MNT Grading - Thoughts/Reviews??

[Ncguitarplyr]

Yes I know Beckett/PSA and to a lesser extent SGC are the kings of grading. However they are all expensive, SLOW, and in some cases not even operating right now.

I’ve been looking for alternatives. I’m not looking to ever resell I’m just looking to display my PC and have better protection than toploaders without giving up my cards for 6 months or spending $3K.

GMA is cheap and quick but the slabs don’t look that nice they look second rate. Why I’m considering MNT is the slabs look really high quality and they have subgrades like Beckett. They are really fast and are about $9/card. Unless you look close you might even confuse them for Beckett. The negative is I don’t know if they add any value to the card but like I said I’m not going to ever sell them anyway.

Has anyone had any experience? Talk me out of it.
https://mntgrading.com/

[tmoore_25]

I just checked their website and I would not recommend them. I don't see the $9 price option on their website either. Their Flawless plan seems to be the cheapest option at $13 a card if you send in 75 or more. SGC is only $10 per card and the slabs, in some opinions, look nice. MNT slabs are similar to BGS but just my opinion, I don't like BGS slabs because of the size and space they will take up if you want to expand your collection. SGC provides you the protection and appearance that you are looking for and even though you say you don't plan to sell, people's circumstances change. You might not want to right now, but might need to later down the road. Using SGC will at least allow you to recoup some of you costs and leave you with a little profit. All while offering the quickest turnaround times at reasonable prices.

[Ncguitarplyr]

Originally Posted by tmoore_25

I just checked their website and I would not recommend them. I don't see the $9 price option on their website either. Their Flawless plan seems to be the cheapest option at $13 a card if you send in 75 or more. SGC is only $10 per card and the slabs, in some opinions, look nice. MNT slabs are similar to BGS but just my opinion, I don't like BGS slabs because of the size and space they will take up if you want to expand your collection. SGC provides you the protection and appearance that you are looking for and even though you say you don't plan to sell, people's circumstances change. You might not want to right now, but might need to later down the road. Using SGC will at least allow you to recoup some of you costs and leave you with a little profit. All while offering the quickest turnaround times at reasonable prices.

That’s a valid perspective. I’ll look more into SGC. The $13 that MNT lists is Canadian (CAD) which converts to $9.26 USD.

[MossDC4L]

MNT and KSA are 2 Canadian companies that are working their way through the ranks, personally I am in Canada and would use one of the other 3 as resale for the above mentioned is not very good... No one really knows who they are.

[mjohnatgt]

Are they insured? What happens if they steal or damage your cards? How important is the grade when you can put them in a cardsaver for a dime?

[cafenjl]

95% of my collection is PC. I'm a very casual collector. I'm also an SGC fan. I know their re-sale isn't up to par with PSA or BGS. But, again, I'm not selling the vast majority of my collection. I like their slabs - and that's totally subjective. Other people HATE them. What's not subjective is their pricing, customer service and turnaround time. And they're all far and away the best. So, if you just want them protected - and in a reputable case - SGC is going to be your best bet. If you are looking to turn profit, as much as I love them, I can't recommend them yet.

[imbluestreak23]

Don't do it bro.

Stick with the big 3

[ozo974]

I keep hearing people say dont do it, they are too new to this. Makes no sense why you wouldn't send your cards there if you live in Canada. I have used Beckett for years, and payed through the teeth to get my cards sent out and returned. MNT have very good slabs, price is way better than Beckett, they meet their service deadlines, and they are no different than any other grading company, besides being newer to the game. They know their stuff, and as for value of your graded cards, you would be a fool to pay less for a 9.5 graded MNT card than a Beckett, or KSA card for that matter.. Just my 5 cents worth

[ozo974]

no one knew who Beckett was either when they started, remember that. MNT are going to be the number ! got to in Canada, just a matter of time

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by ozo974

no one knew who Beckett was either when they started, remember that. MNT are going to be the number ! got to in Canada, just a matter of time

Every one knew Beckett. They had the price guide so they were advertising and had a strong following from the beginning.

Sent from my KFKAWI using Tapatalk

[nrm1977]

I would avoid. Stick to PSA, SGC, BGS in that order. Honestly, SGC grading standards are on par with PSAs. I strongly feel BGS standards are subpar. Not sure if some of the newer people in the hobby know that SGC has been around for 22ish years. Personally I stick to PSA and SGC.

[CardsComicsGuy]

I can respect all the opinions but from a business standpoint and being located in Canada, it makes sense to try them. They are new, but the quality of the cases are comparable to the industry and the grading standards seem as consistent as any of the grading companies. I'm personally going to give them a shot because I'm in Canada and it's so much easier as a business for me to not have to send cards into the U.S.A for grading. I don't have to worry about currency exchange and dealing with customs and border agents that constantly hold my return packages until I verify that they are my goods originally and I shouldn't have to pay duty and taxes on the card values.

[ThinkOTB]

Originally Posted by CardsComicsGuy

I can respect all the opinions but from a business standpoint and being located in Canada, it makes sense to try them. They are new, but the quality of the cases are comparable to the industry and the grading standards seem as consistent as any of the grading companies. I'm personally going to give them a shot because I'm in Canada and it's so much easier as a business for me to not have to send cards into the U.S.A for grading. I don't have to worry about currency exchange and dealing with customs and border agents that constantly hold my return packages until I verify that they are my goods originally and I shouldn't have to pay duty and taxes on the card values.

It all comes down to one question. Why are you grading? If you are grading to eventually sell it makes zero sense to use MNT or any Canadian Grading company. If you are slabbing to simply protect your cards for your PC, by all means go ahead with MNT.

[htn315]

Originally Posted by CardsComicsGuy

I can respect all the opinions but from a business standpoint and being located in Canada, it makes sense to try them. They are new, but the quality of the cases are comparable to the industry and the grading standards seem as consistent as any of the grading companies. I'm personally going to give them a shot because I'm in Canada and it's so much easier as a business for me to not have to send cards into the U.S.A for grading. I don't have to worry about currency exchange and dealing with customs and border agents that constantly hold my return packages until I verify that they are my goods originally and I shouldn't have to pay duty and taxes on the card values.

You save money on the fees but you lose money on the resale value and the price gap is pretty big between them and PSA so personally I would rather spend the extra money to get a higher return.

[Hoardthevintage]

Originally Posted by CardsComicsGuy

I can respect all the opinions but from a business standpoint and being located in Canada, it makes sense to try them. They are new, but the quality of the cases are comparable to the industry and the grading standards seem as consistent as any of the grading companies. I'm personally going to give them a shot because I'm in Canada and it's so much easier as a business for me to not have to send cards into the U.S.A for grading. I don't have to worry about currency exchange and dealing with customs and border agents that constantly hold my return packages until I verify that they are my goods originally and I shouldn't have to pay duty and taxes on the card values.

Cards slabbed by random unknown grading companies routinely sell for less than a raw copy because people assume trimmed or altered.

[Dr kicker]

Originally Posted by CardsComicsGuy

I can respect all the opinions but from a business standpoint and being located in Canada, it makes sense to try them. They are new, but the quality of the cases are comparable to the industry and the grading standards seem as consistent as any of the grading companies. I'm personally going to give them a shot because I'm in Canada and it's so much easier as a business for me to not have to send cards into the U.S.A for grading. I don't have to worry about currency exchange and dealing with customs and border agents that constantly hold my return packages until I verify that they are my goods originally and I shouldn't have to pay duty and taxes on the card values.

Pretty easy to claim you duty`s , you just have to keep your shipping bill when you send them , a list of the cards you sent , paypal/CC invoice. Take a couple of weeks but you get them back.

[DawnBTVS]

Originally Posted by ThinkOTB

It all comes down to one question. Why are you grading? If you are grading to eventually sell it makes zero sense to use MNT or any Canadian Grading company. If you are slabbing to simply protect your cards for your PC, by all means go ahead with MNT.

This. They are your cards for your PC. If you already like the design, think the price is pretty affordable, and they are located in Canada, then go for it. There's no real right/wrong way when it comes to your own cards.

[CardsComicsGuy]

Originally Posted by Dr kicker

Pretty easy to claim you duty`s , you just have to keep your shipping bill when you send them , a list of the cards you sent , paypal/CC invoice. Take a couple of weeks but you get them back.

Yes, I agree but the process is cumbersome.

[CardsComicsGuy]

Originally Posted by Hoardthevintage

Cards slabbed by random unknown grading companies routinely sell for less than a raw copy because people assume trimmed or altered.

I think collector's put too much faith in the current grading companies. PSA and Beckett have had their share of scandals.

A company has to start somewhere and from what I've seen. The cases hold up well compared to PSA and Beckett, actually I think they look better then PSA. Comparing the grading. I think MNT is just as consistent from what I've seen in looking at comparables. Grading is very subjective and many people put too much faith in the abilities of the current grading companies and there are plenty of horror stories. I'm sure MNT will have their own too. For now, the economics as a Canadian business makes sense to give them a shot and see where things go.
As for cards selling for routinely less, I think everyone's mileage will vary but I would suggest not putting them in an auction where results can be a big failure. Use a Buy it Now or best offer on it and let the presentation of the card speak for itself.

[nhlmint]

I wouldn't be suprised if MNT catches on, though I probably wouldn't use them. Recently I read that they were founded by two former Beckett graders, which explains the look of the slab and the similar subgrades if this is true. I am also waiting with a stack of cards for grading and am in no hurry. Curious to see what CSG will be like once reviews start coming in. Beckett REALLY needs to get an office located in Canada. There would be a title wave of cards the first week.

[Inferno]

All of the major grading companies need to expand into Canada. I'd love to grade my stuff without having to spend a fortune tying up my cards in another country for six months. And if you don't have an LCS around you that does submissions you've got to send your stuff to group subbers to get a remotely decent rate and it's even more shipping stuff around and waiting. I'm very envious of American collectors who can just casually send their stuff to PSA or Beckett for grading whenever they want without ever having to worry about dealing with expensive shipping, brutal exchange rates, and the BS with the border.

With all that said I have gotten a few PC cards done at MNT and I feel the grading is fair and their slab is top tier quality. Similar to Beckett but a higher quality plastic that looks clearer and feels heavier/more premium. Almost feels more like a pyrex type material than a cheap plastic like BGS. I get the impression the MNT slabs won't scratch nearly as easily.

The inner sleeve however needs work and I've discussed it with them already. It's essentially a 130pt thick card penny sleeve that sits on top of the inner bumpers and slightly presses the card down into the recessed area which can cause the sleeve to ripple in the front. It can be pretty distracting and cards that are slightly thicker (55pt or so) make it even worse. It can be hit or miss too some cards don't get the ripple and some do. Depends on how careful they are with assembly I guess.

[mjohnatgt]

The population of Canada is less than 40 million. The fact that you guys have multiple grading companies already is probably the right amount. Why wouldn't they create a branch location in Asia or Europe first? There are a ton more people and sportscard collectors. Doesn't seem to make financial sense.