http://nintendoage.com/forum/ -Sqooner http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=177461 2017-10-08T11:15:44 -05.00 GPX 22 Originally posted by: dragonwarrior83

I don't know about VGA grading but I but I have hundreds of CGC graded comics. I think it helps because it sets some industry standards concerning the condition of games as one person's idea of very good condition may be drastically different from someone else's. I may eventually pick up a few VGA games just for display and historical purposes, hopefully a dragon warrior.


I don't own any CGC graded comics, but I would imagine the core principles of its grading service would be similar to that of VGA. You have the right idea - grade those you feel strong emotional attachment. People who grade everything wrapped in plastic, without care of title or condition, are not doing it for the right reasons. ]]> http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=177461 2017-10-08T11:02:30 -05.00 GPX 22 Originally posted by: Orlandu81

Ok I'm going to regret posting about this topic, but here we go.

As a VGA collector that had over 150 titles at one point, and now down to just 5 as of today, I feel I can comment to a somewhat objective degree on this.

1) MYTH: Once a game is slabbed, it costs 500-1000% more.

This is completely untrue. Sometimes getting a game slabbed (or graded for the technical people) actually could lower the value if the grade is low. Yes VGA graded games cost more than raw games usually, but only a small percentage higher which takes into account 1) that it is authentic, 2) that it is in X condition. An ungraded game that is for sale that you can only see a few pictures of is not easy to discern condition, so the risk factor of buying an ungraded game lowers the cost vs. if it has been graded.

2) MYTH: The games never sell for thousands of dollars and just sit on ebay forever, and the ones that do sell only go to the small amount of other VGA collectors out there.

Another false statement. I've recently liquidated my entire VGA collection for personal reasons, and had no problem getting multiple thousands of dollars each for many of them....I've actually sold 40+ games in the last few months alone, quite easily. Sure you won't see many of the sales on feebay, since it is just one medium that VGA games are traded. Sure there is a tight knit group, and of the 100+ games I've sold, I've had plenty of repeat buyers. However, there have been plenty of new collectors that aren't on this forum, many overseas, that are quite active in the VGA market and have been buying up high graded rare titles.

3) MYTH: VGA is a scam, and they have no clue what they are doing.

Very false. As others have said, grading is subjective and this market is still relatively new. I've found that the subjectivity is minor, half a grade difference up or down. For the most part, the grades are consistent and I feel after seeing hundreds of raw and VGA games in my hand, I can generally guess the grade within a half grade nearly EVERY time. They do a fine job for what they provide in the sealed market (I can't comment on qualified or proto authentication).

I barely have a horse in this VGA race anymore, as soon I will liquidate my last 5 titles. Just like any hobby, you will have collectors that collect things based on condition and have a lot of money to contribute to the hobby. This is nothing new, I urge the usual few to stop posting negative comments on others' hobbies. Personally I think CIB is completely silly and the fact that people spend tons of money on used cardboard is NUTS, but I don't go around saying it on the forums...except right now...but that was just as an example. Sorry CIB collectors don't hate me!


Great post David! Saw some of your collection previously thru SGH. A shame to see you sellout as you had quite an impressive amount of awesomeness ]]> http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=177461 2017-10-07T23:19:18 -05.00 GPX 22 Originally posted by: D~Funk

VGA Sux!
It was about time someone says that bluntly  

]]> http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=177461 2017-10-07T21:18:26 -05.00 GPX 22 http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=177461 2017-10-07T19:10:35 -05.00 GPX 22 http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=177461 2017-10-07T18:14:15 -05.00 GPX 22 http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=177461 2017-10-07T06:54:05 -05.00 GPX 22
Our Mission

There has always been and will likely always be a large amount of misrepresentation and over-grading in the collectible market. VGA was founded in order to provide video game collectors throughout the world with added peace of mind when making purchases sight unseen. Until the formation of VGA, dealers, collectors and investors had no universal standard by which to judge an items condition. Virtually everyone had their own ideas, criteria, and definitions by which to rate any given item. One persons Mint or C10 rating was always different from that of another. These issues have only brought problems and frustration to collectors.

VGA has worked diligently for years to develop the standard we use to accurately convey the condition of original and un-tampered with collectibles, thereby creating a safer collecting environment and helping to ensure that your investment is protected for years to come. When you can be certain that an item was carefully examined by well-trained, unbiased professionals, you can relax and better enjoy your collecting experience.

Standard of Integrity

Our employees will never buy or sell items graded by any division of CGA. This helps to avoid any conflict of interest, and ensures an unbiased approach to grading and authentication.

We understand and respect our unique responsibility to set certain standards for grading, which are designed to promote a healthy and fun collecting environment for all.

To best serve the needs of collectors, we will work steadfastly towards the following goals:
•Offer collectors peace of mind by providing a professional assessment of an items condition, authenticity, and other characteristics, thus promoting the healthy growth of our hobby and safer sight unseen purchases.
•To gain your trust and respect by handling all items with the utmost care.
•To continuously improve our policies and procedures to ensure our grading criteria best reflects the preferences of the collecting community as a whole.
•To promote interest in collecting by providing a safer way to make purchases and a better way to protect your investments. We believe collecting is much more enjoyable when you have some assurance that what you are buying is authentic and correctly represented.

Committed to:

Listening... to all of our patrons no matter how big or small. We strongly value your opinions and suggestions for how we can improve your experience with us. We encourage you to contact us with your feedback and ideas.

Consistency and Accuracy... is our goal in every grade we assign. All items submitted for grading are evaluated by professional graders who incorporate strict standards designed to ensure that every item is graded based on its physical condition in relation to packaging/item type, complexity, and size. Rarity is never factored into the grade an item receives.

Unbiased treatment... regardless of who submits an item for grading. We follow a strict set of procedures in order to ensure each item is graded without bias or prejudice. We have no financial interest in your item or what grade it receives, thereby making us uniquely suited to fairly assess an items condition.

Confidentiality... We will not share your personal or contact information without your consent. You can feel at ease knowing that only employees of CGA and contracted authentication experts will have access to your personal information.

Customer Service... is exceptionally important to us. Our goal is to address any and all questions and concerns you may have to the best of our ability, while maintaining the highest standards of honesty, integrity and ethical conduct. We strive to provide you with prompt, courteous, and professional service at all times.. ]]> http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=177461 2017-10-07T06:48:12 -05.00 GPX 22 Originally posted by: Koopa64

i think "waste of time" is an appropriate phrase here If you don't want to participate in a conversation (on any thread), or think that a thread is of no interest to you, then by all means, please ignore it and move on.

Comments such as the above serve no constructive purpose and are essentially thread-crapping.




  ]]> http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=177461 2017-10-07T04:43:15 -05.00 GPX 22 1. "collectors of VGA are all blinded by money and ALL are just in it for the money"
2. "VGA grading is nothing but a pyramid scheme"

1. Collectors of any collectibles are generally of 2 types: collector to collect, and collector to resell. People see a lot of the high BIN prices for some VGA-graded games, and make quick judgment calls that all VGA collectors expect their games to sell for crazy inflated prices. Maybe in some cases the graded games are considered true grails and are worthy of high value, but most true collectors (and this goes for loose cart/CIB/MIB collectors) understand not all the games in their collection will all sell at guaranteed profit margins.
Furthermore, there are some VGA collectors who have been collecting for years and not really known to be actively selling anything at all. Which ultimately means that some collect, purely just to collect.

2. An extension to the first point, there is an assumption that since everyone that collects VGA-graded games are in it for the money, it becomes nothing more than a "pyramid scheme". However, as previously mentioned, some VGA collectors are not all into selling their VGA collection and are not blinded by VGA faith to be actively seeking recruitment for other collectors to join in on the VGA scheme. You may find that most VGA collectors will adopt the attitude "I collect new and sealed, and others can collect whatever the hell they want!"
Sometimes, it's the VGA elitists that pump their chests too loudly and flash their wallets in other people's faces, that makes it seem that all VGA collectors are nothing but a bunch of rich idiots. There is nothing more from the truth from some of my encounters with other collectors of VGA (or just sealed collectors in general). Some are just as humble as collectors of loose carts, CIB etc. ]]> http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=177461 2017-10-07T04:17:59 -05.00 GPX 22 Originally posted by: Koopa64

i think "waste of time" is an appropriate phrase here One can argue that "collecting a complete set of loose carts", "playing games all day", and "collecting VGA games" all fall under the same theme of "waste of time". Who's to say which is the more "time waster"? ]]>