But if you are not expert at grading coins, I would still be more wary of the other TPG's.

Yes, by all means, always buy the coin not the holder.

But I still feel safer in buying NGC/PCGS than any other grading company. But it is partly my inability to see the "bad" in a raw coin that makes me stick exclusively with the 2 majors and the percieved security of these 2 TPG's.

It is my money and this is what I will spend it on. If I ever feel I am capable of picking a coin and knowing the proper grade of it by examining it, then I would consider a lower tier TPG coin for crossover.

1936dRever