A New PSA Low
 

So I sent in a bunch of signed checks to be authenticated and slabbed to PSA (first mistake) and one came back caught up so badly in the upper left edge that I couldn't shake it free no matter how hard I pounded on it. Many of the other checks I sent in had this issue upon receipt as well, but this one just couldn't be freed:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...53dcaccc_c.jpg

I wrote to PSA and eventually they wrote back the following: "You may send this back to us if you would like for lamination. This will make it centered in the holder. Please let me know if you would like instructions on how to proceed. You would be responsible for shipping."

I think I'm reading this correctly as they will actually affix permanent lamination to it? Is this possible? And this is their only solution to their poor holder? And they want me to pay for shipping for the privilege of having a 150 year old piece of history destroyed.

The irony, of course, is that I sent the check in for slabbing just to ensure it was protected; and I got back a check that is in danger of losing a corner - and now they want to laminate it? At my shipping expense.

That's awful. I continue to be amazed that the leading company in this space cannot be bothered to set items correctly inside their slabs.

Surely they wouldn't destroy it by actually laminating it? Maybe they meant they will put it in a baggie?

.

Am guessing they have hired someone on the cheap whose first language is something other than English. Clearly, no training in basic hobby verbiage has been provided whatsoever.

Just a guess
 

But I think the whole lamination wording refers to this setup.

Obviously it’s not really laminated. They should probably find another term to use here. I’ve seen PSA use this setup sometimes to keep smaller or thinner pieces from floating around in the holder.

It’s a mystery why they don’t just make it standard on oddly shaped pieces.

Pretty bad to pinch someone's item in a slab that that not offer a fully insured and paid shipping label both ways to rectify it!

I get mistakes are made, but at minimum an apology would be nice and maybe some credit/ reimbursement if any damage, and shipping covered both ways to fix!

I love the Custer check. Very unique. Too bad how they encapsulated it. Usually you can tap it down. I have a few encapsulated checks and they came out ok. I can’t imagine they would laminate a check. Also they want you to pay shipping on their mistake. Anyway. Great looking check.

I'm thinking the same thing, put it in that baggie. I couldn't imagine they'd actually laminate it.

That is just poor quality control. They should have put it in a baggie to begin with.

Cool Custer check!

Welp, they responded to my question of whether they were planning on actually laminating the check:

“Yes, that is correct. This will help us center the ticket and it will stay sturdy in the casing. There will be a chance this will get stuck again in the side of the holder if we do adjust it inside of the case. Due to this, we are giving you the option to laminate the ticket and reholder this for you.

Please let me know how you would like to proceed.”

"A New PSA Low" descends lower still. --- Brian Powell

I'm 51% sure this person doesn't really know what they are saying, PSA isn't actually this dumb as a whole, and what would actually happen is a reholdering with the baggie things.

I've got a ton of signed Custer items; here's some more, including a signed Elizabeth Custer check.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2e000489_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b1f9253e_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...fbf59ec5_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8c04a4d1_c.jpg

Well you certainly don't want this piece of history laminated, and the "Baggies" they use are ugly AF.

There are infinite ways to protect and display the check that don't involve a clueless and corrupt rip-off entity such as PSA. I would consider a rigid toploader made for checks, acrylic case or 2-sided Float-frame for protection and display.

Those options will enable you to avoid PSA's annoying diagonal placement, bunched up Baggies, and ugly modern bar codes that clash with the history of the piece itself.

Best of luck getting it removed, and hope the top-left and bottom-right corners remain uncreased and fully intact!

Yes they are.

:D

Look again at the picture in the original post. It already resides in one of those "baggie things".

PSA makes me long for CSA and PRO. :D

Raulus' example in post 5; the thicker one with the extra bumpers. I don't know the technical names for the insert types as I don't play the grading game and I don't think I've ever heard one.

I strongly doubt that PSA has a new policy of laminating collectibles that don't easily fit into a holder now. Anyone else reporting this?

I think PSA is both blatantly incompetent and corrupt, but this one is hard to believe is actual policy rather than an uneducated customer service rep using the wrong words.

Lamination Policy?
 

Wow, that policy of lamination should stop yesterday, imo. I really can't believe anyone at PSA signed off on that. (I jest, I believe it)
That is crazy to me. It literally destroys the value.

PS....again, I hope this is only someone who doesn't communicate very well.
.

Yeah, you're right... Post #5 looks like a "Baggie done better". It might also be a thicker material than the baggie in the OP. Much better aesthetically, but hopefully not lamination. It's hard to reconcile from the pic how the plastic is not bunched up behind those bumpers.

They're not even smart enough to holder them in the same direction. Flip on the left, flip on the right. No consistency at all with PSA

No, they are not laminating your collectibles in the sense that you're thinking of. As Raulus posted, they are using laminate material to encapsulate your cards though. It is the same material that you'd use to laminate a document at FedEx, but they're just heating it in certain spots to hold it from moving around. I've removed these from slabs in the past. It's a very rigid plastic. Technically, this is still referred to as "laminating", it's just not how most of us are used to thinking about it.

"Lamination is the technique/process of manufacturing a material in multiple layers, so that the composite material achieves improved strength, stability, sound insulation, appearance, or other properties from the use of the differing materials, such as plastic."
- Wikipedia

What an absolute joke. This alone would have upset me if I was the submitter

Ken Goldin reached out to help me on this, which was greatly appreciated; at the very least, PSA is listening. I'll say this: dealing with PSA on customer service issues (non-Set Registry issues) prior to it being purchased by Nat Turner was a horror show. The place has drastically improved since then, even if they still have a ways to go.

Thank you, this makes sense.

If those checks were meant to purchase enough ammunition for his forays, Custer's heirs should be in a nice position for a lawsuit. :)

Too soon??

For the life of me, I cannot understand why people continue to use these ass clowns.

Nice check Jeff!

https://i.imgur.com/HrxNXx3.jpg

Tell me about it...

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...ocus%20set.jpg

As shown in the last post, the problem is that PSA doesn't put the item securely in the slab, allowing it to move around during standard USPS handling.

I've had the exact same thing happen to things like 1974 Topps Stamps, where the stamp ends up diagonal, often with one or more corners in the same situation as Jeff's Gen Custer check.

Here's the image of the check that's on PSA's website:

https://www.psacard.com/certimages/85073976.jpg

Steve