The VGA is BS

[TheRev]

Just read their FAQ they aren't an authority on anything. By their logic Opened/loose games are worthless.

http://www.vggrader.com/faq.aspx

Besides isn't it kind of strange they don't disclose their location? Screams scam.
Also a way to drive up Ebay Auctions

Read the FAQ and take in the Bullshit.

I bet anyone here could Grade and Appraise video games more fairly.

[AppleQueso]

VGA has been around for a while and established themselves pretty well I think. What would make you think they are a scam? People get stuff graded from them all the time.

If you're trying to get them to grade loose carts, you're missing the whole point of what they do. It's basically for sealed, super mint stuff. If it's not a collecting niche that you partake in, then pay it no mind and go about your business.

Nobody actually buys those $10,000 VGA graded copies of Final Fantasy III you see on ebay.

[Jmustang1968]

Just read their FAQ they aren't an authority on anything. By their logic Opened/loose games are worthless.

http://www.vggrader.com/faq.aspx

Besides isn't it kind of strange they don't disclose their location? Screams scam.
Also a way to drive up Ebay Auctions

Read the FAQ and take in the Bullshit.

I bet anyone here could Grade and Appraise video games more fairly.

Disclaimer - I am not a fan of VGA stuff nor do I collect it. I think the prices for them are outrageous.

That being said, they are the authority on grading of sealed games because people in the gaming collecting community acknowledge it.

They never say loose or opened games are worthless, that is just not what their service is. They evaluate and grade the condition and validity of sealed games for sealed collectors and sellers.

They probably do what their purpose is well, just many of us gamers do not care for it.

[o.pwuaioc]

VGA has been around for a while and established themselves pretty well I think. What would make you think they are a scam? People get stuff graded from them all the time.

If you're trying to get them to grade loose carts, you're missing the whole point of what they do. It's basically for sealed, super mint stuff. If it's not a collecting niche that you partake in, then pay it no mind and go about your business.

Nobody actually buys those $10,000 VGA graded copies of Final Fantasy III you see on ebay.

I've heard others complaining about the VGA grading process. You pay money and their scales aren't open to scrutiny. How do we actually know when a game is graded an 85 that it's an 85? Are they established because they judge well, or are they established because it's a giant self-fulfilling cycle of people paying to get their games a good grade? What exactly makes them professional, besides the fact that some people will pay cash for their seal of approval?

[TheRev]

VGA has been around for a while and established themselves pretty well I think. What would make you think they are a scam? People get stuff graded from them all the time.

If you're trying to get them to grade loose carts, you're missing the whole point of what they do. It's basically for sealed, super mint stuff. If it's not a collecting niche that you partake in, then pay it no mind and go about your business.

Nobody actually buys those $10,000 VGA graded copies of Final Fantasy III you see on ebay.

I've heard others complaining about the VGA grading process. You pay money and their scales aren't open to scrutiny. How do we actually know when a game is graded an 85 that it's an 85? Are they established because they judge well, or are they established because it's a giant self-fulfilling cycle of people paying to get their games a good grade? What exactly makes them professional, besides the fact that some people will pay cash for their seal of approval?

Exactly what makes them an Authority? You pay them they slap a number based on a criteria they don't disclose, at an undisclosed location in a sealed Box that is supposed to make something insanely valuable.

Ok So Maybe I missed the point it's to grade Sealed items. But.... again why would a sealed item even need grading? Why would an Autographed anything be considered flawed?

And it's still really fishy they have an undisclosed location they do all this from maybe for "lost" items.

and if you still think the VGA isn't bullshit well here's your poof it is

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-Mario-Bro ... 460cf04aa8

[theclaw]

Unless these buyers/sellers are shown to have connection with VGA, I think we should focus on VGA's own actions and policies. Not greed of third parties.

[sonic2041]

If people recognize them, and value the number on the box they are an authority.

It's similar to coin grading, except coin grading has been around a lot longer and there are several different organizations doing it. There are some that people don't care for because they are know for not being accurate, and others like PCGS, and NGC that are desired.

But similar to coin grading, they give themselves the authority, establish rules by which they grade things, and follow them.

I don't why people use this much energy hating on them, you don't have to buy games that are graded, and after all they only grade sealed games which I suspect is a very small portion of retro games so its not like every game out there is getting sealed in plastic.

And just for the record, I don't buy or collect graded games. I don't have the funds or desire to do so.

Edit: The purpose of grading a sealed item, or anything for that matter, is to insure that the item is authentic, and get a third party to determine its condition. And don't say that they are giving things a higher grade just to sell them because they aren't the ones selling them on ebay.

I also don't see how that ebay link proves anything. All I see is people bidding on something they find value in.

[MrPopo]

Why exactly is the fact that they don't tell you where they located a bad thing?

[Hobie-wan]

Why exactly is the fact that they don't tell you where they located a bad thing?

Yeah I mean if you want to break in, just put a tracker in a resealed game and follow it like a real spy. Geez.

[TheRev]

I got this same topic going on over at Assembler so feel free to see what they're saying
http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/sh ... eir-FAQ%29

They're...less favorable towards it than we are.