Jon Stojan
Image credit: Dan Houss
Card collecting has long been a popular niche activity, but after a decades-long decline in general interest, the pandemic sparked a resurgence in this hobby.
But as this modern-day renaissance of card collecting and selling becomes more popular, it comes with the need to have your collectibles properly graded and valued by a professional. One such expert is Dan Houss, a lifelong collectible hobbyist who’s now Chief Operating Officer of GetGraded — the first U.K.-based company to offer international card grading and authentication. Under his leadership, GetGraded has assisted collectors worldwide in accurately determining the value of their cards.
Keep reading to learn more about Houss and three of the main strategies that helped him turn GetGraded into one of the leading collectible grading companies worldwide.
Dan Houss and His Journey
Houss was actively involved in the collectible community at a very young age. “When I was in college,” he recalls, “I’d go to yard sales on the weekend to see if I could find any cool vintage basketball cards from the ’80s.” This interest carried into adulthood, when, by the late 2010s, he was managing one of the largest Facebook collectibles and trading groups.
Because of this, Houss found himself in a prime position to capitalize on the collectible boom. He joined GetGraded initially as an advisor and quickly advanced to the role of Chief Operating Officer of its U.K. division.
Having seen no small amount of success, Houss identifies three strategies that have propelled GetGraded to where it is today:
1. Learning to Read the Market
GetGraded’s initial success was driven by Houss’s insight into the rise of vintage physical media during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Everyone was at home, clearing their basements, attics, and cupboards, finding all of their old childhood pastimes in folders and boxes,” Houss explains. “And then suddenly, famous YouTubers and influencers were purchasing sealed boxes of collectible cards and opening them live for fun.”
This trend sparked a newfound interest in collectibles. In 2020, there were 5 million cards graded. As of 2024, this number has reached 2.3 million per month. However, since many card owners lacked trading experience, there was a growing need for reliable companies that could accurately assess the value of their collectibles.
GetGraded stepped up to fill this need by providing professional grading services — regardless of the client’s expertise or knowledge. According to Houss, the company’s core mission is “to provide an accessible service for all collectors.”
2. Being Transparent with the Customer
As the business began to expand, Houss set out to tackle a major concern among collectors: the lack of transparency regarding the grading process. As he points out, “Most grading companies don’t provide any exhaustive report or give any real reasoning on why a collectible received a specific grade, leaving collectors in the dark.”
GetGraded’s clients, on the other hand, get detailed write-ups for each card they submit, full damage reports, and digital imaging profiles to support their assigned grades. The company’s grading rubric is clear and transparent, ensuring that clients know exactly why their collectibles got a certain grade.
By providing such transparency and attention to detail, GetGraded has set itself apart from its competitors and cultivated a loyal customer base. “No matter how much we grow as a company,” Houss says, “we don’t want the sector to lose that intimate connection with collectors.”
3. Prioritizing Quality Over Cost-Cutting
Finally, as a dedicated collector himself, Houss understands the delicate nature of trading cards and seeks to avoid cost-cutting measures that could diminish their value. According to Houss, “We’ve seen a lot of technological advancements that can make the grading process easier and cheaper for companies — but they can damage the card in the long run.”
To address this, Houss has implemented a meticulous grading system with safety practices in place to preserve the quality of his customers’ cards. He’s also committed to properly training and educating the company’s staff to make sure they adhere to high-quality standards.
By aligning with the shared interests of enthusiast collectors, GetGraded has managed to maintain a strong relationship with the collector community.
A Leader in the Collectible Industry
Having firmly established itself as a leader in the grading industry, GetGraded remains committed to expanding and enhancing the collector ecosystem. According to Houss, “We intend to create partnerships globally with trusted and experienced professionals who can assist our customers in the same way we do.”
In addition, GetGraded was recently chosen as the official grading company to conduct an authenticated card count for a Guinness World Record. The record’s announcement is expected later this year, further solidifying the company’s reputation and prestige.
So if you’re looking to safeguard the value of your collectibles, contact GetGraded via their website or Instagram, where Dan Houss and his team of experts are ready to help.