In hand CSG slab review and comparison

dkcardman · 04-17-2021, 09:08 AM

With CSG being new and a lot of uncertainty around their product, I wanted to give some good pics, comparisons and a review of their slabs.

First compared to PSA and BGS.
Slightly shorter, i mean barely than PSA and same width. Taller and narrower than BGS.

Easily the clearest looking card. The shine/refraction of the card shows up very clear. Better than PSA and way better than BGS.

Label is bigger. More details for sure. I could have added the SN to it but forgot. When holding it, you really dont notice the size of the label.

Here is actual real data on the size difference
CSG label is 2.5 inches wide, PSA just under 2.75 inches wide. PSA is 7% wider.
CSG label is 1 inch tall exactly. PSA is 13/16ths tall. CSG label is 18.7% taller.
Overall label surface area, CSG is 12.7% more paper.

You will notice the CSG label is the same width as the card where the PSA label is wider than the card on both ends.

Label Height difference is 3 16ths of an inch.
I think it looks so much bigger because the red border on the PSA label makes it seem smaller than it really is.

The green on the label is like a prismatic holo foil. That has a ton of tiny balance scale symbols. I cant imagine that will be easy to forge.

Everyone keeps talking about how nice the case is and it's true. The rounded feel is sleeker and feels like holding a newer iPhone.

Back hologram is super complex. QR code and bar scan and SN.

Thicker and much heavier duty than the PSA card.

Far less room for movement than the PSA card as well. The trae purple moves around in this PSA holder both side to side and up and down which sucks. Zero movement in the CSG in either direction.

Clarity of the card through this case just cant stop popping out..

Last pic is the packaging this card came in.. and yes, this was a 1 card sub and they still sent in this. Needless to say it was very safe and I have a great reship or storage box now!

Hope this helps for anyone still debating sending cards to CSG or that were curious.

armoursave · 04-17-2021, 09:15 AM

Whoa, looks really good. Thanks for posting this.

colbycolbycolby · 04-17-2021, 09:19 AM

SCG looks better than that

dkcardman · 04-17-2021, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colbycolbycolby

SCG looks better than that

Okay, because you went there. Pics only. Not going to waste time writing out a comparison to SGC...to each their own.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

ToppsAddict · 04-17-2021, 09:29 AM

I definitely think CSG will continue to gain traction with time. Slabs are actually very high quality and beautiful, and grading appears to be very consistent and accurate. I don't love the large flip area and the green label, but outside of historical significance in the card world, they are as high quality and reputable as anyone in the game.

smalltown · 04-17-2021, 09:32 AM

Looks good. The clarity is a big deal to me. That's one of the things that has always bugged me about slabs.

rainmaker · 04-17-2021, 09:32 AM

Thank you for sharing

Chrominator · 04-17-2021, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkcardman

With CSG being new and a lot of uncertainty around their product, I wanted to give some good pics, comparisons and a review of their slabs.

Great post, OP!

How long did it take for them to email you that your cards were received / entered in the system?

My sub was dlvd 3/18, and I still haven't heard a peep from CSG.

dkcardman · 04-17-2021, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrominator

Great post, OP!

How long did it take for them to email you that your cards were received / entered in the system?

My sub was dlvd 3/18, and I still haven't heard a peep from CSG.

I did unlimited walkthrough on this which was their fastest service. Took 14 days from mail dlvd to returned to my doorstep.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

discodanman45 · 04-17-2021, 09:38 AM

CSG slabs with subgrades look real nice. Without subgrades I would never own. They need a different slab and label without subgrades.

rustywest · 04-17-2021, 09:43 AM

Interesting post!

Don't grade personally but in my opinion somebody should have dropped the cliche 'less is more' to the label design crew.

mojenda · 04-17-2021, 09:47 AM

Thanks for posting a comprehensive perspective. Like most older collectors, the battle of grading always came down to PSA and BGS. Although I still lean towards BGS, it is nice to see companies pushing the development of the product. Once the dust settles we should see some very good alternatives, as well as advances to protect our collections or investments. The clarity on their slab is an overlooked advancement.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

dkcardman · 04-17-2021, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustywest

Interesting post!

Don't grade personally but in my opinion somebody should have dropped the cliche 'less is more' to the label design crew.

I am guessing they went with this mindset when they designed this.... they wanted the slab to be very close to PSA size. And they didnt want too much empty space (areas of just plastic fluff). The card takes up so much space and they filled the rest with the label. Looks big compared to the others but when your holding it solo, you dont notice it that much.

Chrominator · 04-17-2021, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkcardman

I did unlimited walkthrough on this which was their fastest service. Took 14 days from mail dlvd to returned to my doorstep.

Thanks, I may try that approach next time.

colbycolbycolby · 04-17-2021, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkcardman

Okay, because you went there. Pics only. Not going to waste time writing out a comparison to SGC...to each their own.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Does PWCC or Goldin accept CSG? If not, you're wasting your time.

StrongandFree86 · 04-17-2021, 09:52 AM

Thanks for the review. I had been considering a CSG submission and now I think I'll send some in.

dkcardman · 04-17-2021, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colbycolbycolby

Does PWCC or Goldin accept CSG? If not, you're wasting your time.

These guys are new. They will accept them soon. Ps I am pretty sure there are other sales avenues to PWCC and Goldin.

Pollard7 · 04-17-2021, 09:56 AM

Great review! Still not a big fan of the labels. I wonder if a lot of people are going to submit to them right now?

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

rainmaker · 04-17-2021, 09:57 AM

They use computer imaging for centering sub

colbycolbycolby · 04-17-2021, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkcardman

These guys are new. They will accept them soon. Ps I am pretty sure there are other sales avenues to PWCC and Goldin.

Just don't be left having a slab bag. This, and HGA, are bad decisions. I'll see myself out tho.

dkcardman · 04-17-2021, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pollard7

Great review! Still not a big fan of the labels. I wonder if a lot of people are going to submit to them right now?

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

My guess is that they are going to be really busy really quick and probably start facing super long lead times thanks to PSA shutting down accepting subs.
A ton of the lower end sub $500 and sub $100 stuff is going to get blasted to CSG as they sub prices are SO low. If you have a platinum membership it's just $7.20 for a sub $100 card and no subs. That's low enough to justify grading a lot of stuff youd never send to PSA or BGS at their current prices and lead times.
Plus, with PSA not accepting stuff, I personally know of at least a couple dozen guys who are sending in all their bulk subs to CSG now at hundreds of cards each.
I'd be shocked if they dont have a serious backlog soon, but I'd also be shocked if they dont have a plan to address this as they are part of a very respected company.
Either way, for their prices, if I have to wait, I am good with it.
It's just a matter of time before they are considered a legit grading option in both hobby eyes and market value.

Duvalier · 04-17-2021, 10:07 AM

Thanks for the detailed review. Appreciate it.

bmf · 04-17-2021, 10:15 AM

thank op, that is helpful. i have to say, i'm impressed with CSG so far.

dkcardman · 04-17-2021, 10:18 AM

Wrong thread

PSA2Pac · 04-17-2021, 10:42 AM

Thanks man, this is great. Originally I wasnt feeling how big the label is but your comparison has heightened my intrigue. The clarity is a big one.

Im a PSA guy that respects BGS and SGC (I couldnt find anything that excited me about HGA), and with subs halted at PSA i might have to send a couple cards in

04-17-2021, 09:08 AM	#1
dkcardman Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Buford, Ga Posts: 2,528 dkcardman dkcardman	In hand CSG slab review and comparison With CSG being new and a lot of uncertainty around their product, I wanted to give some good pics, comparisons and a review of their slabs. First compared to PSA and BGS. Slightly shorter, i mean barely than PSA and same width. Taller and narrower than BGS. Easily the clearest looking card. The shine/refraction of the card shows up very clear. Better than PSA and way better than BGS. Label is bigger. More details for sure. I could have added the SN to it but forgot. When holding it, you really dont notice the size of the label. Here is actual real data on the size difference CSG label is 2.5 inches wide, PSA just under 2.75 inches wide. PSA is 7% wider. CSG label is 1 inch tall exactly. PSA is 13/16ths tall. CSG label is 18.7% taller. Overall label surface area, CSG is 12.7% more paper. You will notice the CSG label is the same width as the card where the PSA label is wider than the card on both ends. Label Height difference is 3 16ths of an inch. I think it looks so much bigger because the red border on the PSA label makes it seem smaller than it really is. The green on the label is like a prismatic holo foil. That has a ton of tiny balance scale symbols. I cant imagine that will be easy to forge. Everyone keeps talking about how nice the case is and it's true. The rounded feel is sleeker and feels like holding a newer iPhone. Back hologram is super complex. QR code and bar scan and SN. Thicker and much heavier duty than the PSA card. Far less room for movement than the PSA card as well. The trae purple moves around in this PSA holder both side to side and up and down which sucks. Zero movement in the CSG in either direction. Clarity of the card through this case just cant stop popping out.. Last pic is the packaging this card came in.. and yes, this was a 1 card sub and they still sent in this. Needless to say it was very safe and I have a great reship or storage box now! Hope this helps for anyone still debating sending cards to CSG or that were curious. Last edited by dkcardman; 04-17-2021 at 04:37 PM.

04-17-2021, 09:32 AM	#6
smalltown Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Canada Posts: 17,243 ifeature	Looks good. The clarity is a big deal to me. That's one of the things that has always bugged me about slabs. __________________ Collecting: Raptors, Canadian Basketball Players, Vintage & More. PC: https://www.instagram.com/smalltown.cards/

04-17-2021, 09:32 AM	#7
rainmaker Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 2,824 thewescoast	Thank you for sharing __________________ https://www.flickr.com/photos/152850287@N08/albums

04-17-2021, 09:38 AM	#10
discodanman45 Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: CA Posts: 9,715 danch27	CSG slabs with subgrades look real nice. Without subgrades I would never own. They need a different slab and label without subgrades. __________________ Updating my entire collection on Card Ladder. Lots to go... https://www.cardladder.com/showcase/IOBB7AY2qTVVKSgU9Aqj02kfF4I3

04-17-2021, 09:56 AM	#18
Pollard7 Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,116 Dr.monopoly7	Great review! Still not a big fan of the labels. I wonder if a lot of people are going to submit to them right now? Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk __________________ Huge Fan of the 49ers, Yankees, Timberwolves, and all things Johnny Depp!! Sticker autos are destroying the hobby. Check out my YouTube page!

04-17-2021, 09:15 AM	#2
armoursave Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 709	Whoa, looks really good. Thanks for posting this.

04-17-2021, 09:19 AM	#3
colbycolbycolby Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: ATX Posts: 632	SCG looks better than that

04-17-2021, 09:29 AM	#5
ToppsAddict Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 171	I definitely think CSG will continue to gain traction with time. Slabs are actually very high quality and beautiful, and grading appears to be very consistent and accurate. I don't love the large flip area and the green label, but outside of historical significance in the card world, they are as high quality and reputable as anyone in the game.

04-17-2021, 09:43 AM	#11
rustywest Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 2,688	Interesting post! Don't grade personally but in my opinion somebody should have dropped the cliche 'less is more' to the label design crew.

04-17-2021, 09:47 AM	#12
mojenda Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 166	Thanks for posting a comprehensive perspective. Like most older collectors, the battle of grading always came down to PSA and BGS. Although I still lean towards BGS, it is nice to see companies pushing the development of the product. Once the dust settles we should see some very good alternatives, as well as advances to protect our collections or investments. The clarity on their slab is an overlooked advancement. Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

04-17-2021, 09:52 AM	#16
StrongandFree86 Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 905 StrongandFree86	Thanks for the review. I had been considering a CSG submission and now I think I'll send some in.

04-17-2021, 09:57 AM	#19
rainmaker Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 2,824 thewescoast	They use computer imaging for centering sub __________________ https://www.flickr.com/photos/152850287@N08/albums

04-17-2021, 10:07 AM	#22
Duvalier Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 780	Thanks for the detailed review. Appreciate it.

04-17-2021, 10:15 AM	#23
bmf Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 3,193	thank op, that is helpful. i have to say, i'm impressed with CSG so far.

04-17-2021, 10:18 AM	#24
dkcardman Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Buford, Ga Posts: 2,528 dkcardman dkcardman	Wrong thread

04-17-2021, 10:42 AM	#25
PSA2Pac Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Posts: 3,890	Thanks man, this is great. Originally I wasnt feeling how big the label is but your comparison has heightened my intrigue. The clarity is a big one. Im a PSA guy that respects BGS and SGC (I couldnt find anything that excited me about HGA), and with subs halted at PSA i might have to send a couple cards in