What’s going on with TAG?

[rfgilles]

10,000 cards last week, nearly double the previous week. Not bad for a company that is dead.

[discodanman45]

Originally Posted by rfgilles

10,000 cards last week, nearly double the previous week. Not bad for a company that is dead.

Or they aren't consistent on updating their pop reports.

[rfgilles]

Originally Posted by discodanman45

Or they aren't consistent on updating their pop reports.

You must be confusing them with CGC.

[discodanman45]

Originally Posted by rfgilles

You must be confusing them with CGC.

They are most likely doing the same exact thing as CGC. They grade a ton of cards for bulk submitters for mystery boxes and update pop reports when the order is complete. That almost 10,000 in Pokémon cards this month was most likely a big order that took them over a month to grade.

[rfgilles]

Originally Posted by discodanman45

They are most likely doing the same exact thing as CGC. They grade a ton of cards for bulk submitters for mystery boxes and update pop reports when the order is complete. That almost 10,000 in Pokémon cards this month was most likely a big order that took them over a month to grade.

1) Why does it matter, in the end TAG graded the cards
2) What about the previous week's additions to the POP reports, were those a different submission or part of this large order?

[discodanman45]

Originally Posted by rfgilles

1) Why does it matter, in the end TAG graded the cards
2) What about the previous week's additions to the POP reports, were those a different submission or part of this large order?

You stated they graded over 10,000 cards this week. That isn't the truth. Their output by averages is probably right at 5000 on average. That is why gem rate does monthly statistics. The week to week isn't the way to track things.

[rfgilles]

Originally Posted by discodanman45

You stated they graded over 10,000 cards this week. That isn't the truth. Their output by averages is probably right at 5000 on average. That is why gem rate does monthly statistics. The week to week isn't the way to track things.

You don't know if that is the truth. They added 10,000 cards to POP report in the last week. That is a fact.

[discodanman45]

Originally Posted by rfgilles

You don't know if that is the truth. They added 10,000 cards to POP report in the last week. That is a fact.

So when they have 3000 next week, what excuse will you make then?

[rfgilles]

Originally Posted by discodanman45

So when they have 3000 next week, what excuse will you make then?

Why would I need an excuse? The numbers are the numbers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SLGSports]

TAG isn't a real grading company... they're a tech company whose business model was to develop the capability, file patents, then get bought out. Now that no one's buying, they have a tough decision: either redo their business model (to scale) or to fold entirely.

[discodanman45]

Originally Posted by SLGSports

TAG isn't a real grading company... they're a tech company whose business model was to develop the capability, file patents, then get bought out. Now that no one's buying, they have a tough decision: either redo their business model (to scale) or to fold entirely.

I think at this point they are completely changing their model. They are most likely grading Pokémon for scale for mystery packs and have abandoned any improvements with sports cards. 100% focusing on Pokémon is obviously what they are doing right now. It could be sustainable and profitable. Pokémon cards are very uniform and it wouldn't surprise me to see on-site TAG grading machines only for Pokémon cards. Put your card into a machine and it has an automated process to grade your card and slab it on the spot. Nearly impossible to do with sports cards with their variances in size and card stock.

[hoi_ming]

Weekly Update

[varjakpaul]

Originally Posted by discodanman45

I think at this point they are completely changing their model. They are most likely grading Pokémon for scale for mystery packs and have abandoned any improvements with sports cards. 100% focusing on Pokémon is obviously what they are doing right now. It could be sustainable and profitable. Pokémon cards are very uniform and it wouldn't surprise me to see on-site TAG grading machines only for Pokémon cards. Put your card into a machine and it has an automated process to grade your card and slab it on the spot. Nearly impossible to do with sports cards with their variances in size and card stock.

I think this is generous. I was an early adopter of TAG and now I'm not convinced their technology actually works, even for Pokemon. It's telling the company has never shown an unedited process video and shys from specifics in their website, which feels more designed to lure investors than inform collectors. Not saying Geoff Wilson needs to do a facility tour or something, but there's a lack of transparency about what goes into grading a card which has started to feel suspicious over time. In addition to TAG's amateurish approach to social media (let's hope Nintendo and the Pokemon Company doesn't see the way they're using their trademarks in their DM based mini-games on instagram) and the fact we're supposed to be trusting valuable cards to a company accepting orders through shopify, I can't help but feel there's a certain "three kids stacked in a trenchcoat" theranos-lite feel about TAG and dominoes will be falling soon enough.

There's always been suspicion about the source of TAG's cards from the start, investors, bulk submitters, Steve Kass' personal collection and so on. Looking at TAG's population reports, it's littered with thousands of worthless Pokemon cards - Japanese commons, energy cards, and so on. The actual customer demand isn't there - TAG is most likely propped up by a handful of people looking to build numbers to goad a company sale. If the grading machine is coming to a card store near you, don't count on it coming until TAG is sold to PSA

[discodanman45]

Originally Posted by varjakpaul

I think this is generous. I was an early adopter of TAG and now I'm not convinced their technology actually works, even for Pokemon.

You are most likely correct. If the technology worked, they could be grading card after card with their machines at high volume. They probably spend more time grading a card with quality control then any of the big grading companies. It wouldn't surprise me if they graded a card with their machines and then had someone check the reports and make edits to it.

It looks like most of the graded Pokemon cards are going to Poke-Collect. They are now up to 5 different TAG Mystery Boxes.

https://poke-collect.com/collections...LKQngoUwzzszGK

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by varjakpaul

The actual customer demand isn't there - TAG is most likely propped up by a handful of people looking to build numbers to goad a company sale. If the grading machine is coming to a card store near you, don't count on it coming until TAG is sold to PSA

Too much toxic money backing TAG for it to be acquired.

[hoi_ming]

Weekly update

[discodanman45]

The numbers are the numbers and that is not looking good.

[inaka]

Originally Posted by inaka

Sure, no problem. I'll post the results when I submit to PSA.
(Currently stock piling until a get 20 cards for a bulk PSA order)

It was a TAG MINT 9 (947) on the cheap, and I just want a PSA 9.
There's a long shot for a PSA 10, but we'll see in 3-4 months and I'll post the results.

Originally Posted by hoi_ming

What was the main issue from the TAG report, was it the centering?

If it was still within 60/40 technically it could still be a PSA if no other big issue.

Is 3-4 months due to the turnaround time?

Originally Posted by rfgilles

If it is within the defined criteria for a PSA 10 (centering) it should be a 10 irrespective of subjective impression.

The card didn't gem because of the back corner score (937). However, none of the corners had a score this low.....

Anyone remember this TAG Rickey Henderson card I cracked in early August and sent to PSA?

https://my.taggrading.com/card/m8428686

I just wanted to circle back on this and follow up, because the results are in!

As predicted, it took forever, but the PSA grades popped today, and here are the final results with the PSA grade:







It was exactly as I predicted.
I wanted a PSA 9 for my collection, so all is good.

[rfgilles]

Originally Posted by inaka

Anyone remember this TAG Rickey Henderson card I cracked in early August and sent to PSA?

https://my.taggrading.com/card/m8428686

I just wanted to circle back on this and follow up, because the results are in!

As predicted, it took forever, but the PSA grades popped today, and here are the final results with the PSA grade:







It was exactly as I predicted.
I wanted a PSA 9 for my collection, so all is good.

All's well that ends well.

[inaka]

Originally Posted by rfgilles

All's well that ends well.

Yup!

[towerymt]

Awesome result! Love the no-surprises crack 'n cross.

[hoi_ming]

Weekly Update

I'll cover it for you boys, save you some typing
- 90% Pokemon
- Mystery packs
- No organic demand
- Looking to be bought out, but now can't
- Too much toxic money backing it
- Will never grow, no thick slabs, vintage, mem - inexcusable
- not a real grader

You're welcome

[rfgilles]

Originally Posted by hoi_ming

Weekly Update

I'll cover it for you boys, save you some typing
- 90% Pokemon
- Mystery packs
- No organic demand
- Looking to be bought out, but now can't
- Too much toxic money backing it
- Will never grow, no thick slabs, vintage, mem - inexcusable
- not a real grader

You're welcome

[discodanman45]

They are making art cards using the likeness of players and even have the Dodgers writing on the Freeman card. Wonder what the MLB players union, MLB, and Fanatics thinks about this.

https://taggrading.com/collections/2024-world-scaries

[hoi_ming]

Originally Posted by discodanman45

They are making art cards using the likeness of players and even have the Dodgers writing on the Freeman card. Wonder what the MLB players union, MLB, and Fanatics thinks about this.

https://taggrading.com/collections/2024-world-scaries

Good thing I wrote out those TAG flaws, so you have time to find more. Keep em coming. There must be so many.