Top Graders' Compensation

[Yoda]

When I spare a thought for the hobby, which is most of the time these days, I often muse about what it must be like to be a top senior grader at one of the TPG houses. I wonder what it would be like to make the grading call on a T206
green Cobby between 6.5 and 7, or a '52 Topps Mays between 7.5 and 8, knowing full- well how much money my decisions mean. I wonder if they feel real pressure, like I would, or is it just another day at the office? Because they are well-known in collectors circles and have almost some kind of star quality, I have to believe they are highly compensated, with some kind of bonus scheme on top of a nice base salary. And maybe the package would include a free trip to the eye doctor every six months. Love to know.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Yoda

When I spare a thought for the hobby, which is most of the time these days, I often muse about what it must be like to be a top senior grader at one of the TPG houses. I wonder what it would be like to make the grading call on a T206
green Cobby between 6.5 and 7, or a '52 Topps Mays between 7.5 and 8, knowing full- well how much money my decisions mean. I wonder if they feel real pressure, like I would, or is it just another day at the office? Because they are well-known in collectors circles and have almost some kind of star quality, I have to believe they are highly compensated, with some kind of bonus scheme on top of a nice base salary. And maybe the package would include a free trip to the eye doctor every six months. Love to know.

How many PSA card graders can you name?

[Bicem]

I doubt they care... at all.

[familytoad]

Sometimes I think the eye doctor appointments were rescheduled instead of being fastidiously attended.

Not all cards of course, but just the wrong ones

[nat]

I bet it's really boring. The highlight of your day probably is some weird regional issue that requires some research to figure out just what it is. And the green Cobbys and 53 Mays' are probably few and far between. I suspect that they spend most of their time looking at Noah Syndergard pre-rookie inserts, Ken Griffey Jr. 1990 Topps cards, and the like.

[Arazi4442]

Maybe I'm really naive, but I assumed with so much money at stake it would be a little more scientific than just the eye test. Something similar to Beckett: a list of categories (corners, edges, centering, focus, surface, etc.) would each get a grade, performed by hi-res computer analysis where applicable, then you work a total number based on the subs. Just eyeballing and using micrometers or something similar sounds like what they'd do in the 1980's.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

How many PSA card graders can you name?

Peter, outside of Joe Orlando, who I know slightly, I couldn't give you the name of anybody who works at PSA. I bet the burnout rate for the graders is sky high. I wonder when they go blind if they receive Worker's Comp.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Peter, outside of Joe Orlando, who I know slightly, I couldn't give you the name of anybody who works at PSA. I bet the burnout rate for the graders is sky high. I wonder when they go blind if they receive Worker's Comp.

John same here although I know of Reza, my point is I don't think these guys are celebs as you suggested, I think they toil anonymously.

[Yoda]

You are probably right. There can't be much glamor sitting at your cubicle mindlessly looking at cards of birds or something similar. I do recall that when Steve Rocci was head of PSA any real star card about to receive a high grade was automatically reviewed by 2 other graders for agreement. Don't know if that is still the case. Always thought Mike Baker was very solid and perhaps regrets being part of the GAI saga.

[pherbener]

I know it's been discussed before but I don't understand why a computer program can't be used to determine a grade. You would think it wouldn't be that hard to set up a system that could determine a grade without the subjectivity of a grader having a bad day, hungover, knowing high rolling collectors etc. The current system is fraught with opportunities for abuse and fraud.

[bbcard1]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

John same here although I know of Reza, my point is I don't think these guys are celebs as you suggested, I think they toil anonymously.

That's probably doubly dangerous. They are not held accountable for grade differences that can make thousands of dollars difference, though I have always believed it's a rigged game.

[JollyElm]

They probably go into the eye doctor's office looking for a bump. "I'm at 19.5/20, but i think my vision is better than what the original optometrist said, so I have a shot at 20/20."

[megalimey]

Originally Posted by Yoda

When I spare a thought for the hobby, which is most of the time these days, I often muse about what it must be like to be a top senior grader at one of the TPG houses. I wonder what it would be like to make the grading call on a T206
green Cobby between 6.5 and 7, or a '52 Topps Mays between 7.5 and 8, knowing full- well how much money my decisions mean. I wonder if they feel real pressure, like I would, or is it just another day at the office? Because they are well-known in collectors circles and have almost some kind of star quality, I have to believe they are highly compensated, with some kind of bonus scheme on top of a nice base salary. And maybe the package would include a free trip to the eye doctor every six months. Love to know.

here is PSA official documented way of handling your Card submissions

from receipt to ship word for word
at least you know how they set out to provide their services

The receiving step is one of the most crucial steps in the PSA process. This is where all packages are logged in and separated based on their service level. Once the packages have been separated, each package is opened in priority of service and the cards are counted. After verifying the service level and payment, one of the most important steps in the grading process occurs.

The submissions are now assigned a generic order number, removing the identifying information from the order – thus removing the potential for bias. Finally, all of the pertinent data is entered from the PSA submission form, an e-mail confirmation is sent to you and your cards are off to the next stage.

The Sticker Stage

The next step in the PSA process is called the Sticker Stage. At this stage, the cards are counted again and labels are placed on the outside of each card saver. The label or sticker assigned to each card contains information including the order number and individual certification number – that is the same certification number that will appear on the PSA label once the card is graded.

Once this occurs, the history of that card will be stored in our database as it travels through the process and is eventually assigned a grade. Finally, the information on the stickers is matched against the information on the card itself.

The Spec Department

Once the information has been verified during the Sticker Stage, the order is then off to our Spec department. This is where our research team resides. Once again, the cards are counted, the sticker information is verified and the cards that need additional research, whether there was no information provided or if it is a rare issue, are examined before all of the data is entered into the database.

Grading

The cards are now ready for grading. Each order is distributed to graders based on their particular skill and expertise. For example, a 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle would not be distributed to one of our modern card specialists. While the graders are generally trained to handle cards from virtually all eras, they are assigned cards based on their strengths.

In addition, the sheer number of graders assigned to each card can vary depending on the type of card submitted. In all cases, at minimum, two graders are assigned to every card.

Here's an example – if you were to submit a 1965 Topps Willie Mays – this is how the grading process would work:

Each grader receives the order and they will enter the order number into the computer. Once that is done, the contents of that order will appear on the PSA grading screen. Grader #1 will then enter his grade for the card in question (and for each card within the order until the order is completed if there is more than one card) and close the order on his screen. Once that is done and after redistribution of the order, Grader #2 will do the same – not knowing the opinion of the first grader on any of the cards within that order.

If their grades match in the computer, the card would then eventually reach a 3rd grader for verification of the grade. If the opinion of the first two graders does not match, that card will be assigned to a 3rd grader whose opinion is required to break the tie, so to speak. As with the first example, the card would still be assigned to another grader for verification (a 4th grader in the process) to make sure the grade is accurate and consistent with our standards.

The first stage in the grading process is determining whether the card is authentic. With the values of some trading cards today, counterfeits are not uncommon on some of the hobby's biggest stars – especially rookie cards and reprints that are often submitted as originals.

Once the card has been determined to be authentic, it is then checked for possible alterations. Since the value of a trading card is often linked directly to its condition, some "card doctors" as they are referred to will attempt to enhance the condition of cards in a variety of ways.

For example, they may attempt this by either trimming them to enhance the sharpness of the edges and corners or re-color them to enhance the color or to cover up wear along the surface or edges. There are several ways a card can be "doctored" but, if evidence of such doctoring is present, the card will not be graded by PSA because the card is no longer original according to PSA standards.

So, finally, once the graders have determined the card to be authentic and unaltered, a grade can now be assigned to the card in question. PSA's 1-10 grading scale, with 10 being best, is universally accepted throughout the industry. Graders are now focusing on the characteristics of the card such as the strength and quality of the corners, color, edges, centering, surface, print clarity and overall eye appeal. PSA's grading standards can be found in Sports Market Report, which is the official price guide for PSA certified collectibles, and on our website. We highly recommend that submitters become familiar with those standards, because your improved knowledge may help increase your chances of attaining higher grades.

The PSA Labeling Department

Once the grades have been assigned in the database, the PSA labels are now generated and printed. By entering the order number into the system, our team can now print all of the crucial information for the PSA label including the card number, player and/or subject, manufacturer, grade and the unique certification number mentioned earlier in our video. Each and every collectible certified by PSA receives this unique number which is stored in our database along with that collectible's history.

The Sealing Department

Now that the PSA labels have been printed, our sealing department is given the task of selecting the appropriate custom holders for each card and then carefully placing the card and PSA label within the holder. Once the contents have been assembled by hand, each card is taken to the boom room where cards are sonically sealed in our tamper-evident holders. This sonic weld is strong and helps ensure security of the PSA holder.

Verification Stage (1)

After the cards have been sealed in the PSA holders, they are then sent to the Grading Verification stage. As mentioned earlier, this is where another grader will check the orders for accuracy and consistency in relation to PSA standards. If the cards appear to meet PSA's guidelines, the order is then sent on to the next step in the process. If any of the cards do not appear to meet the standards, the card is then removed from the holder and re-evaluated by our staff.

Verification Stage (2)

Once our grading staff has finalized the grades through the verification process, the orders are then sent to the final verification stage. This stage is PSA's final quality control checkpoint. Here, the order is then reunited with the original submission form and each card is matched against the paperwork.

The cards and holders are examined for defects that may have been overlooked in prior stages such as scratched cases or improper information on the PSA label. Once this is checked and verified, a PSA packing slip is printed so our shipping department is aware of the method of delivery you have selected. Upon completion, the grades are posted and an e-mail confirmation is sent to the customer with the grading results.

[botn]

Originally Posted by megalimey

here is PSA official documented way of handling your Card submissions

from receipt to ship word for word
at least you know how they set out to provide their services

Yeah if only the section on the "Grading" process was actually done that way and done that way for everyone the population report would not look anything like it does today.