Best way to send cards to PSA...

alaneads

I have a question about how to send cards to PSA. I know this is an old topic, but whatever I try doesnt seem to work.
I look at a RAW card and think, this could possibly be a 9.. so I decide to send it in to PSA.

As soon as I put the card into a sleeve, a toploader, or a cardsaver, I look at it again, and it no longer looks like a PSA 9. It seems impossible to put the card into any type of holder without damaging it even just a tiny bit.

Im talking about cards coming straight from packs... the corners look perfect.. I put it in a case being very careful, and I look at the card.. and I see little threads of paper coming from the corners or something.... just tiny but it could affect the grade easily. Any tips?

Undertaker

buy the packs, go to the PSA-office, open them there and if you see anything gradeable let them grade it immediately

autobilia

I still prefer penny sleeve/top loader/team bag

raf12

To get it in the penny sleeve without damaging the corners/edges (which is your real question, I think) I do this:

Slice about a half inch down the seam of one of the sides of the penny sleeve. That way, it can get into the sleeve with much less fuss and damage potential (kind of like it's easier to get into a sleeping bag that's a little bit unzipped than one that is full zipped up the sides...). After that, you can slide the card into a toploader/teambag (which, like autobilia, I prefer) or into your cardsaver...

Good luck!

zardoz51

Don't use penny sleeves period! One more contact for the corner. Insert the card into a BRAND NEW< NEVER USED< UNTOUCHED BY HUMAN HAND, Cardsaver 1. The "mouth" of the holder opens wide enough that the coprners do not make contact with the "lips" of the holder.

Top loaders, sleeves, Cardsaver2's are a ticket to screw the card up.

alaneads

Thanks for the tips.. I'll experiment some with commons

Bobstar

Actually,each grading company has guidelines you MUST follow for shipping cards to them to be graded.In most cases,if you don't follow those guidelines they won't grade the cards;they'll just send them back to you.
It's been a while since looking at those rules but believe most of them do require that they be put in soft sleeves & top loaders.That right there could be the reason there are so few 10s' of ANY card out
there.Hope this helps.
You can find most grading companies rules on thier websites.We have some Emmitt Smith,John Elway,Cal Ripken & Sammy Sosa RCs we are going to get graded someday.