PSA is planning an Elite Level Article

[parkplace33]

https://cardlines.com/leak-psa-elite-tier/

Highlights:

If it would happen, price point would be $500 a year.

What is in the new PSA Elite Tier?
The new tier would also include:

One free PSA grading credit — not a tremendous value, but a nod to those who grade in volume.

Two free “looks” for crossover submissions. Translation: PSA will examine two cards graded by rival companies (BGS, CGC, SGC, etc.) and tell you if they’d meet your target PSA grade, for free. For high-end collectors sitting on thousand-dollar slabs, that’s more than a token gesture.

25% off return shipping for graded cards — a real number for anyone sending in stacks of cards, month after month.

A “customer service concierge.” Skip the line, get a real human, and cut through the usual support-ticket purgatory.

VIP submission intake at the National card convention. Not a lounge, but a literal fast pass to the front of the grading line — like boarding early on a flight, but for your precious Luka Doncic rookie.

The golden ticket: an inside look at PSA’s grading operations. A tour of the Santa Ana or Jersey City facilities, likely behind NDA, but still — the kind of thing collectors fantasize about.

[calvindog]

Well, those two free "looks" are worthless as PSA never crosses over anything of value.

The inside look at the grading operation might make my physically sick, so pass on that.

A customer service rep dedicated to me? Will that ensure that when I pay for a premium grade service I'll actually get the item back within the paid-for, promised time? Instead of being ignored, having my money taken and given no refund? If I need to pay $500 a year for PSA to stick by its promises, this added charge might be worth it.

[hammertime]

Interesting. I was thinking about letting my membership lapse when it runs out, but ironically I'd be more interested in this than the basic level. Maybe this is their plan to offset the loss of those canceling?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by hammertime

Interesting. I was thinking about letting my membership lapse when it runs out, but ironically I'd be more interested in this than the basic level. Maybe this is their plan to offset the loss of those canceling?

Maybe if they charge $1000 you will be even more interested? There can be different levels and you have to pay for a level to even grade...then pay all of the jacked up fees and get 'er done! It's a win - lose.....
lemmings...
.

[Gorditadogg]

Does the grading credit mean they'll move one of your 8s to a 9?

I'd definitely pay to see their grading site. Since I don't get cards graded though, $500 for a tour pass is steep for me.

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

[LEHR]

Just another money grab.

[Flintboy]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Well, those two free "looks" are worthless as PSA never crosses over anything of value.

The inside look at the grading operation might make my physically sick, so pass on that.

A customer service rep dedicated to me? Will that ensure that when I pay for a premium grade service I'll actually get the item back within the paid-for, promised time? Instead of being ignored, having my money taken and given no refund? If I need to pay $500 a year for PSA to stick by its promises, this added charge might be worth it.

Couldn’t have said it any better.

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by Leon

Maybe if they charge $1000 you will be even more interested? There can be different levels and you have to pay for a level to even grade...then pay all of the jacked up fees and get 'er done! It's a win - lose.....
lemmings...
.

What he said...

I constantly chuckle at what you opinion buyers will put up with.

[hammertime]

Originally Posted by Leon

Maybe if they charge $1000 you will be even more interested? There can be different levels and you have to pay for a level to even grade...then pay all of the jacked up fees and get 'er done! It's a win - lose.....
lemmings...
.

I know you're being sarcastic but it depends on what you get for it I guess. If I totaled up what the shipping discount would save me in a year it would probably almost pay for itself right there. Shrug.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by Leon

Maybe if they charge $1000 you will be even more interested? There can be different levels and you have to pay for a level to even grade...then pay all of the jacked up fees and get 'er done! It's a win - lose.....
lemmings...
.

Well stated... I may have to start using the term "lemmings" instead of "sheeple". Certainly don't want to give innocent sheep a bad name.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Well stated... I may have to start using the term "lemmings" instead of "sheeple". Certainly don't want to give innocent sheep a bad name.

Hey, this guy looks pretty innocent too!

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by hammertime

I know you're being sarcastic but it depends on what you get for it I guess. If I totaled up what the shipping discount would save me in a year it would probably almost pay for itself right there. Shrug.

The problem with your contention is that PSA already has promised certain levels of service for $X and routinely fails to deliver without any renumeration for its breach. Why do you presume this next level of money grab/'service' will have any different ending?

[bigfish]

So psa is going to take more of our money? Got it!

[Knightlax5]

Originally Posted by calvindog

The problem with your contention is that PSA already has promised certain levels of service for $X and routinely fails to deliver without any renumeration for its breach. Why do you presume this next level of money grab/'service' will have any different ending?

Great point. They need to meet their current service “estimates” before promising additional services.

[Republicaninmass]

Make sure to "cancel" your membership.


It doesnt cancel your membership, just prevents the automatic renewal ever year

[Exhibitman]

Best of all, you are on the list for the annual dance party

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Best of all, you are on the list for the annual dance party

Haha, Doo Dah, Doo Dah!

[rand1com]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Well, those two free "looks" are worthless as PSA never crosses over anything of value.

The inside look at the grading operation might make my physically sick, so pass on that.

A customer service rep dedicated to me? Will that ensure that when I pay for a premium grade service I'll actually get the item back within the paid-for, promised time? Instead of being ignored, having my money taken and given no refund? If I need to pay $500 a year for PSA to stick by its promises, this added charge might be worth it.

I sent them a GAI 8.5 Red Heart Mickey Mantle with a minimum grade of 7 and they crossed it. Bought it for $1800 in the GAI holder and sold it for $4500 in the PSA 7.

Obviously, if I had placed a minimum grade of 8, it would not have crossed.

You have to be realistic with your aspirations on crossovers but if the card looks OK from an alteration standpoint and has a reasonable minimum grade, they do cross at times. Probably safer to just break the card out and resubmit but I know others who also crossed some lesser known grading companies into lower PSA graded slabs.

[calvindog]

Yes, they’ll cross — but never for the grade on the original card. And almost never for a half grade below. You were lucky to get a GAI card crossed into a numbered case.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by rand1com

I sent them a GAI 8.5 Red Heart Mickey Mantle with a minimum grade of 7 and they crossed it. Bought it for $1800 in the GAI holder and sold it for $4500 in the PSA 7.

Obviously, if I had placed a minimum grade of 8, it would not have crossed.

You have to be realistic with your aspirations on crossovers but if the card looks OK from an alteration standpoint and has a reasonable minimum grade, they do cross at times. Probably safer to just break the card out and resubmit but I know others who also crossed some lesser known grading companies into lower PSA graded slabs.

I wonder if, now that he is a diamond dispenser and head of a grading company, PSA is being more lenient on GAI crossovers, being that Mike Baker was head grader there at the beginning.