The Grading Process-- What I Was Told Today
Mefer
Posts: 1,156 ✭✭✭
I sent a 70 card order under the last Set Registry Special (5 bucks a card, 72 to present) that was checked in on March 1, 2004. After reading about a number of fellow board members, who had cards checked in under the same special after mine, receiving their grades, I thought I would inquire further as to the grading process.
I was told that cards are first set in the "specs" department. As I understand, a customer's box is opened, the cards are matched to the invoice, and the cards are given identifying numbers consistent with what PSA holds in a database. As I understood, and for example, every 87 Fleer Barry Bonds will have a same identifying number. I assume this is number assigned to expedite the basic label printing process. While the customer service representative was not clear, I do seem to also understand the card is assigned a card specific tracking number.
After the cards get through "specs," they are placed in the "vault." Only managers (I forget the full title of the managers) are allowed into the vault. It is the managers who bring the cards to the graders. Unless cards are being graded, the cards remain in the vault. The CSR did state the cards are pulled from the vault on a "first in, first out" basis. When asked about the number of graders currently on staff, she mentioned PSA currently employs 11 to 12 graders. The CSR also stated that PSA still, even with the extra submissions, have been getting out all of the Set Registry Specials "well before" the 35 day deadline.
What can I deduce from this? Well, as others have mentioned before, it would seem that if you have a large number of "odball" cards your order can be slowed in "specs" because it would appear an initial database needs to be created to handle the "odball" card and all future cards like it. With this extra time, more "mundane" orders will make it to the vault faster. It would also seem that if you have cards of the same brand and year (assuming non- "oddball") you order will move faster. So it would seem that this might explain backlog of any particular order (for the record, I have "oddball" cards on my order; over 50 cards from the 78 KISS Donruss set).
So, my understanding is that once you make it into the magical world of the vault, your cards are taken on a "first in, first out" basis. The CSR unfortunately did not give me any further insight as to how it is decided which grader gets which submission though she did mention in passing that some graders are "behind" (this leads me to believe that all submissions are tagged to go to a particular grader).
While not a complete picture by any means, I found the above information helpful and (call be boring or perhaps easily amused) interesting. I would like to learn more about the intake procedures and grading process at PSA. It would be an interesting read for me if someone within PSA could give more specifics. I just hope PSA offers the graders a good vision plan. My eyes go cross just inspecting my sporatic, small submissions. I could not imagine the intensity and focus required to grade day in and day out for 8 hours.
I was told that cards are first set in the "specs" department. As I understand, a customer's box is opened, the cards are matched to the invoice, and the cards are given identifying numbers consistent with what PSA holds in a database. As I understood, and for example, every 87 Fleer Barry Bonds will have a same identifying number. I assume this is number assigned to expedite the basic label printing process. While the customer service representative was not clear, I do seem to also understand the card is assigned a card specific tracking number.
After the cards get through "specs," they are placed in the "vault." Only managers (I forget the full title of the managers) are allowed into the vault. It is the managers who bring the cards to the graders. Unless cards are being graded, the cards remain in the vault. The CSR did state the cards are pulled from the vault on a "first in, first out" basis. When asked about the number of graders currently on staff, she mentioned PSA currently employs 11 to 12 graders. The CSR also stated that PSA still, even with the extra submissions, have been getting out all of the Set Registry Specials "well before" the 35 day deadline.
What can I deduce from this? Well, as others have mentioned before, it would seem that if you have a large number of "odball" cards your order can be slowed in "specs" because it would appear an initial database needs to be created to handle the "odball" card and all future cards like it. With this extra time, more "mundane" orders will make it to the vault faster. It would also seem that if you have cards of the same brand and year (assuming non- "oddball") you order will move faster. So it would seem that this might explain backlog of any particular order (for the record, I have "oddball" cards on my order; over 50 cards from the 78 KISS Donruss set).
So, my understanding is that once you make it into the magical world of the vault, your cards are taken on a "first in, first out" basis. The CSR unfortunately did not give me any further insight as to how it is decided which grader gets which submission though she did mention in passing that some graders are "behind" (this leads me to believe that all submissions are tagged to go to a particular grader).
While not a complete picture by any means, I found the above information helpful and (call be boring or perhaps easily amused) interesting. I would like to learn more about the intake procedures and grading process at PSA. It would be an interesting read for me if someone within PSA could give more specifics. I just hope PSA offers the graders a good vision plan. My eyes go cross just inspecting my sporatic, small submissions. I could not imagine the intensity and focus required to grade day in and day out for 8 hours.
0
Comments
<< <i>I just hope PSA offers the graders a good vision plan. >>
Just don't wonder about their salary, that's about the best advice I can give you!
approx. 100,000 cards per month
11-12 graders (say 11)
100,000 / 11 = 9091 cards/grader/month
approx 175 work hours / month (assuming 40 hour weeks)
9091 / 175 = 52 cards per hour if one grader looks at them, or 104 per hour if two do.
That's 1.15 cards per minute if one grader looks at them, and 2.30 cards per minute if two do.
Joe
If there was a nonsport card I'd like to get into it's Kiss.
Ok,so I really want a Charlies Angels set too.
Kate Jackson in action
My Auctions
My Auctions
Now collecting:
Topps Heritage
1957 Topps BB Ex+-NM
All Yaz Items 7+
Various Red Sox
Did I leave anything out?