Need advice ASAP on PSA ticket grading

[Exhibitman]

Heaven knows I've been rough as hell on PSA over the years but I found there was indeed value added in ticket slabbing. I picked up a semi-tough Muhammad Ali ticket at a show, raw, had PSA encapsulate it, and was able to sell it for a lot more than I paid. I don't think it would have sold as well had it remained raw.

I also had a very difficult but delicate basketball ticket encapsulated for protection, so there's that aspect to consider too. If something is very small, delicate or oversized, I tend to get them into some kind of slab just for my (mis)handling peace of mind.

That said, I'd wait for a special to get it done.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Heaven knows I've been rough as hell on PSA over the years but I found there was indeed value added in ticket slabbing. I picked up a semi-tough Muhammad Ali ticket at a show, raw, had PSA encapsulate it, and was able to sell it for a lot more than I paid. I don't think it would have sold as well had it remained raw.

I also had a very difficult but delicate basketball ticket encapsulated for protection, so there's that aspect to consider too. If something is very small, delicate or oversized, I tend to get them into some kind of slab just for my (mis)handling peace of mind.

That said, I'd wait for a special to get it done.

A perfect example of the power of advertising.

[jerseygary]

With regards to that '31 Japanese Tour ticket - why the heck didn't they just say "we have no idea what it is so we're not authenticating it" instead of encase it upside down? That's just inexcusable and very embarrassing.

[prestigecollectibles]

Originally Posted by jerseygary

With regards to that '31 Japanese Tour ticket - why the heck didn't they just say "we have no idea what it is so we're not authenticating it" instead of encase it upside down? That's just inexcusable and very embarrassing.

Great question, I have seen numerous PSA mistakes regarding cards and memorabilia. I get the feeling they really don't care.

[jerseygary]

In the Japanese ticket I don't think it's that they don't care - it's that they didn't KNOW, which I find much more troubling.

[glchen]

Taylor, I'd just get the ticket graded by PSA. As you said, if there are questions on authenticity, you can return it via ebay. I think you have 30 days via ebay to return, but even longer on Paypal. And if you used AMEX to pay, you practically have 6 months to a year, I believe.

Although other posters have stated that if you send the ticket to an AH, they will grade it for you, often times, the AH will still charge you for grading the ticket. (If you have a huge consignment, they may waive this charge.) If you grade the ticket yourself, you have more options. You can go private sale, list it on ebay yourself via BIN, etc, and of course, still go to the AH, if needed. Moreover, if you accidentally step in front of a bus, your loved ones will more likely know that what you have is a ticket of some value if it is encapsulated. Otherwise, they may just think it's scrap paper and toss it.

Ultimately it is up to you. There are many, many long time collectors that are very comfortable having very valuable items raw. They know exactly what they have, and if they ever want to sell it, they know what to do. It's all in what you decide is best for yourself.