SMR - Interviews with Collectors, Changes, etc.

JoeOrlando

Hello All,

I have been reading some of the requests that pertain to SMR and I like them.

One of the requests I received was to have a section where Set Registrants are interviewed about their collections, how they amassed the cards, what they look for, etc.

If you or anyone you know would like to be interviewed about their collection, please email me directly at joe@collectors.com with a contact number and your collecting focus.

In addition, many of you requested more articles about specific hobby issues like sets, collecting, etc. I just brought 2 new writers on board for a trial period - starting with the May issue - to write these types of stories. I will see how it goes and look for feedback from you on their contributions.

We are also going to eliminate the Vintage Autograph article because it is, in my opinion (and yours apparently), a little too boring and dry for the magazine - despite being educational to some extent.

Please keep in mind that SMR has come a long way. It was, not too long ago, about an 8-10 page blue and white brochure of sorts. I realize it still has plenty of room for improvement so we will keep at it.

Thanks for the feedback,

Joe Orlando
PSA President

CON40

Joe;

That's great news. If you have any thoughts on making visual enhancements to SMR, I'd love to have a conversation with you about that topic.

boggs301012

Thank You MR PSA PRESIDENT

Looking forward to the changes. I will renew probly around....may! Thanks for listening on that subject.


James

NickM

Joe - vintage autographs might be more interesting as an occasional piece.

IMO, this month's Johnny Bench article was not a good use of SMR space. 4 of the 5 pages did not discuss Bench collectibles at all, but instead discussed his life, career, and post-retirement activities. That might as well have been an article in Baseball Digest or USA Today Sports Weekly. A background article on a set contains far more that is new to collectors than a background article on a player, and while SMR is written to include the novice collector, it should not cater to the novice fan.

IMO it would be a wonderful use of SMR space to occasionally include short pieces on where centering is measured from on different sets (perhaps '84 Fleer, which spawned a lengthy discussion on whether the centering should be measured from the blue-white border or from the bottom of the text outside that border; or perhaps '68 Topps Game cards, which are borderless and have disparate design elements; or perhaps '61 Fleer Baseball, which have stars outside the picture borders; or perhaps '59 Topps football, where the heads on pictures often extend above the top colored border; or many others).

One note about the calendar - I received it today, and it's beautiful. I would suggest changing themes in future years - perhaps player sets in 2006; errors and variations in 2007; and then back to sets in 2008 with a new round of sets used (T-205, 1932 U.S. Caramel, 1935 National Chicle Football, 1941 Play Ball, 1951 Topps Blue Backs, 1951-52 Parkhurst, 1956 Topps Baseball, 1957-58 Topps Basketball, 1964 Topps Giants Baseball, 1972 Topps Football, 1975 Topps Baseball, and 1989 Score Football might make an interesting calendar mix). This would cause collectors to keep their old as well as new calendars.

Nick

crsportscards33

Hey Joe, great news on the changes. Here's one more thought. How about a short but concise review of each set. A one page article, once a month, detailing the quirks within each set.


Chris

jaxxr

The SMR, while certainly not perfect, is an enjoyable piece to read, for me at least for the most part .

Your suggested additions seem to be the type of things most collectors would like. Interviews with the number one set owner would always be informative. Vintage autos, perhaps only once in a while, as you said you feel, probably not a major interest to most.

As always the price "guide" is the major part , in page quantity, of the SMR. Why not cut down all the prices for all the sports / non-sports on an every issue basis ? Maybe every other month for baseball, the alternate month the rest of the sports. Possibly all issues up to 1960 for one month, 1961 and later the next month. Something like that. The space saved could allow for much more of the articles suggested. Also the irregular sequence might promote more subcriptions.

We all complain about the inaccurate or out of date prices in this " guide", but must read it, or we could not say that Ebay, or Mastro, or Joe Schmoe, sold a certain card at a certain price other than SMR's suggested guide. We do use it or quote it, but don't really need the ENTIRE spectrum each and every issue.

I still think SMR could use an economical "classified ad " type of listing for smaller sellers who could not consider something like a large half-page advertisement, or such, for their tiny inventory of items. Maybe postings for card shows, want lists, single items, Etc., would be promoted by such an avenue, which of course would increase the revenue.

Best of luck, and keep at it !

dakota

Wow ,
Joe must of been sitting behind a good buddy and I at the coffee shop the other day when we were talking about this very subject. Every great company listens to their customers and improves their products and customer service ;thus stayin on top. I think Psa turned up the hearing aid. Kudos to Joe and Psa for striving to keep them #1.

SDavid

A brief column including tips from graders that pertain to a certain set would also be a nice addition. Beckett does this in its on-line newsletter, and sometimes it's informative. For instance, I wouldn't have guessed that 20-30% of the SP Jeter and A-Rod rookies that were submitted had been rejected for trimming.

RayBShotz

Thank You Joe.
RayBShotz

phreakydancin

Joe, assuming he is willing, please do an interview with downgoesfrazier from these boards. I'm not a baseball collector, but I find his insights into the finest details of various sets absolutely fascinating. DGF possesses that wonderful combination of knowledge and enthusiasm for the the hobby that in my opinion would make for a great article.

pandrews

<< <i>Joe, assuming he is willing, please do an interview with downgoesfrazier from these boards. I'm not a baseball collector, but I find his insights into the finest details of various sets absolutely fascinating. DGF possesses that wonderful combination of knowledge and enthusiasm for the the hobby that in my opinion would make for a great article.

>>



agreed

WarHoundR69

As a NonSports Collector I have to put my 2 cents worth in. The SMR Price Guide for NonSports Cards is a joke. A Prime Example is Horrors of War Card No. 240 (The Death Card). The card is one of the keys to the set, but it is currently listed in the SMR as a high number common. This card routinely sells on Ebay for $150.00 +
IMHO I believe that PSA could increase it's NonSports card submittals if some TLC was given to NonSports card collectors.

jimtb

Heck, Joe could copy and paste a couple of DGF's posts over the last month and have a great piece on the 77 baseball set!

RipublicaninMass

Thanks Joe! Glad to see that people are listing!

1420sports

The SMR should be all articles and advertisements.

A price "guide" could come out every three months (or twice a year), and list more cards - all sports and non-sports.

ctsoxfan

<< <i>The SMR should be all articles and advertisements.

A price "guide" could come out every three months (or twice a year), and list more cards - all sports and non-sports. >>



Actually, I disagree with that. Even though the majority of the price listings do not change from month to month - they potentially could. And, while the guide is merely that, it is nice to have a source that is frequently updated to at least give you a point of reference. I would like to see newer issues added more frequently and more quickly, so that modern graded rookies are "priced" somewhere other than the Beckett guides, which do not give PSA proper respect anyway.

fsjeter

<<Hey Joe, great news on the changes. Here's one more thought. How about a short but concise review of each set. A one page article, once a month, detailing the quirks within each set.


Chris>>

More of this would be nice. I particually like the pieces on the 1967 Topps Baseball set and the 1985 Topps Football Set. Also, I would like to see a Hockey set in the next calendar as well as more on Hockey in general. I would like to build a hockey set at some time in the future.

Keep up the Good Work!!!

Scott

ChicagoGlen

Joe,

Now this is a much-appreciated change to the SMR. I am excited to see the new magazine. I am glad to see that PSA does care about what the members think. We appreciate the fact that PSA provides us a forum to share our collecting interests. PSA should continue to read these boards to help make them a better company. We all want PSA to continue to be the Powerhouse of the grading community. After all, we all have a financial interest here. These message boards are the perfect market research tool to find out what works and what doesn't and specifically how to better service the customer.

Thanks again,

Glen Surwillo

CoachTom

Joe, thanks for listening. I enjoy the varied subjects within the SMR. I read a post from Con40 earlier on the subject, and I realized it needed alittle work. The cost could be reduced if the articles were done in the glossy stock and the pricing section was done on a rough type stock-similar to older stadium programs. That would allow those that use the printed SMR to remove it for use and save the mag in good condition for those that keep the magazine. I do like the thought of registry leaders to share thoughts and insight. Thanks again.

CoachTom

1420sports

Even though the majority of the price listings do not change from month to month - they potentially could.

but most likely won't.

A quarterly pricing guide would be much more accurate, as more time can be put into making it more accurate.

onlychild

That's what makes a successful company...one that listens to the customer and adapts to their needs. Outstanding work Joe! Can't wait to see what changes will be made.

Kevin

JasP24

Is it possible for one of those new writers to devote a few hours a week to tracking ebay realized prices...

My biggest complaint is that the many SMR prices have not changed in the last 3 or 4 years....Not really worth having a price guide when the prices are not even close to the real thing...If anything it MIS-guides many new PSA collectors to either overpay or expect an unrealistic lower price based onthe NEW SMR...

Its nice to see PSA making changes based on customer opinion though...That is a RARE trait indeed...

Jason