Can we say something positive about PSA or is it always terrible?

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Posted By: JimCrandell

MMikeU,

Wow what a post--that must have taken you a long time to put together--I'm honored.

Yup I did say all those things and I will give you my quick and dirty explanation. I don't agree with your conclusion though. My responses are comments on your points.

1)GAI has been very disappointing in getting their Set Registry up to speed. In part because of this I think certain major collectors who were friends with Steve and Mike did not cross their collections.

2)I think the accuracy of grading has improved. With Baker, Drinkwater and Strauss(?) leaving it created a void. Their inexperienced graders I think have improved with more experience.

3)Joe and I agreed to start over. We admitted we both said things that we really didn't mean.

4)That is still true. Baker and Rocchi are very close to the national dealers--Joe not so much.

5)I still believe that Mike Baker is the best grader in the hobby--no change. Baker and Rocchi are friends of mine. I think the gap between all 3 grading services has tightened.

6)I believe all that is true but things change over time and it has gotten better.

7)The WIWAG scandal hurt PSA and was of concern to many.
Dmitri Young crossing good part of collection to GAI and PSA laying off graders at the time I believe was true.

8_100 sets in PSA 8 or better still my goal.

9)Joe and I agreed to start over without having to settle every point we disagreed upon.

10)Dave is collecting again. Their customer service has improved. I like BJ and her team.

11)David Vargha posts here--he can speak for himself.

12-1)I related the view of two dealers--this is truthful
12-2)Baker is best still in my view. Had a number of people talk to "one-and-out".
12-3)GAI's registry has been a disappointment
12-4)Baker and Rocchi own a substantial chunk of the company and do care. I think they are progressing but at a slower pace than they originally envisioned.They are likable guys and people like to do business with who they like. I have also gotten to know Joe better and found it to be enjoyable to talk to him in person and on the phone.

13)There has been a big turnover in posters at CU.

14)Dave Forman is a long-time friend. I think the growth at SGC has also been slower than expected.

Believe it was a mistake by Joe to call the board members less than 1% of his business.

15)As I said, we both said things we regrtet and have repaired the relationship

16)SMR needs improvement--I still believe this.

17)All was done to try to make PSA a better company. If I had it to do over I would have proceeded differently.

18)Grading has improved some as I said.

19Both said things shouldn't have said.

20)At the time I believed that--close now.

In conclusion,I went over the top. I was concerned with half grades and having to resubmit over 20,000 PSA 8s and I was concerned that grading standards were being loosened at a time when attempts at alteration were increasing. But I went about it the wrong way.

So to answer your questions is Joe a more honest person--he is fine to deal with in person--I would not suggest e-mail. The same has been said about me.

Customer service has improved

Grading consistency has somewhat improved perhaps with the grater experience of the graders.

I hope that the number of alteredcards slipping into PSA holders is reduced--I am concerned about this for all 3 companies.

Lastly, yes I was inducted into the PSA Collectors HOF joing Fogel, Merkle and Louchios. I connsider it a tremendous honor. And I was asked by Mike Rakosi to speak at the Set Registry Luncheon and that proved to be the catalyst to get on good terms with Joe.

Anyway, if you or others are really interested in more details best to e-mail me off line.

Thanks for your interest.

Jim