Can you personally watch the whole process of your card being graded?

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

Simple question: Can you personally watch the whole process of your card being graded? Meaning, you are there when they accept, review, slab, the whole thing. You never let the card leave your eyesight.

I have asked numerous collectors and dealers this question and received the same answer: No, not going to happen, 100 percent. No one (outside of employees) is allowed into the grading area. Not even for million dollar cards. Really? If so, this surprises me.

No you can't. That's why the clowns with the rebacked fake Wagner claim they wouldn't submit it to a reputable company, because they were afraid it would be switched out. Forget the fact that it's a ridiculous fake.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI3mP8xV-KE

[Tyruscobb]

I'm sure a TPG would allow it under certain circumstances - the right customer, the right card(s), and, of course, for the right price. However, I doubt the average Joe could make this arrangement happen.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Tyruscobb

I'm sure a TPG would allow it under certain circumstances - the right customer, the right card(s), and, of course, for the right price. However, I doubt the average Joe could make this arrangement happen.

I knew people who had access to the PSA grading booth during the Baker Rocchi years. Some submitters are more equal than others.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

No you can't. That's why the clowns with the rebacked fake Wagner claim they wouldn't submit it to a reputable company, because they were afraid it would be switched out. Forget the fact that it's a ridiculous fake.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI3mP8xV-KE

Bingo. They own a fake and are trying to play the race card, the victim card, and every other card under the sun to convince others it is real.

[butchie_t]

My guess is this would never happen for anyone. Each of these TPGs more than likely have proprietary steps that they take and would not want some interloper coming in from off the street to 'watch' the process.

It comes down to protecting their product and how they implement their product. I doubt very seriously they are gonna start handing out NDAs to people either.

I would not ask nor would I expect them to let me watch this process either.

Butch

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

No you can't. That's why the clowns with the rebacked fake Wagner claim they wouldn't submit it to a reputable company, because they were afraid it would be switched out. Forget the fact that it's a ridiculous fake.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI3mP8xV-KE

not surprising

Still would be cool to see it in action and perhaps get some transparency to the industry

[maniac_73]

"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!"

[Golfcollector]

A number of years ago at the national in Chicago, (WAY before the huge lines PSA gets at the National these days) I did a 1 day turnaround on a high valued Bobby Jones Golf Card from the Abdulla set. It came back as a PSA 4 when I thought for sure it was a PSA 6 maybe a 7.

So, while sulking at the PSA table upon opening my order I asked if I could talk to someone to see why this only graded a 4.

Joe O. got someone to come out from behind the blue curtain to get me, they took me back there, put it under a much brighter light and then showed me a very small surface crease on the back of the card...which was not super easy to see even with the better direct lighting they had. While back there the "guy" showed me the machines sealing the cards in the holders (not quiet mind you those things were LOUD) and I basically was told they were happy to answer any question I had about my grades and made sure my questions were answered.

Doubt something like this would ever happen again in today's day and age, but It was cool to see "behind the curtain" so to speak, even if just for a few minutes. A pretty cool experience.