New PSA Holder?

[AMBST95]

I read over on CU Forum that PSA announced that they have a new holder coming out. Has anyone at the National gotten to see it? How does it fare in comparison to some of the other TPG? It sounds like it may be thicker, but I'd love some first hand opinions if anyone went to their luncheon or got to see it at their booth. I have a pretty large submission I am planning and don't know if I should wait.

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by AMBST95

I read over on CU Forum that PSA announced that they have a new holder coming out. Has anyone at the National gotten to see it? How does it fare in comparison to some of the other TPG? It sounds like it may be thicker, but I'd love some first hand opinions if anyone went to their luncheon or got to see it at their booth. I have a pretty large submission I am planning and don't know if I should wait.

I submitted a few items at PSA and am not aware of anything. I'll ask tomm and let you know, I hope they are like Becketts

[4815162342]

At the luncheon today Joe O. gave a short presentation about it. The new holder will not have a seam around the edges.

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by 4815162342

At the luncheon today Joe O. gave a short presentation about it. The new holder will not have a seam around the edges.

Oh really?

Consider my curiosity piqued.

[Matthew H]

Originally Posted by 4815162342

At the luncheon today Joe O. gave a short presentation about it. The new holder will not have a seam around the edges.

Really? So we'll need new tools to crack them out

[Griffins]

seems a lot like the Beckett holder, rather than two halves welded together one half fits over the other half, sealing it in.
Additionally the type on the back will all be part of the hologram.
It will stack compatibly with the current holders, but will look slightly different- the edges are much squarer, much like Becketts.

They also announced a new video game using cards that will be available as an app or on the registry. Reaction to that at my table ranked it pretty deep on the lame scale.

They did give out the new Cracker Jack book to everyone there, along with a loupe courtesy of Love of the Game auctions. And the food wasn't bad.

[sbfinley]

I'm glad PSA is stepping up and altering their case because it was hands down the easiest of the three big boys to compromise. You're growing on me PSA.

[the 'stache]

Just imagine the possible reslabbing income PSA could realize from this.

[travrosty]

with the advent of half grades and now this, they can get paid to slab the same card three times.

[CharleyBrown]

Originally Posted by travrosty

with the advent of half grades and now this, they can get paid to slab the same card three times.

Are you saying that PSA should re-slab all of the cards for free? And that would be a wise business move because...?

TBH Travis, I do agree with some of your gripes against PSA regarding their autograph authentication service, but you don't help your cause by constantly b!tching about everything they do.

You are impossible to please, so why should they even bother? It's no wonder they could care less as to what you have to say.

Take it as you wish, but that's just an honest observation from someone who doesn't have a stake in the situation either way.

They finally get something right by addressing a major consumer complaint, and that's all you can say? Sometimes it doesn't hurt to be at least a little bit positive.

[67_Palmer]

I think it would kind of blow if they make it next to impossible to break the card out. I've popped many 5,6, & 7's for my personal collection with no intention to ever sell.

[AMBST95]

Originally Posted by Griffins

seems a lot like the Beckett holder, rather than two halves welded together one half fits over the other half, sealing it in.
Additionally the type on the back will all be part of the hologram.
It will stack compatibly with the current holders, but will look slightly different- the edges are much squarer, much like Becketts.

They also announced a new video game using cards that will be available as an app or on the registry. Reaction to that at my table ranked it pretty deep on the lame scale.

They did give out the new Cracker Jack book to everyone there, along with a loupe courtesy of Love of the Game auctions. And the food wasn't bad.

Thanks for the insight. The description on CU's forum was a little tough to follow. I didn't know if they had any on display or had much of a timeline more detailed than within the next couple of months. I'm assuming they'll finish out their current supply of holders before they transition to the new one.

[AgonyandIvy]

There is a sample of the new holder at the PSA table. It looks nearly identical to the current holder. Appearance is the same, stacks the same. But, yes, the sides are a bit more square because there is no longer the seam on the side. It is now a solid flat side. The bottom part of the holder fits into the top part. So you can no longer "crack out" a card by opening the case from the side. You have to basically completely break the case open to get the card out.

[MikeGarcia]

Originally Posted by AgonyandIvy

There is a sample of the new holder at the PSA table. It looks nearly identical to the current holder. Appearance is the same, stacks the same. But, yes, the sides are a bit more square because there is no longer the seam on the side. It is now a solid flat side. The bottom part of the holder fits into the top part. So you can no longer "crack out" a card by opening the case from the side. You have to basically completely break the case open to get the card out.

....Yes , but can you safely remove the flip ? I understand there's quite a market for those....

[christopher.herman]

Originally Posted by AgonyandIvy

There is a sample of the new holder at the PSA table. It looks nearly identical to the current holder. Appearance is the same, stacks the same. But, yes, the sides are a bit more square because there is no longer the seam on the side. It is now a solid flat side. The bottom part of the holder fits into the top part. So you can no longer "crack out" a card by opening the case from the side. You have to basically completely break the case open to get the card out.

Pretty encouraging that PSA is being proactive against the recent reports of fraud, fakes, reholdering and counterfeit slabs.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by 67_Palmer

I think it would kind of blow if they make it next to impossible to break the card out. I've popped many 5,6, & 7's for my personal collection with no intention to ever sell.

Agreed. I don't buy BVG for this very reason. I actually like that I can easily crack PSA's current case, as I like raw cards. I realize, though, that I am not their primary market. However, being their secondary market, this will turn me off of buying their cards.

[CW]

Originally Posted by 67_Palmer

I think it would kind of blow if they make it next to impossible to break the card out. I've popped many 5,6, & 7's for my personal collection with no intention to ever sell.

Cracking any case open can be possible, even easy, with the right tools and technique. Check some of the forums and youtube videos and you'll get some tips to help make the job a snap.

[atx840]

Not a great shot. They feel more solid.

[brewing]

This is a good move. Hopefully SGC will follow suit.

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Saw that Brady slab as well, looks and feels just like a small Beckett slab. Will be extremely difficult for scammers to get a clean break.

[WhenItWasAHobby]

This comes about 11 years too late since they knew they had a problem stemming from the WIWAG/Grade and Trade scandal back in 2002.

[murcerfan]

scandal, what scandal?

I thought it was all going to be explained and the truth put forward by PSA on Monday.

[itjclarke]

Hopefully the flip and hologram are adhered to the holder, and would come apart when someone cracks a holder open (sort of like a BVG raw review label). Of course people can make fake flips, but it definitely doesn't help the hobby cause to allow the frauds to easily get hold of real/intact PSA or SGC flips like they can now.

[ScottFandango]

Originally Posted by WhenItWasAHobby

This comes about 11 years too late since they knew they had a problem stemming from the WIWAG/Grade and Trade scandal back in 2002.

Hey, it takes a long time use 2 million slabs....you didn't think they would throw them out did you? 2nd Generation slabs coming soon!

[ScottFandango]

Originally Posted by HOF Auto Rookies

Saw that Brady slab as well, looks and feels just like a small Beckett slab. Will be extremely difficult for scammers to get a clean break.

Interesting they used a Brady card.....I wonder if they were taking a subtle jab at BGS with this choice....

Some may or may not remember the Brady 9.5 sham years ago....I think it was a turning point (negative) for trust in becket grading

[MBMiller25]

I personally applaud PSA for finally addressing this issue. I spent some time reviewing the slab on Thursday with Joe O and really like the changes they have incorporated into the new slab. We all have varying degrees of dollars tied into out collections, and I for one was quite concerned with the level of fraud occurring with fake PSA/cracked slabs.

I look forward to PSA fully incorporating these slabs into all new grading and would anticipate some sort of reslab promotion for those of us wanting our cards in the new slab.

[EvilKing00]

great for psa, (about time) any slab should have to be basically destroyed in order to crack it out.

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by EvilKing00

great for psa, (about time) any slab should have to be basically destroyed in order to crack it out.

I agree somewhat. I think that a slab, if cracked, should show clear, unmistakable signs that it's been opened, and should be unrepairable. The plastic itself should splinter (but not damage the card). But, I don't think it should be Fort Knox, either. Let's face it, some people like cards in their natural state. If somebody buys a card, and they want to put it in a penny sleeve and toploader, they should be able to. If they want to put it in a binder, they should have that right. So, if they buy a PSA 9 vintage card, they should have the option to leave it in the case, or free it without fear of stabbing themselves with some sharp tool.

[jp1216]

I remember these from a few years ago:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200941312137

These slabs are designed for those that want the card 'slabbed' and labeled themselves. I had a few. Neat feature was the 'tamper-proofing'. It was only able to be opened by removing small plastic tabs on the top. Impossible to reuse once cracked open, but easy enough for the new owner to open and pull the raw card free.

I'm glad PSA is finally redesigning their holder. They should offer reholder specials. High dollar cards slabbed 10 years ago will be questioned more 10 years from now...

[AgonyandIvy]

The flip will have same appearance but have improved markings to detect counterfeits. I believe it will be possible to sill remove the flip. It just will be very very difficult to reuse the holder. PSA should use watermark technology similar to, say a license plate decal, where if the flip is removed from the case in any way the markings change and it becomes useless.

[4815162342]

Has anyone on the board recently had PSA grade/reholder a card and get one of these new holders?

Joe O. had said at the National that they would only slowly trickle in these new holders until what's left of the old slab stock is completely gone.

[sycks22]

Yep, I have a couple. The backs of the insert are hologram looking. The cases seem a little thicker too.