Grading
The grading submission costs collectors forget to track
The grading fee is only one part of the investment. Shipping, insurance, supplies, and selling fees can decide whether the submission was profitable.
The label price is not the total price
Submission math often begins and ends with the advertised grading tier. In practice, the card also absorbs some portion of inbound shipping, return shipping, insurance, preparation supplies, membership costs, and any third-party submitter fee.
Build the full cost basis
Before deciding whether to grade, record every cost that the card must overcome.
- ✓Original purchase price, sales tax, and inbound shipping
- ✓Grading service level and declared-value charges
- ✓Shipping and insurance in both directions
- ✓Card savers, sleeves, labels, and packaging
- ✓Marketplace fees and outbound shipping if the card is sold
Compare multiple grade outcomes
A responsible decision uses more than the best-case grade. Compare the likely sale proceeds at several realistic grades against the complete cost basis. If only the most optimistic result produces a profit, the submission may be speculation rather than a sound plan.
Editorial policy
My Slab Stats distinguishes confirmed information from opinion, links primary sources when reporting outside developments, and treats all card values as estimates—not guarantees or financial advice.