Why doesn't PSA publish a list of ...

Virtualizard

card issues that they grade/don't grade?

I posted this in response to a post on the Sportscards & Mem. Forum - Link to other thread - but I think it might get buried there without any discussion.

For those not interested in reading the previous thread, here is a brief summary:

40ozman received at least 2 graded 1984 Ralston Purina cards on a recent submission - many more from reading his post.

I received zero graded 1984 Ralston Purina cards on my recent submission:



Would anyone else be interested in a published list of cards graded and not graded by PSA? Would it take that much effort on PSA's part? The list would obviously have to be regularly updated, but this is ridiculous. Why was 40ozman's card graded and not mine?

A friend of mine called PSA on Thursday to ask if the new T3 holders would be used for an issue that he wants to have graded that would fit into it (based on the specifications of the T3 cards). He got little help and hung up with the question still unanswered. Why can't this be a simple yes/no question?

I'm confused and frustrated.

JEB.

qualitycards

JEB - When I'm not sure if they grade an odd ball issue, I quickly check the pop report and see if any have been graded and how they name the card. So I can write that on my submission form. I don't know why the Ralston Purina was returned ungraded, it is a licensed product made by Topps...jay

Virtualizard

Jay,

Maybe you misunderstood, but this is exactly the reason that I would like to see a published list. I have submitted many of the first ever graded PSA cards and I plan to do so again in the future. If I have a legitimate card (i.e. - it is listed in SCD's catalog, Beckett, etc.), why should I even have to check the POP or SMR? That is irrelevant as far as I'm concerned. And why can't we get more feedback on what will be gradeable in the new T3 sized holders?

JEB.

Virtualizard

As far as checking the Pop Report, that is often useless as well.

Identify this card - I'm sure some of you can - but let's see you find this one in the Pop Report:



It has been graded (obviously). I feel sorry for the poor collector who has another nice raw example that he'd like to submit and looks to the Pop Report or SMR for guidance on what he can/can't submint, but can't find this one (or many others) because it's not listed.

Good Luck!

JEB.

KING KELLOGG

JEB...

I believe that is a 1981 Topps scratch off...at least a portion of a complete panel. I think the whole panel had 3 or 4 sections conected together. From the perforation chads, I'd say this came from bottom section of the panel. I also think that the entire panel can be graded (tall boy holder)..Could be wrong...???...




Larry

Virtualizard

Larry,

You are correct. But can you find it in the Pop Report? It's there.

Like I said, if someone has the individual sheet cut card and wants to get it graded, they may think that it's only gradeable as an entire panel based on the Pop Report for 1981 Topps Scratchoffs.

JEB.

helionaut

It's just a case of information not being disseminated to all the people that need it, i.e. customer service reps, the people that unpack submissions, the people in the grading room, and the customers. For a Purina card to be denied grading it must have been handled by someone who either a) worked there for a long time when they didn't used to grade those cards and didn't realize they would or a) a brand new person who didn't recognize the issue. Yes, a list of cards they absolutely will not grade should be published and distributed internally.

There are at least a couple sets not in the pop report but if you enter a serial number you'll see that they are in the database. Mid-80s Star basketball is the most infamous example.

Virtualizard

<< <i>...Yes, a list of cards they absolutely will not grade should be published and distributed internally... >>




How about externally? How about a list of what they do grade? I know it would be a long list that would constantly be updated, but again, how hard would it be to maintain and keep up to date?

JEB.

speeder

they do have a list, though somewhat weak
click on submission center, then go down page alittle and click on cards psa grades
you can not rely on pop. report there are a number of items they did grade, but do not any longer
73- topps pin-ups, for example. lee

mikeschmidt

Jeb:

There is a subtle issue with the 1984 Ralston Purina cards -- as I have run into similar problems as you in getting these cards graded.

When Ralston-Purina issued these cards nearly 20 years ago, packs of four cards were inserted into Ralston-Purina product. (As I was only 8 at the time -- I do not personally remember the exact distribution method....) However, Ralston-Purina also offered a complete set of 33 (I think) cards available through mail-in order. These cards, however, were issued in panel form.

The panel form of these cards are not seen much anymore. In fact -- many assume/asser that these cards were subsequently carefully cut into individual cards -- as there was player set collector demand, but not much full set demand. PSA now claims that they will not grade examples that appear as if they were cut from the panels -- but they will grade examples that were inserted into the product.

I do not (yet) have enough experience with this product to differentiate between the two. In fact, since I have bought these cards primarily in the aftermarket, I believe I am the proud owner of the only one graded by PSA -- though I have had quite a few similar refund rejects like you (all orginating, uncoincidentally, in "lots" of this card that I purchased over the past few years).

Nice pickup on the scratchoff. I noticed that in the pop report recently --

Marc

Virtualizard

Thanks for the info, Marc.

The Scratchoff is in Darton's set, though, so give him the congrats for that one. Hopefully I'll have one to send for my next submission.

JEB.

Virtualizard

<< <i>...Nice pickup on the scratchoff. I noticed that in the pop report recently... >>



I forgot to ask:

Marc, where did you find it in the Pop Report?

JEB.

mikeschmidt

Jeb:

Didn't notice it in Jason's set -- as I lasted checked online on Friday, and Gayle only added some extra Schmidt cards late Friday afternoon.

As for where did I find the card -- I didn't look under 1981. In tracking populations, I do two searches on a periodic basis: One on the 1955 Bowman baseball set, which is very easy to navigate, and then one player search on "Mike Schmidt" which picks up the vast majority of his cards (it does not pick up the leader cards, for example).

MS

Virtualizard

The point that I have been trying to make through this entire thread is - the Pop Report is useless for identifying what cards can be submitted. Again, where is the '81 Scratchoff Mike Schmidt in the Pop Report? It's there, but you won't find it where it should be.

JEB.

pebblyjack

Last winter, during the $5.00 special, I submitted a bunch of oddball Bretts. They graded the Ralston-Purina, but they wouldn't grade a 1978 Brett Pepsi Disc, a 1993 Humpty Dumpty Brett, or any of the early 1990's Post Bretts.

Thanks

Randy

mikeschmidt

Jeb:

Perhaps since the Schmidt is a new grade -- it isn't showing up yet where it should.

Have you talked to Joe or Gayle about putting together such a list? They might be willing to help -- or at least provide reasons why they would/would not do such a thing. I've often found that Peter Ma is very amenable to answering my questions about which quirky/silly Schmidt cards that I can or cannot get graded -- and why. Though a consolidated list would certainly be helpful, at least there is a resource there that we can turn to.

Additionally -- I"m curious to know how close you are to dartonxx. that ScratchOff is not on the Registry yet -- so I'm guessing he e-mailed you a scan of the card. Would be interested to hear more!

MS

GoSoxBoSox

<< <i>As far as checking the Pop Report, that is often useless as well.

Identify this card - I'm sure some of you can - but let's see you find this one in the Pop Report:



It has been graded (obviously). I feel sorry for the poor collector who has another nice raw example that he'd like to submit and looks to the Pop Report or SMR for guidance on what he can/can't submint, but can't find this one (or many others) because it's not listed.

Good Luck!

JEB. >>




JEB,

I have a complete set of these still attached to one another. Are they worth anything?

mikeschmidt

<< <i>[JEB,

I have a complete set of these still attached to one another. Are they worth anything? >>



GoSoxBoSox:

You can still purchase unopened boxes of this product for $15 and under. Though player collectors enjoy cards like these -- the collecting public, in general, has shunned issues like this.

MS

40ozman

Hey Jeb, they didn't just grade 2, they graded about 20 of them on my last submission. The package from PSA is waiting at the post office to pick up, so I can't be absolutely positive until they are in hand, but they posted the grades. All 9s, about 7 or 8 10s. There are also some on the population report, only a few. I titled them 1984 Ralston Purina, didn't have any issues. The panel cut explaination sounds good.


These cards were issued in packs of 4 back in 1984, placed into Ralston/Purina brand cerial boxes. I can remember eating a lot of cerial, and fighting with my brother over the cards. Never made the set back then. I had recently came across a case of these, and got them pretty cheap. I jumped at the offer, as for reason or another, I have always loved these cards.

40ozman

Picked up the package, they graded all of them. I say resubmit you Schimdt

Jeff

pebblyjack

A quick question...

Is there a difference between the 1984 Ralston-Purina cards and the 1984 Topps Cereal Series cards, or are they the same thing?

Thanks

Randy

40ozman

They are two diffrent issues that look the same. I remember seeing a Topps ceriel issue set on EBAY a couple months back, and the seller stated they were rarer than the Ralston/Purina. Thats the only Topps ceriel issues I have ever come across. The cards were very similar, with very minor diffrences. The checklist of players, and numbering is also the same. Ralston/Purina's are fairly common, I have over 100 sets of them. If anyone has any more info on either of these, shoot me an email. This is my favorite set, and I'm eager to find out a little more.

Hey Jeb!!! Check the pop report. There are 38 total Ralston's on the pop report, and 106 Topps ceriel. These are basically the same cards. They graded almost 150 between the two, why not yours??? I'd give them a call and try to get an explaination.

Now, if I can only get the set on the registry!!

mikeschmidt

40ozman

Yup pretty close, other than the topps vs Ralston/purina on the top. Couldn't figure out how to post a pic, but attachment of a Ralston Schimdt is linked below.

AND I just noticed the Topps logo on the bottom of the Ralston, were the Topps issue doesn't have it(it's at the top, where mine has the ralston logo

pebblyjack

Thanks! I collect George Brett and have not seen the Cereal Series Brett. I have the Ralston-Purina in PSA 9 and was beginning to wonder if they were the same thing, a la Topps American Baseball and UK Minis. I will have to start looking for one, I guess.

Randy

mikeschmidt

40ozman:

Please let me know if that Schmidt Ralston Purina PSA card is for sale.

40ozman

MS,

Not for sale right now, sent you an email about it.

Basilone

If you guys are looking for '81 Scratch Off Boxes.....you can buy them from Dave & Adam's for $15.00 each

1981 Topps Scratch Off Box

NickM

I just spoke with PSA about grading oversized cards. They can grade any card up to 5" wide by 8" high. However, any card that would be in the "oversize" holder used for T3s and similarly sized cards will be subject to a grading fee of $35.00.
So much for sending in my R312s. At that price, it's just not worth it.


Nick

Noname

Just call PSA and ask before you submit the card.