Does anybody send in a few low grade cards in with their orders to psa on purpose.

CARPENTERROB

I was woundering if that would give the grader something to compare the 8,'s and 9's to. Also if I have 10 of the same card that I think would be all 9's sould I not send them in at the same time? Is it better to send them in in smaller groups of two or three. My thinking is that if they are high dollar cards they might shy away from giving out that many high grades and they might try to find flaws that may or not be there. I have noticed that the psa 8's and lower that that have good corners and look like 9's are lower grades because of the surfaces I looked at cards under an office lighted magnafied light and was amazed at the scraches and wrinkles that cause lower grades. I aso noticed that even though the corners of a card are razor sharp and have no chipping, if you look at the side of the card the corners can be a hair wider or swellen. I am guessing that psa looks at that when grading the corners. I have never sent any cards in to be graded yet and hope I have noticed the right things to look for. What do you guys think? Your inputs would be much appreciated Thanks, Carpenterrob

mikeschmidt

I know some people do this - although I do not think there is any conclusive evidence one way or another.

I think with vintage issues - if you have a lot of 50 cards that you all think are PSA 9 or PSA 10 worthy - it is highly likely that you will get some 8s in your oder. In that case - it may make sense to submit some 8 quality cards in with your order, too.

I think with most modern issues (1977 and later) - there is such an abundance of 9s and 10s out there - that, even with stars, you should generally be pretty safe with sending in all the best ones - even if it is star cards.

I think the risks are more related to getting either GOD (Grader of Death), a grader with tired eyes or at the end of their day, or a grader in a bad mood. I think that is a much higher risk than anything else....

~ms

Wabittwax

I purposely put my worst cards at the beginning of an invoice. I usually try to start out with 75 Topps because every flaw is noticable on those. If I end an invoice with modern cards (new shiny stuff), I hit 10's on those at a good rate (100% 10's in some cases!). I haven't scientificly tested it but I've been happy with the results that way. You really can't test it because you get a different grader each time. Which grader you get has way, way more bearing on what grades you get, and there is no way to control that. If I have say 10 really nice Rickey Henderson RC's, I will split them into as many differnet invoices as possible to diversify my outcome. You wouldn't want to catch a bad grader on all 10 cards.

wolfbear

Seems like for 90 % of cards, if the centering meets the criteria for the grade,
and there are no glaring surface flaws, then it's all about how sharp the corners are.

So, it's all pretty cut and dried.

For the other 10 % of cards, that are kind of in-between grades and could go either way,
what's wrong with arranging your submission form in hopes of getting the higher grades for your tweeners.

It can't hurt !

onlychild

Yes, I always send low grade cards with my possible 10's. It usually pays off. Graders are only human and the psychological effect of mixed grades may cause them to upgrade the good cards.

My upcoming submission should test this theory once more. I threw two PSA 3 /4's with, what I think, is some good stuff....questionable words "what I think." They should be ready early next week.

Kevin

The53Kid

I admit I do this also. And I try to arrange the cards to highlight the ones I think are best or where I want a better grade. Once again, can't really say it works.

I do know one thing, don't submit GAI's in the holder. My last submission....5 of 6 SGC's crossed to the same grade, 0 for 3 with GAI. So either GAI's standards are lower than the other two, or PSA just hates GAI...maybe both.

zsz70

I am a grader of a national test and the human
factor does certainly apply.

MRyanF

<< <i>I am a grader of a national test and the human
factor does certainly apply. >>



Thats pretty scary! I thought these were supposed to be standardized. Fluctuation in baseball card grades is one thing, but these tests now play a huge role in determining our childrens future.

No one kids are taking mind drugs to try and improve their scores.

perkdog

I agree with 53 Kid, I have attempted to crossover several Global 7/8's and Gotten the same result 5 for 5...........Does not meet the minimum Grade.......Not very fun getting that reply.

zsz70

MRyanF,

I do not grade tests for children.

Adult tests have some essay questions to them.
Although they are 95% full proof, there is some
human error on the negative and positive side that
can slip in.

Dallas88

I just sent in my first order.....I assumed instead of tossing in lower grade cards, you should throw in a Snickers bar or bag of Cheetos or something. Give the graders a nice rush on their breaks!

Hope they wash their hands before returning to the cards though! Hate to get "Cheeto shrapnel" on the cards - probably qualify as a print defect!!!

Dal

joeyuk

We do it with coins as well. Sending in a couple low for the grade examples
can make the high for the grade one look like the next grade higher. They are
sometimes refered to as set up coins.

Wabittwax

<< <i>I just sent in my first order.....I assumed instead of tossing in lower grade cards, you should throw in a Snickers bar or bag of Cheetos or something. Give the graders a nice rush on their breaks! >>



I knew a dealer who "accidentally" dropped a $20 bill in his submission box. He said somebody kept his $20 and he got a bunch of crap grades.

onlychild

<< <i>My upcoming submission should test this theory once more. I threw two PSA 3 /4's with, what I think, is some good stuff....questionable words "what I think." >>



Well throw that theory out the window! 1- PSA 2, 1 PSA 3, 1 PSA 7, 1 PSA 8, 6 PSA 9's.

What I thought...3 PSA 10's, 4 PSA 9's, 1 PSA 7, 2 PSA 3's. These were meticulously measured, 20x louped and scruitinized at every angle.

You just never know!