1546 - More on Fixing Grading

Dr. Beckett gives more on “fixing grading,” stressing he isn’t attacking grading companies but wants better customer service, clearer communication, and faster answers amid major backlogs. He argues the industry’s constraint isn’t simply hiring, since many of the best “graders” are successful dealers who won’t work for grading firms. Therefore companies must develop talent through training, including grading academies, while preserving distinct company standards (and not loosening them). He proposes separate grading lanes (TCG, modern, vintage) with faster lane-specific training, separate submission batches, and incentives like loyalty points and referral rewards. He discusses eye appeal as a “plus” concept, surge pricing and tier closures, the economics of grading fees, and predicts increased raw-card activity and pre-screening at shows like the National. He categorically rejects the idea grading is a scam and calls for improvements that accelerate hobby growth.   00:40 Why Grading Needs Better Service 00:58 Finding and Training Great Graders 02:32 Grading Academy and Standards 05:04 Specialized Lanes to Clear Backlogs 06:11 Batch Submissions and Loyalty Points 09:27 Eye Appeal as a Plus System 10:52 Surge Pricing and Submission Economics 13:11 National Show and Raw Card Reviews