PSA Wax Pack Grading.

carkim

I spoke with Charlie yesterday and asked him if PSA is considering grading wax packs. Although he wouldn't go into much detail it seemed to me that the simple answer to my question was "Yes, (considering)."

I hope that PSA would start grading Wax Packs...How do you feel about them doing this?

Carlos

mikeschmidt

I do not think that there will be a huge market for this sort of thing -- I think that we will see that Mark Murphy's grading of wax packs/cases/boxes, etc. though it sounds nice in theory, probably won't take off to be much of a business line. As long as that remains the case, PSA will stay out of the market.

BASESAREEMPTY

I agree with Carlos in a previous thread where he said that if PSA graded individual packs and had a registry set for them that he would put together a run of 1970's packs. I think I would be inclined to do the same. The grading of full boxes and cases is a silly idea though.

BOB

waitilltheytrytosell

PSA has to "consider" putting any sports collectible that somebody collects into their holder or through their authentication process. From packs to 1964 and 1971 Topps Coins, Armours, Turkey Reds, postcard sized issues which just barely miss fitting into their large holders, strip cards, Bazooka, and Post type issues, including 1960 Post Grape Nuts and similar sized items. If they don't, another company will offer the service, and in many cases already do. Authenticate it, grade it, slab it, collect a fee. People feel more comfortable about buying it that way.

69topps8

The major barrier to implementing pack grading has always been return on investment. Grading packs requires unique encapsulation holders/equipment due to the larger size. Since the market for pack grading is much smaller, the return on investment isn't nearly what it is for graded cards. It will be interesting to see the populations for vintage packs if Murphy prints a population report.

bighurt2000

I would have to say that if PSA thinks there is a market place for grading wax packs and believe
they can turn a profit on it I say go for it. I think that any company that can find more then one way
to bring in new revenue is a company that has a better chance of being around for the long run.
Who would you rather buy a graded unopened wax pack from someone that had there pack graded by
PSA or PRO?

tuneman

Well said Waittiltheysell-

It rings of Pepsi and Coke. Long ago when Pepsi was almost bankrupt-or might have actually been bankrupt under a different name- Coke had a chance to buy them. they decided they were NO threat and why waste the money. Well i am sure both Coke and their shareholders are very sorry now. You can see Microsoft is making every effort to NOT repeat this classic business blunder.Thats why they are a business leader-like them or not.

PSA would be foolish to NOT do this. Why give anyone a chance to get into your market. So you loose a few bucks after a few years if it does not pan out. You never let anybody get started in YOUR business-why create a Pepsi when you dont have to. They have money-use it to keep ANY competition away. Beisdes it will build a brand image of PSA Authentication-They authenticate-thats what they do-so do it here-see what developes.

Dont let anyone into "your house"-ever !!!!


tuneman

Mantlefan

As a wax pack collector, I would like to see PSA encapsulate packs. I have a number of vintage packs and just from the storage aspect, I'd be more comfortable to have them in PSA holders, rather than wrapped in bubble-wrap. It would also be nice to have them authenticated as unopened. Most of the packs came from Mark Murphy, but I am reluctant to use GAI or GIA whatever it is.

NickM

There is a big difference between the holder changes that would be necessary to accommodate certain large cards (everything from T-3's to 1980 Topps Supers) and getting into the separate field of pack authentication (and possibly grading). A card is a card is a card. PSA does not need to create new standards to evaluate these cards - it just (as it did when it began grading 1964 Topps Giants, 1976-77 Topps basketball, the '51 Topps All-Stars sets, and other oversized cards) needs to produce quantities of a new shape of plastic case. If you consider PSA the best at grading the cards it already grades, that transfers over to other cards whose major difference is their size or shape. Pack authentication is an entirely separate specialty that takes an expertise that existing PSA graders might not have. Would it surprise anyone if some of the more unscrupulous dealers attempt to slide a large number of resealed packs past PSA at the start to "test the new guy"?

Nick

gemint

It's also a slippery slope. PSA starts grading wax packs to keep competitors out. Then a competitor starts authenticating factory sets and PSA has to do that to keep up. Then someone starts encapsulating factory cases of wax and sets. Then rack packs. Then figurines (someone already does this). It's a never ending task to cover authenticating all memorabilia. Not to mention that most factory sets and even many wax boxes are different sizes and would require different holders.

I'd like to see PSA authenticate wax and even lobbied for it back in '99. But I don't know if there is enough material to make it worth their while. Keeping out competition is important but if your competitor is diligent enough, they will find a way to break into the market. PSA must answer to their shareholders and, based on my experiences in a different industry, shareholders don't like it when their company launches new products or services that end up losing money.

mikeschmidt

<<Most of the packs came from Mark Murphy, but I am reluctant to use GAI or GIA whatever it is. >>

Mantlefan-

Why are you comfortable purchasing wax packs from Mark Murphy, but you are "reluctant" to have Murphy then encapsulate and grade them? I understand why you might have some hesitation with GAI for whatever reason. However, it seems (to me at least), if you are willing to shell out big $$$ to Murphy to purchased older unopened packs, why not spend the extra dollars to have him encapsulate and grade them, too, since that is all the service is providing.

qualitycards

WAITTIL - Hit the nail right on the head! If its sports related and a collectible - SLAB IT!
Also does anyone know why PSA used to grade Salada coins, and now they don't offer the service at all?
I have already seen PSA slabbed 1962 Salada's on eBay. But now its a well kept secret that they even graded them...jay

ROCKDJRW

It would be expensive but I would love for PSA (or any company for that matter) Come up with a way to slab rack packs. I see many nice packs out there that I might buy but have no way to store/protect them.