PSA Grading at National

[boysblue]

Watched one of those young camera-tootin' bloggers unveil his $250 per submission live at the National. He was optimistic about the potential grades because he had heard that PSA was "grading easy" at the show.

Hmmm. Let's say that you are PSA. A massive crowd of potential submitters is at your disposal. On Wednesday/Thursday/Friday you "grade easy". Word spreads around the floor of the convention hall that PSA is "grading easy". Those who were hesitant (after all, $250 per can get pretty hefty if you are going to submit a stack of cards) are now much less so. Off to PSA they rush 'cause they are "grading easy", after all. PSA is laughing as it rakes in $250 per.

Conversely, if PSA was "grading normal" or "grading hard" it is much less likely the hesitant would be willing to risk $250 per. Clever.

BTW, the blogger in question had good reason to be optimistic. As I recall he received two 10s and a 9 on his three-card submission. He was quite pleased.

[sb1]

As a flip side, every time I was at their booth(another long story), the girls working the front were bombarded by whining, complaining, rude submitters that were quite displeased with their results. It was not all apple pie and smiles....I did see one guy happy with a Jordan Rookie that got a 6.

And they shut down grading for a time one day when they had reached all that they felt they could grade and return on time. They did reopen for submissions later on.

[Flintboy]

Does anyone know how the big submitters like 4SC and the likes plan on adjusting? Are they getting a huge break on the grading fees to where they can still grade the 1976 common?

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by boysblue

Watched one of those young camera-tootin' bloggers unveil his $250 per submission live at the National. He was optimistic about the potential grades because he had heard that PSA was "grading easy" at the show.

Hmmm. Let's say that you are PSA. A massive crowd of potential submitters is at your disposal. On Wednesday/Thursday/Friday you "grade easy". Word spreads around the floor of the convention hall that PSA is "grading easy". Those who were hesitant (after all, $250 per can get pretty hefty if you are going to submit a stack of cards) are now much less so. Off to PSA they rush 'cause they are "grading easy", after all. PSA is laughing as it rakes in $250 per.

Conversely, if PSA was "grading normal" or "grading hard" it is much less likely the hesitant would be willing to risk $250 per. Clever.

BTW, the blogger in question had good reason to be optimistic. As I recall he received two 10s and a 9 on his three-card submission. He was quite pleased.

No truth to the "grading easy" scenario. I submitted before the doors opened for $600 and $1000 and got barely acceptable to brutal grades.

[notfast]

It was $250 for end of show, $600 for end of day. $250 orders from Wed/Thurs got done by Friday/Sat.

$100 for end of day re-slab, $250 for 2 hr (I believe)

[boysblue]

As a flip side, every time I was at their booth(another long story), the girls working the front were bombarded by whining, complaining, rude submitters that were quite displeased with their results. It was not all apple pie and smiles....I did see one guy happy with a Jordan Rookie that got a 6.

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No truth to the "grading easy" scenario. I submitted before the doors opened for $600 and $1000 and got barely acceptable to brutal grades.

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Sorry to hear about both of these things. And based on these two pieces of evidence it appears that my cynicism got the better of me.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by boysblue

As a flip side, every time I was at their booth(another long story), the girls working the front were bombarded by whining, complaining, rude submitters that were quite displeased with their results. It was not all apple pie and smiles....I did see one guy happy with a Jordan Rookie that got a 6.

-------------------------

No truth to the "grading easy" scenario. I submitted before the doors opened for $600 and $1000 and got barely acceptable to brutal grades.

-------------------------

Sorry to hear about both of these things. And based on these two pieces of evidence it appears that my cynicism got the better of me.

In case anyone was curious. Clean back no stains or damage.

[Flintboy]

That grade on the 52 Mantle is a complete joke. I’m sure the cost to submit wasn’t cheap, to get that grade in return would make my blood boil.

[DanP]

Originally Posted by flintboy

that grade on the 52 mantle is a complete joke. I’m sure the cost to submit wasn’t cheap, to get that grade in return would make my blood boil.

+1000

[chadeast]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

In case anyone was curious. Clean back no stains or damage.

Is there a crease somewhere? Every SGC 1.5 that I have with great eye appeal has a crease, some VERY hard to see.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

There is a wrinkle down from the center of the top border to the level of his eyebrows. It does not appear on the back of the card. I've received 4's on cards with heavier creases. I certainly thought it was a 2.5/3 and super appealing even at that grade, but at least technically justifiable.

[irv]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

In case anyone was curious. Clean back no stains or damage.

What do you see yourself that might make them think that card is only a 1.5?

Not that I needed any further validation, but PSA is a complete and utter joke of a grading company.

I was thinking about bidding on this card until it was removed.
Upon further inspection I found out they, PSA, labeled this Joe Page card/ Sain bio back incorrectly as, which can be clearly seen, it is actually a Joe Page back.

P.S. I just read your other post, Scott. Explains things a little better.

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

In case anyone was curious. Clean back no stains or damage.

That's awful! I have a Willie Mays rookie in PSA 4 and it has three creases!

[Rhotchkiss]

I am sorry Scott, that really sucks. It just goes to show that PSA’s grades no longer mean anything aside from the population and maybe registry. The standards and grades vary so widely over the years that who know what a true “4” is other than it says it on the flip and goes down in the pop report as a 4.