PSA Raising Shipping Rates...?
mikeschmidt
Posts: 5,756 ✭✭✭
Effective May 1st, please note that our shipping and handling rates will change. The new rates will be printed on our submission forms. If you have any questions regarding the new rates, please contact customer service at 800-325-1121 for more information. We appreciate your continued support and thank you for making PSA the number one choice for authentication and grading.
Of course - I would HIGHLY DOUBT that change means lower - so I imagine that S&H will increase substantially. Perhaps to increase staffing so the "three weeks to log your order" problem goes away, or perhaps to build a more robust environment so problems like Mr. McKee's cannot be repeated in the future (e.g. even if PSA not at fault - would be able to prove so).
This obviously was not the news to which Neal was referring.
Of course - I would HIGHLY DOUBT that change means lower - so I imagine that S&H will increase substantially. Perhaps to increase staffing so the "three weeks to log your order" problem goes away, or perhaps to build a more robust environment so problems like Mr. McKee's cannot be repeated in the future (e.g. even if PSA not at fault - would be able to prove so).
This obviously was not the news to which Neal was referring.
I am actively buying MIKE SCHMIDT gem mint baseball cards. Also looking for any 19th century cabinets of Philadephia Nationals. Please PM with additional details.
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Comments
same holder,same packaging,same grading process,i don't see were the usps raised their rate so this means that on top of the collectors club fee we have to pay additional shipping charges to get our orders logged in earlier? sounds bogus to me!my cards will continue to go to jersey untill there is some kind of customer appreciation around here? yeah the message board is cool to pass time but other than that i can't see why the price hikes on grading and now shipping when we are getting the same old song and dance!
ON ITS WAY TO NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
My raw cards are looking better and better.
<< <i>I'm getting into diecast cars. >>
you must be a small dude?
ON ITS WAY TO NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
ON ITS WAY TO NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
Shipping and handling should not be a for-profit item. It's insulting when used as such.
Mike
<< <i>I'm getting into diecast cars. Much fewer headaches and they look cool. >>
I'm getting into Barclay and Manoil toy soldiers. Much fewer headaches and they look cool.
aconte
loth
However, I doubt the number of submissions will go down as a result of a shipping/handling increase. If you’re on these boards for a good part of the day then you probably enjoy the concept of graded cards, and currently PSA is the leader. Are you going somewhere? Smokers curse tobacco companies when prices increase, drivers always seem to be threatening a boycott after a summer spike in gas prices. Most will still submit their cards, PSA knows this.
<< <i>Shipping and handling should not be a for-profit item. It's insulting when used as such. >>
May I ask why you don't believe that somebody should be paid for the time they spend on packaging and shipping?
Buy anything from anybody, that requires mailing, and you get charged for not only the materials used in packaging and shipping, but also for the time it takes that person or company to facilitate the shipment. Time is money.
I can certainly appreciate a "hobby" perspective on packaging/shipping when the packager/shipper is only a "hobbyist." But if somebody is in BUSINESS, why should they not be justly compensated for the time they spend on that business?
Do you work for free? If not, why expect them to do it?
Scott
Didn't the tobacco companies raise prices after they lost those big lawsuits?
CU turns its lonely eyes to you
What's the you say, Mrs Robinson
Vargha bucks have left and gone away?
hey hey hey
hey hey hey
I would agree - so long as the handling charge is reasonable. Of course, "reasonable" is a subjective term. Paying PSA $17 to ship something that could be shipped faster and for less money through another reputable carrier (i.e. UPS or FedEx) is not all that attractive to me. Others may feel PSA's fees are entirely reasonable.
But to my knowledge, there is no "handling fee" if PSA returns your cards to you via FedEx - your account is billed only actual shipping & insurance costs based on weight, destination, and delivery time.
And it strikes me that PSA COULD combine multiple shipments of multiple service levels, they just choose not to. Shipping multiple boxes cost the customer more because PSA's costs are higher in that situation. Perhaps there is a logistical reason why PSA must incur these higher costs - and in turn pass them on to the customer. I think it would be nice to have an explanation of this, though I suppose one could call and get this answer.
Mike
"It's just too much for us to handle, even with computers, it could get confusing"
I'm getting into 1920's-50's game-used HOF Yankee Bats & Jerseys. Much fewer headaches and they look cool.
(Just Kidding).
aconte
I give........ where's the typo ?
otherwise, that is what he said.......Bro
ON ITS WAY TO NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
<< <i>OK Tony, >>
Dave,
I'm only messing with you.
HeeHee. Sorry. I guess I'm bored...
aconte
<< <i>
<< <i>Shipping and handling should not be a for-profit item. It's insulting when used as such. >>
May I ask why you don't believe that somebody should be paid for the time they spend on packaging and shipping?
Buy anything from anybody, that requires mailing, and you get charged for not only the materials used in packaging and shipping, but also for the time it takes that person or company to facilitate the shipment. Time is money.
I can certainly appreciate a "hobby" perspective on packaging/shipping when the packager/shipper is only a "hobbyist." But if somebody is in BUSINESS, why should they not be justly compensated for the time they spend on that business?
Do you work for free? If not, why expect them to do it?
Scott >>
well said! i agree 100% PROFIT IS A GOOD THING in ANY SITUATION if you're in business.. a reasonable shipping and HANDLING charge is acceptable and expected.. as long as its not too excessive.. i dont expect ANYBODY to spend their time packaging cards for me for FREE.
edited to say PSA already charges too much for shipping and handling though..
Thanks
Ripken, Brooks & Frank Robinson, Old Orioles, Sweet Spot Autos, older Redskins - Riggins, Sonny, Baugh etc and anything that catches my eye.
My ghetto sportscard webpage...All Scans - No Lists!!! Stinky Linky
<< <i>I guess PSA is doing what many sellers on Ebay do, and that is to try to squeeze in some extra profit on shipping and handling charges. It's pathetic when they do it on Ebay, and it's pathetic if PSA does it.
Shipping and handling should not be a for-profit item. It's insulting when used as such. >>
i dont get it.why shouldn't someone cover additional costs or if they so desire
charge what they wish?
furthermore,i ship boxed priority or registered insured.i dont want to send
cards in paper or bubble envelopes.it aint cheap ya know and someone has to
fill out all those little slips for the PO.just like the commission you pay a broker
it ISNT just for the one time ransaction but for the 55 other calls (or emails maybe)
you make weekly that result in no bizz and wastes or takes time away from
production.
maybe fewer psa submissions due to postage and handling prices will lead
to fewer submissions,a slightly slower increase in the pace of pop report changes,
quicker turnaround times and less supply of graded cards.i'm all for that.
Website: http://www.qualitycards.com
<< <i>... when it costs the usps more money to run the operation they raise the price of stamps they don't put a toll booth at the front door!!!! >>
I'm not sure using the USPS as an analogy to a for-profit business enterprise is appropriate. However, in both cases, the enterprise's goal in shipping is to facilitate its operation while not losing money. Personally, I think that PSA's shipping charge is a bit high but not egregiously so. I think the same about the USPS, by the way.
Scott
<< <i>I'm getting into diecast cars. Much fewer headaches and they look cool. >>
I also collect vintage Matchbox cars, and in a way is very similar to the problems collecting raw cards, such as overgrading, hidden restorations, touch ups and altering certain parts to make the model appear to be a rarer variation. Anywhere there is money to be made, the scam artists will try to exploit it.
yeah, sure.
let me guess, you drop your cards off on your way to the daily double every other saturday afternoon
remember that the postage or fedex from the east coast adds up. Especially for cheapskates like me.
However, I would gladly pay some nominal surcharge for combined invoices that are shipping within a day or two of each other.
edited: in a desperate struggle to regain long lost language skills
<< <i>As much as I like competing products like SGC, they will probably soon follow with their own price increase. If they were smart they would highlight PSAs increase and go on the offensive. Run huge promotions about lower shipping fees, no membership, etc. This would at least drive some business away and maybe garner some go-forward loyalty. That is, heat up some competition so PSA will think more carefully before negatively impacting the end user.
However, I doubt the number of submissions will go down as a result of a shipping/handling increase. If you’re on these boards for a good part of the day then you probably enjoy the concept of graded cards, and currently PSA is the leader. Are you going somewhere? Smokers curse tobacco companies when prices increase, drivers always seem to be threatening a boycott after a summer spike in gas prices. Most will still submit their cards, PSA knows this. >>
I for one have noticed a number of major PSA authorized dealers jumping ship (but I’m sure not in total). Best case in point, look at the Mastro auction it looks to me that there are at least 75% more GAI cards in this auction than there was in their last auction.
I also was told that there was a GAI meeting last weekend that at least 20 PSA authorized dealers from all over the country attended.
Why are these major dealers making changes? could it be lack consistency in PSA grading, service or price hikes?
It looks like not just us small guys are considering changes. It looks like the big guys are already being proactive, and have started to make changes in there business's/
H. Walker
<< <i>chew as long as the majority of gai cards sell for less than psa or stay in inventory, then gai will be what it is a competitor chasing the leader. the problem with gai and sgc is not that dealers don't want to submit to them , it's collectors don't pay the premium. collectors drive where the dealers will send there cards >>
I agree with you when it comes to commons. If you think collectors arn't paying high prices for GAI cards, I again direct you to the Mastro auction. The prices are very good and still nine days left.
H. Walker
There are more GAI and SGC cards in the latest Mastro auction but most are high grade superstars 8.5 to 9 range. Most of the sets and lots still feature mostly PSA cards.
What cards do not sell for high prices at Mastro? SGC, GAI and PSA cards all sell for great prices.
<< <i>What PSA authorized dealers have converted to GAI? I see quite a few adding GAI star cards to there inventory but sending all of their cards?
There are more GAI and SGC cards in the latest Mastro auction but most are high grade superstars 8.5 to 9 range. Most of the sets and lots still feature mostly PSA cards.
What cards do not sell for high prices at Mastro? SGC, GAI and PSA cards all sell for great prices. >>
I did not mean to suggest they were converting all of their inventories. Yes quite a few are adding GAI cards. I also agree that all bring high prices. The other person I quoted said they wre not.
Thanks
H. Walker
<< <i>i'm all for that.
yeah, sure.
let me guess, you drop your cards off on your way to the daily double every other saturday afternoon
>>
why leave home?
When what PSA charges you to mail your cards back to you,
starts to matter more to you than the resale value of your cards :
then it may be time for you to go back to selling beenie babies ...
"How about a little fire Scarecrow ?"
Go back to Murcerfans's comments...if the shipping, insurance and handling is based upon PSA 8 value, then how could the same charge by PSA be applied to a similar package sent to Nevada that was also sent to New York or PA????? Wouldn't you have to pay more for the shipping to NY than Nevada?
So is it true what my USPS friends are saying that PSA pays a flat amount for any Registered package up to a certain size shipped anywhere in the USA?
And who is insuring the package?
Can someone clear this up for me?
I once asked the same question of my Postmaster and was assured that the USPS does not offer volume discounts and the rates are the same for every customer that walks in the door.
I believe that PSA may pre-buy registered mail labels/#'s/postage at what may be the min. reg. mail fee and that the appropriate added balance is probably paid for on the spot by PSA.
In addition, why doesn't it show insurance on the package like when I ship something insured to you via USPS?
I had a similar situation with an EBAY seller with whom I no longer do business. He charged shipping and insurance. When I asked why there was no insurance label or indication thereof on the package, he said "Oh I self insure and if it gets lost, I pay you."
Something isn't right here with this shipping thing. Why not just raise the SMR values (to realistic levels)? Maybe becuase then the shipping and handling and insurance would go though the roof???????????????????????????
remember that registered mail is very different from the rest of the mail-stream, or so I have been told.
Perhaps someone from PSA could provide an answer, or even Tipem (the gruntled postal employee).
<< <i>I'm not sure that is so easy. My office uses Pitney Bowes machines which have prepaid postage added to the machine via telephone linkage whenever the postage is low (generally monthly). But the amount of postage is on the label. And if they are so busy, who's got time to go to the PO, like we small collectors do????
In addition, why doesn't it show insurance on the package like when I ship something insured to you via USPS?
I had a similar situation with an EBAY seller with whom I no longer do business. He charged shipping and insurance. When I asked why there was no insurance label or indication thereof on the package, he said "Oh I self insure and if it gets lost, I pay you."
Something isn't right here with this shipping thing. Why not just raise the SMR values (to realistic levels)? Maybe becuase then the shipping and handling and insurance would go though the roof??????????????????????????? >>
I believe PSA is insured by an outside insurer. So they self insure.
H. Walker
<< <i>
<< <i>Shipping and handling should not be a for-profit item. It's insulting when used as such. >>
May I ask why you don't believe that somebody should be paid for the time they spend on packaging and shipping? >>
Nobody is suggesting that at all. What people are saying is that PSA shouldn't make PROFIT on their s&h charge. They should be charging you for their COSTS, nothing more.
Ex: Say it costs $8 postage to ship a card, $1.10 for insurance, $1 packing materials, $1 to pay the person to package it. That's $11.10 in costs. Thus, their s&h charge in my example SHOULD be $11.10, not $14 or something.
It's when people try to add in a "I deserve some profit out of this" aspect to s&h that people get pissed.
Tabe
www.tabe.nu
Where is the public outcry on this? Larger companies have many people in shipping and many (like PSA) has custom made boxes.
So the higher s & h rates go to pay these individuals salaries...jay
Website: http://www.qualitycards.com
<< <i>Ex: Say it costs $8 postage to ship a card, $1.10 for insurance, $1 packing materials, $1 to pay the person to package it. That's $11.10 in costs. Thus, their s&h charge in my example SHOULD be $11.10, not $14 or something. >>
OK, let's look at this from your angle, and I'll use myself as an example. I typically send in 50 card submissions. My typical packaging/shipping charge for return is $17.50. Let's go with your $8 as the postage cost. The insurance is NOT $1.10 on these because $1.10 is the USPS rate for $50.00 in value. Mine is typically $500 in value so insurance is more like around $6. The cost of their custom boxes is probably about $2. That's a total of $16 before considering paying somebody to package it, and that leaves $1.50 for that cost. So, unless I'm missing something here, it looks pretty accurate to me.
Scott
Personally, I'm not going to worry about PSA's shipping rates. I drop off on first Saturdays or at shows. It's nice to be close by.
Nick
Reap the whirlwind.
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