SMR vs. VCP

[barrysloate]

Doesn't everybody who becomes a member of PSA, and I believe that is a requirement to have cards graded by them, automatically get a subscription to SMR? As such, it has a very wide readership. It would make perfect sense for dealers and auction houses to advertise there, especially those that typically handle a lot of PSA graded cards. There are also some articles, albeit not always that interesting, as well as the price guide. The fact that it is not accurate, well that's another story. But I bet a ton of collectors read it, thus making it a great place to advertise.

And David, I think you have one thing backwards: I wouldn't be asking why VCP prices are lower than SMR's, but why SMR's are higher than VCP's. VCP has no control over what they publish. If a thousand dollar card sells for fifty bucks, that's what they are obligated to publish. It's SMR that makes the determination regarding what price to post.