So, one of your biggest (by far?) competitors announces that they are improving their product–what’s your reaction?
If you’re Beckett, you decide to raise your rates.
That’s right, Beckett has announced that they will raise their rates on average $1 per card grading, due to increases in oil (the plastic cases are petroleum based) and transportation charges. This marks the first increase since they introduced the service in 1999.
Autograph surcharges, Graded Card Reviews, Case Removal fees and JSA/BGS service fees will not be impacted, but insurance rates will increase to $7 per $1000 declared.
At least they did the announcement with proper timing–the new rates will not kick in until March 1st (for cards received March 1 or later), so you’ve got a few weeks to get your cards in.
BGS restructured prices for the first time since 1999 in response to higher energy and transportation costs. PSA, too, raised its prices beginning in mid-January. Perhaps it experienced similar pressure from petroleum products, of which graded card holders rely upon.
Thanks for letting us comment. — Pepper, Beckett Media
Pepper – Thanks for your comment. I have no doubt that the cost increase was justified, given the price of oil. I did think the timing was unfortunate, but I imagine it was in the works before PSA made their announcement.
I am a new collector, but I was sotring out these older cards and had no problems, then I opened some 2005 topps cards and was going to name them, when it asked if it was a magenta, yellow, gold, platinum, or some others. Is there a rule of thumb to tell which are which. I does deffinitly effect the cost.