading. Be sure to include this information in the submission form’s “Variety” field, as it helps the graders accurately assess your cards.

5. What is the typical condition for cards to receive a Gem Mint (10) grade from GMA?

• GMA Grading, like other grading companies, assesses cards for factors such as centering, corners, edges, and surface condition. Cards that are virtually flawless in these aspects and show no signs of wear or damage may receive a Gem Mint (10) grade, indicating the highest level of card condition.

To contact GMA grading check out there contact page.

Conclusion

In conclusion, GMA offers a cost-effective and efficient solution for grading and authenticating your sports cards. Whether you’re a collector looking to preserve and showcase your cards or an investor seeking to understand the market dynamics, GMA Grading’s services can be a valuable resource in the world of sports card collecting.