@lahmejoon said:
I will add, on the unopened front, I have about 60 non junk era packs that I want to get authenticated, but at the rate packs are being ruined by being squished into the current shell (which for whatever reason, they don't want to change and/or don't care about), I just can't send those in. I wish I could have Steve Hart wrap and authenticate them, but I know he's contractually unable to.
We had a local show this weekend. I know one of the guys who sells. He sent in seven non sport packs from the 60's and 70's and three of them were manipulated to fit into the shell, which resulted in damage. One of the seals was nearly popped completely and two of them had clear wrinkles that did not exist before. He was irate. Of course, this guy is more interested in turning a profit and had no awareness of the issues with pack grading, so I don't feel sorry for him, but I do feel sorry for the packs that were forever compromised and difficult to replace.
Hard to be we are in 2024 with the problems we are seeing. In 2005 I would have imagined a much better current state. It's not like any of these issues are complicated...they just eat into profits. More customer service agents, fair and consistent grading, better holders for different sized objects.
If PSA would stick to trying to be the best grading company then organically they will remain on top and most consignors will still want to use them but if they continue down this road of questionable practices then eventually the bulk of customers will be these major alliances and a big opportunity will be seized by BGS, SGC, and other contendors. I'd love to see a legitimate council formed which regulates and investigates this industry so there is some actual consequences and penalties for employees and/or businesses who knowingly violate policy.
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Their idea of "best" might be different than yours. I'm thinking they are more interested in becoming more profitable, and many larger businesses don't think long term.
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It's becoming more than just noise. It's becoming a real problem. It's affected me slightly and others pretty significantly. It has caused many of us to change our submission habits when most of us just wanted it to be business as usual. The most disappointing part is that most of the issues could be solved quickly other than the embarrassment of cards already misgraded.
After giving PSA the benefit of the doubt then what?
I didn't know the name Nat Turner until about a year ago. Hopefully he'll go down as one of the best CEOs in my lifetime for grading services...as of right now it's not looking promising.
I offered to give them all kind of advice from a technical aspect and operations. Unfortunately they let go of the moderator who thought some of my ideas had merit and he tried to put me in touch with management but within days he unfortunately lost his job.
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I have had quite a few discussions with PSA and the only time they agreed with me, they changed their mind at a later date. This company does not take suggestions or admit when they are wrong. After all, we are hiring them as experts, how can we be more knowledgeable than them?
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How often does PSA survey customers for information and feedback? A wise professor once said something to the effect of "A reputable company (could be a person or company) who doesn't use their ears will eventually lose their voice."
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Here's an example of an item they refuse to add to my Killebrew master set.
2013,14 and 15 Certificate Award Winner Harmon Killebrew Master Set and Master Topps Set
You hit the nail on the head. Most prefer PSA as there cases are just clean and you can see everything so nicely. I like SGC also, but I don't like the black inserts and I wish the labels were easier to read. SGC tends to downgrade most cards also, but usually only one grade lower than you expect. PSA however, every old card is either a VG or the dreaded VG-EX 4. My most recent set was dominated with 4's. I waited over 4 months for a bunch of 4's. I don't know what PSA is thinking, but one just has to take a look at history and the business field is littered with once King of the Hill's who got to cocky. SGC is the David battling Goliath right now and David is about to sling his rock🔥
The registries to some degree are the issue. To have people collect sets or whatever you have to the graded cards. To have competition you need more 9's, more 10's. To get people to send in those cards you need deals. To get bulk grading customers you need deals and good grades.
if you just look at the sheer numbers of cards being graded per set, it's off the chart. People like you and me can't afford or don't have the volume of cards to do it (high grade cards). Fritsch does/has and I'm sure they are one of the ones that have supplied a bunch of cards, 4sc, psagraded (or something like that, I used to get all 10's from this guy in auctions years ago for $10 - $15 per card - 1981 - 1995, he had tons).
I just had a PSA Pokemon and Modern FB sub pop. I've been subbing Pokemon and Modern FB over the past 2 years.
From a Pokemon point of view, PSA has become slightly tougher. I used to get more than 50% Gem Rate on subs but the last small sub only got 2 Gems out of 10, it was the right 2 to get 10s on so that helps.
From a modern football point of view, I think they have been consistent over the past year. I know SCV on Youtube thinks PSA has become tougher on modern, but I disagree. What I find is the quality of cards coming out of packs is horrible across the hobby - Topps, Panini, Leaf, etc. 2021 and earlier Leaf still Gems at a decent rate, but 2022 Leaf had more issues and 2023 is almost as bad as Panini. I just had a small 8 card order and got 4 Gems on the best cards.
I have a Vintage special still in process. 1955 Topps All-American FB singles.
Comments
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Their idea of "best" might be different than yours. I'm thinking they are more interested in becoming more profitable, and many larger businesses don't think long term.
>
>
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I have had quite a few discussions with PSA and the only time they agreed with me, they changed their mind at a later date. This company does not take suggestions or admit when they are wrong. After all, we are hiring them as experts, how can we be more knowledgeable than them?
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Here's an example of an item they refuse to add to my Killebrew master set.
You hit the nail on the head. Most prefer PSA as there cases are just clean and you can see everything so nicely. I like SGC also, but I don't like the black inserts and I wish the labels were easier to read. SGC tends to downgrade most cards also, but usually only one grade lower than you expect. PSA however, every old card is either a VG or the dreaded VG-EX 4. My most recent set was dominated with 4's. I waited over 4 months for a bunch of 4's. I don't know what PSA is thinking, but one just has to take a look at history and the business field is littered with once King of the Hill's who got to cocky. SGC is the David battling Goliath right now and David is about to sling his rock🔥
The registries to some degree are the issue. To have people collect sets or whatever you have to the graded cards. To have competition you need more 9's, more 10's. To get people to send in those cards you need deals. To get bulk grading customers you need deals and good grades.
if you just look at the sheer numbers of cards being graded per set, it's off the chart. People like you and me can't afford or don't have the volume of cards to do it (high grade cards). Fritsch does/has and I'm sure they are one of the ones that have supplied a bunch of cards, 4sc, psagraded (or something like that, I used to get all 10's from this guy in auctions years ago for $10 - $15 per card - 1981 - 1995, he had tons).
I just had a PSA Pokemon and Modern FB sub pop. I've been subbing Pokemon and Modern FB over the past 2 years.
From a Pokemon point of view, PSA has become slightly tougher. I used to get more than 50% Gem Rate on subs but the last small sub only got 2 Gems out of 10, it was the right 2 to get 10s on so that helps.
From a modern football point of view, I think they have been consistent over the past year. I know SCV on Youtube thinks PSA has become tougher on modern, but I disagree. What I find is the quality of cards coming out of packs is horrible across the hobby - Topps, Panini, Leaf, etc. 2021 and earlier Leaf still Gems at a decent rate, but 2022 Leaf had more issues and 2023 is almost as bad as Panini. I just had a small 8 card order and got 4 Gems on the best cards.
I have a Vintage special still in process. 1955 Topps All-American FB singles.
Nice update. thanks.
Nice update. thanks.