My impromptu chat with Joe O.

[barrysloate]

I agree with Leon- too much negativity on this board.

[calvindog]

Leon, I understand your wanting to be happy and your desire for Net 54 to be a happy place but you need to appreciate that just because the guy was nice to you for a few minutes at the National doesn't mean he should be presumed to be a shining light in the hobby. It also doesn't mean that he's a bad guy either. This hobby is filled with controversial people and topics and people will disagree. There were positive things about Joe said on this thread and negative -- exactly what I would expect. What's the problem?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Leon, I understand your wanting to be happy and your desire for Net 54 to be a happy place but you need to appreciate that just because the guy was nice to you for a few minutes at the National doesn't mean he should be presumed to be a shining light in the hobby. It also doesn't mean that he's a bad guy either. This hobby is filled with controversial people and topics and people will disagree. There were positive things about Joe said on this thread and negative -- exactly what I would expect. What's the problem?

Well, one of the posters above seems to post positively other places but just comes here to post negatively, which really bugs me...that and a certain someone seems to get drunk and post hatred, but I actually like him . Hey, I get it Jeff...I realize that just because he was nice to me for a few minutes doesn't make him a "great" guy . But we all know a fair amount about PSA, and though they have their issues, I do believe they run a good ship. I do understand what you are saying though. And please understand that I just speak (write) extemporaneously sometimes. Otherwise, how the heck would I have over 5100 posts? I do believe Joe was being very genuine when we spoke and I appreciated that. He admitted a lot of stuff and you can tell he understands his company, and himself aren't perfect. But I think he tries which is more than I can say for many folks on this board. For all of those that bitch it would be great to see them start just one, tiny positive thread about cards!! Oh the joy that would bring.

[oldjudge]

"I have a question...Can anyone name someone or some company who has done more for this hobby than Joe Orlando and PSA?"


Lew Lipset--one of the hobby greats, who no longer gets the recognition he deserves

[tbob]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

"I have a question...Can anyone name someone or some company who has done more for this hobby than Joe Orlando and PSA?"


Lew Lipset--one of the hobby greats, who no longer gets the recognition he deserves

Lionel Carter and others whose contributions to the hobby are just being appreciated by collectors.

[kcohen]

I don't know the man and I will take Leon's words on their face. However, actions speak louder than words so I would be more convinced of Mr. Orlando's seriousness regarding fraud in the hobby if PSA changed to a more tamper-proof holder.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by kcohen

I don't know the man and I will take Leon's words on their face. However, actions speak louder than words so I would be more convinced of Mr. Orlando's seriousness regarding fraud in the hobby if PSA changed to a more tamper-proof holder.

I suspect cost is a factor here -- would collectors pay the extra $$ required for such a thing (I would)? I also think holders should have some sort of UV protection to prevent against fading.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by calvindog

I suspect cost is a factor here -- would collectors pay the extra $$ required for such a thing (I would)? I also think holders should have some sort of UV protection to prevent against fading.

One conversation I will always remember and ironically it was with someone in this thread. We were all in a car going somewhere, at the National. I asked the question to the few others, "would you pay $3 more for a better holder to protect your expensive cards?" That person said "no way". I laughed.....I thought it was a stupid question as I thought anyone would pay a few bucks for a better holder, but I guess I was wrong (again).

[botn]

I have known Joe a very long time...well before he was working for PSA. Joe does have a great deal of passion for the hobby. I don't think Joe is the problem at PSA and I don't think that he alone can change all that is wrong at PSA. Some of the things collectors and dealers complain about are the same things they have complained about for almost 20 years. And not to derail the thread but SGC is fraught with their own issues so obviously there are inherent problems with third party grading.

[E93]

I have had only positive experiences with Joe. He is passionate about the hobby, and professional in his business dealings. Though the few issues I have brought to him have not always turned out the way I wanted, they have always been handled professionally and I can always see his/PSA's perspective.
JimB

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by calvindog

I suspect cost is a factor here -- would collectors pay the extra $$ required for such a thing (I would)? I also think holders should have some sort of UV protection to prevent against fading.

Cost is almost certainly a factor in developing and marketing a tamper-proof holder, as PSA strives to compete effectively in the marketplace, especially of course with its main rival, SGC. I would also very much like to see UV protection offered against fading. Good thought, Jeff.

Best to all who make this forum such an interesting place to go!

Larry

[TONY-III]

Originally Posted by kcohen

I don't know the man and I will take Leon's words on their face. However, actions speak louder than words so I would be more convinced of Mr. Orlando's seriousness regarding fraud in the hobby if PSA changed to a more tamper-proof holder.

I believe that PSA does have a newer, tamper-proof holder. They are now sonically (Not sure if I spelled correctly) welded and appear to be impossible to crack open without destroying the slab and possibly damaging the card. The old cases were easy to crack open just like the current SGC cases are. So, PSA holders have improved recently from my experience. I really like the new holders as they appear to be way more tamper-proof.

[glchen]

Originally Posted by TONY-III

I believe that PSA does have a newer, tamper-proof holder. They are now sonically (Not sure if I spelled correctly) welded and appear to be impossible to crack open without destroying the slab and possibly damaging the card. The old cases were easy to crack open just like the current SGC cases are. So, PSA holders have improved recently from my experience. I really like the new holders as they appear to be way more tamper-proof.

As much as I like PSA, not sure I agree with this. I've cracked open many a recent PSA slab, and it seems just as easy as the older slabs. SGC is slightly more difficult. Now, Beckett, on the other hand, that's an incredibly tough slab to open up. If any slab is tamper-proof, it's Beckett.

[Mark]

Originally Posted by TONY-III

I believe that PSA does have a newer, tamper-proof holder. They are now sonically (Not sure if I spelled correctly) welded and appear to be impossible to crack open without destroying the slab and possibly damaging the card. The old cases were easy to crack open just like the current SGC cases are. So, PSA holders have improved recently from my experience. I really like the new holders as they appear to be way more tamper-proof.

Sorry to hear that. As a long time collector, I still prefer cards in the raw. of course, a lot of my collection is now slabbed because that's how they come nowadays. But when I decide that I really like a card and want to keep it, then I often break it out of the slab and put it on the stack of keepers.