What a Nightmare!!

Downtown1974 · January 13, 2006 11:23AM

A friend that I work with has a baseball signed by the Yankees team, circa late 50s. Well he has been bugging me to send it to PSA for him to have it authenticated. I was a little apprehensive to do it because I have never sent a ball in before, but in the end I agreed to do it. I printed and filled out the submission form for him and had him ship out the ball according to PSA standards.

Well that was about 10 weeks ago. I called PSA last week to check the status of the ball, and they told me that there were no submissions pending in my account!!

They never recieved the ball!

So now my friend has a claim filed with the P.O. and you know how long that takes. The ball is lost in space, and I feel responsible now. I feel bad about the whole situation. I should have trusted my gut feeling and refused to do it, but he is my friend, I had to. Hopefully in the end it will work out.

In case your wondering if he kicked my a$$ for it, he has been a good sport about it, and has not thrown it in my face... I think I rather he tear me a new one so I would feel better

WinPitcher · January 13, 2006 11:36AM

Did you send it registered mail? I believe that is what PSA suggests.

and if so how can it be lost?

Steve

Downtown1974 · January 13, 2006 11:41AM

Steve, he did send it registered mail. Apparently the P.O. said it must have been re-routed. To where? who knows.

Bob

WinPitcher · January 13, 2006 11:44AM

Bob

That is odd. registered mail is under lock and key and has a number.

are you thinking you sent it registered and in fact sent it certified?

in any event im sorry that happened

Steve

ps maybe one of the mail men we have on the boards will chime in.

Downtown1974 · January 13, 2006 11:50AM

Steve, My friend does have the reciept from the P.O. He told me it went registered but now you have me thinking otherwise. I will have to see the reciept and see how he did it. Either way, I hope it can be returned to him.

Bob

Kosmo · January 13, 2006 12:35PM

if it was sent registered mail, it had to be signed for if it was delivered somewhere. the post office would have a record of who signed for it and should be able to get that information quickly.

Stone193 · January 13, 2006 12:49PM

Downtown

I'm with Steve on this one - my postal carrier told me that they take "registered" mail very seriously - as a civil servant, it's one of the few things that could get them fired I guess?

I wish you all the luck in the world and I'm really sorry to hear about this.

mike

Downtown1974 · January 13, 2006 10:07PM

Thanks Mike, I am hoping that it just mixed up with the heavy volume of holiday mail and such. It should be easy for them to track. Its funny, I seem to be more concerned than my friend is. I had to really get on his case to file the claim. I will keep you posted on how this unfolds.

Bob

WinPitcher · January 13, 2006 10:14PM

Bob

are you sure he even mailed it? perhaps he got cold feet?

Steve

Downtown1974 · January 13, 2006 10:20PM

<< Bob

are you sure he even mailed it? perhaps he got cold feet?

Steve >>

Steve, That thought did cross my mind. But then I thought if he lied about submitting it, I would think he would lie and tell me it was returned back to him instead of watching me suffer here. I hope thats not the case.
Bob

cardinarky · January 14, 2006 2:30AM

Right here is the WORST FEAR IN MY HEART!
I would like to have some items in my collection PSA certified, but every so often, the roulette ball of USPS or UPS lands on "Lost In Transit".
I simply won't take the chance.
People say "well just insure it".
Some things, money can't replace.

Stone193 · January 14, 2006 2:53AM

One of the more interesting cases like this was reported by a boardmember who dropped off about 70K worth of stuff for same day service, I believe. Can't remember which grading company. They said they had to take it back for holdering.

The collection was lost by FedEx, I believe, and the hunt was on!

Luckily the box was put in the wrong shipping container and was found eventually!

Most of us would agree, even if compensated, we would rather have the cards - especially if it were something we were working on for years!!

mike

Downtown1974 · January 14, 2006 3:15AM

I have a large amount of vintage cards to submit but now Im a little reluctant. I mean this kind of thing does not happen often but when it does, its kind of a wake up call. And your right Mike, It isnt the value I care about, its the cards that mean alot to me. Even the PSA 3s

Bob

Jersey · January 14, 2006 7:05AM

I have an ungraded card that is in almost the same condition as one that went for over $500 on eBay this past week (to me, anyway, that's a lot of money). I was thinking about getting it graded but now I'm not so sure.

Allen · January 14, 2006 7:18AM

From reading this post I put my money on your friend not sending it.

bobsbbcards · January 14, 2006 7:50AM

<< One of the more interesting cases like this was reported by a boardmember who dropped off about 70K worth of stuff for same day service, I believe. Can't remember which grading company. They said they had to take it back for holdering.

The collection was lost by FedEx, I believe, and the hunt was on!

Luckily the box was put in the wrong shipping container and was found eventually!

Most of us would agree, even if compensated, we would rather have the cards - especially if it were something we were working on for years!!

mike >>

Lothar52 · January 14, 2006 7:55AM

I have about 70 high end 1956 cards that i spent a pretty penny on raw from a trusted individual about 3 years ago. One was a Vern Law which i feel at his worst is a 9...its that sharp. I would DIE if I lost these....and i cant see myself sending them in but in small groups to make sure they are not ALL lost at the same time.

MorrellMan · January 14, 2006 2:28PM

This thread is fading down the list so I thought I'd revive it with a hijack -

A business associate had a full wax box of a 1968 Topps non-sports issue that he wanted to sell. He told me he didn't know what to do, how to do it, bla bla bla, and I told him if he seriously wanted to sell it that I'd help him consign it to a major auction house, which I did. While waiting for the auction to close, he let slip that he had, at one time, listed the thing on ebay with a high reserve that was never met. The item eventually hammered at a tad over market value through the major auction house I set him up with. Of course, he was hoping for twice that.

A week later, the same item closed on ebay for 20% more (and no seller's fee)!

Stone193 · January 14, 2006 2:32PM

<< This thread is fading down the list so I thought I'd revive it with a hijack -

A business associate had a full wax box of a 1968 Topps non-sports issue that he wanted to sell. He told me he didn't know what to do, how to do it, bla bla bla, and I told him if he seriously wanted to sell it that I'd help him consign it to a major auction house, which I did. While waiting for the auction to close, he let slip that he had, at one time, listed the thing on ebay with a high reserve that was never met. The item eventually hammered at a tad over market value through the major auction house I set him up with. Of course, he was hoping for twice that.

A week later, the same item closed on ebay for 20% more (and no seller's fee)! >>

So Mark after that...
Did he kill the "messenger?"

MorrellMan · January 14, 2006 2:46PM

Mike
While he was counting his eggs before the auction closed, he was telling me how he and his wife would take me and my wife out for dinner; after the auction closed, I didn't even get a thank you. I didn't tell him about the auction the next week.

Stone193 · January 15, 2006 9:48AM

<< Mike
While he was counting his eggs before the auction closed, he was telling me how he and his wife would take me and my wife out for dinner; after the auction closed, I didn't even get a thank you. I didn't tell him about the auction the next week. >>

Well....that wasn't very nice!

Next time just tell him to call Mr Mint!!!

mike

Downtown1974 · May 26, 2006 9:48AM

Well, heres an update from the signed Yankees ball that was lost in space at PSA. No I still havent gotten it back. I got an email from them that it was entered into their system on 5/23/06. I have been talking with every one there in the customer service dept. to rectify this problem for the past 6 months or so. Well atleast there is light at the end of the tunnel now.

lawnmowerman · May 26, 2006 9:59AM

I sure hope they do the right thing and not charge for the service.

WinPitcher · May 26, 2006 10:31AM

So the guarenteed time started 6 months after it was sent in? sigh

in any event at least it is not lost.

Steve

etown99girl · May 26, 2006 10:41AM

in any event at least it is not lost.

Are you sure about that? Hell, they still have to get it back to him.

I thought you could check register mail on line.

Reading things like this makes me scare to ship anything to PSA.

lostdart58 · May 26, 2006 11:19AM

<< Well, heres an update from the signed Yankees ball that was lost in space at PSA. No I still havent gotten it back. I got an email from them that it was entered into their system on 5/23/06. I have been talking with every one there in the customer service dept. to rectify this problem for the past 6 months or so. Well atleast there is light at the end of the tunnel now. >>

Your update here doesn't tell us where the ball has been for the last five months......or is there another thread?

etown99girl · May 26, 2006 11:26AM

Well, heres an update from the signed Yankees ball that was lost in space at PSA. No I still havent gotten it back. I got an email from them that it was entered into their system on 5/23/06. I have been talking with every one there in the customer service dept. to rectify this problem for the past 6 months or so. Well atleast there is light at the end of the tunnel now.

Or... Did you just find out that your friend just shipped it to PSA?

Stone193 · May 26, 2006 1:18PM

<< was entered into their system on 5/23/06. >>

I was thinking the same thing...

Where did they say the ball was all this time? Lost in the Bermuda Triangle? Parallel universe? Pirates?
Vandals? Top right desk drawer?

I remember when someone had some graded packs lost by GAI - they kept saying different things about the status - and then finally fessed up and admitted it had vaporized.

I'm looking forward to the results - things do happen I guess?

Good luck and thanx for the update
mike

Downtown1974 · May 26, 2006 8:24PM

I apologize for not being clear here. Well they had the ball the whole time. The issue according to them was that the $100.00 authenticating fee I was quoted BY THEM, turned out to be $200.00. Well I requested that the ball be returned to me UNauthenticated because my friend didnt want to spend the extra $100.00. There response was, they would ship the ball back, but they would take the return shipping costs from the 100.00 check that was enclosed with the ball. That was months ago!

The ball did make it to PSA shortly after shipping, it verified through the tracking #. That was back in November I believe. I do believe though that the ball was misplaced at their facility because I never heard they had it until weeks after it arrived there. So to sum it up, after months of phone calls and emails which I still have, the ball is in the process. They are trying to make good on it I suppose because they are authenticating it. I wonder if they will cash the check that was enclosed. I'll let you know what transpires.

WinPitcher · May 27, 2006 3:54AM

You have got to be kidding me.

all that over a measly 100.00? (that they quoted you?) unreal.

Whay couldn't they at the time, cash the check, take out the dough needed to send it back, and then issue you a refund?

Oh I know that wanted to do all that then issue you a voucher!

steve

brianwintersfan · May 27, 2006 4:04AM

A company who valued it's customers would have said we will send back your check and we will authenticate it for free because we screwed the pooch so bad. I guess we see what PSA cares about the most.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Downtown1974 · May 27, 2006 7:48AM

Ya know by the time it was March, I just wanted the ball back. There was no excuse for the lack of effort on their part to solve this problem. Many unanswered emails. Mr. Bridges was courteous about answering my emails. I was'nt out to get free grading vouchers or free authentication, I just wanted the service I paid for. I have sent in cards with no problems prior to and after this happend. I guess I should just stick with cards. One thing that I find odd, when I finally spoke with someone who confirmed the ball was there, they assigned 147368 as the sub#. Well that was about 5 months ago. I used to constantly check for the status of that sub# and it would show as an invalid sub#. Until 5/23/06 when it was entered in the system. I dont understand why there was no info on it sooner. Oh well, hopefully it will be on the way soon.

etown99girl · May 27, 2006 7:55AM

Bob,

Please don't take this the wrong way, but, if it was my item I would had been on them everyday until I got an answer sooner then six months.

Thanks,

Mary

Downtown1974 · May 27, 2006 8:03AM

Mary, This has been an ongoing battle for me. I havent updated the thread until yesterday only because its not interesting for members to keep reading about the lack of progress I have made. The entry of the Sub is the best news I have gotten since it has been in there hands.

brianwintersfan · May 27, 2006 9:13AM

Say what you will but PSA dropped the ball on this one(no pun intended). They should step up and do the right thing!

Downtown1974 · May 27, 2006 10:04AM

<< Say what you will but PSA dropped the ball on this one(no pun intended). They should step up and do the right thing! >>

Oh, your absolutely right BWF! Its just too bad it had to get so out of hand.

Downtown1974 · June 16, 2006 4:58AM

Well, just checked my email. The ball was authenticated and shipped out on the 14th. Cant wait to see it! And they did the right thing and didnt charge me anything. My friend will be happy to hear this. I'll let you know when I get it!

RedRomad275 · June 16, 2006 5:24AM

Glad to hear PSA stepped up. I have been thinking of sending in a few baseballs myself. Maybe not.......

red

RangerRob · June 16, 2006 5:26AM

Post a photo, once you get it.

Stone193 · June 16, 2006 5:29AM

<< Well, just checked my email. The ball was authenticated and shipped out on the 14th. Cant wait to see it! And they did the right thing and didnt charge me anything. My friend will be happy to hear this. I'll let you know when I get it! >>

Nice to hear Bob

Will you scan the ball and post?

thanx and congratulatons on finally getting the item!
mike

montanafan · June 16, 2006 5:34AM

whoops i'll read the WHOLE thread before i post next time.. carry on

Downtown1974 · June 19, 2006 3:48AM

OK, So I came home to find a package on the table this afternoon. Knowing it was the ball, I called my friend and told him his ball has finally arrived. He told me I could open it. So after opening the box and weeding through the styrofoam popcorn, there was the ball, packaged in a Rawlings major league baseball box. No ball cube, no plastic case, but a cardboard box that a new ball once came in. I almost hit the floor when I saw that! So I opened the box to find the ball in a plastic baggie. The ball was ungraded, unauthenticated, and arrived in the same condition that it left in back in Nov. 05. The only other thing in the box was the submission form and the check sent for authentication of the ball.

Alot of the guys here know I am not one to stir the pot on the boards. I usually fly under the radar around here. But PSA really let me down this time. This level of service is unacceptable. They should be ashamed!

The other thing, on the submission form they wrote Return ball and dated it 5-23. Then they send me an email stating the ball is being processed. Last week I get an email stating your grades are available, and it is being shipped. WHATS GOING ON HERE?

storm888 · June 19, 2006 5:04AM

Call them up.

Tell them you would like to chat with the cust svc mngr.

Refer them to this thread.

Talk nice.

50/50 chance they will help you.

storm

ArnyVee · June 19, 2006 5:46AM

Wow, this is customer service going really really bad. Horrible experience.

I'm glad that we have the internet to be able to discuss these things openly and 'tell a friend'. I had about a half dozen baseballs that I was thinking about sending in. But, not sure about it now.

Good luck for you in getting this resolved!

Downtown1974 · June 19, 2006 9:27AM

I guess I should be thankful I got the ball back and just cut my losses. Ive never had problems with card submissions, guess I'll stick to that.
By the way Arny, I like your line up of Drysdales in your sig line.

WinPitcher · June 19, 2006 10:34AM

Glad you got the ball back.

You could PM Carol, or email Joe and ask them about it. Those 2 usually have an answer.

Steve

boggs · June 19, 2006 10:41AM

Be happy you got the ball back and quit whinning.

I have not renewed my membership in a year and was going to a few months ago but I have been to lazy to re-organize after my long move from mesa az to roselle il. Another excuse not to renew.

Ahmanfan · June 19, 2006 2:39PM

You email Joe a link to this thread, and the ball gets graded free I would imagine. He's not going to let this many good submittors see such a PSA boo-boo.
John

schr1st · June 19, 2006 9:18PM

Glad to see it worked out for you in the end. To help out a co-worker once, I submitted a 1965 Topps Mickey Mantle that he had along with a bunch of other higher-end cards (41 Play Ball Williams, 1957 Topps Mantle, Jordan Rookie, 94 LL Arod, etc ) in on my 6 free submissions invoice. He had gotten the card from an uncle way back when, and it looked really nice (I thought it was at least a 6, maybe a 7). He was looking to sell it, and figured that it would be better to have it graded before trying to do so. I sent it on in for him, and it came back a 3. We both checked the card over when it came back to see if there was anything we missed, and neither of us could find anything wrong with it. I offered to send it back in for an explanation, but he was too upset, and didn't want to be bothered. Talk about an uncomfortable work situation!

What a Nightmare!!

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