PSA Backlog Again?

[gonefishin]

I'm just wondering if anyone else has noticed that PSA is again experiencing a significant backlog.

I mailed a couple of orders to PSA that were received on Jan 23 but have not been entered yet. I sent them an email inquiring about the status so I could at least feel good about them being at PSA. I received a quick response this morning that stated they are experiencing a backlog because of and I quote:

"Recently, with all of the specials PSA has had, we have been experiencing a delay before the order can be entered into the system. This is due to the number of orders we receive when we run concurrent specials. When an order arrives at our facility, it is taken in by our security and itemizing team and manifested. Once it has been itemized, it is then taken to our receiving team to be entered. We use FIFO (First In, First Out) processing based on service levels.

Your package arrived on 1/23/25, and we are currently entering submissions that arrived at our facility on 12/6/24."

This is not addressing authentication and completion, but rather just entering into the system.

This may be a self-rectifying problem, as collectors such as I that are unwilling to pay exurbanite fees to jump ahead of the line will search out alternative avenues to have our items authenticated. If JSA did encapsulation I would have sent my items to them.

Also, why would a company continue to advertise "Specials" and attend numerous trade shows soliciting more business when the current business model cannot keep up with capacity? Of course, I know the answer to that. However, another question that should be asked is "How much does a loyal customer tolerate before going elsewhere?"

Just a couple of my thoughts, but how about anyone else that is experiencing this issue.

Kind of like Bill Murray in "Groundhog Day", but again - this is February!

[raulus]

Just sent in a couple of value orders yesterday. I wouldn’t be surprised if they move slow. These days, 3 months seems zippy for them at the lowest service levels, and 6 months wouldn’t surprise me.

[Peter_Spaeth]

They can take forever, knock down grades by 2, charge what they want, grade altered cards, it doesn't matter, they will come,

[bk400]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

They can take forever, knock down grades by 2, charge what they want, grade altered cards, it doesn't matter, they will come,

I had (have?) high hopes for CGC. That they seem unable to get meaningful mindshare, despite being controlled by the largest private equity firm in the world, is somewhat surprising to me.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by bk400

I had (have?) high hopes for CGC. That they seem unable to get meaningful mindshare, despite being controlled by the largest private equity firm in the world, is somewhat surprising to me.

It’s a tough club to really break into. Obviously the biggest issue is stuff in their slabs tends to sell for a discount, and often a big discount. So there’s not a huge motivation for would-be sellers to rush out and get their stuff into CGC slabs.

Almost seems like a chicken and egg situation. Or a reverse Yogi. No one grades there anymore because it doesn’t increase values.

[bnorth]

I have some Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds milestone tickets there now. It's my first time grading tickets. They have been there 6 weeks now but I honestly never even looked at expected grading time and figured it would be at least few months before I got them back.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by raulus

It’s a tough club to really break into. Obviously the biggest issue is stuff in their slabs tends to sell for a discount, and often a big discount. So there’s not a huge motivation for would-be sellers to rush out and get their stuff into CGC slabs.

Almost seems like a chicken and egg situation. Or a reverse Yogi. No one grades there anymore because it doesn’t increase values.

I don't think it's a chicken and egg. I think plenty of people gave them a chance -- their numbers at one point were pretty good -- but the cards didn't sell except for a very low percentage of equivalent PSA cards. That to me says either marketing failure or inferior quality or both. Nothing circular about that. PSA of course also has a huge advantage with the registry, the pop report, the auction prices realized tool, and the cert. lookup, whatever you think of them it's a highly functional website.

[sflayank]

yes...backlog...who knows
i have stuff arrived there nov 1 logged in nov 22
and their claim of 1st in first out is a lie
stuff logged in dec 7th...same service..finished jan 15th..a month ago
they give no explanation
even 10 day service have an order there now 17 business days
again no explanation from customer service

[raulus]

Originally Posted by sflayank

yes...backlog...who knows
i have stuff arrived there nov 1 logged in nov 22
and their claim of 1st in first out is a lie
stuff logged in dec 7th...same service..finished jan 15th..a month ago
they give no explanation
even 10 day service have an order there now 17 business days
again no explanation from customer service

As long as they prioritize my stuff, I guess I'm okay that they're slow to get to your stuff. But that's a big if!

[BobbyStrawberry]

Is there ever not a backlog?

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I don't think it's a chicken and egg. I think plenty of people gave them a chance -- their numbers at one point were pretty good -- but the cards didn't sell except for a very low percentage of equivalent PSA cards. That to me says either marketing failure or inferior quality or both. Nothing circular about that. PSA of course also has a huge advantage with the registry, the pop report, the auction prices realized tool, and the cert. lookup, whatever you think of them it's a highly functional website.

I guess I was thinking more along the lines of its tough to command a premium in the market unless people expect that, and they can’t expect it until they see it happening.

[ullmandds]

I recently sent in 7 items, 1 at super express the other 6 express.

They were received by psa on 2/3...the 1 super express item i received back yesterday...the other 6 are about to be slabbed.

What a deal at almost $400/card!!!!

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

I recently sent in 7 items, 1 at super express the other 6 express.

They were received by psa on 2/3...the 1 super express item i received back yesterday...the other 6 are about to be slabbed.

What a deal at almost $400/card!!!!

Just another tooth ache and cavity to fill.

[Mike D.]

I had heard they offered some kind of "new membership special" around the holiday and got slammed with new members/orders shortly thereafter.

They seem to be doing things to slow the flow while they catch up - like not posting any decent monthly specials two months running.

[raulus]

So my most recent submission has 3 orders. Package arrived on Friday, and they sent me an email to acknowledge receipt.

Just today (Monday, and a national holiday), 1 of the 3 was logged in, and it was a value submission. So apparently sometimes they get things logged in quickly.

Update: All 3 of them were logged in today. Not sure if it makes a difference, but 2 of them were value, and one was super express. Different sizes (some jumbo) and different insurance levels meant that I couldn't just send them all in a single order.