Collectors Holdings FTC Investigation Shocks Card Grading Industry
Collectors just got hit with major news. A U.S. Congressman is urging the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Collectors Holdings, the company that now controls PSA, SGC, and Beckett. The potential Collectors Holdings FTC Investigation could be the biggest card grading shakeup of the year.
What the Collectors Holdings FTC Investigation Is About
In a formal letter sent in December, Congressman Pat Ryan raised concerns that Collectors Holdings might be creating a monopoly in the card grading world. The company has rapidly expanded by acquiring the three biggest grading names, leaving fewer options for collectors.
According to the letter, this could reduce competition, slow innovation, and hurt the very collectors who power the hobby. It also points out that the company controls not just grading, but also card price tracking through its ownership of tools like CardLadder.
Ryan’s argument? When one company controls so much of the grading ecosystem, there’s a risk of higher prices, longer turnaround times, and less transparency.
Why This Matters to the Hobby
Let’s be real, card grading is a huge part of the modern collecting experience. Whether it’s sports, Pokémon, or rare TCGs, grading impacts card values, insurance claims, and even how collectors organize their collections.
When competition fades, a few things usually happen:
- Prices rise
- Service quality slips
- Collectors lose choice
That’s why this call for an FTC investigation is such a big deal. It could change how grading companies operate and how collectors interact with them going forward.
Collectors Holdings Owns the Grading Game
PSA alone already dominates in terms of grading volume. On any given day, it handles tens of thousands of submissions, way more than any competitor. Now, with Beckett and SGC under the same umbrella, the control only grows.
Meanwhile, other graders like CGC, TAG, and AGS are still growing, but they don’t yet match the market share held by Collectors Holdings. This creates a power imbalance that’s tough to ignore.
If an FTC investigation moves forward, it might limit how much more consolidation can happen and could push for fairer market practices across the industry.
What Collectors Should Do Now
This news isn’t just for headlines, it affects real decisions collectors make every day. Here’s what to keep in mind:
1. Pay attention to grading trends
Keep tabs on how grading companies react. Changes to pricing, turnaround times, or policies could be on the way.
2. Don’t rely on just one company
Consider grading some cards with alternative services like CGC, TAG, or AGS. Diversifying helps protect you from unexpected delays or price hikes.
3. Prep your cards the right way
Regardless of where you send your cards, how you package and prepare them still matters most for protecting condition and value.
Level Up Your Submissions With Graders Choice
As the industry shifts, one thing stays the same: Prep matters! That’s where the Graders Choice Submission Kit comes in.
It includes everything you need to protect your cards during the grading journey:
- Premium penny sleeves and semi-rigids
- A microfiber cloth for dust and prints
- Shock-absorbent foam
- A self-sealing box (no tape needed)
Whether you’re sending to PSA, CGC, or another grader, this kit helps you prep and submit with confidence.
Collectors Holdings FTC Investigation Could Be a Turning Point
The FTC investigation request might just be the first domino. It shows how important card grading has become, not just to hobbyists, but to regulators, lawmakers, and investors.
Collectors should treat this as a moment to get smart, stay flexible, and prep wisely for whatever the next chapter of the hobby brings.
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