PSA to Mexico?

Boopotts

A while ago someone here (at least I think it was here) posted a link to some comments made by an NGS grader. Basically the grader said that when a coin was borderline between two grades, and giving the higher grade would bring a substanial premium for the seller, he would be inclined to give the coin the lower grade in order to prevent himself from having 'created wealth'.

Now, I don't blame the grader for feeling that way. It's a natural reaction, and I'm sure he's not the only grader (coins, cards or otherwise) to have these kinds of reservations. But I think I've come up with a solution: How about moving the order of operations from Newport Beach to Mexico City?

It sounds weird, but consider. First, grading cards (or coins) is not rocket science. Not that it's necessarily easy, but it is the type of skill that can be taught. Second, you could be drawing from a prospective employee base who have zero idea what the items their grading will fetch on the open market. They see a stone mint '56 Mantle, they slab it as a '10'. Period. There's no worries about creating wealth, since nobody knows that's what the ultimate effect will be. You see the card, grade the card, slab the card. Have a few PSA vets down there to train the locals and generally oversee things, and I have to think the average card will be graded more accurately than it is now.

Also, grading costs will come down-- or at least they should, since labor costs will decrease. On the balance I think it would be a win-win for everyone. I may take an extra couple weeks to get your cards back, but I'd take that trade off in a NY minute if I was getting cards slabbed for $4 a pop.

Any thoughts?

phreakydancin

Ship my babies off to Mexico? I don't friggin' think so.

SoFLPhillyFan

<< <i>Any thoughts? >>



Yes - but none that I would openly discuss here.

doncherry

There is probably better and cheaper locations to move to than Newport beach however Mexico City isn't one of them

qualitycards

PSA's P.O. Box is Newport Beach, I don't believe their operation is there though...jay

goudeygold

There is no way in hell i'm trusting Mexico mail. the country is a third world country marketing itself as otherwise. I lived on the border in laredo TX and trust me, things go on there that our media flat out ignores.

GG

DaBigHurt

I strongly object to your saying that anyone can grade cards. It takes a long time for PSA recruits to get the training and certification required before they can actually grade cards. They're tested on spotting trim jobs, recoloring and other restoration techniques. They're put through rigorous exams and the weak graders are weeded out. The end product is the absolute best and brightest graders in the world get to work at PSA. I wouldn't trust my precious cardboard gems to anyone else and neither should you.

Would you want some untrained Mexican to perform complex heart surgury on you? Of course not. You want the best doctors who went to the best schools with the most knowledge to perform on you. Why settle for anything less for your cards?

RipublicaninMass

<< <i>Would you want some untrained Mexican to perform complex heart surgury on you? >>



No, but I would allow them to try and make you a man...lol

DaBigHurt

<< <i>

<< <i>Would you want some untrained Mexican to perform complex heart surgury on you? >>



No, but I would allow them to try and make you a man...lol >>



Hey! At PSA, you're either with us or against us!

cardfan07

I don't understand what creating wealth has to do with grading a card. It's not like it creates wealth for the grader or even PSA (maybe indirectly thru publicity, etc). What is the basis of that wealth-Beckett price guide or SMR?

CdnOsfan

If you are going to send them to Mexico just to save money on grading fees, why stop there. Why don't they move operations to China or some other Asian country that allows sweat shops. You could have cards graded and even with the shipping it would probably cost $2/card!

Boopotts

"If you are going to send them to Mexico just to save money on grading fees, why stop there. Why don't they move operations to China or some other Asian country that allows sweat shops. You could have cards graded and even with the shipping it would probably cost $2/card!"


Wonderful-- only your first post, and already you missed my point.

The reason I think something like this would be beneficial is because cards would be more accurately graded; a fact which should be obvious, since the bulk of my initial post is focused on this point. The fact that our costs as submitters would decrease is at best a secondary consideration.

CdnOsfan

[q

Wonderful-- only your first post, and already you missed my point.

The reason I think something like this would be beneficial is because cards would be more accurately graded; a fact which should be obvious, since the bulk of my initial post is focused on this point. The fact that our costs as submitters would decrease is at best a secondary consideration. >>



I didn't miss your "point," don't worry!
Even though it says it was my first post, it is because I went away for a while and re-registered yesterday, I have been lurking forever though.

calleocho

I think that while your premise of having graders that have no idea of the value of the items they are grading its a good idea..i dont think that mexicans are naive, they do have internet over there and could check ebay as well as we do here. It could open the door to even bigger scams.

I dont think PSA should be concerned too much with lowering the prices even lower than they are now. I think they should raise them instead and offer a better service, with more careful review and safer slabs.

I think the trend in the grading industry has been price cutting Walmart style, I think thats a huge mistake.

In a niche industry the leaders stand out for their quality and innovate ideas. Ideas like the set registry and PSA/DNA.