1) I've got a nice Warriors for the PS2 but the outer seal has a price sticker and the rear has a security tag. Pretty sure I could remove both, but since it's a 10-year-old game, I am betting there will be a "relief" in the plastic where those stickers were anchored. Should I just not bother and sell it as a sealed game?
2) Does VGA accept sealed PC games for grading?
1) Warriors is cheap and security stickers are almost impossible to remove without damage. Don't waste your time, just sell it as is.
2) I'm pretty sure they do... could have swore I saw a VGA 95 Diablo II before.
Thank you jonebone. I'll go through the VGA site again to confirm. While they do a good job of providing most of the information you might need, it is organized terribly.
Okay, I didn't find anything on PC games specifically. My hunch is that if they do grade them, it's considered a "custom" case. I emailed them to ask about it, but they don't seem to reply too often. There's a Diablo II on eBay that in a clear acrylic VGA case --- possibly the ones they use to return games to people?
Just sent in my first games to get graded. My question is, does VGA send you an email report of your grades, or do you have to wait until they are delivered to find out?
You can email them, but in my brief experiences with them, they're not very good at replying. Still waiting on a reply about accepting PC games for grading.
You can email them, but in my brief experiences with them, they're not very good at replying. Still waiting on a reply about accepting PC games for grading.
Yes, they will grade PC games. I have a Diablo 2 that I graded and I know of a few other collectors who have sent in PC games to be graded as well.
You can email them, but in my brief experiences with them, they're not very good at replying. Still waiting on a reply about accepting PC games for grading.
What I want to know about VGA is how they deal with grading Famicom titles and Asian Gameboy releases. I have something that might trip them up a bit, should I send it in.
Yesterday I bought a few unlicensed Taiwanese Gameboy games. The Gameboy games were not shrinkwrapped (none of these ever were), yet they are brand new. Some of the games may have lost their virginities when stuck in a Gameboy machine and powered on for a brief second to make sure they work. This may have never happened to others. Hell, some of these companies were so small, that maybe their own crew pulled a few retail carts here and there to test that they powered on before shipping them out. My question is, how would VGA grade these things?
Would VGA grade the games qualified? Would they grade them as new, yet never shrinkwrapped (like a NES Action Set or something), or what would happen? If someone told me that these carts were not new, just because the guy at the store popped it into the GB and powered it on for a second, I would personally slap him or her, as by Asian standards this would still be considered brand new...and since we are talking about Asian games, we need to look at it from an Asian perspective.
I personally feel like sending one or two of these bad boys to VGA just to be a dick and see what would happen. If they can't grade these games too, then imo it shows a bit about the company, especially since they are supposed to be the "experts". Any idea what would happen?
I personally feel like sending one or two of these bad boys to VGA just to be a dick and see what would happen. If they can't grade these games too, then imo it shows a bit about the company, especially since they are supposed to be the "experts". Any idea what would happen?
Don't be an ass, unless you'd like to waste money on grading fees and to / from shipping just to get back an "undetermined" grade. I'm not saying that's what you'd get for sure, but it sounds like a definite possibility if you are trying to grade something they may have never seen before.
VGA are experts not because they know everything in the world, but because they have more experience than anyone else by virtue of quantity. From what I understand, they also consult other experts in the industry whenever they are unsure. They try to render the best decison possible, but of course the "default" decision when unsure has to be refusal. The damage / fallout of authenticating a reseal is far worst than the damage from refusing a legit game. In one scenario the entire community gets pissed, and in the other, just one customer is unhappy.
It's like autographs in pro sports. No matter how much of an "expert" one person may be, you are just paying for their opinion at the end of the day. You can't prove an autograph is real unless you witnessed the signature yourself. All you can do is compare it to known authentic signatures out there, and check for known counterfeiting tactics (autopen, etc.). Same concept here.
You can email them, but in my brief experiences with them, they're not very good at replying. Still waiting on a reply about accepting PC games for grading.
Yes, they will grade PC games. I have a Diablo 2 that I graded and I know of a few other collectors who have sent in PC games to be graded as well.
Originally posted by: EcstasyOfOrder
Originally posted by: GhaleonsDeadMyFriend
You can email them, but in my brief experiences with them, they're not very good at replying. Still waiting on a reply about accepting PC games for grading.
they do
Thanks to you both. I actually just got a reply from them this morning (makes me wonder if they monitor this thread, for kicks). Will be sending something in for grading, thanks!
Is it worth it to send in a sealed (obviously) GTA 2 for Dreamcast other than for shits and giggles sake?
Allow me to answer your question with a rhetorical: is it worth it to you? That's all that matters. It's not a game that demands any kind of serious cash in sealed condition, but it might have some other kind of value to you which could justify it being graded.
I have a very pricey NES game that may be a reseal. However, I am pretty sure it is brand new as there is no wear to the box, or flap. Can I send it in and say that if the seal isn't real, that they grade it as qualified?
Hi! I'm about to submit my first couple of games to be graded... I skimmed through the thread but I couldn't find the answer to two questions: Everything I see here is the archival tier code, yeah? Also, one of the games I am looking to get graded has a hang-tab, and I heard there is a special option to leave the hangtabs unfolded? I was unable to figure that out as well..
I would hate to spend a few hundred dollars only to find out I submitted wrong. Thanks!
I think you have to pay extra to do that hangtab thing, and you can put that in the notes section or send them an email. And you don't have to do archival, I never do.
I think you have to pay extra to do that hangtab thing, and you can put that in the notes section or send them an email. And you don't have to do archival, I never do.
Oh. So regardless of the tier that I choose the case game will come back in a sealed acrylic case? I'm new at this and was completely unaware.
So really the only difference for archival would be the fact that it includes the UV upgrade and has a signifacantly faster turnaround time?
Also, if I purchase a membership (silver or gold or whatever), do you know if I'll get a discount on customer acrylic cases that I purchase? I wanted to encase a couple non-sealed games and peripherals (just due to value and wanting to display them) and figured I'd purchase some customer cases for that... or is there a better way? Thanks for all the help!
I have a sealed PS1 game. Everything is mint, no rips, scratches, or scuffs. Only this is there is a crack in the case about an inch long. How badly will that hurt my grade?
That's a good question, I've never subbed a cracked PS1 game myself. Just speaking from a collector point of view, I'd much rather have scuffing or corner pokes or a tiny wrap tear than a visible crack. So I'm guessing 85 to 85+ max, especially if the crack is on the front and highly visible. Maybe a smaller crack along an edge may not be penalized as heavily. Just my guess though!
I read earlier in the thread that sticker removal is a service offered by VGA. Should I remove the stickers myself before submitting an item, or would that be considered "tampering"? If I'm confident I can handle it, I don't want to have to pay someone else to do it, if it makes no difference to the grading process.
What I want to know about VGA is how they deal with grading Famicom titles and Asian Gameboy releases. I have something that might trip them up a bit, should I send it in.
Yesterday I bought a few unlicensed Taiwanese Gameboy games. The Gameboy games were not shrinkwrapped (none of these ever were), yet they are brand new. Some of the games may have lost their virginities when stuck in a Gameboy machine and powered on for a brief second to make sure they work. This may have never happened to others. Hell, some of these companies were so small, that maybe their own crew pulled a few retail carts here and there to test that they powered on before shipping them out. My question is, how would VGA grade these things?
Would VGA grade the games qualified? Would they grade them as new, yet never shrinkwrapped (like a NES Action Set or something), or what would happen? If someone told me that these carts were not new, just because the guy at the store popped it into the GB and powered it on for a second, I would personally slap him or her, as by Asian standards this would still be considered brand new...and since we are talking about Asian games, we need to look at it from an Asian perspective.
I personally feel like sending one or two of these bad boys to VGA just to be a dick and see what would happen. If they can't grade these games too, then imo it shows a bit about the company, especially since they are supposed to be the "experts". Any idea what would happen?
I have learned that according to their policy if the game is not shrinkwrapped it is not a problem, they will check to make sure the contents are new and unused (as best they can) and if so, grade it as new. No idea what criteria they use to decide that though.
You can slap me, since I'll tell you your cart isn't new because they have been used by the store guy (or anyone else)
I suppose for those ones, the answer is probably If VGA can tell that your cart was used (they won't care who used it), it won't get a sealed grade.
We don't "need" to look at it from an "asian perspective", we *need* to have the same standards for everything or it defeats the whole purpose of grading.
I read earlier in the thread that sticker removal is a service offered by VGA. Should I remove the stickers myself before submitting an item, or would that be considered "tampering"? If I'm confident I can handle it, I don't want to have to pay someone else to do it, if it makes no difference to the grading process.
I believe if you opt to pay the cleaning fee ($3?) and make a note on the submission form, they will remove the sticker for you if they can do so without causing damage. This is what I've had done in the past and they do a great job. I don't think they can remove the security stickers though..
I read earlier in the thread that sticker removal is a service offered by VGA. Should I remove the stickers myself before submitting an item, or would that be considered "tampering"? If I'm confident I can handle it, I don't want to have to pay someone else to do it, if it makes no difference to the grading process.
I believe if you opt to pay the cleaning fee ($3?) and make a note on the submission form, they will remove the sticker for you if they can do so without causing damage. This is what I've had done in the past and they do a great job. I don't think they can remove the security stickers though..
I'm okay with all that. Will me removing a security sticker cause it to be rejected for grading (under "tampering")? I don't quite get the whole tampering business and I'd hate to remove a sticker only to get it rejected or something terrible. $90+ for the grading of a game is serious business.
how long does shipping normally take to canada? because i have been waiting for around a week and a half.
Shit, they said they'd be done with mine on June 29th and it's July 8th already. My invoice number is not working when I look it up either. What gives?
edit: Woops, apparently their online invoice tracker "is not working", according to their website. Still, waiting a long time for the return of my games when the estimate was in June.
FYI I spoke to Kim today and all submissions will be delayed two weeks with no credit back. Half of the graders will be at comic con working a cga VGA booth. Submissions there will give free shipping and they're selling cases. Nothing else interesting tho. They also aren't grading anything at the booth.
Comments
Originally posted by: GhaleonsDeadMyFriend
Two quick questions for the VGA crowd:
1) I've got a nice Warriors for the PS2 but the outer seal has a price sticker and the rear has a security tag. Pretty sure I could remove both, but since it's a 10-year-old game, I am betting there will be a "relief" in the plastic where those stickers were anchored. Should I just not bother and sell it as a sealed game?
2) Does VGA accept sealed PC games for grading?
1) Warriors is cheap and security stickers are almost impossible to remove without damage. Don't waste your time, just sell it as is.
2) I'm pretty sure they do... could have swore I saw a VGA 95 Diablo II before.
Anyone want to chime in on this, feel free.
Originally posted by: GhaleonsDeadMyFriend
You can email them, but in my brief experiences with them, they're not very good at replying. Still waiting on a reply about accepting PC games for grading.
Yes, they will grade PC games. I have a Diablo 2 that I graded and I know of a few other collectors who have sent in PC games to be graded as well.
Originally posted by: GhaleonsDeadMyFriend
You can email them, but in my brief experiences with them, they're not very good at replying. Still waiting on a reply about accepting PC games for grading.
they do
Yesterday I bought a few unlicensed Taiwanese Gameboy games. The Gameboy games were not shrinkwrapped (none of these ever were), yet they are brand new. Some of the games may have lost their virginities when stuck in a Gameboy machine and powered on for a brief second to make sure they work. This may have never happened to others. Hell, some of these companies were so small, that maybe their own crew pulled a few retail carts here and there to test that they powered on before shipping them out. My question is, how would VGA grade these things?
Would VGA grade the games qualified? Would they grade them as new, yet never shrinkwrapped (like a NES Action Set or something), or what would happen? If someone told me that these carts were not new, just because the guy at the store popped it into the GB and powered it on for a second, I would personally slap him or her, as by Asian standards this would still be considered brand new...and since we are talking about Asian games, we need to look at it from an Asian perspective.
I personally feel like sending one or two of these bad boys to VGA just to be a dick and see what would happen. If they can't grade these games too, then imo it shows a bit about the company, especially since they are supposed to be the "experts". Any idea what would happen?
Originally posted by: tracker465
I personally feel like sending one or two of these bad boys to VGA just to be a dick and see what would happen. If they can't grade these games too, then imo it shows a bit about the company, especially since they are supposed to be the "experts". Any idea what would happen?
Don't be an ass, unless you'd like to waste money on grading fees and to / from shipping just to get back an "undetermined" grade. I'm not saying that's what you'd get for sure, but it sounds like a definite possibility if you are trying to grade something they may have never seen before.
VGA are experts not because they know everything in the world, but because they have more experience than anyone else by virtue of quantity. From what I understand, they also consult other experts in the industry whenever they are unsure. They try to render the best decison possible, but of course the "default" decision when unsure has to be refusal. The damage / fallout of authenticating a reseal is far worst than the damage from refusing a legit game. In one scenario the entire community gets pissed, and in the other, just one customer is unhappy.
It's like autographs in pro sports. No matter how much of an "expert" one person may be, you are just paying for their opinion at the end of the day. You can't prove an autograph is real unless you witnessed the signature yourself. All you can do is compare it to known authentic signatures out there, and check for known counterfeiting tactics (autopen, etc.). Same concept here.
Originally posted by: Forest_boy_007
Originally posted by: GhaleonsDeadMyFriend
You can email them, but in my brief experiences with them, they're not very good at replying. Still waiting on a reply about accepting PC games for grading.
Yes, they will grade PC games. I have a Diablo 2 that I graded and I know of a few other collectors who have sent in PC games to be graded as well.
Originally posted by: EcstasyOfOrder
Originally posted by: GhaleonsDeadMyFriend
You can email them, but in my brief experiences with them, they're not very good at replying. Still waiting on a reply about accepting PC games for grading.
they do
Thanks to you both. I actually just got a reply from them this morning (makes me wonder if they monitor this thread, for kicks). Will be sending something in for grading, thanks!
Originally posted by: JNovo79
Is it worth it to send in a sealed (obviously) GTA 2 for Dreamcast other than for shits and giggles sake?
Allow me to answer your question with a rhetorical: is it worth it to you? That's all that matters. It's not a game that demands any kind of serious cash in sealed condition, but it might have some other kind of value to you which could justify it being graded.
I would hate to spend a few hundred dollars only to find out I submitted wrong. Thanks!
Originally posted by: GamerTundra
I think you have to pay extra to do that hangtab thing, and you can put that in the notes section or send them an email. And you don't have to do archival, I never do.
Oh. So regardless of the tier that I choose the case game will come back in a sealed acrylic case? I'm new at this and was completely unaware.
So really the only difference for archival would be the fact that it includes the UV upgrade and has a signifacantly faster turnaround time?
Also, if I purchase a membership (silver or gold or whatever), do you know if I'll get a discount on customer acrylic cases that I purchase? I wanted to encase a couple non-sealed games and peripherals (just due to value and wanting to display them) and figured I'd purchase some customer cases for that... or is there a better way? Thanks for all the help!
Originally posted by: cartman
Is it not possible to become a member if you don't live in the US?
bump
Originally posted by: tracker465
What I want to know about VGA is how they deal with grading Famicom titles and Asian Gameboy releases. I have something that might trip them up a bit, should I send it in.
Yesterday I bought a few unlicensed Taiwanese Gameboy games. The Gameboy games were not shrinkwrapped (none of these ever were), yet they are brand new. Some of the games may have lost their virginities when stuck in a Gameboy machine and powered on for a brief second to make sure they work. This may have never happened to others. Hell, some of these companies were so small, that maybe their own crew pulled a few retail carts here and there to test that they powered on before shipping them out. My question is, how would VGA grade these things?
Would VGA grade the games qualified? Would they grade them as new, yet never shrinkwrapped (like a NES Action Set or something), or what would happen? If someone told me that these carts were not new, just because the guy at the store popped it into the GB and powered it on for a second, I would personally slap him or her, as by Asian standards this would still be considered brand new...and since we are talking about Asian games, we need to look at it from an Asian perspective.
I personally feel like sending one or two of these bad boys to VGA just to be a dick and see what would happen. If they can't grade these games too, then imo it shows a bit about the company, especially since they are supposed to be the "experts". Any idea what would happen?
I have learned that according to their policy if the game is not shrinkwrapped it is not a problem, they will check to make sure the contents are new and unused (as best they can) and if so, grade it as new. No idea what criteria they use to decide that though.
You can slap me, since I'll tell you your cart isn't new because they have been used by the store guy (or anyone else)
I suppose for those ones, the answer is probably If VGA can tell that your cart was used (they won't care who used it), it won't get a sealed grade.
We don't "need" to look at it from an "asian perspective", we *need* to have the same standards for everything or it defeats the whole purpose of grading.
Originally posted by: GhaleonsDeadMyFriend
I read earlier in the thread that sticker removal is a service offered by VGA. Should I remove the stickers myself before submitting an item, or would that be considered "tampering"? If I'm confident I can handle it, I don't want to have to pay someone else to do it, if it makes no difference to the grading process.
I believe if you opt to pay the cleaning fee ($3?) and make a note on the submission form, they will remove the sticker for you if they can do so without causing damage. This is what I've had done in the past and they do a great job. I don't think they can remove the security stickers though..
Originally posted by: Forest_boy_007
Originally posted by: GhaleonsDeadMyFriend
I read earlier in the thread that sticker removal is a service offered by VGA. Should I remove the stickers myself before submitting an item, or would that be considered "tampering"? If I'm confident I can handle it, I don't want to have to pay someone else to do it, if it makes no difference to the grading process.
I believe if you opt to pay the cleaning fee ($3?) and make a note on the submission form, they will remove the sticker for you if they can do so without causing damage. This is what I've had done in the past and they do a great job. I don't think they can remove the security stickers though..
I'm okay with all that. Will me removing a security sticker cause it to be rejected for grading (under "tampering")? I don't quite get the whole tampering business and I'd hate to remove a sticker only to get it rejected or something terrible. $90+ for the grading of a game is serious business.
Originally posted by: qtoyoda
how long does shipping normally take to canada? because i have been waiting for around a week and a half.
Shit, they said they'd be done with mine on June 29th and it's July 8th already. My invoice number is not working when I look it up either. What gives?
edit: Woops, apparently their online invoice tracker "is not working", according to their website. Still, waiting a long time for the return of my games when the estimate was in June.