What kind of Grading Specials would you like to see in 2005?
JoeOrlando
Posts: 122 mod
Hello Everyone,
I am looking for some feedback on the PSA Grading specials that we run each month. As we move deeper into 2005, what types of grading specials would you like to see?
For example:
Modern Bulk with lower prices?
Vintage commons with lower prices?
Any card but with special/quick turnaround times in exchange for a certain price?
Incentive based specials ike 100 cards at X price or 300 cards at Y price or non-incentive based ones, no quantity required?
I thank you for your time and support of PSA.
Joe Orlando
PSA president
I am looking for some feedback on the PSA Grading specials that we run each month. As we move deeper into 2005, what types of grading specials would you like to see?
For example:
Modern Bulk with lower prices?
Vintage commons with lower prices?
Any card but with special/quick turnaround times in exchange for a certain price?
Incentive based specials ike 100 cards at X price or 300 cards at Y price or non-incentive based ones, no quantity required?
I thank you for your time and support of PSA.
Joe Orlando
PSA president
Joe Orlando
CEO, Collectors Universe, Inc.
CEO, Collectors Universe, Inc.
0
Comments
Thanks for asking...
Also, in a related issue, I'd like to see some more attempts to give more flexibility to certificates. I know over the years I've eaten dozens of them because I was not ready to submit the same style or order or the prohibitive shipping costs for small orders. I am sure many have simply not redemeed them for a variety of reasons. If we could have them redeemed in a gift certificate manner or some other way, it would be nice. There has to be a better way so customers can actually redeem vouchers without being overly whacked by shipping.
Again, thanks for asking!
Used to working on HOF SS Baseballs--Now just '67 Sox Stickers and anything Boston related.
I also have let membership lapse due to submission costs and 2+ month delay in having PSA/DNA post Certification numbers on baseballs certified at Ft. Washington Dec. 4, 2004. They still are not posted.
Used to working on HOF SS Baseballs--Now just '67 Sox Stickers and anything Boston related.
*100/200/300 card minimum is fine by me
*Combine Era's 40/50's , 60/70's etc
*Defining a "common" has become the stuff of legend - drop that requirement
-Tall Boy Special would be nice or a "set" special (see below)
Joe,
I have a 1970 Super FB set. I called CS and here is my option.
I could submit all but the "star cards" under Bulk Tallboy.
At 35 cards in the set there are at least 11 "stars" in the set wich means my common bulk sub is now in jeopardy.
I could include one of the stars and cross my fingers but why should I have to GO THROUGH ALL OF THIS TROUBLE.
I want to give you business! Then I am left with 10 "star" cards that I could submit SEPERATELY.
End result - too much work! How about a special that targets a given set and you can send in what you have, stars commons etc.
Loves me some shiny!
A modern bulk special would really open my eyes. I am collecting the 1978 Topps baseball set in PSA 9 or better. I have 115+ plus 78's ready to submit for my registry set. I really would like to submit 250-300 cards and a special like this would push me to a huge submission (by my standards anyway). Since most commons that grade below PSA 9 can not re-coup submission costs it takes a loooong time to make sure i am going to submit this many cards with realistic shots at PSA 9.
Thanks Joe!
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
ON ITS WAY TO NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
(1) Some type Player Set special with a low price -- This would allow us player set collectors to submit some of the odd-ball cards we have been holding onto.
(2) A vintage common special including 1970 and 1971 -- For some reason, these cards always get excluded. They don't fall into the modern bulk submission guidelines and have never been included in any of the vintage common specials (e.g., always seems to be 1950s or 1960's). I have a bunch of 1971 commons that I would like to submit.
I would love to see more $5 specials. They are great!
Thanks for asking,
Mike
Thanks for asking! Great gesture!
My requests aren't for specials in particular but more for grading changes in general:
- ability to send in cards of any value in one submission. If I'm sending in a complete set of cards for grading, I don't want to have to separate out the star cards because I want all of the cards to have consecutive numbering.
- ability to send in cards of any size in one submission. Too difficult to send in "tall boys" separately.
- need holders (or inserts) that will fit any card at all (like SGC). That is a major advantage for them. Lose the mylar bags. They ruin the visual appeal of the card. Cards should fit perfectly in holder with no chance of sliding around.
- discount for sending in mammoth sets all at one time. If I was going to submit 787 card 1972 set all at one time, would there be a price break for the whole thing ($4.00 a card, no extra charge for star cards, free shipping)? Would still be spending about $3,000 with PSA.
- I agree with many of the posters that turnaround time is not as important as price for collectors planning on keeping their cards. Lower fees for 3 month (or indeterminate) turnaround works for me.
- definitive list of exactly which sets PSA will grade that submitters have access to. I've gotten so many different answers on whether PSA will grade particular sets. Other submitters have been able to send cards one month and get them graded; next month the dreaded "NO HOLDER AVAILABLE." Source of much frustration for your customers.
- explanation for why PSA doesn't grade particular sets (1984 Nestle, 1984 Ralston Purina, 1982 Topps Blackless, 1967 Topps Test Discs).
- larger holders for larger cards. I certainly don't want to run to GAI to grade a Bazooka box, but I also don't want to have to cut it apart to get PSA to grade it.
- explanation for particular grades. Could graders log them into their computers while grading? Explanations will only be available online. I guarantee that you could charge extra for this service ($1.00 extra per card).
Thanks for listening!
Bob
bobsbbcards SGC Registry Sets
Thanks for asking what we think on this topic.
Fast turnaround times do nothing for me. I think this is a common thought with alot of members here. I have no problem waiting 45 days for my grades.
Im sure you get flooded with submissions when the $5.00 special rolls around. This should tell you something!! I would like to see this as a permanent price for 1971 and later cards. Maybe put a minumum of 25 cards per order.
I think the minimum on bulk order is to high. I think the minimum on all bulk should be no more that 25 cards. I had 28 1971 cards I wanted to send in. I had to go in the boards and ask people if they wanted to split a vintage common bulk. Within 30 minutes I had 3 other people willing to split. This tells me there are others out there with cards waiting to go to PSA but have to wait for a special or have to submit with others. This is buisiness you are not getting unless the timing is right. It should not be this difficult to send in cards.
Bottom line is many of us have cards sitting around waiting for a special that sometimes never comes around or we cannot meet the minumum bulk requirement. Think about all the buisiness your not getting. Make it easier for the "little" guys who only send in 25-100 cards a year.
Just my "2 cents" Spend it well.
Mike
Allow free gradings to be included with regular orders. The free gradings given as PSA Set Registry awards should be able to go on the same voucher as a regular economy submission. How are they free when I send in 3 cards on one order and have to pay $15 to have the shipped back to me?
Same with the free 6 gradings we get with membership. Why do I need to have two separate shipping costs for two seperate orders of the exact same types of cards? If I'm willing to forego the 5 day turnaround in order to save on shipping fees, then I should be able to. The free submissions aren't free at all when they MUST be graded and re-shipped by themselves.
Jason
according to my values and my needs. Nothing holds dominion over me, I stand alone as the ruler of my life.
so we may not have 100 + to submit.
Link To Scanned 1952 Topps Cards Set is now 90% Complete Plus Slideshows of the 52 Set
Thanks for asking! I'd like to see a special focused on Tall Boy sized cards. I don't believe I have seen one for them yet.
Drop all the Vintage Commons bulk specials by $1.00 per card.
Modern Bulk $5.00 per card (100) minimum
Modern Bulk $4.00 per card (200) minimum
Modern Bulk $3.50 per card (250 and over) That would free up tons of mine and everybody elses cards. Lots of cards i submit even though i check them very carefully with a 10X still come back as PSA 9 which is not bad but still tough to recoup the grading fees. Alot of cards are marginal especially commons, should i send it in or not, if it comes back a PSA 9 i'm down a couple of dollars. At the $4.00 and $3.50 pricing for larger submissions i would feel a lot better about sending these cards in.
Have a cutoff point per card in PSA 8 condition for the Vintage commons bulk offers. Any card $100.00 or less in PSA 8 condition $6.00 per card (1960-71) regardless if it's a common or star. Lots of Star cards in the 1950's and 1960's are worth less in PSA 8 condition than a common of the same year in the same grade yet it costs more to grade them. I have quite a few 1960's star cards and i'm hesitant to send a certain amount of them in because they might get kicked out as a star card even though they aren't worth that much over a common in the same grade.
lower the price to $7.00 per card on the Tallboy Vintage Bulk (25 minimum)
Let a Collector combine all Vintage years together on one sub. I have cards from the 1940-1971. Most of these cards will probably never get graded because i don't have enough of each Vintage grading group to make a bulk submission. I have a few of each but i can't take advantage of the bulk specials. If i combined them all on 1 Sub i could get it all done at once.
<< <i>Joe, I would renew my membership with PSA and actually start submitting vintage cards to you for grading if the price was no more than $5 per card (preferably less) - common or stars (it's all the same piece of cardboard). I don't care one iota about turnaround time - you and your staff could take 3 months. Also along with that, the S/H/I can add quite a bit to each card.
Steve,
First off PSA is a business. I am pretty positive that they can not go below the number of $5.00 a card. Two years ago I gave PSA 11,000 cards in a six month period. My rate was $5 for each card. No offense, but PSA is not going to reward or reduce there bottom line so someone can send in 100 cards a year. As for the shipping cost, I agree that it is a tad high. To prevent shipping/handling mess ups they offer only two ways of shipping to their customers (Fed Ex and Registered U.S Mail). It cracks me up when people say, "I would renew my membership if......." Companies don't take you serious when you aren't a customer.
Shane
How about a bulk submission for 1950s commons at $5 each? Or maybe, a Registry special for this decade? I can't remember the last time there was a special for 1950's commons? How about a contest each month that makes one or more submissions free (a refund or future credit issued after winner selected) for each submission category?
I'd be happy to volunteer for any of the above test-runs...LOL!
thank you,
Mike
First thanks for asking.
I would love to see a modern bulk rake of less than $5. Its hard to justify getting cards graded for your personal collection that are worth $0.10 when you have to pay $5 or $6 for grading.
Also, I agree that the "common" restriction should be lifted. I think as far as grading goes, a card is just a piece of cardboard, no matter what picture is on it. I can however understand the value restriction of requiring a card with a declared value over "x" amount to be submitted at a certain service level.
As far as the shipping prices, I don't mind paying for registered mail. I don't want to take any chances and I would assume that if you offered a lower (cheaper) shipping level it would create more problems for PSA when cards got lost or damaged during shipping.
Those are some of my thoughts. Again, thanks for asking; I think I speak for everyone when I say its nice to know you value our opinions.
Also, I would like to see the submission process streamlined and made a little bit easier. In particular, I would like to be able to submit cards from the 50s to 90s at the same price on the same invoice. I think by doing this you are casting a wider net for submissions. I am sure I am not alone out there in having a number of cards I would like graded, over various years, but not having enough to justify fees for my distinct era (i.e., 1960s commons for example). I would just divide the submission line at price (cards valued at $500.00 or more pay one price and cards valued at $500.00 or less pay a lower price) and do away with all the other confusion. The bottom line in doing this, I believe, will be more submissions and in turn, more $$$ for PSA.
Any new specials will result in a ton of cards being submitted,
so maybe a price break for different turn around times.
Lower price for longer turn around times for those in no hurry.
Though I guess the underlying issue there is the differing fees for common v. "non-common" cards valued at <$500 or whatever it was.
1. A set registry special for sets from a certain decade. Let's say any 1970's set on the registry
for $8 a card and 15 day turnaround. Stars and commons could be included in this price.
2. Vintage common bulk at $5 a card and only a 25 card minimum would be nice. I agree
with many others who have posted that the 1970 and 1971 cards seem to get lost
in the shuffle. Plus, it's tough to find 50 nice ones to send in at a time. How about putting
1970 and 1971 cards with the 72's-79 cards and grade commons by the decade!
3. Any $5 special will be a hit with the psa community!!
Thanks for letting us post our wish list! Paul
How about a $4 special for 1990 to present. Not enough PSA graded cards from those years out on the market.
Thanks
David
My All-Time Oakland Raiders
Player Set specials - 25 or more cards of one player for $5 apiece (exclude Mantle, Ruth, et al. if you feel you have to).
Set specials - 50 or more cards from one set for $5 apiece (exclude certain sets like T-206 or '33 Goudey if you feel you have to).
Crossover specials - 25 or more cards in other companies' holders for $5 apiece (exclude certain players or sets if you feel you have to).
"5 or less" for $5 specials - 25 or more cards that the submitter believes will grade at a PSA 5 or below for $5 apiece (exclude certain players or sets if you feel you have to). If a submitter sends in too high a percentage that grade above PSA 5 (perhaps over 5%), this submission would be charged at non-special prices. This submission would be primarily used for lower-grade vintage stars and for pre-WWII commons.
Tallboy specials - 25 or more cards that will go in Tallboy holders charged at the same price as non-Tallboy cards of that era and player would be.
Set of the Month specials - PSA chooses one set as set of the month, and 25 or more cards from one set can be submitted at $5 apiece. To make this more interesting, PSA could post a poll on the message boards offering a number of options for set of the month, and the leading vote-getter would become set of the month.
I also agree with comments made by other posters relating to simplifying the submission process for cards that currently must go on separate invoices and relating to combining invoices for return shipment.
Nick
Reap the whirlwind.
Need to buy something for the wife or girlfriend? Check out Vintage Designer Clothing.
I would also like to second the reduced shipping, only insofar as the return shipping should more accurately reflect actual shipping costs. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm guessing handling costs are built into the fees.
Here's my two cents:
Joe
Thanks for asking.
How about a bulk submission special for '50s commons? or a pre-war nonsports bulk special? All, of course, with lower prices.
BTW - Cossetta did a great job on the front lines at Hollypark. Good move!
"All evil needs to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
I hear you loud and clear what you are saying about PSA trying to obtain more of the market share with people who would like to grade out their collections. I would think that would be a big advantage to PSA to run specials here and there to get quality cards from potential clients like yourself. Saying that, I believe that PSA is not willing to take a loss or break even to pick up more business. If you have a large submission that you would like to submit in to PSA, you should speak to Joe about working out a deal. I have never heard that PSA will grade below the $5 mark. There are more costs associated with grading cards than the two employees and the plastic that they use. They have to pay overhead (rent, phones, customer service, advertisement and managers). What about the cost of insurance policies and bonds that they have to put up to protect themselves against theft by an employee?? I would be willing to bet that the insurance is in the neighborhood of $50,000 a year. There rate is based upon product sales on a quarterly basis. PSA is wants more business, but not to satisfy a guy to send in 150 cards a year at $4.00 a pop. There is not enough reasons to do this.
Later,
Shane
<< <i>quit differentiating between "commons" and "stars".. its ridiculous.. as somebody said earlier, they are all the same pieces of cardboard.. i can understand "declared value" from a shipping/insurance view, but not from a "cost of grading" point of view.. >>
Not to give Joe any ammunition, but are the stars more money because they are more frequently altered?
1954
250 Card Bulk Rate
500 Card Bulk Rate
1000 Card Bulk Rate
I submit 100 at a time right now but I would put together a 1000 card submission if the price is right. It would be nice to grade a ton of modern cards and not take a big hit on all the PSA 9's. 4 Sharp Corners can blow out cards at $3 each on Ebay. I would like to have the option to get a price closer to their price. I like to grade cards for people's newer master sets (like Jordan's, McGwire's, etc.) but I have to pay the $6 per card rate and I wind up taking an absolute bath on all the PSA 9's I get. I would be able to submit a ton more cards if the price was lower. I just bought about 800 McGwire cards on Ebay from "mint condition" auctions and I only pulled out 15 to grade because I'm trying to avoid 9's so much. I would have submitted at least 200-300 of them if I broke even on my PSA 9's. But, that would require about a $3-$3.50 per card rate.
Thanks for asking for input though, that's great that we have a voice.
The final sale fee is where ebay makes their money.
But the business idea is the same for both Ebay and PSA. They get more money to grade a more expensive card just like Ebay gets more for selling a more expensive item. That's the way the world turns boys.
I am glad that PSA is listening to the collectors on this. Set Registry owners are a major reason why PSA has done so well over the past four years. We either have submitted them in or we have bought the cards that were submitted by others. Bottom line Joe is that we all would like to see specials to help us build a better collection.
Thanks for listening.
Shane
<< <i>
Set of the Month specials - PSA chooses one set as set of the month, and 25 or more cards from one set can be submitted at $5 apiece. To make this more interesting, PSA could post a poll on the message boards offering a number of options for set of the month, and the leading vote-getter would become set of the month.
>>
I like this idea, it would create more of a "community" atmosphere.
2000 Gallery PPI Registry Set
Joe,
I appreciate you asking for our opinions, it shows a lot of concern.
I would imagine $ 5 is about as low as you can go for grading. That's fine with me, but I think it would benefit the smaller collector to be able to submit different levels of cards on the same submission and not have to pay for three or four different postages. The extra postage for just a handfull of cards is definitely a turnoff when you want to have various cards graded.
I agree with several others that it would be nice to have the "common" vs "star" dropped in favor of the value of the card determining the grading level in certain catagories. I realize that might cause difficulties when the value depends on the grade, but maybe something could be worked out. There have been a number of times that the difference between a common card and one listed on the SMR is only $ 1 for cards I've wanted to submit.
I also don't mind waiting 2 or 3 months to have my cards graded on one of your fantastic $ 5 specials. There are several sets from the 80s and up I would be interested in starting if the special came around more often than once or twice a year.
Lastly, I would like the regular bulk to be dropped to 50 cards instead of 100, especially if we only get the $ 5 special once a year.
Thanks again for asking.
Peter
Vintage golf, 1981-82 Donruss golf, and a few other odds and ends.
Hello everyone,
You guys responded in a Huge Way! I really appreciate it. You have given me more than enough to create new specials over the next several months. I will do my best to address the diverse requests in 2005.
Remember, as the year goes on, you are always welcome to email me direct at joe@collectors.com.
Take care and thanks again1
Joe Orlando
PSA president
CEO, Collectors Universe, Inc.
50's commons special.
Pre-war special.
T3 Special.
No minimums.
Ray
Also, more aggressive (less costly) set registry specials. The Set Registry is your best tool to keep a lot of us bringing more cards in for grading.
Hall of Famers from all 4 sports
Here is my wish list ditto'd by many others in this thread:
1) $5 Special
2) 70 & 71 commons should be modern prices (even stop with the stars and commons thing altogether, cardboard is cardboard)
Thats not much. Thanks for a great job and I have not let my membership lapse!
I think the best thing PSA can do is to make it easier to submit cards. There are too many tiers and differentiations that I bet potential new members are put off from joining. I remember my first submission a few years back and the time I spent trying to figure out if this vintage card could go on the same invoice with this new card and if this one is considered a star card, etc.
Also, it would be nice of tall boys could be submitted with other cards or at least have a lower cost tier with a longer turnaround (seems like you have to submit at a quicker turnaround and higher price than other vintage). I am guessing that PSA may be trying to recover the costs of making larger holders but I believe SGC lets you submit both on one invoice at no additional cost. For people that generally stick with smaller submissions or may have the odd large card to submit it does not make sense (once you figure in postage) to submit a couple on a tall boy submission.
That being said I thought this past $5 special was great (as was the service and speed with which my orders were processed - thanks). A lower cost PSA/DNA special might get me to break out some of the autos that really aren't worth authenticating at $20 a pop.
Thanks, Adam
Mike
How about $5 per card and go by decade: 50's,60's, 70's, etc.. Make the minimum 25 cards and
don't worry about the turnaround time. I can wait for a good deal!! I have 50 commons from 1969 ready to go right now!! Let's do this one in March!!!!!: 1960 commons special/ $5 card/ 25 card minimum/ 45 day wait!
Paul