How did PSA catch on?

JESSEJAMES

Did people just all of a sudden just realize that their card was better off in a hard plastic sealed case, or did PSA do some heavy marketing. I understand that they werent the first grading company, but they were the ones to get the big money for GEM MINT 10S.

Wizardsguildcards

As far as I remember they had already established themselves as a legitimate coin grading company(PCGS) so when they started grading cards their reputation from that carried over. They also had a massive marketing push if I remember correctly.

gemint

The set registry was the real turning point. Before that, grading was pretty much restricted to bigger dollar star cards which = low submission volume. In the late 90s, the surge in grading was such that one might have to wait on hold for 15-30 minutes before getting a PSA customer service representative on the phone. PSA went through some serious growing pains at that time.

alohaet

Also some dealers that were over grading their raw cards caused a market and need for a third party to come to a more correct grade. Too many of us were burned early in our collecting. Very few cards called MINT ever were that grade.


Ed

Stone193

This is a good question and it's interesting how things just evolve - I took this whole thing for granted.

The first companies to come on the scene - from what I remember where Superlative Baseball Card Certification and Acu-Card or ASA - which was started by Alan Hager who also graded coins.

Alan Hager was the "inventor" of the 10 pt. system and the "Arrow-head" holder that was modified and used by other grading companies - although many consider him a crook - IMO he was also a great asset to the hobby industry and growth and an innovator. Moreover, he was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge.

When PSA started - they were on a blitz to get business - I met Mike Baker at the National in '92 and the first graded card - the Honus was on display.

Many, like Mr Mint thought that grading would artificially inflate the value of cards and ruin the industry.

But collectors saw another side - a chance to buy thru the mail without worrying about the authenticity of the card and a better chance at a fair and real grade (not always the way it goes with grade of course).

As was said by Gemint - a key - watershed event - to their growth was the Registry.

Another boom to PSA was ebay - let's face it - a scan of a card and the assurance of a graded holder skyrocketed PSA and other companies.

I could say more but Rockstar Supernova is coming on!

mike

PS: this is a memory report and I could be wrong with my recollections - I'm getting old and senile!

storm888

Card grading is great !!!!

storm


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Dilana is MORE greater.

Quote From TL's gang:

"For the first time, I can now see a chick fronting our band."

She is one witchey honey.

storm

Stone193

<< <i>Card grading is great !!!!

storm


///////////////////////////////////////////////

Dilana is MORE greater.

Quote From TL's gang:

"For the first time, I can now see a chick fronting our band."

She is one witchey honey.

storm

>>



I think she's overall, the best performer on the show.

mike

storm888

"I think she's overall, the best performer on the show."

mike


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No question about that.

But, Lucas is still a major threat.

Both Dilana and Lucas have good "poverty background"
stories, and that should help them with some of the voters
as the end gets closer.

Dilana is from the South African ghettos; not to be confused
with the comparable palaces in America's ghettos. And, here
she is about to be turned into an overnight sensation. USA
is great about that.

I am reasoning that Lucas's poverty may be, in part, "self-
induced." Living on the streets of Seattle is not exactly the
same as a girl going through garbage dumps looking for
food in Capetown.

They are both teriffic belters, but the broad gets my vote.
I would probably buy a Super-Nova concert ticket, if she
makes it.

storm