HGA grading

[critthnkr365]

Originally Posted by rngrdanny22

They can land on "standards" for centering, but what constitutes perfect centering varies on each release (take the Juan Soto "Full W", for example). If there are borders, it's a little easier -- and these are the ones they are failing on, go figure.

In order for machine learning to properly identify true centering on a borderless card, their training data set would need to include THOUSANDS of cards that are indisputably perfectly centered. For every release. That's not going to happen ... at least not with these guys.

Good point.

[rfgilles]

Originally Posted by rngrdanny22

They can land on "standards" for centering, but what constitutes perfect centering varies on each release (take the Juan Soto "Full W", for example). If there are borders, it's a little easier -- and these are the ones they are failing on, go figure.

In order for machine learning to properly identify true centering on a borderless card, their training data set would need to include THOUSANDS of cards that are indisputably perfectly centered. For every release. That's not going to happen ... at least not with these guys.

I think that may be the case for the other subgrades but not for centering. You can measure borders with most scanners, and from there it is a simple calculation for the ratio. There may be more to it, but centering seems easy to measure to me.

[rngrdanny22]

Originally Posted by rfgilles

I think that may be the case for the other subgrades but not for centering. You can measure borders with most scanners, and from there it is a simple calculation for the ratio. There may be more to it, but centering seems easy to measure to me.

On cards with borders, yes. Most releases since 2016 haven't had borders.

[KhalDrogo]

The whole reason why I harp on the centering issues is that if they can't get their centering assessment perfected, how do you expect them to get anything else right?

[rfgilles]

Originally Posted by rngrdanny22

On cards with borders, yes. Most releases since 2016 haven't had borders.

Yeah but there usually is some sort of marker, eg, the Topps logo, the RC logo for rookies.

[rngrdanny22]

Originally Posted by rfgilles

Yeah but there usually is some sort of marker, eg, the Topps logo, the RC logo for rookies.

The Topps logo is a foil stamp and the location can vary wildly. It should not be used as any type of marker.

You're right though that there should be a marker; however, their AI (really machine learning) models would need examples of perfectly graded cards to train their data. Likely multiple examples of every single card in every single set. I doubt they've done this. It is much more likely that they've figured out how to scan cards with a scanner, upload it into Photoshop (or something similar), and calculate the centering based on pixel counts. Until they show more about how their "AI" works, I won't be convinced.

[rfgilles]

Originally Posted by rngrdanny22

The Topps logo is a foil stamp and the location can vary wildly. It should not be used as any type of marker.

You're right though that there should be a marker; however, their AI (really machine learning) models would need examples of perfectly graded cards to train their data. Likely multiple examples of every single card in every single set. I doubt they've done this. It is much more likely that they've figured out how to scan cards with a scanner, upload it into Photoshop (or something similar), and calculate the centering based on pixel counts. Until they show more about how their "AI" works, I won't be convinced.

Good point about the foil stamp. I remember there was a Tatis card with 2 foil stamps now that you mention it.

[HalfNipponese]

Anyone get lucky today? I missed out by 20 spots or so. To give everyone an idea I was assigned spot 389. They were accepting 1600 cards.

[leveljumper]

Originally Posted by HalfNipponese

Anyone get lucky today? I missed out by 20 spots or so. To give everyone an idea I was assigned spot 389. They were accepting 1600 cards.

I got in another 10 cards. I think I was around spot 220-250 when it started.


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[Bcr]

I was in the late 300s spot wise and missed out. I'll try again tomorrow, but if I don't get in again I'm just going to send elsewhere. Doing a lottery is a bad idea and is only going to drive off new customers. It also doesn't help hearing that some people got in "again" while some still haven't at all.

[kabrune2]

So did they get rid of the 9pm free for all?

[HalfNipponese]

Originally Posted by Bcr

I was in the late 300s spot wise and missed out. I'll try again tomorrow, but if I don't get in again I'm just going to send elsewhere. Doing a lottery is a bad idea and is only going to drive off new customers. It also doesn't help hearing that some people got in "again" while some still haven't at all.

I think the company is going to start capping submitters to 20 cards at a time. The main issue right now is that the large submitters are chewing up all the spots. Rumor is that they will be rolling out a membership option that will guarantee submissions every month.

I pissed away money on my PSA and BGS memberships but CSG seems to be moving quickly. If you decide against a HGA membership, CSG is a good option. I paid $150 and they gave me $150 credit so it'll literally pay for itself.

[HalfNipponese]

Originally Posted by kabrune2

So did they get rid of the 9pm free for all?

Yes they did. How it works now is you go to the site before 5pm EST Thursday or 9pm EST Friday and they give out randomized position in the queue right when they open up. They sold out about 1 minute before I was let in.

It doesn't matter if you go to the site at 8:30 or 8:59 so don't waste your time logging in to early. It's a lottery system so it doesn't matter.

[mimaalni]

They also don’t return emails or phone calls. You can’t get through to their phone number listed and can’t leave messages. I have left several emails and no return response. This is not a way to start off as a new business and not a good indication that they can handle more business. I am shocked that this is the way they are starting out!

[ToppsNowFan]

I got 20 in today. Will be first time submitting with them. 60 day turn.

[Cards and 401K]

0 for 2 here was number 1,450, i really like the holder and customized labels have older cards no rush think they are doing 3,200 cards now.

[ejs23]

Originally Posted by Bcr

Doing a lottery is a bad idea and is only going to drive off new customers. It also doesn't help hearing that some people got in "again" while some still haven't at all.

Very true. I was considering them but it seems like a bad system.

Originally Posted by HalfNipponese

I think the company is going to start capping submitters to 20 cards at a time. The main issue right now is that the large submitters are chewing up all the spots. Rumor is that they will be rolling out a membership option that will guarantee submissions every month.

I pissed away money on my PSA and BGS memberships but CSG seems to be moving quickly. If you decide against a HGA membership, CSG is a good option. I paid $150 and they gave me $150 credit so it'll literally pay for itself.

I hate the CSG labels, but they are sounding more and more like the way to go. I don’t care all that much about resale value, since I’m a collector first... but then again that why the ugly labels are an issue.

[HalfNipponese]

Originally Posted by ejs23

Very true. I was considering them but it seems like a bad system.



I hate the CSG labels, but they are sounding more and more like the way to go. I don’t care all that much about resale value, since I’m a collector first... but then again that why the ugly labels are an issue.

I feel you. That label is the only reason I'm not sending in more cards. I sent them a Brady and 2 Luka cards to see if the slabs will look better in person. When they get back I'll do a "slab war" and sell the same card in different slabs at the same time. My weird sense of curiosity forces me to flush money down the toilet to things like that.

[eabsports]

So, I’m looking at HGA for my PC given the PSA increases and let’s face it, the slabs look so nice! I’m definitely concerned though about some of the posts on social media though. Is it overblown? Especially since really I’m just wanting to use them for some players I PC and my favorite teams etc

[The_Reverend]

Originally Posted by eabsports

So, I’m looking at HGA for my PC given the PSA increases and let’s face it, the slabs look so nice! I’m definitely concerned though about some of the posts on social media though. Is it overblown? Especially since really I’m just wanting to use them for some players I PC and my favorite teams etc

They are definitely being hyped and pumped. The slabs would look great for PC Cards, but when GMA 10 is crossing to HGA 9.5 I have my worries. Most agree GMA is one of the worse.

[kabrune2]

Originally Posted by The_Reverend

They are definitely being hyped and pumped. The slabs would look great for PC Cards, but when GMA 10 is crossing to HGA 9.5 I have my worries. Most agree GMA is one of the worse.

The inconsistency is what has me perplexed with HGA, great looking slabs, look better in person, but I’ve seen quite a few grading reveals as orders have been unpackaged and lots of 8’s and 9’s along with some 9.5’s occasionally that shouldn’t be 9.5. Looking at listings on eBay there are a number of cards that look like they were graded hard and at the same time there are cards that have me scratching my head wondering how did they get a mint grade.

Bottom line, if HGA sorts out the inconsistency they’ll keep growing as fast as the labor pool will allow them (but Seymour, TN is not exactly a hotbed of skilled labor).

[The_Reverend]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

The whole reason why I harp on the centering issues is that if they can't get their centering assessment perfected, how do you expect them to get anything else right?

Centering is critical. I would not likely add a bordered card card to my collection with poor centering. That goes for graded cards as well.

[The_Reverend]

Originally Posted by HalfNipponese

Anyone get lucky today? I missed out by 20 spots or so. To give everyone an idea I was assigned spot 389. They were accepting 1600 cards.

This is why I don’t have any intentions currently to use HGA. I am not waiting in line to use your service. If I just cannot send my cards to a grading company, no thanks. And I never stand in line fir concerts, phones, etc. I know why they are doing it, but it SEEMS some people are getting in regularly based on what I am seeing while others are not getting in at all.

[leveljumper]

Originally Posted by HalfNipponese

I think the company is going to start capping submitters to 20 cards at a time. The main issue right now is that the large submitters are chewing up all the spots. Rumor is that they will be rolling out a membership option that will guarantee submissions every month.

I pissed away money on my PSA and BGS memberships but CSG seems to be moving quickly. If you decide against a HGA membership, CSG is a good option. I paid $150 and they gave me $150 credit so it'll literally pay for itself.

It’s been capped at 20 card orders for the last week or two at least.


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[rngrdanny22]

Originally Posted by eabsports

the slabs look so nice!

Originally Posted by HalfNipponese

I feel you. That label is the only reason I'm not sending in more cards.

Originally Posted by ejs23

I hate the CSG labels

I mean, the quality of grading should be what matters, but sure.

Ask HGA to put fire and rising stock emojis on your flips!