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Upcharge question

I apologize in advance if this has been asked and answered previously, but as a longtime collector and new “grade submitter,” I have a question about up charges. I have a 20-card value modern order that hasn’t been entered, but at the time I submitted it was $12/card and $199 value per card. I have no delusions about getting a bunch of grades with a corresponding value above $199, but if I had 17-18 cards with an average value of $100 (or less), and 2-3 cards that got a 10 with a value of $500+, would I be up charged for those two cards? Or would the totality of the order/average value under $199 be taken into account, based on your experiences?

Comments

  • soxaddictsoxaddict Posts: 256 ✭✭✭

    The fees are based on the value of the card in the grade it received.

  • Dpeck100Dpeck100 Posts: 10,912 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I just recently got my first up charges. I think PSA is only applying this to cards that really exceed the threshold consistently and feel confident they will continue too. My last sub prior to this I had no up charges and plenty of cards that once graded far exceeded the maximum declared value. If they charge you I think you will be confident it was fair. I felt my grades came in low so those that think it’s a money grab are wrong because had they graded higher they could have easily charged me more.

  • daltexdaltex Posts: 3,486 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Geoff76 said:
    I apologize in advance if this has been asked and answered previously, but as a longtime collector and new “grade submitter,” I have a question about up charges. I have a 20-card value modern order that hasn’t been entered, but at the time I submitted it was $12/card and $199 value per card. I have no delusions about getting a bunch of grades with a corresponding value above $199, but if I had 17-18 cards with an average value of $100 (or less), and 2-3 cards that got a 10 with a value of $500+, would I be up charged for those two cards? Or would the totality of the order/average value under $199 be taken into account, based on your experiences?

    It is done on a card by card basis. You couldn't send a Jordan rookie and 2000 1988 Topps commons under a value submission.

  • JoeBanzaiJoeBanzai Posts: 11,794 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Geoff76 said:
    I apologize in advance if this has been asked and answered previously, but as a longtime collector and new “grade submitter,” I have a question about up charges. I have a 20-card value modern order that hasn’t been entered, but at the time I submitted it was $12/card and $199 value per card. I have no delusions about getting a bunch of grades with a corresponding value above $199, but if I had 17-18 cards with an average value of $100 (or less), and 2-3 cards that got a 10 with a value of $500+, would I be up charged for those two cards? Or would the totality of the order/average value under $199 be taken into account, based on your experiences?

    Welcome to the boards!

    Try to be more specific in the future, general questions will get general answers. Generally, don't worry about your card getting a 10, in most cases it won't. If you send in something that PSA feels the need to upcharge you on, that's a good thing!

    2013,14 and 15 Certificate Award Winner Harmon Killebrew Master Set and Master Topps Set
  • gemintgemint Posts: 6,101 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 6, 2021 5:58PM

    @Dpeck100 said:
    I just recently got my first up charges. I think PSA is only applying this to cards that really exceed the threshold consistently and feel confident they will continue too. My last sub prior to this I had no up charges and plenty of cards that once graded far exceeded the maximum declared value. If they charge you I think you will be confident it was fair. I felt my grades came in low so those that think it’s a money grab are wrong because had they graded higher they could have easily charged me more.

    I disagree. I got upcharged to $75 for a PSA 10 1972 Tug McGraw. That was based on one $3500 sale. Aside from that sale, all public sales data indicates it's a $400 card both before and since mine was graded. I called PSA to plead my case but they weren't having any of it. I ended up selling mine to recoup the grading fee and keeping a 9 in my set.

  • 76collector76collector Posts: 986 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @gemint said:

    @Dpeck100 said:
    I just recently got my first up charges. I think PSA is only applying this to cards that really exceed the threshold consistently and feel confident they will continue too. My last sub prior to this I had no up charges and plenty of cards that once graded far exceeded the maximum declared value. If they charge you I think you will be confident it was fair. I felt my grades came in low so those that think it’s a money grab are wrong because had they graded higher they could have easily charged me more.

    I disagree. I got upcharged to $75 for a PSA 10 1972 Tug McGraw. That was based on one $3500 sale. Aside from that sale, all public sales data indicates it's a $400 card both before and since mine was graded. I called PSA to plead my case but they weren't having any of it. I ended up selling mine to recoup the grading fee and keeping a 9 in my set.

    Honestly I think this is total BS. You should never be upcharged based on the grade IMO. It should be based on the raw card. If you are trying to send Brady/Jordan rookies, Ruth's, Mantles, etc and sneak them into a value sub you should be upcharged. But nobody in their right mind would send in a common even if it was in perfect condition at a higher level.

    I cannot hit curveball. Straightball I hit it very much. Curveball, bats are afraid.
    Collecting:
    post world war II HOF rookie
    76 topps gem mint 10 commons 9 stars
    Arenado purple refractors(Rockies) Red (Cardinals)
    successful deals with Keevan, Grote15, 1954, mbogoman
  • Dpeck100Dpeck100 Posts: 10,912 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If there is sales data at $3,500 that is way higher than what I was referencing.

    You are lucky they didn’t get you for $200.

    $75 isn’t bad.

  • JoeBanzaiJoeBanzai Posts: 11,794 ✭✭✭✭✭

    My wife says they should charge the same for all cards.

    2013,14 and 15 Certificate Award Winner Harmon Killebrew Master Set and Master Topps Set
  • gemintgemint Posts: 6,101 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 6, 2021 6:34PM

    @Dpeck100 said:
    If there is sales data at $3,500 that is way higher than what I was referencing.

    You are lucky they didn’t get you for $200.

    $75 isn’t bad.

    True but one outlier sale on a common card isn't a reasonable market price indicator. Otherwise, why don't they just close a bunch of fake BIN sales to make every card show a $5,000 sale?

  • JoeBanzaiJoeBanzai Posts: 11,794 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @gemint said:

    @Dpeck100 said:
    If there is sales data at $3,500 that is way higher than what I was referencing.

    You are lucky they didn’t get you for $200.

    $75 isn’t bad.

    True but one outlier sale on a common card isn't a reasonable market price indicator. Otherwise, why don't they just close a bunch of fake BIN sales to make every card show a $5,000 sale?

    Exactly why we need to know what card(s) he is referring to and a scan would be nice too.

    2013,14 and 15 Certificate Award Winner Harmon Killebrew Master Set and Master Topps Set
  • Dpeck100Dpeck100 Posts: 10,912 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If I am PSA and I see a sale at $3,500 I think it’s reasonable to charge at the $1,000 level. At the end of the day the only reason the cards sell for that is because of their stamp of approval.

    PSA has handed me a ton of money with their opinion over the past 11 years. If I have to pay more today with what has happened to card prices I am fine with it.

    I did not agree with the grades on both of my recent orders and that bothers me more than having to pay more for free money.

    I think there is merit to the complaints about grading of late. Just about every card came in one to two grades below what I expected and I have submitted probably more of the cards than anyone.

  • CakesCakes Posts: 3,629 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I say congrats on getting your sub in! It could be awhile but in general they rarely up charge and if so it shouldn't be much.

    Successful coin BST transactions with Gerard and segoja.

    Successful card BST transactions with cbcnow, brogurt, gstarling, Bravesfan 007, and rajah 424.
  • CakesCakes Posts: 3,629 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Dpeck100 said:
    If I am PSA and I see a sale at $3,500 I think it’s reasonable to charge at the $1,000 level. At the end of the day the only reason the cards sell for that is because of their stamp of approval.

    PSA has handed me a ton of money with their opinion over the past 11 years. If I have to pay more today with what has happened to card prices I am fine with it.

    I did not agree with the grades on both of my recent orders and that bothers me more than having to pay more for free money.

    I think there is merit to the complaints about grading of late. Just about every card came in one to two grades below what I expected and I have submitted probably more of the cards than anyone.

    dpeck your post worries me. It seems like the grader of death has been very busy lately!

    Successful coin BST transactions with Gerard and segoja.

    Successful card BST transactions with cbcnow, brogurt, gstarling, Bravesfan 007, and rajah 424.
  • Geoff76Geoff76 Posts: 163 ✭✭✭

    I appreciate everyone’s responses. Dpeck - your post worries me as well. I submitted a Jerry Rice rookie and have spent some time looking at PSA-graded Rice rookies that have sold on eBay...I feel like there are 7s and 8s in new holders that look comparable to 8s and 9s in the old ones. Maybe it’s just me.

  • JoeBanzaiJoeBanzai Posts: 11,794 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Yes, I would agree. I also saw a 1987 Fleer McGwire PSA 10 that looked 70/30 side to side.

    If your Rice rookie was part of a $199.00 value or less submission, you are right on the border of "undervaluing" the card, but I would have included it too.

    If you have looked at ebay sold items, you know that 8's go for almost $400.00, so if you're lucky, you might get hit with an upcharge.

    Any possibility it's a 9?

    2013,14 and 15 Certificate Award Winner Harmon Killebrew Master Set and Master Topps Set
  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭

    My last sub had a ton of cards that I felt were undergraded. I haven't got the order back or I would post pictures. And did you see the post with the fake Jordan PSA 9?? That was graded recently. I now know that not everyone can grade cards. I can do it. Most of you here can do it. But not everyone can do it.

  • Geoff76Geoff76 Posts: 163 ✭✭✭

    @JoeBanzai said:
    Yes, I would agree. I also saw a 1987 Fleer McGwire PSA 10 that looked 70/30 side to side.

    If your Rice rookie was part of a $199.00 value or less submission, you are right on the border of "undervaluing" the card, but I would have included it too.

    If you have looked at ebay sold items, you know that 8's go for almost $400.00, so if you're lucky, you might get hit with an upcharge.

    Any possibility it's a 9?

    I actually sent the Rice rookie in a separate, two-card regular ($999 max value) that went into grading on 3/8. Hoping/wishing for an 8.5-9 but expecting something in the 7-8 range ($200-400ish).

  • secretstashsecretstash Posts: 1,396 ✭✭✭✭

    @bobbyw8469 said:
    My last sub had a ton of cards that I felt were undergraded. I haven't got the order back or I would post pictures. And did you see the post with the fake Jordan PSA 9?? That was graded recently. I now know that not everyone can grade cards. I can do it. Most of you here can do it. But not everyone can do it.

    Simply put, it is 100% not fake...the story was.

  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭

    @secretstash said:

    @bobbyw8469 said:
    My last sub had a ton of cards that I felt were undergraded. I haven't got the order back or I would post pictures. And did you see the post with the fake Jordan PSA 9?? That was graded recently. I now know that not everyone can grade cards. I can do it. Most of you here can do it. But not everyone can do it.

    Simply put, it is 100% not fake...the story was.

    Hmmm...odd....did you see the card on Ebay?? The one without the ghost and the poor photo quality?

  • 76collector76collector Posts: 986 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Dpeck100 said:
    If I am PSA and I see a sale at $3,500 I think it’s reasonable to charge at the $1,000 level. At the end of the day the only reason the cards sell for that is because of their stamp of approval.

    PSA has handed me a ton of money with their opinion over the past 11 years. If I have to pay more today with what has happened to card prices I am fine with it.

    I did not agree with the grades on both of my recent orders and that bothers me more than having to pay more for free money.

    I think there is merit to the complaints about grading of late. Just about every card came in one to two grades below what I expected and I have submitted probably more of the cards than anyone.

    I get what you are saying that them giving you a 10 on a common makes that card more valuable. But what if you have ZERO intentions of selling it ? At that point you are not paying more for "free money" they are forcing you to sell something to recoup that $1,000 charge that you had no intention of selling. I will be irate if they upcharge me for any common I submitted. Will they ever give me a rebate for cards they grade a 7 or less that aren't even worth the cost of grading ? Absolutely not. They will also still charge for cards that don't meet min size requirements and other issues. It's bad enough we have waited 9+ months to get our cards back and get nothing in return for having our cards gone for so long. No free renewals or vouchers for long time members, just a news letter telling us to "be patient" and "we are working on making things better". Again, my theory is if you are purposely trying to circumvent the system by sending in high dollar raw cards at low cost service levels, you should be upcharged. But you surely shouldn't be charged because they took a year to grade your cards and the value of those cards has appreciated during that time and now puts them in a different service level.

    Jeff

    I cannot hit curveball. Straightball I hit it very much. Curveball, bats are afraid.
    Collecting:
    post world war II HOF rookie
    76 topps gem mint 10 commons 9 stars
    Arenado purple refractors(Rockies) Red (Cardinals)
    successful deals with Keevan, Grote15, 1954, mbogoman
  • Dpeck100Dpeck100 Posts: 10,912 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @76collector said:

    @Dpeck100 said:
    If I am PSA and I see a sale at $3,500 I think it’s reasonable to charge at the $1,000 level. At the end of the day the only reason the cards sell for that is because of their stamp of approval.

    PSA has handed me a ton of money with their opinion over the past 11 years. If I have to pay more today with what has happened to card prices I am fine with it.

    I did not agree with the grades on both of my recent orders and that bothers me more than having to pay more for free money.

    I think there is merit to the complaints about grading of late. Just about every card came in one to two grades below what I expected and I have submitted probably more of the cards than anyone.

    I get what you are saying that them giving you a 10 on a common makes that card more valuable. But what if you have ZERO intentions of selling it ? At that point you are not paying more for "free money" they are forcing you to sell something to recoup that $1,000 charge that you had no intention of selling. I will be irate if they upcharge me for any common I submitted. Will they ever give me a rebate for cards they grade a 7 or less that aren't even worth the cost of grading ? Absolutely not. They will also still charge for cards that don't meet min size requirements and other issues. It's bad enough we have waited 9+ months to get our cards back and get nothing in return for having our cards gone for so long. No free renewals or vouchers for long time members, just a news letter telling us to "be patient" and "we are working on making things better". Again, my theory is if you are purposely trying to circumvent the system by sending in high dollar raw cards at low cost service levels, you should be upcharged. But you surely shouldn't be charged because they took a year to grade your cards and the value of those cards has appreciated during that time and now puts them in a different service level.

    Jeff

    It is $75. Not $1,000.

    If you have a problem paying $75 for a card to be graded that in turn has sold for $3,500 then that is fine. I don't.

  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭

    It is $75. Not $1,000.

    If you have a problem paying $75 for a card to be graded that in turn has sold for $3,500 then that is fine. I don't.

    It was ONE sale at the level. Who knows if it was real or not. The card has sold since then, back at the normal level ($300-$400).

  • Dpeck100Dpeck100 Posts: 10,912 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @bobbyw8469 said:

    It is $75. Not $1,000.

    If you have a problem paying $75 for a card to be graded that in turn has sold for $3,500 then that is fine. I don't.

    It was ONE sale at the level. Who knows if it was real or not. The card has sold since then, back at the normal level ($300-$400).

    You guys win. Be mad at PSA.

    My advice is get used to it because I think this is the new trend.

  • 76collector76collector Posts: 986 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Dpeck100 said:
    If I am PSA and I see a sale at $3,500 I think it’s reasonable to charge at the $1,000 level.

    Not trying to "win", hope it's not coming off that way, I'm just giving my opinion. But, Based off this comment I was thinking they charged you 1K which to me is insane. I agree $75 isn't that bad.

    Jeff

    I cannot hit curveball. Straightball I hit it very much. Curveball, bats are afraid.
    Collecting:
    post world war II HOF rookie
    76 topps gem mint 10 commons 9 stars
    Arenado purple refractors(Rockies) Red (Cardinals)
    successful deals with Keevan, Grote15, 1954, mbogoman
  • Dpeck100Dpeck100 Posts: 10,912 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @76collector said:
    @Dpeck100 said:
    If I am PSA and I see a sale at $3,500 I think it’s reasonable to charge at the $1,000 level.

    Not trying to "win", hope it's not coming off that way, I'm just giving my opinion. But, Based off this comment I was thinking they charged you 1K which to me is insane. I agree $75 isn't that bad.

    Jeff

    $1,000 level is a $75 charge.

    $2,500 is the next level. It used to be $200 and I think $300 now.

  • secretstashsecretstash Posts: 1,396 ✭✭✭✭

    @bobbyw8469 said:

    @secretstash said:

    @bobbyw8469 said:
    My last sub had a ton of cards that I felt were undergraded. I haven't got the order back or I would post pictures. And did you see the post with the fake Jordan PSA 9?? That was graded recently. I now know that not everyone can grade cards. I can do it. Most of you here can do it. But not everyone can do it.

    Simply put, it is 100% not fake...the story was.

    Hmmm...odd....did you see the card on Ebay?? The one without the ghost and the poor photo quality?

    I already knew it was authentic because I know the definitive sign (and it isn't a ghost image), but another poster also was smart enough to lookup the cert and it was a bad picture in the ebay listing is all.

    @initialD said:
    Auction pic shot with a potato? Certainly a newsworthy call out :D

  • daltexdaltex Posts: 3,486 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Wait, so a poor photo on eBay doesn't automatically mean that a card is counterfeit? I'm astonished.

  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭
    edited April 8, 2021 3:30AM

    @daltex said:
    Wait, so a poor photo on eBay doesn't automatically mean that a card is counterfeit? I'm astonished.

    .

  • I sent mine in $300 super express max value $4.999 i figure ill get an upcharge on mine KOBE BRYANT 1996 Skybox E-X2000 STAR DATE in grading process now

  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭

    @daltex said:
    Wait, so a poor photo on eBay doesn't automatically mean that a card is counterfeit? I'm astonished.

    There is still zero proof that is the same card. The picture looks so bad that one can't help but wonder if the card had been switched out and a fake inserted.

  • secretstashsecretstash Posts: 1,396 ✭✭✭✭
    edited April 9, 2021 5:44AM

    @bobbyw8469 said:

    @daltex said:
    Wait, so a poor photo on eBay doesn't automatically mean that a card is counterfeit? I'm astonished.

    There is still zero proof that is the same card. The picture looks so bad that one can't help but wonder if the card had been switched out and a fake inserted.

    There is no tampering with the holder in the photo...and more importantly, the Jordan in the photo on ebay is 100% authentic. The front is simply darkened due to poor camera or whichever, but it doesn't change the back of the card--definitive real.

  • daltexdaltex Posts: 3,486 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @bobbyw8469 said:

    @daltex said:
    Wait, so a poor photo on eBay doesn't automatically mean that a card is counterfeit? I'm astonished.

    There is still zero proof that is the same card. The picture looks so bad that one can't help but wonder if the card had been switched out and a fake inserted.

    Yes, I agree that there is no proof of authenticity. I'm just saying neither is there a proof of fraud.

  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭

    @daltex said:

    @bobbyw8469 said:

    @daltex said:
    Wait, so a poor photo on eBay doesn't automatically mean that a card is counterfeit? I'm astonished.

    There is still zero proof that is the same card. The picture looks so bad that one can't help but wonder if the card had been switched out and a fake inserted.

    Yes, I agree that there is no proof of authenticity. I'm just saying neither is there a proof of fraud.

    The missing image and the horribly dark picture screams fake. I am sorry that you aren't able to see that. That is why so many people get stuck with them.

  • FrozencaribouFrozencaribou Posts: 1,091 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 10, 2021 5:05AM

    Imagine if home renovation work operated in the same way?

    “We provided service and have decided the value added to your home based on our service provided is significantly more than you paid. You will be charged 3x more than our previous agreement. We understand you had no way of knowing....”

  • jradke4jradke4 Posts: 3,573 ✭✭✭

    PSA has it good. They want you to price your card first to determine service level...lets say you have a 1958 Topps Jim Brown that you swear is an 8. At SMR of 30K that going too a hefty grading fee. But alas there is the dreaded surface wrinkle you didn't catch at its graded a 5. Now that card is worth according to PSA, $1750. Yet PSA doesn't down grade grading fee to fit the real value of the card. They would say you were paying for faster service level and that you decided the value of the card...yet if you sent in an 89 UD Griffey valued at PSA9, because most cards comeback either 8 or 9 on that issue but you got lucky and its a 10 they upcharge you. The reason for the upcharge is that well we grade at service level based on the value of the card not how fast we grade it. Its a nice win win for PSA.

    Packers Fan for Life
    Collecting:
    Brett Favre Master Set
    Favre Ticket Stubs
    Favre TD Reciever Autos
    Football HOF Player/etc. Auto Set
    Football HOF Rc's
  • jradke4jradke4 Posts: 3,573 ✭✭✭

    the only good news right now is that with nearly all of grading levels suspended by PSA there shouldn't be to many uncharges someone would complain about!!!

    Packers Fan for Life
    Collecting:
    Brett Favre Master Set
    Favre Ticket Stubs
    Favre TD Reciever Autos
    Football HOF Player/etc. Auto Set
    Football HOF Rc's
  • daltexdaltex Posts: 3,486 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @bobbyw8469 said:

    @daltex said:

    @bobbyw8469 said:

    @daltex said:
    Wait, so a poor photo on eBay doesn't automatically mean that a card is counterfeit? I'm astonished.

    There is still zero proof that is the same card. The picture looks so bad that one can't help but wonder if the card had been switched out and a fake inserted.

    Yes, I agree that there is no proof of authenticity. I'm just saying neither is there a proof of fraud.

    The missing image and the horribly dark picture screams fake. I am sorry that you aren't able to see that. That is why so many people get stuck with them.

    Don't misunderstand. I would stay far, far away from that listing at any price, or at least ask for better pictures. The fact is with pictures like those there is simply no proof. The fact that the card appears to match, under vastly different lighting conditions, the serial number on PSA and the slab appears to have maintained its integrity provides a lot of support to the idea that it is a stupid seller, not a fraudulent one.

    I agree with you about there being zero proof that it is the same card. I'm just adding that there is zero proof that it is a different card.

  • surfyfunsurfyfun Posts: 75 ✭✭

    I didn’t realize the Jordan 9 debate was still going on, but there is an identical spot of edge wear on both. So I would say case closed, ez.


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