Submission requirement or superstition?

MorrellMan

I may be overthinking this whole thing, but, somehow, this question won't leave me alone: Should I purchase brand new card savers for large submissions or just use left over ones? Do you think the first sight of a stack of cards in gleaming new card savers versus holders that may not be so gleaming new matters to the graders, or have an impact on the grade assigned?

mrc32

I'd use old ones.

One would hope that they take the card out of the crud covered container before grading.

ctsoxfan

I am glad this was asked. I always buy new card savers, and put the cards in new, clean penny sleeves first, before submitting. I know its a waste of time, most likely, but it makes things look better at first impression. But, do the graders see the cards that way, or are they removed prior to the grader seeing them? Anyone know for certain?

Skycap

ctsoxfan,

The cards are removed from the card savers and penny sleeves before the grader ever sees the cards, so it doesn't matter whether you use new or old materials. What's important is that you protect the card.

SKycap

packCollector

hmmm? so who is removing them and how are they going to the grader? are they removed and put into another sleeve? maybe that explains why my cards come back with dings on occaion and are graded 3 grades lowerthan I thought they would . any help?????

qualitycards

I would believe that the graders care more about the card they ae grading then if the card saver was new or old...jay

scottsusor

I use new ones too -- but just because I ran out of old ones.

What does PSA do with all those "old" (but many are new!) Card Saver I's? We don't get 'em back -- I know that. But you'd think they could sell them back to us at some cheap rate, wouldn't you? Or do they?

Scott

joker73

There was a thread about this ages ago - I think the bottom line is that PSA cuts the CSs during the preparation stage, so they aren't reusable (and they just throw them out) ...

Robert

toppsgun

Skycap said, "The cards are removed from the card savers and penny sleeves before the grader ever sees the cards, so it doesn't matter whether you use new or old materials. What's important is that you protect the card."

Although I can't prove otherwise, I find this very difficult to believe. If it is the case, how then do non-graded cards come back to me in the very same card saver, including the invoice/line number sticker I place upon the back of the CS? Isn't it the grader that determines if the card is N-1 through N-10?

As to the original question, graders are human, too. They can't help but be influenced somewhat, albeit a tiny bit, by first impressions. Let's face it, a MINT card in a MINT cardsaver is a beauty to behold. However, when the card is removed for close inspection, all but the grader of death stands to be disappointed. (G-of-D has already made up his mind?)

Therefore, I tend to use ugly, used CS's, hoping the card itself, when removed, makes the greater impression.

Just a psychological ploy on my part, not superstition.

TexasHeatWave

Where's the best (cheapest) place to get new holders? There are no card shops near me. Is there somewhere online that offers holders?

MorrellMan

yo Texas - just put "card holders" into the eBay search screen and duck - besides about a zillion listings you get a slew of pop ups!

magellan

These guys have been decent for me, 3-4 orders with no problems, quick shipping, free gift. BCW Supplies

Dave

Glynparson

I have been to the PSA grading room on several ocassions they see the cards in the holders in which they are sent. dont believe me? mark a holder of an obviously trimmed card and when you get it back note that the card saver will still have the mark on it. Also i would suggest new or not abused card savers first impressions due make a difference toppsgun is dead on with his observations

Wabittwax

I submit enough cards that I have been out of old card savers for years. So I always buy new ones. I get them for $12 per 200 + tax at my local shop. That works out to 6 cents per card. It's a small price to pay considering the value of the cards once they come back. We all spend more than that on the "extra" that PSA tacks on to return shipping charges.

I asked PSA once at a National if I could buy some old card savers. The guy told me that they throw them away. Kinda seems like a waste considering they get millions of them. They should wholesale them like 10,000 at a time to guys like DSL if they don't already.

ctsoxfan

<< <i>I have been to the PSA grading room on several ocassions they see the cards in the holders in which they are sent. >>



Thanks, glynparson, for confirming this. I had thought so...I guess the grader glances at the card in the sleeve, and hopefully then removes it for an accurate assessment. At least, that's the way I envision it happening...

Good point about new Card Savers being a small price to pay, anyway. At $10-$12 for 200, it's a small price to pay even for large submitters.

Glynparson

I would like to clarify that i have not been in the psa offices in a while Joe may in fact do things a little different but i dont think so because i got back a 1978 Dave parker that was minimum size and i am 99% sure it was in the same card saver unfortunately i threw the card out but i think the white sticker i applied was still on the card.