I want, and I believe that most others on the board just want equity...
Yes - the turnaround times have been better that the "guaranteed" dates for almost the last year - many times MUCH better. But, its frustrating that there has been no explanation for the differences in turnaround times. Heck - it would just be nice is someone from PSA created a thread on the forum and went through the entire process step by step and detailed what types of situations could cause your invoice to take longer versus ones that zip right through. Maybe there are things that we can do as we submit to make our chances of a fast turnaround more likely.
*Does an order with no stickers on the backs of the cards take longer? I don't know.. *Is OPC a type of card that would require more strict research for counterfeiting? I don't know.... *Are there things that PSA can recommend for submitters to cut down their workload and speed the process (or make their operation more profitable) probably...
Why should one person wait for 17 days when someone else gets theirs done in 3? When you go to a restaurant, you expect to get waited on before the people that came 10 minutes after you, right? Same type of equity is asked for here.
If PSA either provided enough info so that the submitters knew why their orders were taking longer than others or the invoices were consistent with First In - First Out - you would see these monthly threads for Submission Turnaround Time disappear from the boards. In the grand scheme of things - 3 days versus 17 doesn't mean much - but obviously, its annoying enough that it spawns 35 - 50 segment threads every few weeks.
Frank Bakka Sets - 1970, 1971 and 1972 Always looking for 1972 O-PEE-CHEE Baseball in PSA 9 or 10!
I look at equity as getting what I pay for. Someone who got 3 day turnaround got MUCH more than they paid for. It's almost better for PSA to shove the submissions that they finish early into a closet so that everyone can FEEL equal. Mike Castaldi got 3 day service on that one order...I don't think he gets or expects that treatment on EVERY order.
I think the unfortunate thing is that these threads set unrealistic expectations. I can pay for whatever level of service that I require. If PSA exceeds that level of service...it's a gift at that point. The truth is that the only way to ensure timeframes is to pay for it.
**right up front - let me say that I Love psa and do not use any other service, nor would I - NOR am I trying to start a fight... I just see a different perspective)
<< <i>I think the unfortunate thing is that these threads set unrealistic expectations. >>
I disagre. I think that these threads simply point out Obvious (correctable) problems:
a) orders are Not taken as they come (which is Bad customer service - see the above resturant example)
and
b) that they CAN turn these orders around very quickly, but for Some UNKNOWN reasons, they only do so with Certain Orders. (that is why Frank and others, would simply like the process explained)
Alan, you say, "Well they said it would be done in 30 days, so you should not be complaining if it is finished in 25 days" Which is THEORY I totally agree with... Here is the Best Example I can come up with to explain why I disagree with that:
OK let's say you go to the local ONE HOUR PHOTO with a special roll of film to get prints and they say it will be ready in one hour.... so you wait.
WHILE you wait, you watch 37 other people come in and order & pay for the same service for their roll, but ALL 37 of their rolls come out BEFORE YOURS.
In fact, one of the last people to come in behind you gets his back in about 4 minutes... then some of the others get theirs in about 10... some in 18... some in 30...
50 minutes later, every single person that CAME IN AFTER YOU for the exact same service already is taken care of, and gone... but you wait.
Then, after 55 minutes (well under the hour time limit they told you it would be) YOUR film is ready...
Are you saying that you would consider that GOOD Customer Service and Smile/Pay/Leave and Ever use that photo lab again???
Would you be happier if the photo shop held all of the pictures for the entire hour or would you be happier if SOMETIMES (not all the time) you got your pictures back even quicker?
The people who should be steamed are those people who pay for 2 day service and get the same service as someone paying $6.
Sometimes you're the windshield and sometimes you're the bug...life isn't always exactly fair.
<< <i>BKAH, Would you be happier if the photo shop held all of the pictures for the entire hour or would you be happier if SOMETIMES (not all the time) you got your pictures back even quicker? >>
I see your point, but think that the RIGHT thing for them is to simply do the work in the Order it was received. That way it would be fair to Everyon involved.
(BTW - today the third submission I sent in, received 10/10 is now posted... )
Having been a managment consultant in a past life, here's a simple way to look at the business we are buying from PSA:
Think of four inter-locking circles (not unlike the Olympic five circles). The circles overlap and are related, but the challenge of management is to keep the four circles as near to equal in size, weight, etc. What are the four circles?
Content Quality Service Cost
Assuming a fixed workforce of experienced workers, any effort to improve any of the four "circles", results in an increase or decrease in at least one of the other three. For example, if PSA tries to get more work (Content) from a grader (add workload), PSA has to either pay overtime or sacrifice quality. If customers require lower cost, PSA must hire less experienced graders and sacrifice quality or service (reduced workload until newbie reaches economy of scale).
As for me, I buy the $6 registry special (or wait until I have 100 cards for $7 bulk) and I expect about a month turnaround with acceptable/predictable grades and NO mechanical errors. I also meticulously follow the directions printed on the back of the invoice: (1) use Card Saver One's, (2) put a label on the back cross-referencing the invoice and line number, (3) double check my math on the fees and shipping, (4) note on the invoice and box "Registry Special" or whatever.
I mailed in 3 invoices for the vintage Special. Three different years, one year per invoice. DATE REC'D: 10/03, DATE POSTED: 10/10, 10/10, & 10/11. Same grader graded all three, since cert. numbers are consectutive from invoice to invoice. I haven't had a bad turnaround time in several months.
Although I have never been a management consultant, I look at this as two attached circles (roughly equal in size and weight)...left cheek and right cheek...and both are having a very difficult time touching a chair without a pillow after my last submission results.
I sent in One set of 50 cards (standard 80s-90s topps, fleer & donruss) that was received on 9/19 and have heard Nothing for 3 weeks...
BUT I sent in TWO other invoices (of 40 -50 cards each - standard stuff) that were Received on 10/3 and have Gotten BOTH of them back with grades posted on 10/10.....
My confusion is WHY is the First order that had a TWO WEEK head start not being graded BEFORE the others?? >>
Well, still waiting on the inovice that we recieved on 9/19.....
<< <i>ok... I sent in One set of 30 cards (standard 80s-90s topps, fleer & donruss) that was received on 9/19 and have still heard NOTHING!
But the TWO other invoices I sent AFTER that were received on 10/3 and BOTH of Those had their grades posted in ONE WEEK (10/10)!!
Now, My confusion is WHY is the First order that had a TWO WEEK head start not being graded BEFORE the others???? >>
Ok.... It has been a MONTH since the FIRST of 3 invoices was recieved, but there is STILL NO WORD ON GRADES! Dispite the fact that the other 2 were done in a week!
Is ANYONE still waiting on submissions from SEPTEMBER?
Give PSA customer service a call on Monday and they'll track it for you. I had the same problem a few weeks back on one of three submissions that I had in and it turned out to have been routed to "the problem order process". Turns out that there were 78 cards in the order and box that I had sent, but I had miscounted and listed and paid for 79 cards on the order form. We got it corrected and they processed the order in about 5 business days after that which was super service.
The concerning thing is that I had received no notification of having a "Problem Order" so who knows how long it would have stayed in limbo. They should probably have an email or phone call within 24 hours to submitters to resolve these problems. Don't know if that's what has happened to you or not, but it's worth a call to PSA if you haven't gone that route already.
STONEGATE i also had a trouble invoice couple weeks ago with psa but to there credit they handled in great. i had sent in like forty 66 football under the 60,s set promo 2 of the cards were already slabed psa 8 oc funnyring checklist (hmmm wonder where i got them ) anyway i asked to have them reslabed with nq. i figured since 66 like others no prob. but i got a call right away saying that i should have broke them out first because since they were already slabed it was a regrade.but after i explained that since they were all 66,s i just thought they would crack it them self. well peter ma hanled it great said he understood how i might think that and they would do it this time but next time to please crack it myself or send it is a regrade, all came out great by the way both checklist got the 7 i was looking for only a 7 but better then a 8 oc kiss of death. still no nines however just more 8,s that set is murder for nines 2000 grades only 42 nines. well the jist of what i am saying is the costumer serice was GRRRRRRRRRRREAT (little kellogs plug) the SEMI vintage set
<< <i> Ok.... It has been a MONTH since the FIRST of 3 invoices was recieved, but there is STILL NO WORD ON GRADES! Dispite the fact that the other 2 were done in a week!
Is ANYONE still waiting on submissions from SEPTEMBER? >>
I have a 55 card submission sent to PSA on 9/19 and received a few days later. Still no grades poster. (Too bad I didn't know about the non-sport special coming up.....they were all 59 Three Stooges cards)
I have 2 Invoices Received 9/24/02 Still nothing as of yet 1 was a set registry special the other a 30 day submission of pre war cards. THE WAITING IS THE HARDEST PART
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... it's about learning to dance in the rain.
I guess that most of you weren't submitting back in 98-9
ah, those were the days. Talk about service! You'd send your cards in and about 3 months later you'd call "customer service" who would proceed to ream you out for bothering them and if you ever wanted to see your cards again, that you'd better shut up.
And you complain about how things are today? C'mon let's get with the program gang! You pay for a specific service (# of days) Mark your calendar on the expected date. If you get them before that date, it's a gift and speaks highly of the service.
<< <i>C'mon let's get with the program gang! You pay for a specific service (# of days) Mark your calendar on the expected date. If you get them before that date, it's a gift and speaks highly of the service. >>
that is my new attitude too.
I should never have complained.... they are doing a great job.... and are now Super-Serving their customers
Comments
I want, and I believe that most others on the board just want equity...
Yes - the turnaround times have been better that the "guaranteed" dates for almost the last year - many times MUCH better. But, its frustrating that there has been no explanation for the differences in turnaround times. Heck - it would just be nice is someone from PSA created a thread on the forum and went through the entire process step by step and detailed what types of situations could cause your invoice to take longer versus ones that zip right through. Maybe there are things that we can do as we submit to make our chances of a fast turnaround more likely.
*Does an order with no stickers on the backs of the cards take longer? I don't know..
*Is OPC a type of card that would require more strict research for counterfeiting? I don't know....
*Are there things that PSA can recommend for submitters to cut down their workload and
speed the process (or make their operation more profitable) probably...
Why should one person wait for 17 days when someone else gets theirs done in 3? When you go to a restaurant, you expect to get waited on before the people that came 10 minutes after you, right? Same type of equity is asked for here.
If PSA either provided enough info so that the submitters knew why their orders were taking longer than others or the invoices were consistent with First In - First Out - you would see these monthly threads for Submission Turnaround Time disappear from the boards. In the grand scheme of things - 3 days versus 17 doesn't mean much - but obviously, its annoying enough that it spawns 35 - 50 segment threads every few weeks.
Sets - 1970, 1971 and 1972
Always looking for 1972 O-PEE-CHEE Baseball in PSA 9 or 10!
lynnfrank@earthlink.net
outerbankyank on eBay!
I look at equity as getting what I pay for. Someone who got 3 day turnaround got MUCH more than they paid for. It's almost better for PSA to shove the submissions that they finish early into a closet so that everyone can FEEL equal. Mike Castaldi got 3 day service on that one order...I don't think he gets or expects that treatment on EVERY order.
I think the unfortunate thing is that these threads set unrealistic expectations. I can pay for whatever level of service that I require. If PSA exceeds that level of service...it's a gift at that point. The truth is that the only way to ensure timeframes is to pay for it.
Regards,
Alan
<< <i>I think the unfortunate thing is that these threads set unrealistic expectations. >>
I disagre. I think that these
threads simply point out Obvious (correctable) problems:
a) orders are Not taken as they come
(which is Bad customer service - see the
above resturant example)
and
b) that they CAN turn these orders around very
quickly, but for Some UNKNOWN reasons, they
only do so with Certain Orders. (that is why Frank
and others, would simply like the process explained)
Alan,
you say, "Well they said it would be done in 30 days,
so you should not be complaining if it is finished in 25 days"
Which is THEORY I totally agree with...
Here is the Best Example I can come up with to
explain why I disagree with that:
OK let's say you go to the local ONE HOUR PHOTO
with a special roll of film to get prints and they say
it will be ready in one hour.... so you wait.
WHILE you wait, you watch 37 other people come in
and order & pay for the same service for their roll,
but ALL 37 of their rolls come out BEFORE YOURS.
In fact, one of the last people to come in behind you
gets his back in about 4 minutes... then some of the
others get theirs in about 10... some in 18...
some in 30...
50 minutes later, every single person that
CAME IN AFTER YOU for the exact same service
already is taken care of, and gone... but you wait.
Then, after 55 minutes (well under the hour time limit
they told you it would be) YOUR film is ready...
Are you saying that you would consider that GOOD
Customer Service and Smile/Pay/Leave and Ever
use that photo lab again???
I doubt it.
Would you be happier if the photo shop held all of the pictures for the entire hour or would you be happier if SOMETIMES (not all the time) you got your pictures back even quicker?
The people who should be steamed are those people who pay for 2 day service and get the same service as someone paying $6.
Sometimes you're the windshield and sometimes you're the bug...life isn't always exactly fair.
Regards,
Alan
<< <i>BKAH, Would you be happier if the photo shop held all of the pictures for the entire hour or would you be happier if SOMETIMES (not all the time) you got your pictures back even quicker? >>
I see your point,
but think that the RIGHT thing for them is to
simply do the work in the Order it was received.
That way it would be fair to Everyon involved.
(BTW - today the third submission I sent in,
received 10/10 is now posted... )
I received my grades today and now I wish they wouldn't have posted them!
Regards,
Alan
<< <i>I received my grades today and now I wish they wouldn't have posted them! >>
Now THAT I agree with -
same here for the two inovices I
got back yesterday and today!
Having been a managment consultant in a past life, here's a simple way to look at the business we are buying from PSA:
Think of four inter-locking circles (not unlike the Olympic five circles). The circles overlap and are related, but the challenge of management is to keep the four circles as near to equal in size, weight, etc. What are the four circles?
Content
Quality
Service
Cost
Assuming a fixed workforce of experienced workers, any effort to improve any of the four "circles", results in an increase or decrease in at least one of the other three. For example, if PSA tries to get more work (Content) from a grader (add workload), PSA has to either pay overtime or sacrifice quality. If customers require lower cost, PSA must hire less experienced graders and sacrifice quality or service (reduced workload until newbie reaches economy of scale).
As for me, I buy the $6 registry special (or wait until I have 100 cards for $7 bulk) and I expect about a month turnaround with acceptable/predictable grades and NO mechanical errors. I also meticulously follow the directions printed on the back of the invoice: (1) use Card Saver One's, (2) put a label on the back cross-referencing the invoice and line number, (3) double check my math on the fees and shipping, (4) note on the invoice and box "Registry Special" or whatever.
I mailed in 3 invoices for the vintage Special. Three different years, one year per invoice. DATE REC'D: 10/03, DATE POSTED: 10/10, 10/10, & 10/11. Same grader graded all three, since cert. numbers are consectutive from invoice to invoice. I haven't had a bad turnaround time in several months.
Regards,
Alan
<< <i>ok... Now I am REALLY confused!
I sent in One set of 50 cards (standard 80s-90s topps, fleer & donruss) that was received on 9/19 and have heard Nothing for 3 weeks...
BUT I sent in TWO other invoices (of 40 -50 cards each - standard stuff) that were Received on 10/3 and have
Gotten BOTH of them back with grades posted on 10/10.....
My confusion is WHY is the First order that had a TWO WEEK head start not being graded BEFORE the others?? >>
Well, still waiting on the inovice that we recieved on 9/19.....
anyone else still waiting?
Far too graphic!
<< <i>ok... I sent in One set of 30 cards
(standard 80s-90s topps, fleer & donruss)
that was received on 9/19 and have
still heard NOTHING!
But the TWO other invoices I sent
AFTER that were received on 10/3
and BOTH of Those had their grades posted
in ONE WEEK (10/10)!!
Now,
My confusion is WHY is the First order
that had a TWO WEEK head start not
being graded BEFORE the others???? >>
Ok....
It has been a MONTH since the FIRST
of 3 invoices was recieved, but there is
STILL NO WORD ON GRADES! Dispite the fact
that the other 2 were done in a week!
Is ANYONE still waiting on submissions from SEPTEMBER?
Give PSA customer service a call on Monday and they'll track it for you. I had the same problem a few weeks back on one of three submissions that I had in and it turned out to have been routed to "the problem order process". Turns out that there were 78 cards in the order and box that I had sent, but I had miscounted and listed and paid for 79 cards on the order form. We got it corrected and they processed the order in about 5 business days after that which was super service.
The concerning thing is that I had received no notification of having a "Problem Order" so who knows how long it would have stayed in limbo. They should probably have an email or phone call within 24 hours to submitters to resolve these problems. Don't know if that's
what has happened to you or not, but it's worth a call to PSA if you haven't gone that route already.
Kevin
<< <i>
Ok....
It has been a MONTH since the FIRST
of 3 invoices was recieved, but there is
STILL NO WORD ON GRADES! Dispite the fact
that the other 2 were done in a week!
Is ANYONE still waiting on submissions from SEPTEMBER? >>
I have a 55 card submission sent to PSA on 9/19 and received a few days later. Still no grades poster. (Too bad I didn't know about the non-sport special coming up.....they were all 59 Three Stooges cards)
Rick
As the 60,70,80 special is a 30 day deal, they have till Nov 2nd to complete.
they are being graded now.
Thanks.
~jeff
ah, those were the days. Talk about service! You'd send your cards in and about 3 months later you'd call "customer service" who would proceed to ream you out for bothering them and if you ever wanted to see your cards again, that you'd better shut up.
And you complain about how things are today? C'mon let's get with the program gang! You pay for a specific service (# of days) Mark your calendar on the expected date. If you get them before that date, it's a gift and speaks highly of the service.
Date Received: 09/23/2002
Date of Grades Posted: 10/21/2002
Date Shipped: No Date Specified
Probably ships today -
<< <i>C'mon let's get with the program gang! You pay for a specific service (# of days) Mark your calendar on the expected date. If you get them before that date, it's a gift and speaks highly of the service. >>
that is my new attitude too.
I should never have complained....
they are doing a great job....
and are now Super-Serving their customers
What is there to complain about, really.
(sorry charlie!