VGA grading

BlimixBlimix
in Help Wanted!
Hi there! I'm new here; my introduction is in the "Welcome!" section.



I'm looking for a reality check before I invest a bunch of money into grading a game prior to selling it. Last year, my mother sent me a box of stuff from my childhood bedroom. Inside was a copy of Double Dragon for the NES, still in its shrink wrap. (I had played the hell out of Double Dragon, of course. When my relatives wanted to buy me a gift, they knew that video games would always make me happy. But they (understandably) didn't consistently check to see whether I already had any particular game. So I wound up with two copies of Double Dragon, which I entirely forgot until this box arrived.)



I've never bought or sold a rare (condition) game, so I'm kind of flying blind, but I have no use for this extra copy and would like to sell it. A collector told me to get a certificate of authentication and protective archival box, and said it would be worth about $400. I didn't give him any details of its condition, so that could be wildly off. (The shrink wrap has a few 1 mm holes, and a blemish that might be an ink transfer. There's a small, slightly crushed area along the bottom edge, which is not apparent at first glance.)



If it's worth about $400, based on the VGA grading site, I'm looking at spending:

$37 express tier grading

$15 UV (archival) material upgrade

$13 return shipping

$15 my shipping (a guess, including packaging)

$8 insurance ($4 each way)

Total: $88



I assume the collector didn't mean that I should spend the additional $50 that VGA charges for CIB authentication.



Is this reasonable? Am I making any wrong assumptions here?



Thanks for your time!

 

Comments

  • guillavoieguillavoie
    Your very first concern is to evaluate if the condition of the game is worth grading. You should add detailed pictures so we can judge what kind of grade it would get. Not every sealed copies are worth the hassle of getting graded.
  • Viper0hrViper0hr
    New it can go between $150-400 depending on overall condition, ungraded, graded in the shape you described it would probably not bump it up that much, if at all.

    I personally would not have it graded, but that's up to the seller haha.





    You just have to ask yourself, are you willing to spend about $100 to possibly, but no guarantee, make $100 or more?
  • zeldaboyzeldaboy
    Hello and welcome! There is actually a stickied topic for "All Things VGA Related"



    http://vintage.nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=63072



    Condition is (obviously) the main factor in deciding whether or not to get something graded. You could post some pictures of it and possibly get some feedback on it here. The holes could very well just be vent holes that authentic seals tend to have. I'd suggest posting over in that thread if you don't get the feedback you are looking for in this perticular subforum.



    Good luck if you do decide to send it in for grading.
  • max2dgam1ngmax2dgam1ng
    Based off your description I would not spend the $100 to get it graded. I'd sell it either here or eBay to a collector and get more money that way. If you grade it and it gets silver it won't be worth any more. You want to shoot for gold. My two cents.
  • BlimixBlimix
    Good thoughts; thanks!  I made an album on NA, but the images were automatically resized, and are now (I assume) too small for grading purposes.  So the full size photos and scans are now available here instead:  http://www.blimix.com/doubledragon/

     
  • Maertens29Maertens29
    Looking at it, and going by your description, it is probably VGA 80+, maybe 85, it is actually pretty nice. That said, I'm not sure if it is worth grading if you're looking to sell. As said, you generally want a gold grade to increase the sale price.



    With the pictures you have taken you should be able to get a fine price as is.
  • GreatGadonGreatGadon
    Agreed if your just looking to sell it getting it VGA graded in the condition its in wont add anything to your profit margin. While still in fair condition I would sell it as is to anyone on here, ebay or any other way you prefer.
  • dav3ybdav3yb
    grading games does nothing to increase the value, its pretty much just a pyramid scheme. there are videos on YouTube of people getting things graded and when they put them into the plastic coffins, they screw something up, so something with a nice hard crease on the corner somehow comes out as "85+"



    they seem to offer no real explanation on what makes a game get whatever grade it does, which should be a red flag for anyone. it jist comes down to the opinion of whoever grades it. its pretty much a scam to get money out of people not smart enough to realize it.
  • BlimixBlimix
    Thanks, all, for the advice!  I'm saving myself the hassle and expense of grading, and will let the bidders decide for themselves.



    I've just put the game up for auction here:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/301717703537



    The starting price is 99 cents, so if you want to pop in and try for a great deal in case nobody else notices it, feel free.  (Would it be appropriate, or tacky, to mention my own sale in the Auction Site Spotlight section of this forum?)





     
  • neodolphinoneodolphino
    Originally posted by: Blimix



    (Would it be appropriate, or tacky, to mention my own sale in the Auction Site Spotlight section of this forum?)

     



    Nope... lots of people use it that way.
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