Listing anything lower than PSA 5 in post war is probably fairly insignificant in terms of value. Pre-War, I think it is a neccessity. There would be some exceptions perhaps, oddball issues or issues that seem to either not have the quantity or only seem to have quantity in lower grades. Some of the post-war boxing, 51 Topps Magic etc come to mind. I know with pre-war football the pop on lower grade cards (1948 leaf comes to mind) would be valuable as would a more updated "realized pricing" structure for those.
I like the idea of linking the grade(smr) to the pop and vice-versa.
I would also like to see the date a card was graded attached to the cert# verification.
I love the idea of getting a hook in with the vintage card prices web site. Realized pricing is SO much more valuable. I still use the SMR as a guide but I know that with the vintage football I collect, my opening bid should be at SMR and on HOF'ers my snipe might be several times SMR, or least I know that's what it will go for.
Changing the SMR in general, my suggestions would be to add more topics and content specific to grading. I don't like Beckett, but there are a couple things they do that I really like the ideas of. First, they put a "Top 10 Grading Submissions This Month" it lets you know what cards are getting submitted the most, who the most popular players and issues are at the time. Of course it's 99% Bonds/Griffey/Pujols with Beckett, but I wonder what it is at PSA. Second they pick a particular brand or issue and highlight some of the common flaws that keep the card from getting those higher grades. I know with the 89 UD baseball, it took me a while before I figured out it was the hologram that was keeping myself and many others cards from reaching that 10 grade.
On the topic of the "Top 5 grading myths" I thought for sure we'd see an "Honorable Mention" 6. There is a grader of death 7. 817 Cert #'s go to all the bulk guys 8. Big submitters get the best, easiest, hardest graders 9. The cert number identifies the grader
One of my favorite parts of the SMR is the "Taking my hacks" section you do. It has a focus on grading and the hobby itself. Many times I've hoped there would be a follow up to it or just more content as there have been several topics that certainly could have used more attention. I do get a little bored with all the advertisements in there, seems I have to pass 10-15 pages just to get to the first article.
Not sure I understand the suggestion of a "graders camp". I think after a few submissions most people have a fairly good understanding of why a particular card graded the way it did. I know I pre-grade all of my cards before I send them in and I like to see how I fare once I get them back. I usually do pretty well. I don't think I'd pay $3k for that experience though.
Although my last CSR experience with PSA was a terrific one (Benny is the man), overall my CSR dealings have been very poor. Once you've dealt with Carol on here, or Cosetta it's tough to get the treatment you get from some of the other CSR's over at HQ. Some are just rude, some are obviously indifferent to your situation or your question. I rarely hear good things about the CSR department and this would be a great place to spend some energy in my opinion.
Another "off the topic" suggestion would be the check-in procedures utilized by receiving. I still don't understand why my order (hand delivered 3/16 at the Sun Times show, wasn't checked in until 4/5. It's a 45 day turnaround order. I then see two other orders from people I know, who submitted 45 day bulk orders (Checked in: 4/30 and 5/2), got their grades already. Mine is still sitting there. This is a problem that has been echoed on these boards since I started coming here and it has never been addressed.
There are plenty of things I would like to see addressed at PSA ahead of expanding the pop reports. I realize the resources utilized to achieve each end are probably vastly different though.
It's always nice to see you post here. We do appreciate you taking the time to come on here and solicit our feedback.
SportsCard Guaranty, LLC (SGC) and VintageCardPrices.com Join Forces
SportsCard Guaranty, LLC (SGC) and VintageCardPrices.com have partnered up to bring you the most accurate sports card price guide available. Find the value of your sports cards (baseball, basketball, football, hockey, boxing and more) based on prices realized on eBay and major auction houses.
Here’s a brief summary of benefits that you get by signing up as a FREE SGC member: Prices realized on eBay and major Auction Houses. Find the value of your SGC graded Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey and Boxing sports cards.
"My Collection" Feature. Input your card collection with the price you paid for it. Our system will update the value of the cards in your collection every time there is a sale.
"Want List" Feature. This feature allows you to add cards to your "Want List" the same way that you add cards to "My Collection". After adding the card to your "Want List", any new auctions on eBay that match your card will result in an email notification being sent to alert you. And much more! "We are very glad to be working with a company like SGC because of the trust and integrity they provide to the collecting community. We feel honored that they choose us to bring this valuable data to you to use to make you a better buyer and seller." - Bobby Binder President Vintage Card Prices "SGC is proud to align ourselves with VintageCardPrices.com. The partnership gives our clients the ability to track transactions from ebay as well as from major public auction houses. VCP is in a league by itself when it comes to providing accurate and reliable auction data." - Dave Forman President SportsCard Guaranty, LLC >>
PSA - DO THIS! I'm not willing to switch to SGC to get this, but this is a FANTASTIC member benefit!
As already stated, lower end pricing/pops wouldn't have much relevance for those of us who primarily deal in post-war issues.
I like the idea of being able to see when a card was graded on the website and having a "grader's tip sheet" column in the SMR for specific sets. Also, I always thought it would be cool if we could access pop reports from, say, 6-12 months ago, just to see how they've changed. This would give us all a better idea of "what's still out there." I know we can always print or save them, but that's too cumbersome for collectors/dealers whose interest isn't limited to a few specific sets.
Joe, I have not read everyones post but I would like to say that a unopened pack price guide should be in the smr. Also are many folks who collect lower grade stuff cards as I do. We need more lower end prices on these types. To make room in the book, maybe you could alternate any card sets in every sport that begins with 1981 and up every other month. The online price guide could have some of the sets that are newer without getting put in the smr everymonth.
I personally don't see the need of a printed guide but that's just my opinion. What something is currently selling for is much more valuable than something in print unless it's a representation of current and past sales. Besides, the pricing on many of the cards I track is nowhere close to what the cards actually sell for. I'd prefer more research and analysis personally.
On another note, I'd be curious about the possibility of PSA partnering with an online auction group such as ebay where people have a legitimate way of taking frauds off the market. We all have seen plenty of auctions that should be pulled. Maybe if we had one collective voice we could restore some integrity to the hobby.
On another note, I'd be curious about the possibility of PSA partnering with an online auction group such as ebay where people have a legitimate way of taking frauds off the market. We all have seen plenty of auctions that should be pulled. Maybe if we had one collective voice we could restore some integrity to the hobby.
Longterm, such an effort would pay bigger dividends to CLCT than any other thus far contemplated here.
Simple active-participation in VERO might even get rid of keyword spamming overnight. (Look at how VERO members have been pulling auctions that mention their brands in titles.)
Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
On the topic of the "Top 5 grading myths" I thought for sure we'd see an "Honorable Mention" 6. There is a grader of death 7. 817 Cert #'s go to all the bulk guys 8. Big submitters get the best, easiest, hardest graders 9. The cert number identifies the grader
///////////////////////
Regarding number 6, there probably is at least one guy there who grades much, much tougher than the rest. My results have borne this out (about one in every six subs comes back with grades that completely out of line with what I expected), and I think others here have anecdotal evidence that corroborates this theory as well. With respect to the 817 cert. prefix, I have never seen anyone but 4SC, J9suited and PSAstock selling cards with this cert.
Since cert numbers are not issued in strict numerical order (i.e., a card with the cert 4803456 is not the 4,803,456th card PSA has graded) then there must be some other way in which submissions/cert numbers are organized and issued, since it makes no sense to assume this is random.
<< I am curious southern cards, why do you post here when you dislike PSA such. >>
Have you ever been to the SGC boards?? It's like a ghost town over there. Coming over here is the only way he will ever get any attention and have people to talk to.
LOL, you got that right!
SGC has its niche among collectors as a reputable grading company, mostly for pre-war issues, but PSA is far and away the #1 grading company out there and the number of auctions for PSA cards as opposed to SGC cards emphasizes PSA's dominance and popularity over SGC. It's actually somewhat similar (although not as pronounced) for PCGS graded coins which command higher premiums than NGC graded coins.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
Say, why not a price guide for PSA cards in book form? Like do it similar to Beckett's annual guides, but for the sets' descriptions, describe not only the set but for those that are hard to get in high grades, explain in detail why just as you do on the website. Furthermore, explain the grading scale in even MORE detail than you do on the website. For example:
GEM MT 10: --------------- CORNERS: [explain what makes PSA 10 corners]
You must not have read the lastest post that these graders are soooo good that sometimes they don't need to use a loop on your card. They can graded your card with the naked eye. Kinda puts a kink into your wanting a more detailed explanation don't it??
4) Graders Use Magnifying Glasses or Loupes to Grade Every Card – False
Do graders utilize these tools to assist in grading when they feel the need to use them? Of course, but the vast majority of cards are graded with the naked eye. Yes, I said it – the naked eye. In order to be a full-time grader, you need to have an extraordinary eye and these tools can, at times, distort aspects of the card.
<< <i>Having a more accurate/complete SMR & POP for lower graded cards would not only increase submissions for such cards, but also expand collector interest in such grades. Many collectors pass on cards they cannot find listed in the SMR & POP, thus fewer submissions by potential sellers. >>
I agree completely. Having more information on lower grade cards would definitely increase interest in these cards.
Any chance of getting similar types of additional information (pricing/populations) for qualifier cards?
"It's not so important who starts the game but who finishes it." - John Wooden
So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
- I'd get rid of the print SMR all together. Pricing in SMR is not a real reflection of the current market by the time the magazine hits the stand (and most would say are not accurate of the market in any case). Most of the stories are useless at best, unpaid advertisments for auction houses at worst. In addition, the conflicts of interest generated by the advertisers in the magazine are undercutting PSA's reputation in the hobby drastically (Memory Lane being the most notable example) - weekly updates to the on-line versions of the SMR. - Population reports for every card in every grade. You have all of the information in your database: why not put it out there in the pop reports? - Overhaul of the PSA/DNA population report. There is no way to currently tell how many copies of an autographed card PSA or PSA/DNA have authenticated. I mentioned this at the 2005 National luncheon, and there still has been nothing done to correct it.
Comments
I like the idea of linking the grade(smr) to the pop and vice-versa.
I would also like to see the date a card was graded attached to the cert# verification.
I love the idea of getting a hook in with the vintage card prices web site. Realized pricing is SO much more valuable. I still use the SMR as a guide but I know that with the vintage football I collect, my opening bid should be at SMR and on HOF'ers my snipe might be several times SMR, or least I know that's what it will go for.
Changing the SMR in general, my suggestions would be to add more topics and content specific to grading. I don't like Beckett, but there are a couple things they do that I really like the ideas of. First, they put a "Top 10 Grading Submissions This Month" it lets you know what cards are getting submitted the most, who the most popular players and issues are at the time. Of course it's 99% Bonds/Griffey/Pujols with Beckett, but I wonder what it is at PSA. Second they pick a particular brand or issue and highlight some of the common flaws that keep the card from getting those higher grades. I know with the 89 UD baseball, it took me a while before I figured out it was the hologram that was keeping myself and many others cards from reaching that 10 grade.
On the topic of the "Top 5 grading myths" I thought for sure we'd see an "Honorable Mention"
6. There is a grader of death
7. 817 Cert #'s go to all the bulk guys
8. Big submitters get the best, easiest, hardest graders
9. The cert number identifies the grader
One of my favorite parts of the SMR is the "Taking my hacks" section you do. It has a focus on grading and the hobby itself. Many times I've hoped there would be a follow up to it or just more content as there have been several topics that certainly could have used more attention. I do get a little bored with all the advertisements in there, seems I have to pass 10-15 pages just to get to the first article.
Not sure I understand the suggestion of a "graders camp". I think after a few submissions most people have a fairly good understanding of why a particular card graded the way it did. I know I pre-grade all of my cards before I send them in and I like to see how I fare once I get them back. I usually do pretty well. I don't think I'd pay $3k for that experience though.
Although my last CSR experience with PSA was a terrific one (Benny is the man), overall my CSR dealings have been very poor. Once you've dealt with Carol on here, or Cosetta it's tough to get the treatment you get from some of the other CSR's over at HQ. Some are just rude, some are obviously indifferent to your situation or your question. I rarely hear good things about the CSR department and this would be a great place to spend some energy in my opinion.
Another "off the topic" suggestion would be the check-in procedures utilized by receiving. I still don't understand why my order (hand delivered 3/16 at the Sun Times show, wasn't checked in until 4/5. It's a 45 day turnaround order. I then see two other orders from people I know, who submitted 45 day bulk orders (Checked in: 4/30 and 5/2), got their grades already. Mine is still sitting there. This is a problem that has been echoed on these boards since I started coming here and it has never been addressed.
There are plenty of things I would like to see addressed at PSA ahead of expanding the pop reports. I realize the resources utilized to achieve each end are probably vastly different though.
It's always nice to see you post here. We do appreciate you taking the time to come on here and solicit our feedback.
My eBay Store
BigCrumbs! I made over $250 last year!
<< <i>Too late fellas....
SportsCard Guaranty, LLC (SGC) and VintageCardPrices.com Join Forces
SportsCard Guaranty, LLC (SGC) and VintageCardPrices.com have partnered up to bring you the most accurate sports card price guide available. Find the value of your sports cards (baseball, basketball, football, hockey, boxing and more) based on prices realized on eBay and major auction houses.
Here’s a brief summary of benefits that you get by signing up as a FREE SGC member:
Prices realized on eBay and major Auction Houses. Find the value of your SGC graded Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey and Boxing sports cards.
"My Collection" Feature. Input your card collection with the price you paid for it. Our system will update the value of the cards in your collection every time there is a sale.
"Want List" Feature. This feature allows you to add cards to your "Want List" the same way that you add cards to "My Collection". After adding the card to your "Want List", any new auctions on eBay that match your card will result in an email notification being sent to alert you.
And much more!
"We are very glad to be working with a company like SGC because of the trust and integrity they provide to the collecting community. We feel honored that they choose us to bring this valuable data to you to use to make you a better buyer and seller."
- Bobby Binder
President
Vintage Card Prices "SGC is proud to align ourselves with VintageCardPrices.com. The partnership gives our clients the ability to track transactions from ebay as well as from major public auction houses. VCP is in a league by itself when it comes to providing accurate and reliable auction data."
- Dave Forman
President
SportsCard Guaranty, LLC >>
PSA - DO THIS! I'm not willing to switch to SGC to get this, but this is a FANTASTIC member benefit!
My eBay Store
BigCrumbs! I made over $250 last year!
I like the idea of being able to see when a card was graded on the website and having a "grader's tip sheet" column in the SMR for specific sets. Also, I always thought it would be cool if we could access pop reports from, say, 6-12 months ago, just to see how they've changed. This would give us all a better idea of "what's still out there." I know we can always print or save them, but that's too cumbersome for collectors/dealers whose interest isn't limited to a few specific sets.
On another note, I'd be curious about the possibility of PSA partnering with an online auction group such as ebay where people have a legitimate way of taking frauds off the market. We all have seen plenty of auctions that should be pulled. Maybe if we had one collective voice we could restore some integrity to the hobby.
Ripken in the Minors * Ripken in the Minors Facebook Page
Why is Southerncards allowed to post here? That guy is a joke.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Longterm, such an effort would pay bigger dividends
to CLCT than any other thus far contemplated here.
Simple active-participation in VERO might even get
rid of keyword spamming overnight. (Look at how
VERO members have been pulling auctions that
mention their brands in titles.)
6. There is a grader of death
7. 817 Cert #'s go to all the bulk guys
8. Big submitters get the best, easiest, hardest graders
9. The cert number identifies the grader
///////////////////////
Regarding number 6, there probably is at least one guy there who grades much, much tougher than the rest. My results have borne this out (about one in every six subs comes back with grades that completely out of line with what I expected), and I think others here have anecdotal evidence that corroborates this theory as well. With respect to the 817 cert. prefix, I have never seen anyone but 4SC, J9suited and PSAstock selling cards with this cert.
Since cert numbers are not issued in strict numerical order (i.e., a card with the cert 4803456 is not the 4,803,456th card PSA has graded) then there must be some other way in which submissions/cert numbers are organized and issued, since it makes no sense to assume this is random.
How about skipping the next card show and finish up those March orders huh??
Have you ever been to the SGC boards?? It's like a ghost town over there. Coming over here is the only way he will ever get any attention and have people to talk to.
LOL, you got that right!
SGC has its niche among collectors as a reputable grading company, mostly for pre-war issues, but PSA is far and away the #1 grading company out there and the number of auctions for PSA cards as opposed to SGC cards emphasizes PSA's dominance and popularity over SGC. It's actually somewhat similar (although not as pronounced) for PCGS graded coins which command higher premiums than NGC graded coins.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
GEM MT 10:
---------------
CORNERS: [explain what makes PSA 10 corners]
CENTERING: [explain what makes PSA 10 centering]
CUT: [explain what makes PSA 10 edges]
CLARITY: [explain what makes PSA 10 surface]
D's: 50P,49S,45D+S,43D,41S,40D,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 241,435,610,654 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
You must not have read the lastest post that these graders are soooo good that sometimes they don't need to use a loop on your card. They can graded your card with the naked eye. Kinda puts a kink into your wanting a more detailed explanation don't it??
4) Graders Use Magnifying Glasses or Loupes to Grade Every Card – False
Do graders utilize these tools to assist in grading when they feel the need to use them? Of course, but the vast majority of cards are graded with the naked eye. Yes, I said it – the naked eye. In order to be a full-time grader, you need to have an extraordinary eye and these tools can, at times, distort aspects of the card.
Read it and weep!!!!!!!
suggest that they should use all of the tools
at their disposal.
<< <i>Having a more accurate/complete SMR & POP for lower graded cards would not only increase submissions for such cards, but also expand collector interest in such grades. Many collectors pass on cards they cannot find listed in the SMR & POP, thus fewer submissions by potential sellers. >>
I agree completely. Having more information on lower grade cards would definitely increase interest in these cards.
Any chance of getting similar types of additional information (pricing/populations) for qualifier cards?
- John Wooden
<< <i>RIP southerncards >>
My comment should go under the thread from last week on "phrases that were never said"--Here at today's auction is a complete SGC set for sale
- weekly updates to the on-line versions of the SMR.
- Population reports for every card in every grade. You have all of the information in your database: why not put it out there in the pop reports?
- Overhaul of the PSA/DNA population report. There is no way to currently tell how many copies of an autographed card PSA or PSA/DNA have authenticated. I mentioned this at the 2005 National luncheon, and there still has been nothing done to correct it.