So I have submitted 4 cards to ludkins but I have seen Graded Gem get alot of praise recently too including by alot of YouTubers who only have excellent things to say about them. Wondered what are peoples thoughts on either service and if whether I’ve made the best choice?
I tried asking for an approximate submission time with Ludkins when I initially emailed them but they never answered that question. I can appreciate a back log from Covid lockdown but I was expecting around 2 months thereabouts from them shipping to PSA and them receiving the card back?
Dreamin’
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Your two months expectation was unfortunately much too low. On the PSA website the tier for bulk is at 100+ business days. Expect 45-85 for ludkins submissions if lucky.
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I don’t think you’ll get drastically faster turnaround times between the two services. They will probably have higher average turnaround times compared to individual submitter
Do Ludkins have a quicker “fastrack” option?
Was watching Randolphs latest video where hes sending his Crystal’s via Gems 10 day express service. Now I agree 10 days does seem optimistic but much would be quicker than the 45 - 100 days lol
Yes they have a platinum level that has an ESTIMATE of 20 days. I’ve submitted 2 orders recently through this service and its been around a 2+ month turnaround. One issue, currently, is that it takes PSA 4-6 weeks(my last order took 8 weeks) to even register your order into the system so your time doesn’t even start counting until that happens.
Only way you’re getting your cards back in a month is send direct to PSA with express service for $75/card.
6 months or pay up per card for the express. the cheaper services take alot longer, as you pay more and more per card service, in theory you should receive them back quicker. What is the big rush? I know we all want our cards back asap, but at the moment it is what it is. There is no secret hack to get to the front of the queue within each service.
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Well you obviously haven’t tried sleeping with Joe Orlando then 
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Challenge accepted
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Go with whatever option is cheaper. both should be around the same turnaround time give a week or 2.
Tbh I didn’t know this, now I do 
I appreciate everyones advice on the matter!
In the UK Ludkins have Gold or Standard, though they aren’t currently offering the Gold service, and are not expecting to for a while.
@jimmy I can completely see how you would be confused. You have people submitting today and getting cards back with a brand new YouTube video next week. The whole system with PSa is crazy and even with abunch of experience years down the line I don’t see it being any less confusing. When it comes to turnaround times and cost of grading it basically sounds like a crap shoot. Basically Submit to PSA knowing it will take any random amount of time at any random cost PSa deems fit. On the other hand there is CGC Grading with clear cut quick turn around times and clear cost. Ludkins also offers CGC services. But not many people are buying CGC graded cards yet. So whatever you do is up to you. Good luck tho with your submission. I hope you get some good grades and don’t get stuck waiting till next year.
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Thanks Mcorey it is confusing. Ideally like everyone else, I would like the cards back sooner so I can display them in my office in their nice graded cases 
. If upto 6 months is truly the waiting time so be it.
I wonder if Ludkins UK offer grading with CGC? I’ve not had my pre grading reply from them yet so could ask them about it then.
If I get a lowly pregrade with my Gold Star Ray I may seriously contemplate it as I’ve been told PSA dont take kindly to tiny tiny indentations of which there are 2 on the back in an otherwise very very nearly immaculate card.
Do CGC provide subgrades like BSG?
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Yes CGC does have subgrades if you pay the few bucks extra. I personally think it’s a great company but I do understand some of the backlash because everybody and their mom already has PSA graded cards in their collection. Both companies are good choices. I just see the pros of CGC outweighing the cons of PSA. That’s just my unbiased position. I have 10 PSA cards, zero BGS or CGC graded cards. But I’m more then open to collecting CGC graded cards as well. Especially if it’s my own submission. Waiting a month or less seems like heaven compared to the backlog PSA has. Not to mention I know the exact dollar amount I will pay upfront. With PSA yes you can submit under different price ranges but if you get any PSA 10s and possibly even 9s they upcharge you because your card is worth X amount as a graded 10. Which should have nothing to do with the cost of grading. Wether my caterpie or charizard gets a PSA 1 or a 10 I want to pay the exact same price. That’s just me tho I’m already well aware everyone gets upset when you aren’t ok with PSA’s grading practices. I just personally can care less what others think. I go off facts and what I see with my own two eyes. And I havnt seen a damn thing pretty about PSA besides the fact everyone prefers them over other grading companies currently. Times change tho. No one is king forever. Why should one company always hold the crown?
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Yeah if you’re submitting to Ludkins UK right now, don’t expect to get anything back until at least February/March at the earliest. Ludkins UK do not currently offer CGC grading, and yes CGC have subgrades.
Both absolutely brilliant. The UK is spoiled for choice. I’ve used both and will continue to use both again I’m sure. Good guys at both companies. I would say give both a go and see any difference for yourself, both do what you need and do it well, any differences will just be down to personal preference of service style.
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Do Graded Gem offer submissions to CGC then if Ludkins UK dont?