Psa grading and pricing

[Exhibitman]

Umm...they make up the prices. Have done so for a long time. Run the pops on some of the prewar cards in high grade--they don't exist. PSA plugs them. The SMR is best viewed as a PSA public relations device not as a serious academic study of prices.

[GasHouseGang]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Umm...they make up the prices. Have done so for a long time. Run the pops on some of the prewar cards in high grade--they don't exist. PSA plugs them. The SMR is best viewed as a PSA public relations device not as a serious academic study of prices.

In general I agree with you Adam. SMR does list some sold prices along with their prices, but some of the items they list a price for don't even exist in the grade. If it doesn't exist, they have to just be guessing what the card would sell for if it was available. More realistic prices are found at Card Target's website and at Vintage Card Prices, both of which use actual prices realized for cards at various grades at auctions or sales.

[brewing]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Umm...they make up the prices. Have done so for a long time. Run the pops on some of the prewar cards in high grade--they don't exist. PSA plugs them. The SMR is best viewed as a PSA public relations device not as a serious academic study of prices.

Or maybe they are following the Beckett business model in reverse.

[HRBAKER]

The SMR is a slick advertising propaganda tool to stroke their key customers, AHs and Registry patrons, that masquerades as a price guide.