Grading frustration. I just can't figure PSA out.

bobbybakeriv

I just received my grades for several cards I sent in to PSA. Of course, there was the usual disappointment we all feel when our expectations aren't met. And, there was also the joy from earning a solid grade or two. That being said, one of the cards I sent in was a 1977 Topps Fran Tarkenton #400 that was graded SGC 96. PSA's grade? 7. How often does this sort of thing happen? I mean, SGC is a reputable company with solid standards from what I've been told. I could understand an 8, but a 7 seems unreasonable to me. The card didn't have any flaws that I could see.

Also, I received a PSA 5 on a card that many of my knowledgeable friends felt would get a 9. For the life of me, I can't figure out what's up. Heck, it looks better than the PSA 9 I have in my possession of the very same card! I read the guidelines for receiving a PSA 5 grade and this card is NOWHERE near the condition described. I examine all submissions under magnification, etc. prior to shipment. Is there something else I should be doing? I think I've had it. I am not sending in anymore cards. Either the graders are inconsistent or I am completely inept at understanding PSA's grading standards.

Any advice/encouragement/commisseration would be appreciated here. Thanks all!

riccaboni

Check the 5 for surface wrinkles on the back or on the front. I can almost guarentee that is what had happened on that card.

-Ian

bobbybakeriv

Will do. Do you have any advice as to an "easy" way to see such wrinkles? I use a magnifying glass, but maybe there is a better approach? Thanks for the response!

Cubfan

I always check mine under a very bright desk light along with the loupe. Tilt at all directions to look for the creases.

milbroco

It may have been damaged by PSA. Accidents do happen. I had a OPC Yzerman rookie directly from a pack and into a sleeve for submission. I figured it an 8 based on the centering and saw no signs of creases. Low and behold it came back a 3! There was a large crease on the reverse when I received the card. I just wrote it off as a loss. This occurance in no way affects my opinion of PSA and I am gathering more cards for submission.
Good Luck,
Bob

riccaboni

<< <i>I always check mine under a very bright desk light along with the loupe. Tilt at all directions to look for the creases. >>



Agreed; this is probably the best way to check. If it is a colorful card, it may be difficult to locate. Let us know how it turns out,

-Ian

NewJerseyMeatHook

I, too, have experienced a great deal of heartache in some submission results. Has anyone noticed a "bell curve" of sorts when their grades are received? It seems to me that regardless of whether I submit 10 cards or 200 cards in seemingly identical condition - straight from cello pack to sleeve to PSA - I earn a very balanced list of grades. Has anyone, for example, received roughly 90% of any one high grade on a larger submission? As you probably can figure out, I'm relatively new to PSA, but not to collecting. Any help in answering these questions would be greatly apprecitated!

packCollector

how was the centering on the sgc 96, sgc is solid but they do not factor centering into the grade as much and is the one thing to really consider before cracking an sgc slab.

bobbybakeriv

Thanks again for the advice to all. The centering on the SGC card was good. It wasn't perfect though (60/40 L/R).

It may be cost prohibitive, but I think it would be very helpful to me if the graders provided brief explanation as to why a card received deductions in the grading process (e.g., a code of numbers such as "1" =centering, "2" = corners, "3" = surface, "4" = print marks, etc.). This could be listed on the invoice or something just to let the customer know. I think that may eliminate some of the frustration that some of us feel regarding the perceived discrepancies in grading. Just an idea.

NJMH, I did receive nearly all 8's once on a submission of 20 cards. Still, there may be some truth to your thinking just based on the way human beings tend to subconciously evaluate (rank) things. Interesting.

Again, thanks for the tips on what to look for. They have been very helpful to me and hopefully, if I regain my confidence in my assuredly amateur grading ability, I will take heed when submitting.