Does PSA lose your submissions due to memberships?

[steve B]

I know it's true in my case, and I'd guess for others.

I have something fundamentally against paying for the right to spend money with someone. In the case of a club with a cover charge, or a show admission I actually get something for the cover charge - I can hear a band without drinking, or I can view the show without buying (Ok, I know it;s a huge stretch there but I could if I wanted to) or just bring in an item or two to sell.

But having to buy a "club membership" to be granted the privilege of giving them my money? Even if thry make up for it with some free grading and a self serving inaccurate price guide? Not for me.

I do have some modern cards that I'd considered sending in. But they even want $25 to look at the population reports, which would be a big part of deciding which cards got sent in. Business is business, and they're not hurting without me, but I'll spend my money somewhere the arrogance and greed are at least not part of the corporate image.

Steve B

[bijoem]

not at all (they lose no submissions from me).

and as mentioned earlier - PSA gives you a batch of 'free' submissions with your paid membership.

It really isn't that big a $$$ difference.

[chaddurbin]

yea the free voucher about cancel the membership fees.

[Abravefan11]

The PSA mebership fee and its free voucher does pay for itself IF you get enough cards graded during the membership term. However if you're not a regular submitter and don't know that you will send in enough cards to cover the cost over the term of the membership it doesn't make sense to sign up when another service will grade your cards on a per card basis.

[chaddurbin]

tim,

the voucher is for 6 cards...all must be submitted at the same time. i've actually saved a little money by using the voucher whereas if i submitted the cards to sgc they would've charged me $20-$35 depending on the value of the card(s) ($500-$2000).

[Abravefan11]

Quan,

I agree with what you're saying but in the case of collectors like myself that may not submit any cards or just a few during the course of a year it doesn't make sense. I realize I'm in the minority and probably not missed by PSA.

[HRBAKER]

The membership fee doesn't cost them my submissions, their superior (IMO) competition does. I have no issue with the fee and it is offset with vouchers.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

The membership fee doesn't cost them my submissions, their superior (IMO) competition does. I have no issue with the fee and it is offset with vouchers.

It isn't their membership fee that costs them my business either. It's their grading.

Originally Posted by Leon

It isn't their membership fee that costs them my business either. It's their grading.

+1

[glynparson]

There are dealers that can submit cards directly for people that are not members. I would try contacting any of their authorized dealers in the area.

[3-2-count]

Originally Posted by Leon

It isn't their membership fee that costs them my business either. It's their grading.

This is my reason to. Put me in this group as well.

[quinnsryche]

PSA blows. Usually overgraded, lousy looking holders and elitist attitude made me an SGC guy from the start. Why anyone would pay a premium for the stuff in their holders is beyond me. OOOOO a PSA 9!! Who the hell cares, it probably would only get a 7 from SGC anyway.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by steve B

I have something fundamentally against paying for the right to spend money with someone.

That statement pretty much sums it up for me too, regardless of the vouchers or not. It would be like me buying a membership to Wal-Mart or Target for the privilege to shop there. Ridiculous!

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

That statement pretty much sums it up for me too, regardless of the vouchers or not. It would be like me buying a membership to Wal-Mart or Target for the privilege to shop there. Ridiculous!

Sam's Club and COSTCO has developed a very nice business model doing exactly that.

[chaddurbin]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

That statement pretty much sums it up for me too, regardless of the vouchers or not. It would be like me buying a membership to Wal-Mart or Target for the privilege to shop there. Ridiculous!

except walmart and target don't give you a $100 giftcard to cover for the membership fee.

grading is subjective, i've found crappy overgraded cards in both psa/sgc holders. i've also found undergraded that easily crossed psa-->sgc and vice versa.