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Why does PSA still publish SMR each month...

...to me its just become a giant waste of paper.

1) Prices are rarely updated from month to month and are of questionable accuracy in the first place
2) There are only one or two articles each month
3) The info is all available online for those who want it

The simple truth is that prices do not change that quickly. Publishing SMR quarterly would be just fine (except that it would cost PSA advertising revenue). Alternatively, publish the price guide sections quarterly, but publish articles (collector profile or set profiles) the other eight months.

As it is right now, SMR goes into the recycling bin about five minutes after I take it out of my mailbox...I'm still using the November issue to look up prices.

Comments

  • advertising revenue and CC membership premium.
    Mark B.

    Seeking primarily PSA graded pre-war "type" cards

    My PSA Registry Sets

    34 Goudey, 75 Topps Mini, Hall of Fame Complete Set, 1985 Topps Tiffany, Hall of Fame Players Complete Set
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    It is a GREAT benefit for CC members.

    I like it ALOT.
    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • JasP24JasP24 Posts: 4,645 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    As it is right now, SMR goes into the recycling bin about five minutes after I take it out of my mailbox...I'm still using the November issue to look up prices. >>



    WOW..Huge mistake..Not using November, but using the SMR to look up prices.

    If you want to know the market on anything 1989 or before, VCP.com is the way to go...For modern stuff, just track it yourself on ebay. SMR hasn't been right in 5+ years.

    Jason
    I'm here to question, not to inspire or build up. To live how I want, as I see fit,
    according to my values and my needs. Nothing holds dominion over me, I stand alone as the ruler of my life.
  • Carew29Carew29 Posts: 4,025 ✭✭

    MO' MONEY--MO'MONEY--MO' MONEY
  • stownstown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭
    Have you talked with Joe over the phone yet?
    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
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Yes, you could ask him this very question too.


    Steve
    Good for you.
  • Stown,

    Why don't you make a constructive post instead of asking me if I called Joe every time I post something critical of PSA. I've said on several other threads that I have emailed him my questions but really don't care that much to bother to call him and play telephone tag.

    It's his business that is being criticized and is losing customers. If he doesn't want to bother to send me an email back and answer my questions, that's his loss, not mine.
  • Is it just me, or is complaining on a message board just a giant waste of tendon, muscle, and bone use. I like the SMR's. I use them for certain pricing (although I will be joining VCP.com soon). Obviously advertising plays a role. I've really been digging the auction books I've been getting through PSA from Memory Lane, etc. I've found plenty of rare (or non-common) issues that I own in the auctions, that would have taken me alot longer to figure out what they were. I would vote for more than two articles in SMR though.
    "I've never been able to properly explain myself in this climate" -Raul Duke

    ebay i.d. clydecoolidge - Lots of vintage stars and HOFers, raw, condition fully disclosed.
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    It's his business that is being criticized and is losing customers."

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

    I am not seeing the loss of customers.

    PSA cards are flying off the shelves on EBAY.
    That always portends an uptick in submissions;
    the more slabs I retail, the more raw I submit.
    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • 53BKid53BKid Posts: 2,174 ✭✭✭
    SMR falls far short of its potential. What would it take to add a couple more articles a month?
    As for the pricing, compared with most guides, its one of the stalest I've seen. Moves on vintage are rare.
    HAPPY COLLECTING!!!
  • stownstown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭


    << <i>but really don't care that much to bother to call him >>



    But you care enough to flood these boards with negative comments about PSA?

    You talk out of your rear about economics, PSA losing customers, and what you believe to be the truth (even though it's still your opinion).

    Why don't you look at what your shoveling because it will continue to be thrown in your face until you stop.

    It really is just that easy.
    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
  • CDsNutsCDsNuts Posts: 10,092
    You know what I hate? I hate the third song on Bruce Springsteen's new CD. I'm gonna go to the Bruce Springsteen forums and let him know how much I hate that song, and if he doesn't email me back I'm never buying another Bruce Springsteen CD again.
  • PSARichPSARich Posts: 534 ✭✭✭
    11235813. I enjoy the SMR. Some months have more and better articles than others, but overall, I look forward to each month's edition. A few year's ago I emailed Joe with a suggestion for an article that I would write if he wanted it. He agreed....four pages and 19 scans of cards got published. It was work but I enjoyed doing it. I received quite a few compliments and a few critical comments on the message board that it was a stupid article. I am the leader of an organization with over 300 employees. My rule is "if you are going to criticize something, you must accompany it with a positive suggestion or solution to make it better". So give Joe a call with a positive suggestion regarding what you would like to see in the SMR in terms of articles.
  • TheVonTheVon Posts: 2,725
    I think the published version of the SMR could be a huge assett to PSA and the hobby. Unfortunately, I think it's too much like these message boards in that it seems like the same thing over and over and over and over and after you've read it for a few months it is no longer informative or thought provoking.

    If the SMR were my magazine I would consider only publishing prices for one sport per month and use the pages saved to include more articles or even more shiny advertisements. Specifically, I'd like to see some articles on controversial subjects within the hobby . . . something that would make people actually look forward to reading the magazine rather than just browsing through it to look at the cool scans and auction house inserts. For example, I think one subject being discussed on these forums would make a great article: whether it is okay to cut cards from a sheet and then have them graded.

    I wouldn't mind seeing a story about some of the companies that actually make cards. Where do they think the hobby is headed? What do they have planned? What's up with the autograph stickers? Do they hate all the inserts and subsets as much as I do? image

    They could also do a story on the VCP guys, or interview one of the big dealers that sell on eBay. I know I would love to hear more about Steve Hart, 4SC, DSL, or Dave and Adams Card World.

    How about just a good old-fashioned article on sports?

    Those are just a few ideas off the top of my head.
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    but really don't care that much to bother to call him and play telephone tag.


    How do you know it would be telephone tag? Have you at least tired 1x to call.?


    Steve
    Good for you.
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    Von makes some good suggestions for SMR content.

    Sadly, telling JO what needs to be in SMR will NOT usually
    succeed. PRODUCING that content - as PSARich did - will
    almost always result in eventual publication.



    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • Why not save your outdated SMRs?
    After you get a couple of months collected, to save on S/h, I'd be happy to buy them from you. (Just for the articles, great crapper material)

    If interested please send me a PM, THANKS


  • << <i>...to me its just become a giant waste of paper.

    1) Prices are rarely updated from month to month and are of questionable accuracy in the first place
    2) There are only one or two articles each month
    3) The info is all available online for those who want it

    The simple truth is that prices do not change that quickly. Publishing SMR quarterly would be just fine (except that it would cost PSA advertising revenue). Alternatively, publish the price guide sections quarterly, but publish articles (collector profile or set profiles) the other eight months.

    As it is right now, SMR goes into the recycling bin about five minutes after I take it out of my mailbox...I'm still using the November issue to look up prices. >>




    8675309, just give it a rest already...
    Next MONTH? So he's saying that if he wins, the best-case scenario is that he'll be paying for it two weeks after the auction ends?

    Forget blocking him; find out where he lives and go punch him in the nuts. --WalterSobchak 9/12/12



    image


    Looking for Al Hrabosky and any OPC Dave Campbells (the ESPN guy)
  • I agree that it could be much better. The one sport per month is a great idea and would make more room for interesting articles.
  • I called joe's (voicemail) a week ago. I want to believe he called back (while I was on an alarm), as I had a 'restricted' call ID showing. He left no message nor did I retry.

    Thanks for the reminder, I'll ring him tomorrow - and whine about the omission of some prewar listings in the new SMR.
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