PSA's new half point system boosts revenues !

wolfbear

Could be a headline of the future. Think about it .....

PSA offers to examine currently slabbed cards for say 2 or 3 dollars each,
and for those worthy of a half point re-slab, the total fee goes up to 6 or 7 dollars per card.

Just throwing numbers around, but if a half million cards get re-submitted,
and half of those get a half point bump,
that would be an additional gross of over 2 million dollars to PSA from cards already sitting around in their slabs.

Just a thought .....

RayBShotz

'God Forbid"!
I like things just the way they are. If it dont qualify for the next highest grade then so be it. PSA has staked their long term reputation on not screwing with a grading formula that we have come to depend on. The stability of resisting the urge to react to the other grading companies switch to half point systems shows backbone in my opinion. Thats exactly why I am a long time PSA supporter.
Thanks PSA for being the stalwart on this issue.
RayB69Topps

FB

I would agree wholeheartedly with Ray on this one.

My tiny mind VERY MUCH likes the simplicity of the 1 - 10 point system. If they went to a 1/2 point system my head would explode!!!

Wayne8348

Think of all of the advantages of a 1/2 point grading scale.

1. We could all spend thousand to upgrade our sets.

2. We would see great ebay ads such as: "High end 8.5" or "Could have been a 9.5!!!!"

3. Thegemmintman could upgrade his name to thegemmint.5man.

4. What about psa 10.5's. Better than gem - huh? Or even pristine plus.

5. I personally would like to be the first to own a .5 card. Criteria should be that it's a card whereas psa cannot discern who the player is or what year the card was made.

What do you think? Any ideas on how to have the first .5 card ever graded. I think it would take more than bicycle spokes or spilled kool aid for that one.

Wayne

mikeschmidt

Think of it like this:

Anyone who ever participated in such a scheme would probably end up having "A set of all PSA 8.5's -- I submitted the first 200 for review -- and every single one was upgraded to 8.5 (I'm not surprised, because my grading ability is far superior than anyone else's). The other 500 cards in the set, which are all in 8 holders, have not been re-submitted yet. I'm sure they will all be 8.5's, too, if you spend the time to resubmit them".

What craziness. Perhaps the vintage cards can also have a 9.5 designation -- because there are so many obvious and crucial differences between vintage 9s and 10s, but for corner wear.

pc

this isn't far fetched.ever see coin grading?.ms 65,66,67 etc....

carew4me

This point is raised repeatedly on the Yahoo stock message board for CLCT.

KING KELLOGG

I'm with RayB and Frank...PSA's point system is stable. The best compliment you can receive in a collectors market.

I even see SGC changing to a 10 point system in the future. Just my prediction. (Remember SGC added the "extra" note, designating 8 or 9.. on their holders about 2-3 years ago).


Larry.

AlanAllen

This may not be so far fetched. This is the sell sheet from 2002 UD Graded football. Although they weren't released with half-point grades like the Carr in the picture, it was probably at least discussed...

Joe

BigKidAtHeart

<< <i>Although they weren't released with half-point grades like the Carr in the picture, it was probably at least discussed... >>



wonder where that card came from?
and where it is now?!


Here is a close-up of that card from the ad sheet.

gemint

I truly hope PSA doesn't fall into the 1/2 point trap. It's hard enough to get consistancy with a full point system. Splitting the grades into finer resolution would only lead to countless arguments between PSA/Submitters and Buyers/Sellers. The full point system is fine. I hope PSA keeps a consistant grading system.

FB

Or then lets just go to the 1 - 100 point system!

That would solve a lot of problems when it comes to who's set is nicer!

"Hey Look! The average grade in your set is 87. But, in looking over your set, some of these look like 86's!!!!! And a couple of these, I can't be sure why they go anything higher than an 85!!!!"

Oh.... these are troubling times indeed...

JoeOrlando

Hello All,

PSA has thought about this issue for quite some time. Several years ago, before I came to work for PSA and when I was allowed to collect PSA cards, I was actually in favor of going to a .5 scale.

But that was millions of cards ago.

After conducting dealer/collector polls over the last year or so and carefully thinking about it, I think it is in everyone's best interest to remain with our standard that we created 11 years ago. Simplicity and consistency are the two keys. While other grading services continue to struggle in terms of getting cards in the door and gaining market share, PSA continues to thrive. If we want to be the only major gradng service standing down the road, it would be best if abide by the old saying,"If it aint broke, don't fix it." Keep in mind that, if the collecting community changes its mind at some point, we would of consider it without question. In the end, the market decides and PSA will be listening.

Take care and thanks for the comments,

qualitycards

JOE - There ya' go! - I'm with you, leave things the way they are...jay

MrKissKissBangBang

thanks Joe for coming out with this response, this puts my mind at ease.

whew!

MrKissKissBangBang

wolfbear is trying to give me a heart attack!

1420sports

Joe and Jay - I agree as well. If PSA does go to a .5 scale, would the PSA holder have a different color for the label? Or something to determine when the grade was issued like pre- .5 scale? I know that many of my cards are in between grades, and that is why there are phrases like "High End".

If PSA does come out with this, what would the chance be of an offer to send cards in to PSA already slabbed, getting regraded and reholdered, with a nice turnaround and price?

I think PSA is fine the way it is.

RobE

<< <i>Several years ago, before I came to work for PSA and when I was allowed to collect PSA cards.... >>



Your not allowed to collect PSA graded cards?Your kidding right?If so,I'm sorry to hear your not allowed to collect what you market.


The if it ain't broke don't fix it rule says it all.What about those resubmitted cards where the half point falls short on a card?For example a 8 winds up with a 7.5 and what would happen to cards with qualifiers?For example a 9 O/C with a shot at being reholdered as a boarderline 8?With a .5 system implimented that would just add to the confusion.

PSA's art with simplicity has been fine all this time.Why tamper with it now?

Philabuster

There have been some threads here lately that have been pretty far put there.

mikeschmidt

<<Several years ago, before I came to work for PSA and when I was allowed to collect PSA cards,>>


To satiate his collecting desire, Joe now collects PRO graded cards without the conflict of interest. Joe -- if you want me to send you some more to add to your aspiring collection, just send me your address and they are yours for free!

Marc

qualitycards

Joe and Jay - I agree as well. If PSA does go to a .5 scale, would the PSA holder have a different color for the label? Or something to determine when the grade was issued like pre- .5 scale? I know that many of my cards are in between grades, and that is why there are phrases like "High End".

1420 - You would still here the phrase "high end", except now this 8.5 is a high end 8.5, shouldda been a 9. That hype will never stop, even w/ a grading scale that went to a thousand. ...jay

zardoz51

Just look at the trouble Wolfbear has started!


See what happens when the weather is bad in his part of the country and he cannot get out to the racetracks, golf courses, or "gentleman's clubs" ? Stuck at home in front of the computer coming up with these ideas!!!

wolfbear

Sorry ... was in the process of writing up auctions for about 75 PSA 7's.
Thought my "can't believe this didn't get an 8" spiel would would carry more weight if the cards were in 7.5 holders.

Don't know about the rest of you, but all my 7's would convert to 7.5's.

As goes PSA, so goes our investments,
and I'm for anything that would further PSA's leadership in the graded card industry.

Yzerman19C

At one point in time , i would of loved PSA to go to the half point grading system but now i feel it really works in my favor not having a half point system . For the most part im a collector not a seller. If you use a PSA graded 1956 Topps Clemente for example. A PSA 8 consistantly sells for $700 a PSA 9 sells for $3000+. if i apply patience i can find a real nice high end PSA 8 (that for argument sake would grade 8.5 on half grade system) for say $700-800. If that card is in a PSA 8.5 holder i wouldnt be able to buy that card for under $1500. So to make my point clear as a collector i like the system the way it is . If im a fulltime seller i push for that half grade system to maximize profits

Randy

mikeschmidt

<<If you use a PSA graded 1956 Topps Clemente for example. A PSA 8 consistantly sells for $700 a PSA 9 sells for $3000+. if i apply patience i can find a real nice high end PSA 8 (that for argument sake would grade 8.5 on half grade system) for say $700-800. If that card is in a PSA 8.5 holder i wouldnt be able to buy that card for under $1500. So to make my point clear as a collector i like the system the way it is . If im a fulltime seller i push for that half grade system to maximize profits>>

If a PSA 9 sells for approximately 4 times a PSA 8, the system would still change somewhat, I think. You wouldn't have a PSA 8 sell for $700 and a PSA 8.5 sell for $1,500. I would rather think that the PSA 8 would depreciate to the $500 or so level, with the PSA 8.5 appreciating to the $1,500 level. If you split the grades -- 8's won't retain their value. They will depreciate somewhat as the 8.5's appreciate. Cards below 7.5 would probably all suffer somewhat in value. My two cents

toppsgun

Sure are a lot of 2 cent pieces being spent around here.

As for me, I don't have any "high end" cards. I'm happy to sneak my vintage cards into 8 holders. Sure fire way to complete a set in an economical fashion. Besides, almost anything graded before 2000 is a half point lower by today's standards. Look at 'em closely next time you stumble onto one. One can only get so much lipstick on a pig before giving up.

BigKidAtHeart

<< <i>There have been some threads here lately that have been pretty far put there. >>

huh?

mrichards

I think it would create much more money for PSA. Now everyone who has an 8 and thinks it should have been a 9, will definitely send it back in or crack it out to go for that 8.5. Everyone actually means everyone. When it comes to card grading, everyone is an expert. I think it would generate alot of revenue for PSA more so than everyone else would. I think they would be the only people to benefit from it. Example. You have the #1 PSA set in the registry and the #2 guy sends his whole set in for review and passes the #1 guy. So now Charlie (I mean the #1 guy), sends in all of his cards. Now PSA is making tons and everyone would wind up staying on the registry in the same place. The SMR would be at least 3 times the size every month. 3 times because now there would be 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5, 9.5, 10.5. 10.5? I am carrying on a little too much here. I do not think anyone benefits besides PSA. A seller would make some money, but it would involve sending in most of their inventory. The SMR would be an encyclopedia and the POP would now be way out of control. If you get a vintage card back in a 9.5 holder, I would keep cracking and sending it in for the 10. Now there would be 5000 1952 Bowman PSA 9.5 Stan Musial cards. That would also hurt the POP and SMR because there would be so much more inflation in the numbers.

Maybe the Wagner card is actually an 8.5 by the new standards. Then what would happen to the price of that card? What happens if PSA regrades the Wagner and damages the card? Then all of us would be out of one really great posting board. I bet PSA would be happy. LOL.

Have a great Night Everyone.
Mike

jaxxr

Consistency is the primary factor. If it was 11 years ago and PSA was just staring, it would have been nice to use half points perhaps, add report card info too and I personally would like centering shown as a ratio both L-r and T-b on the label, Currently PSA offers the best value and has a great ( not flawless ) reputation. Changes, alterations, modifications, all in the name of potential improvement might drastically increse price and do who knows what to reputation. " If it ain't broke, don't fix it " how true.

Someone did mention coin grading. The scale is basically 1 to 70, because it does have a hobby monitor/regulator orgainization, ALL graders use very similar standards, no half grades, no 71s ( SCD uses an 11), no offical differences. Sellers will of course claim high end, or just missed the next grade etc.