Come on PSA!! Let's Go....

BigRedMachine

Well, I wouldn't be the first one to complain about turnaround times, but if there's one thing that irks me about PSA.....it's just that!!

Can you imagine mailing a letter, and the post office decides it will get your letter delivered a month from the day you drop it off, all the while mailing other letters that were brought in just three days ago?

Can you imagine getting in line at a theme park, and the employees come pick who gets on the ride first, often picking the people in the back of the line?

This is exactly what PSA is doing with the sub specials. It's great when someone gets their grades in three days, but hardly fair to those who have been waiting two months. What on earth would be so hard to do the grades on a first come, first serve basis? Can this not be changed?

I'd be really pi$$ed if I was the guy spending $15 to get my cards graded in 10 days, only to read on here some lucky guy gets his graded in 5 days with a $5 special.

Just don't seem right. I'm done now. Oh, and my current 30 card order:

PSA Order Status for Submission # 59XXXX



Date Received: 06/08/2006
Date of Grades Posted: No Date Specified
Date Shipped: No Date Specified

shawn

iamthegreatcornholio

I guess they use a LIFO method.

CreeperKat

I got you beat:

Date Received: 05/31/2006
Date of Grades Posted: No Date Specified
Date Shipped: No Date Specified

This is 50 Topps commons using the $5.00 Special.

envoy98

What you mean you don't like seeing the

Date Received: 07/08/2006
Date of Grades Posted: 07/13/2006
Date Shipped: 07/14/2006


...meh...me neither.

BigRedMachine

<< <i>What you mean you don't like seeing the

Date Received: 07/08/2006
Date of Grades Posted: 07/13/2006
Date Shipped: 07/14/2006


...meh...me neither. >>



No, I don't like it, but only because I don't think it's fair. And I'm confused as to why it has to be that way.

pandrews

your siglines are all too large..

envoy98

<< <i>

<< <i>What you mean you don't like seeing the

Date Received: 07/08/2006
Date of Grades Posted: 07/13/2006
Date Shipped: 07/14/2006


...meh...me neither. >>



No, I don't like it, but only because I don't think it's fair. And I'm confused as to why it has to be that way. >>



Me Too! I don't understand the random in - first out logic either. The above example was merely a representation...my stuff from 6/30 is sitting there, my card was charged on 6/30 but I have no grades either. Luckily, at least for now, my stuff hasn't been sitting there a month and a half while no fewer than 50 submissions have been posted on these boards with sub-10 day turnarounds. I have no idea how their "grade this next" system works. According to the "PSA Grading Process" video, the cards end up in a box and get rolled around like the daily lunch specials for the next person to grab off the cart. Maybe our stuff is on the far side of the cart next to the cart-pushers crotch and nobody wants to reach over there.

FYS

<< <i>Well, I wouldn't be the first one to complain about turnaround times, but if there's one thing that irks me about PSA.....it's just that!!

Can you imagine mailing a letter, and the post office decides it will get your letter delivered a month from the day you drop it off, all the while mailing other letters that were brought in just three days ago?

Can you imagine getting in line at a theme park, and the employees come pick who gets on the ride first, often picking the people in the back of the line?

This is exactly what PSA is doing with the sub specials. It's great when someone gets their grades in three days, but hardly fair to those who have been waiting two months. What on earth would be so hard to do the grades on a first come, first serve basis? Can this not be changed?

I'd be really pi$$ed if I was the guy spending $15 to get my cards graded in 10 days, only to read on here some lucky guy gets his graded in 5 days with a $5 special.

Just don't seem right. I'm done now. Oh, and my current 30 card order:

PSA Order Status for Submission # 59XXXX



Date Received: 06/08/2006
Date of Grades Posted: No Date Specified
Date Shipped: No Date Specified

shawn >>



BigRedMachine quote from the past:

"Submitted a raw 1954 Topps Jackie Robinson that I felt was at least EX-MT. PSA rejected as trimmed. Sent to GAI for a pre-grade and got a 6.5, just about what I was expecting. Resubmitted to PSA with the GAI pre-grade sticker as a crossover with a M/G of 6. Failed to meet the M/G but no mention of trimming this time. Resubmitted raw. This time got a NrMT 7.

Submitted a 1956 Topps Mantle GAI 8 to PSA as a crossover. Failed to meet minimum grade. Broke out of competitor's holder and resubmitted. Graded now as PSA 8.

So that's my factual tale about PSA. Yes, I did have some smooth experiences with them, but these two and a couple smaller incidents (plus the higher cost, shipping, long waits, and unresponsive customer service) have finally left a bad taste in my mouth. "

Nothing has changed, except your tolerance level.

envoy98

I'm failing to see your point...

Carew29

Just curious---is this getting close to***poof*** yet?

blindflyer

I'm not trying to be a PSA apologist, but when you submitted the cards they provided a max time period. As long as they stick to that agreement, why is anyone complaining? Life isn't "fair" -- just b/c some guy got a PSA Special turned around in 3 days and someone else had to wait the full 45 days for his bulk submission doesn't give you the right to whine that things aren't "fair"...

I realize we all want to get our cards returned and get them as fast as possible. If you wanted them in a specific time span, you should have submitted them at a higher rate and get the guaranteed return timeframe that satisfies you.

Think of it like busting open a box --- one "lucky" guy may grab a pack containing a card worth hundreds while another guy may come up empty despite buying several packs. As long as the odds are stated on the pack, you go into the ripping with that knowledge.

Mefer

I think the complaint is there is no first come, first serve, within service levels. I have a 59 card order that was logged in on July 7th. I expect it will take PSA three years to get this one done because I have a hodge podge of cards on it. Had I just sent in 59 71 Topps cards for example, it would have been done by now.

From my understanding, and I may be wrong, the graders have some discretion in which orders to grade. I guess naturally you are going to shy away from a 59 card order of different oddball items. That is harder work than getting into the groove and grading 100 68 Topps in a row (or whatever single year you might select). I don't agree this is fair and would like to see a first in, first out policy within service levels.

All right, off my soap box. I hope my grades are done before my daughter graduates highschool (she is only 8 now).

80sJunkie

i believe mefer is right. I sent in 4 subs under the special. the first two subs were all 2005 and 2006 stuff took 3 and 5 days to be graded the 4 sub was a mix from 70s 80s 90s and its been 33 days and counting. I think the more mixed your sub is the longer it takes

CDsNuts

I think the best analogy is when you go to the supermarket and there are long lines. Some lanes have people with full carts so they tend to go slower. Some may have a slow checkout clerk, so they go slow too. Some may have people with only a few items so they go faster. Same with lanes with a fast clerk. Just because you got in a line before somebody else, doesn't mean you're getting out faster.

Multiply this by thousands of items, 3 or 4 different departments, and 20 or so graders and there can be many reasons why somebody's cards go out before somebody else's. It may be something as simple as the person that starts processing your order is backed up, or the guy grading your cards called out sick.

As long as you're getting your cards in the guaranteed time, what's the problem? I've been on both ends as I'm sure you all have, but if I get them faster then I consider it a bonus. I think you're looking at it the wrong way. You can knock PSA for a lot of things, but they're very good about getting your cards graded in the time alotted, and will give you vouchers if they don't make the deadline.

Lee


edited to add: A FIFO (first in, first out) system is not usually an efficient way of running a business. It would lead to everybody's cards taking longer across the board.

blindflyer

<< <i>

As long as you're getting your cards in the guaranteed time, what's the problem? I've been on both ends as I'm sure you all have, but if I get them faster than I consider it a bonus. I think you're looking at it the wrong way. You can knock PSA for a lot of things, but they're very good about getting your cards graded in the time alotted, and will give you vouchers if they don't make the deadline.

>>


Morever, if everyone got their cards right at the very end of the "guarantee period" we wouldn't even be having this discussion. I turn in a 45 day bulk sub, I know it's 45 days like clockwork. End of story. Like CDNuts says, If cards come in sooner, it really should be looked at as a bonus. It's almost as though they provide us shorter than usual turnarounds on occassion and it ends up pissing us off b/c it's not every time.

Boopotts

Well, my suspicion is that the system they have in place is probably there for a reason. I doubt anyone at PSA said 'let's totally randomize our grading priorities in the hopes that we really PO some of our customers'. I'm with you, Shawn-- I have orders from 6/7, 6/9, etc. there right now. But my experience with the 5$ free-for-alls is that it usually takes a very long time to get your stuff back if you have different years/ issues in your order (I don't know if this is true for you or not), so it's better just to brace yourself for that when you send 'em in. For instance, on one of my orders I think 70% of the cards on there have fewer than 4 examples from that issue graded-- and a few of those have NO examples graded. When you pack up a sub like that just kiss it goodbye when you drop it off at the post office, and hope that you see it again sometime in the next three months.

It would be nice is someone from PSA came on these boards and at least explained it. Or, barring that, it would be nice if you could call or email customer service and get an approximate finish time for your order. The estimate doesn't have to be in stone, but I imagine they have a decent idea of when something's going to get done as soon as it's logged in. Sharing that info with the customer would be helpful. If, for instance, you sent in an order on 6/10, and got an email back saying it probably wouldn't be graded until at least 7/25, then at least you could forget about it and move on with your life

BigRedMachine

Well I'll admit my 30 card order was a bit of a hodgepodge mix of cards, perhaps causing the delay. I'd like to reitterate (sp?) that I don't get upset because someone gets their cards quickly, only that I don't understand why it happens and would love an explanation why some orders seem to get put on the back shelf. It just doesn't make sense to me.

Carew-I doubt this thread goes "poof". Just looking for an explanation. As far as the last thread going bye bye on here, Carol specifically said "It's one thing to question turn around times......." which is all I'm doing. Trying to get an explanation for how things work, not stating anything untrue or doing any harmful bashing.

FYS-Please give me a clue as to wtf you're talking about??

shawn

edited for spelling

fiveniner

BIG RED,I agree with your statements.

packCollector

I have an order in for a while but my approach is that sometimes you need to pay up with an order sitting in there forever to compensate for the 3 and 4 day turnarounds. the fact is they never miss a deadline so I accept the great turnaround times in general at the expense that every now and then I will get one sitting forever . it's more fun getting quick turnaround times 90% of the time than everyone waiting 4 weeks due to a FIFO system

Tap4black

FIFO seems about correct for my last 4 shipments............

PSA/DNA 152787 received 5/12 - no grades yet
PSA 595002 received 5/23 no grades yet
PSA 595144 received 5/24, grades posted 6/6
PSA 596158 received 6/26, grades posted 6/29

I have a 180 card submission going in today, anyone care to guess which I will receive back first??????

WeekendHacker

"If" PSA hand selects the subs with all the cards in the sub from the same year and "push" the hodgepodge subs to the bottom of the pile, they are actually wasting man-hours by sifting through all the orders and selecting what subs to grade first. Time is money, therefore, if this scenerio is true, PSA is either charging more than they need to in order to cover these wasted man-hours or they are making more of a profit for their servive. RedMachine is right, we (the customers paying for this service) simply want a standardized process - to push someone's hodgepodge order to the bottom - that's just simply bad business and poor customer service.

Jmnesq

It'd be nice if htey could tell you what status the cards were -- waiting to be graded, with a grader, sealing, etc.

RedRomad275

I think Boopots hit it on the nose. I also think we have become spoiled so to speak by getting quick turn arounds. I'm trying to be patient as well but fall into the same catagory that is expecting the results any day. I sent a 12 card voucher in the same time I sent a $5 special in and received it back within 10 days. Still waiting on that $5 special from 7 June as well as one from 27 june.

Red

storm888

Membership vouchers are REALLY fast.
$5.00 speicals are slower.

Does not bother me, unless I want to sell the
stuff right away.

All things considered, I think they do a good job.
Also, they are ALWAYS really pleasant to me when
I call them on the phone.

Even when I have "messed up" the order forms,
they have helped me fix the problems.

I like PSA.

storm

phreakydancin

Am I wrong in assuming that hodgepodge submissions likely need to go to multiple graders due to individual specialties? This was always my understanding, and would explain the delays somewhat. I have a 25-card hodgepodge sub entered into the system in early June, still nothing.

Southerncards

geez, I've never waited more than 28-30 days for my subs to return from SGC.

I feel bad for you guys.

Tap4black

I got something for you and your SGC right here buddy If any of us here on the PSA forums gave a rats A$$ about SGC, we would be using their service. As it is, we all realize that we are far better off with the delays PSA sometimes gives us as the end result is more desirable in the open market.

Southerncards

gee Tap, I wasnt trying to raise such anger from anyone. I was merely expressing my sorrow for those who have to wait forever for their grader of choice to return their cards. I only offered the 28-30 day info as comparison.

Please dont send that mean figure skater in your avatar after me. They might slash me with their double bladed skates.

Boopotts

<< <i>geez, I've never waited more than 28-30 days for my subs to return from SGC.

I feel bad for you guys. >>



There are a lot of cards out there that are only worth getting graded if they're in PSA holders (assuming you're grading for resale purposes).

shagrotn77

It would be nice if someone from PSA would replay to this thread and alert us all to the rhyme and reason behind what orders get graded first. They're so secretive about so much of this stuff which absolutely KILLS me because we all have every right to know.

envoy98

Hey guys, my grades popped today. I got the "This looks miscut" grader...5 cards out of 61 were either not holdered - misuct or got the MC qualifier. Yet three previous "Miscut" rejects were holdered this time around. Go Figure.

Grades sucked and I know there are a few resubmits in there but they are done and I can now start entering them into my registries (assuming they ship soon).

I'll keep my fingers crossed for the rest of you, I do not understand the rhyme or reason either...

FYS

<< <i>There are a lot of cards out there that are only worth getting graded if they're in PSA holders (assuming you're grading for resale purposes). >>

You are correct, SGC would not grade the trimmed Wagner.

CreeperKat

Must be some mojo in this thread. My sub from 5/31 popped today.


Now what do I with my time? I am so used to visiting the website and checking the sub every hour.

BigRedMachine

<< <i>It would be nice if someone from PSA would replay to this thread and alert us all to the rhyme and reason behind what orders get graded first. They're so secretive about so much of this stuff which absolutely KILLS me because we all have every right to know. >>



My thoughts exactly.

FYS, you still haven't explained to me your first post on this thread.

That's the one where you seem to quote something I said at an earlier date.

I don't know if I'm more confused by what the quote has to do with this thread, OR BY THE FACT IT'S A QUOTE I NEVER MADE.

Please explain.

Boopotts

<< <i>

<< <i>There are a lot of cards out there that are only worth getting graded if they're in PSA holders (assuming you're grading for resale purposes). >>

You are correct, SGC would not grade the trimmed Wagner. >>



I was thinking more in terms of cards for set registries.

You guys who get your blood pressure up over the merits and faults of various TPG companies need to get out a little more and see the world. It's one thing to be passionate about cards (although that's still a little nerdy), and quite another to be passionate about a company that grades said cards.

envoy98

<< <i>

<< <i>There are a lot of cards out there that are only worth getting graded if they're in PSA holders (assuming you're grading for resale purposes). >>

You are correct, SGC would not grade the trimmed Wagner. >>



Wow, another quality post...

...and by quality, I of course mean useless.