PSA Grading Conundrum

[G1911]

We all know PSA cannot even reliably tell the difference between their own 8’s, 9’s and 10’s. It’s a gambling crapshoot, not a real consistent and honest grade. Either don’t submit and play this game, or just keep writing them checks until you get the grade desired, eventually you’ll get it.

[JollyElm]

IMO, you have to use the throwing the 'challenge flag' metaphor on this one. If PSA checks the replay, i.e., re-examines the card, they would need “clear and obvious visual evidence” that their call was wrong. Do you think those tiny touches on the back corners (or possibly other factors) would preclude them from agreeing with you (and themselves for previously giving it a 9)? As frustrating as it is (and we all understand that, because we've all been the victims of the grading machine), I fear your attempt will just be a waste of (more) money.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by G1911

We all know PSA cannot even reliably tell the difference between their own 8’s, 9’s and 10’s. It’s a gambling crapshoot, not a real consistent and honest grade. Either don’t submit and play this game, or just keep writing them checks until you get the grade desired, eventually you’ll get it.

^^THIS^^ 8s, 9s, and 10s if sent back in could easily be graded any of the 3.

Also be careful because like swarmee posted they can and will ban you if you complain too much.

[ClementeFanOh]

Playball- I'll echo most of the sentiment expressed already. Your mistake was
assuming PSA would be professional and accurate. Heck, you even spoonfed
their own grade(!) and they still screwed it up. You've pretty much taken an
"L" on this one. Best advice- don't poke the bear again, because PSA is a bear
that is rabid and wasn't too sharp before the rabies began

Trent King

[Bill77]

Just be happy they authenticated the autograph and didn't give it a mark qualifier.

[p1ayba11]

Thanks to all that offered input. Just wanted to circle back and let you all know how this played out. I ended up taking one more shot at this with PSA, submitting the card for "review". The bottom line is that it came back with no change to the PSA 8 grade and I'm out roughly $150 for the cost of the review and shipping both to and from. Also, I never did get a response from communication with PSA.

If anyone from PSA is tracking these threads, I wonder if there couldn't be a new at-show service developed to help card owners getting autographs at shows and then reholdering the cards on-site? I would have been happy to pay a fee to do so and hopefully, protect the card's existing grade.

Again, thanks for all your input. The card, once a 9 in PSA's eyes and now an 8 is still a 9 in my eyes!

[jefferyepayne]

I always hate to hear these stories but the reality is that grading is not an exact science. Plus the difference between an 8, 9, and 10 is so small that it is very possible that if you submitted a card three times it could come back with a different grade each time. Particularly now with half grades.

jeff