How Much Does It Cost To Get A Game Graded

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Game Graded?

So, you’ve got a video game you think is pretty special. Maybe it’s an old classic, a rare find, or even a brand new title that you want to keep in top condition. You’ve heard about game grading, but you are wondering, “How much does it cost to get a game graded?” Well, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s dive into the world of game grading costs and what affects the price.

Understanding the Basics of Game Grading

Before we talk dollars and cents, let’s get the gist of what game grading is all about. Game grading is a process where a professional company evaluates the condition of your video game, its packaging, and any included materials. They then assign it a grade, usually on a scale, indicating its quality. This grade can influence the value of your game significantly, especially in the collector’s market. It’s kind of like getting your baseball card graded, but for video games! Common grading scales include a numerical scale (like 1 to 10 or 1 to 100) and letter grades (like A, B, C). The company seals the game in a protective case after grading, preserving its condition. This is a key reason why people pursue grading for their prized gaming possessions.

Factors That Influence Grading Costs

Now, let’s talk about what makes the price of grading go up or down. There are several things that grading companies look at to figure out the final price:

The Grading Company

Just like there are different brands of video games, there are also different companies that offer grading services. Each company has its own pricing structure. Some of the major game grading services in the market includes Wata Games, VGA (Video Game Authority) , CGA (Certified Guaranty Company) and a few others. These companies are like the experts in the video game world and will charge different amounts based on their reputation, the services they provide, and the overall demand for their grading services. Some companies may have a faster turnaround time than others, which could affect the price as well. For example, a company like Wata may charge a premium because they are a well-known name. When choosing a grading company, it is a good idea to do some research and get to know their process, their fees, and their reviews.

The Game’s Value

You might think that grading costs would be the same no matter which game you are grading, but that’s not how it works. The value of the game is a big factor in the cost. A very rare and expensive game will usually cost more to grade than a common, less valuable one. This is because the grading company needs to take extra care when handling these high-value items. Also, higher value game typically means that higher insurance is required during the whole grading process. The process of grading a valuable game is more detailed and needs extra hands on care. Therefore, you will likely see a difference in cost based on the game’s current market value.

Grading Tiers and Services

Grading companies usually offer different “tiers” of service. These tiers affect how quickly your game is graded and the level of detail involved in the process. Think of it like ordering food, you can get the basic combo, or you can pay for extra items and have it faster. The same applies to game grading. Here are some common types of grading tiers:

• Economy/Standard: These are usually the cheapest options, but they might take a while to get your game back. If you’re not in a rush, this could be a good option.
• Express/Regular: These tiers are often faster than the economy options and might have slightly more detailed grading reports.
• Premium/Super Express: If you want your game graded very quickly, these are the tiers to choose. They come with a higher price, but they are the quickest and often include more detailed reports, pictures of the game being graded and some other extras that the lower tier does not include.
• Special Services: Some companies offer other services for additional fees such as sub grades, which means the company grades specific areas of the game’s condition, like the box, the manual and the cartridge individually. This can make the overall grading process quite expensive depending on the add-on services selected.

Game Condition

The condition of your game affects the cost, believe it or not. Games in very poor condition, like those with heavy damage, can sometimes be more expensive to grade. This is because the grading company may need to spend more time assessing the game’s condition. While it might seem counter-intuitive to grade a game in poor condition, some collectors may still want it graded for authenticity or to complete their collection.

Additional Features and Add-ons

Grading companies also offer other add-ons that can affect the overall cost of grading. These could include:

• Sub-grades: As mentioned earlier, these grades break down the condition of different parts of the game.
• Special Labels: Some companies offer custom labels for your graded game.
• Insurance: You can add insurance to your order for an extra fee that will protect you if the item is damaged during the transit to and from the grading company.
• Return Shipping: The cost of shipping your graded game back to you will often be added to your total bill. The cost of shipping will vary based on the shipping location and speed.

Typical Game Grading Costs

So, with all that said, let’s get down to the actual numbers. It is important to note that prices can change, but here is a general idea of what you might expect.

Cost Ranges

Game grading costs can vary considerably, so let’s look at the general ranges:

• Budget-Friendly: You could pay as little as $20 to $30 for basic grading, particularly for lower-value or common games with an economy tier.
• Mid-Range: For most regular or express grading with standard services, prices range from $50 to $150 or more.
• High-End: For high-value items or premium services, costs can easily exceed $200, $300, $400 and sometimes even more.

Remember, these are rough estimates. To give you some practical examples, it is important to keep in mind that a brand-new game that just came out might be graded for a very low cost or sometimes for even free, while a sealed vintage copy of Super Mario Bros from the NES can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to grade based on the declared value. If the value goes up, then the cost of grading will go up as well.

Most grading companies provide a fee calculator on their websites where you can plug in the information of your specific game and get an estimate on the cost. Keep in mind these prices do not include shipping costs, extra add-ons, insurance or any other fee. It is always important to double check all the expenses before sending your game to be graded.

Additional Fees

Besides the main grading fee, you need to consider other costs as well:

• Shipping: You’ll have to pay to ship your game to the grading company and for them to return it. This can add $15 – $50 depending on how far the grading facility is and the speed of the shipping that is selected.
• Insurance: If you want to add extra protection while shipping your precious game, you will need to pay extra for insurance. This can vary based on the declared value of your game.
• Handling Fees: Some companies might add a small handling fee to each game submitted for grading.

Is Game Grading Worth the Cost?

Whether or not grading is “worth it” depends on your reasons for getting it done. Here are a few things to consider:

For Collectors

If you are a serious collector, getting a game graded might be a worthwhile investment. A higher grade can significantly increase the value of your game. It also authenticates the game as genuine and preserves it for long term storage. In addition to that, if you ever decide to sell the game, it will be much easier to sell a graded game since the value is confirmed by a third party.

For Resellers

If you plan to sell your video games, grading can be a smart move. A graded game can command a much higher price than an ungraded one, especially if it gets a high grade. This can make the resale process much simpler and faster. However, always make sure you are going to make profit after the grading expenses.

For Personal Keeping

Some people choose to get their games graded for personal reasons as well. If you have a game that holds sentimental value or a piece of gaming history, grading can protect it for many years to come. Getting it sealed in a protective case can preserve it for many years and is a good way to archive your video games.

When Grading Might Not Be Necessary

If you are just a casual gamer, or you want to play your games, grading might not be the best option. The cost of grading could be higher than the overall value of the game if you don’t have a high end or a rare video game. So, you will need to do the math and check if the process will bring you any benefits in your case.

Tips to Reduce Grading Costs

Want to save some money on grading? Here are a few helpful tips:

• Choose the Right Tier: If you don’t need your game back super fast, go for a slower, more affordable tier.
• Bulk Submissions: If you have many games you want to grade, many companies offer bulk submission discounts.
• Shop Around: Get quotes from different grading companies to find the best deal.
• Ship Carefully: Proper packaging can prevent damage and save you from added handling fees.

Grading a game can be a complex process, but this should give you a better understanding of the costs involved. Remember to research different companies, evaluate if the grading is going to be valuable in your case, and use the tips mentioned above to make the most of your grading experience.

Ultimately, deciding if the cost of game grading is worthwhile depends on your specific situation and goals. Whether you’re a serious collector, reseller, or someone looking to preserve their gaming history, knowing the costs involved is key to making an informed decision.