Inside the Grading Room At PSA

[Lorewalker]

Saw this on BO, this evening. First time seeing PSA show inside the grading room. Interestingly it is the grading room in NJ, not CA and it does involve modern cards but it is at least a look inside.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrQlqeebvJA

[ullmandds]

So they rub a shammy on all new cards they grade?

[irv]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

So they rub a shammy on all new cards they grade?

I assume to wipe off the graders finger prints, but it surprised me the grader wasn't wearing thin white gloves to begin with?

[conor912]

Originally Posted by irv

I assume to wipe off the graders finger prints, but it surprised me the grader wasn't wearing thin white gloves to begin with?

I don't know about you, but I tend to lose a lot of fine tactile function even with thin gloves on. I trust my bare hands way more.

[irv]

Originally Posted by conor912

I don't know about you, but I tend to lose a lot of fine tactile function even with thin gloves on. I trust my bare hands way more.

I prefer not to wear gloves myself but I just assumed all/most graders did when handling other peoples cards? Seeing the shammy come out all I could think of was it possibly grabbing a corner of the card and possibly bending/damaging it?

Like, Ullmandds, I didn't know that was a thing?

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by irv

I prefer not to wear gloves myself but I just assumed all/most graders did when handling other peoples cards? Seeing the shammy come out all I could think of was it possibly grabbing a corner of the card and possibly bending/damaging it?

Like, Ullmandds, I didn't know that was a thing?

They previously used panty hose, but then that woman got fired.


Brian

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by irv

I prefer not to wear gloves myself but I just assumed all/most graders did when handling other peoples cards? Seeing the shammy come out all I could think of was it possibly grabbing a corner of the card and possibly bending/damaging it?

Like, Ullmandds, I didn't know that was a thing?

It is a thing on shiny cards. Got no problem with it and no need to disclose If I were submitting that stuff, first it would imply I know a thing or two about the cards, but I would want them using a shammy. Those cards are too slippery to use cloth gloves, imo.

I was actually surprised that Nat showed a grader, identified the grader and let us into the grading room. Other than the early days of the company, the whole operation has been top secret.

A few years ago we were provided a video allowing us to see behind the scenes at SGC and boy that was more like a behind the behind the scenes. We got to see the sealing room, the lobby, where they keep their supplies, where the trash is kept and the company break room. Riveting stuff!

[Snowman]

My favorite part of the video was when Nat pulled out a card and said, "This one is a PSA 10, which means it has perfect centering, perfect corners, everything is perfect."

[Shoeless Moe]

That's not PSA, this is....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFWTXU2jE14

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by Snowman

My favorite part of the video was when Nat pulled out a card and said, "This one is a PSA 10, which means it has perfect centering, perfect corners, everything is perfect."

If Nat says his card is a 10...it is a 10. David Hall, allegedly, used to put post it notes on the card savers with the grade he was expecting.

Not much different across the street at SGC other than they may not have to use post it notes.

As the youtube video above this...this is nothing but monkey business. Why any of us buy into it is beyond me.

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

That's not PSA, this is....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFWTXU2jE14

Actual footage.

That was funny!

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by Snowman

My favorite part of the video was when Nat pulled out a card and said, "This one is a PSA 10, which means it has perfect centering, perfect corners, everything is perfect."

What's even funnier is that card was centered to the left slightly. Even a monkey could see that.

He's such an authority!

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

It is a thing on shiny cards. Got no problem with it and no need to disclose If I were submitting that stuff, first it would imply I know a thing or two about the cards, but I would want them using a shammy. Those cards are too slippery to use cloth gloves, imo.

I was actually surprised that Nat showed a grader, identified the grader and let us into the grading room. Other than the early days of the company, the whole operation has been top secret.

A few years ago we were provided a video allowing us to see behind the scenes at SGC and boy that was more like a behind the behind the scenes. We got to see the sealing room, the lobby, where they keep their supplies, where the trash is kept and the company break room. Riveting stuff!

Yeah that grading station was high tech huh?

Looked like a dorm room computer desk. Was just missing the hot dog and mustard but I'm sure that was eaten off screen!

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by vthobby

Yeah that grading station was high tech huh?

Looked like a dorm room computer desk. Was just missing the hot dog and mustard but I'm sure that was eaten off screen!

Grading is not high tech. Just need to have the skills and experience to id a problem and be able to tell the difference between a 7 and an 8. Snowman actually spoke to this at length.

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

Grading is not high tech. Just need to have the skills and experience to id a problem and be able to tell the difference between a 7 and an 8. Snowman actually spoke to this at length.

I'm well aware what is lacking out there and you hit on all of them!

lol

PS We got a lot of snow yesterday. Does that make me an expert or should I speak at length about it?

[Flintboy]

Comical that the comments are turned off on the YouTube feed.

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by vthobby

I'm well aware what is lacking out there and you hit on all of them!

lol

PS We got a lot of snow yesterday. Does that make me an expert or should I speak at length about it?

I am not a fanboi of PSA's by any stretch but not sure there is gonna be anyone more devastated than you if Nat retires the brand. I won't be too far behind you but I will survive.

Anyway just not sure why you would make a comment about their lacking technology when technology has very little to do with grading...so far...except at TAG. So was it just to stir up shit or is there another reason that I am failing to see?

[sycks22]

I bet they just get bored giving all the modern stuff 10's. At lunch they'll say "it feels like a 8.5 type of day."

[Zach Wheat]

Interesting to note they indicate they have pictures of every card graded and compare each card to "millions" of other cards for comparison

[philliesfan]

I certainly see a 10 in that video!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

If Nat says his card is a 10...it is a 10. David Hall, allegedly, used to put post it notes on the card savers with the grade he was expecting.

Not much different across the street at SGC other than they may not have to use post it notes.

As the youtube video above this...this is nothing but monkey business. Why any of us buy into it is beyond me.

Money.



.

[1880nonsports]

at the mention of an SGC behind the scenes video. CAN ANYONE PROVIDE ME A LINK??? I would greatly appreciate it.

[1880nonsports]

modern cards - so many 9's and 10's. Not a lot of room for differentiation.....I suppose the focus then shifts to the "one of X" principle and the next best measure of greatness then would be in the quantity owned? I'm a 19th century guy.

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by 1880nonsports

at the mention of an SGC behind the scenes video. CAN ANYONE PROVIDE ME A LINK??? I would greatly appreciate it.

Sadly it is a Geoff Wilson "production".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YNOs6Xu80w

[Jeremy102175]

Originally Posted by conor912

I don't know about you, but I tend to lose a lot of fine tactile function even with thin gloves on. I trust my bare hands way more.

Exactly. I work at a museum and we generally don't wear gloves for that exact reason when handling artifacts.

[1880nonsports]

Thanks you so much for that! That was a teat er um treat for me (I left the original typo - I'm a bit weird obviously).

[steve B]

They left out the most important part.