PSA to grade on-site at Toronto Sports Card Expo

eyebone

Received my show promotion magazine in the mail today, and it says that PSA will be grading on-site at the upcoming May show. For several years PSA had a booth at the show and took submissions--though that practice seemed to have stopped in the past couple of years--but never have they actually graded on-site.

Wonder what the rate will be? And how much interest there will be from a largely Canadian collector base? I recall that BGS did this once about 5-6 years ago and they never returned if memory serves.

Nevertheless, it is a good opportunity for those of us north of the border who prefer PSA to KSA (who always have on-site grading at this show).

Eyebone

hotmush

Canadian-based rant ahead... skip it if you're not Canadian.

Well that's good all around. I'm a Torontonian and although I'll miss the show (with a prior commitment, of course!) I'm glad to see PSA is starting to take Canadians seriously enough to come. KSA doesn't have a terrific reputation, but hopefully they will see what competition they have up close and up their standards. I have to say, however, that I recently bought a KSA-graded card (nothing too big, just wanted to see what it was all about) and I can honestly say their KSA 7 probably would grade a PSA 7. So maybe KSA is on the right track. Still, if memory serves, BGS was charging $25 (CDN) on-site per card. Now, when you factor in shipping (which they included), that is still a lot. Having dealt with PSA from Canada, I can say that per-card, you're looking at about shelling out around $18 CDN per card (non-special fee, plus shipping there, plus shipping back, plus packing costs, plus the inevitable customs you have to pay (usually $12 flat plus GST).).
If we Canadians were smart (or if PSA was smart, like Amazon was) they'd cut a deal with customs to eliminate fees for graded cards. After all, you're not buying them, just having them appraised, as it were.
Just my rant.

RANDYMOSS84

In chicago in march for the sun times show when i set up it was 30 bucks for psa on site grading....


BGS only had rcr there and it was like 8 bucks a card.

hotmush

Please excuse my ignorance. What is RCR?

eyebone

<< <i>In chicago in march for the sun times show when i set up it was 30 bucks for psa on site grading....


BGS only had rcr there and it was like 8 bucks a card. >>




$30? Huh! I seem to recall it was $20 at the Cleveland National in '04. Prices have gone up considerably haven't they.

Have to believe PSA is looking at $35-$40 CDN in Toronto for same-day service (KSA charges $20 CDN I think).

Eyebone

artistlost

When is the show? Do you know the website for it? Thanks.

RANDYMOSS84

RCR= Raw Card review, they bascially grade the card and you send it in to get slabbed, they didnt bring the machine needed to slab i guess.

EagleEyeKid

Not to hijack the thread, but....

RCR= Raw Card review

I think this is the most genius crap ever devised by BGS. They put a sticker on your Card Saver I saying it's a 9.5 or whatever. Then you're charged again if you actually want it slabbed in the future because they have to review it again....such BS! This is what they told me over the phone. You're charged again for whatever service you choose, and it may not even guarantee the RCR grade that was assigned to it. So why would anyone want to use this service?
$8 on site for RCR to get the quick 9.5 and dump on Ebay is the only reason I can think of. Are RCR even selling?

hill33

I've seen cases on other forums where people have had RCR's done, and sent the card in to get slabbed and the card comes back with a lower grade.

hotmush

RCR? Hmm. I think I'd rather roll the dice with a proper submission.
But hey guys? Thanks very much for the explanation.

aro13

I think PSA is only doing autograph authentication at the Toronto Sports Card Expo.

jomer

Why doesn't PSA just set up shop in Canada ??? ....personally i'd think they would do extremely well. Or better yet just take over KSA ??? I've been collecting for a long time and have only sent one lot to PSA via another party, and imo thought it was a hassle and very expensive.(especially if the grades don't pan out) ........ Much much cheaper just to buy them graded.

EagleEyeKid

I think PSA should move to Palmdale, CA LOL
We have a lot of desert here and it's growing...houses, businesses,
etc are popping up like crazy. Hey Joe, there's a gigantic Stater Bros or Albertson's market that shut down and the building is for sale. I think it's a 30,000 sq ft building. What do you say?

RANDYMOSS84

<< <i>Not to hijack the thread, but....

RCR= Raw Card review

I think this is the most genius crap ever devised by BGS. They put a sticker on your Card Saver I saying it's a 9.5 or whatever. Then you're charged again if you actually want it slabbed in the future because they have to review it again....such BS! This is what they told me over the phone. You're charged again for whatever service you choose, and it may not even guarantee the RCR grade that was assigned to it. So why would anyone want to use this service?
$8 on site for RCR to get the quick 9.5 and dump on Ebay is the only reason I can think of. Are RCR even selling? >>




RCRs do sell but not for a ton more... When you rcr as long as you drop with bgs there you usually get the same grade. Yes sometimes it goes down, but rarely.

SportsModerator2

PSA will not be grading onsite in Canada at the Toronto show.
We will be offering onsite autograph authentication only through PSA/DNA.

The brochure they are sending out is incorrect.

As always check our site for which shows we are attending and which services are being offered or call our customer service department for information.

Carol

hotmush

That's too bad. Seems to me that if they're going to be there anyway, why not grade?

SportsModerator2

<< <i>That's too bad. Seems to me that if they're going to be there anyway, why not grade? >>



We do quite a few shows that are submission only.
When we do onsite grading it requires a lot of people and equipment. It can also slow things down here at the offices.

Carol

hotmush

Oh, I see. Thanks for the clarification, Carol.