Blowout Cards Forums - View Single Post - BGS Black Labels, Joe Clemons (eBay ID: wjc75056), and Illegitimate Grading

kyaa · 05-31-2019, 01:43 PM

I've just been aware of another potential way this scam operates that I hadn't initially considered. This, courtesy of another Blowout user who wishes to remain anonymous.

"I had a bulk deal with BGS a few years ago. I got a preferred bulk pricing and deal because of some mutual friends with Jeromy Murray - director of BGS Grading. I do not remember the exact pricing, but the gist of it was like this:

I submit bulk cards (say 500 or more) with a minimum grade of 9.5. I pay $3 for every card that doesn't meet the minimum and I pay $10 for every card that does. I believe that I also could have set it with a minimum grade of 10 and the price would have been a bit higher. The end result was that BGS made more money if they gave me better grades. If I sent them a bunch of cards that should have received 9.0s - then they make a lot more money if they bump them up to 9.5s instead of rejecting them all.

This is done on a massive scale. Thousands of cards submitted each month by a lot of bulk graders.

When I compare my grading success rate in bulk orders compared to my previous regular "Grade All" orders - my rate of 9.5s and 10s was dramatically improved. Well beyond statistical possibility. I also was less picky about what I sent in for the bulk deals because I knew they would likely come back Gem or better.

I am quite sure that the issues you all are discussing come from a deal like this. I'm sure these guys have "Bulk Grading" deals with minimums of 9.5 or 10.0 where they pay more to get the good grades - and BGS makes more. Jeromy Murrays primary duty is to make BGS profitable and they make a lot more money by offering higher grades under these scenarios."

So, I guess we have two possibilities to explain Joe's illegitimate grades:
1) Inside help
2) He's essentially buying the grades. "Here's a Prizm Luka Doncic. I'll pay you $5 for looking at it. $100 if it grades a Black Label. What do you know? BLack Label worth $1200."

Curious what others think is more likely and if you view both as equally problematic?

05-31-2019, 01:43 PM	#340
kyaa Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,498	I've just been aware of another potential way this scam operates that I hadn't initially considered. This, courtesy of another Blowout user who wishes to remain anonymous. "I had a bulk deal with BGS a few years ago. I got a preferred bulk pricing and deal because of some mutual friends with Jeromy Murray - director of BGS Grading. I do not remember the exact pricing, but the gist of it was like this: I submit bulk cards (say 500 or more) with a minimum grade of 9.5. I pay $3 for every card that doesn't meet the minimum and I pay $10 for every card that does. I believe that I also could have set it with a minimum grade of 10 and the price would have been a bit higher. The end result was that BGS made more money if they gave me better grades. If I sent them a bunch of cards that should have received 9.0s - then they make a lot more money if they bump them up to 9.5s instead of rejecting them all. This is done on a massive scale. Thousands of cards submitted each month by a lot of bulk graders. When I compare my grading success rate in bulk orders compared to my previous regular "Grade All" orders - my rate of 9.5s and 10s was dramatically improved. Well beyond statistical possibility. I also was less picky about what I sent in for the bulk deals because I knew they would likely come back Gem or better. I am quite sure that the issues you all are discussing come from a deal like this. I'm sure these guys have "Bulk Grading" deals with minimums of 9.5 or 10.0 where they pay more to get the good grades - and BGS makes more. Jeromy Murrays primary duty is to make BGS profitable and they make a lot more money by offering higher grades under these scenarios." So, I guess we have two possibilities to explain Joe's illegitimate grades: 1) Inside help 2) He's essentially buying the grades. "Here's a Prizm Luka Doncic. I'll pay you $5 for looking at it. $100 if it grades a Black Label. What do you know? BLack Label worth $1200." Curious what others think is more likely and if you view both as equally problematic?