Although PSA and Goldin are owned by Collectors Universe (not new news), I often wondered if it’s a conflict of interest. Given collectibles size today (estimated at $400Bn+) and the growing popularity of collecting specifically sports cards and TCG, having both the grading company tied to a marketplace seems to be at conflicting interests. 

While people debate the relative value impact of grading companies and the grades, no doubt a cards’ grade affects values. 

The exponential value decay relative to a Gem Mint is present in every sport genre and set age. So there is a lot other stake for collectors and what grade their card receives. 

Having a direct link to a marketplace where you can list your cards and the marketplace takes a fee, usually in the form of a % of the buyers premium (buyers premium or “BP” is what a buyer pays on top of the hammer price. For example, say an item closing price is $100, they typically pay 20% on top, or in total $120. The seller and the auction house share this BP, in this case the $20) seems a bit a conflict, where grade inflation would directly benefit the marketplace in their share of a sold auction. 

Thoughts?