PSA Cert numbers
billwaltonsbeard
Posts: 3,748 ✭✭✭✭
Ok, on this board I've read conflicting thoughts and views on PSA cert numbers. I know most of the people here have WAY more experience than I when it comes to having PSA subs, so I definitely take most of your statements regarding the grading process as facts.
But someone please set the record straight: Does the PSA certification number have anything to do with the grader? And if it doesn't, does it have ANY meaning at all?
But someone please set the record straight: Does the PSA certification number have anything to do with the grader? And if it doesn't, does it have ANY meaning at all?
0
Comments
Some board members say yes.
That about sums it up.
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
<< <i>PSA says no, but when you look at grades and how they are given out you see patterns develop. 153 cert numbers tend to be higher on an average. There has to be some control number in the cert number that tells PSA who graded it. Like a UPC code on any item or the VIN on a car there are certain numbers that mean certain things. >>
The certs are all stored in the PSA database. The internal database keeps track of far more than just year, set, name, or grade. It tracks grader, when it was graded, and who submitted it. There's no need to assign special numbers based on the grader when you've got a database that tracks everything.
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
<< <i>Do you guys think that there are graders who only grade new stuff and graders who only grade vintage?? >>
They've said before that some graders have certain specialities, so they'll tend to grade certain cards more than others.
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
<< <i>There is no need on Vehicle VIN numbers or anything like that but they are there. Just like they are in the PSA cert numbers, this is so someone can look at it right away and tell who graded or whatever without having to actually go to the database. >>
The VIN number is used by multiple auto manufacturers, and that's all based on an industry standard that was set for them to use.
PSA is one company, they can do as they please.
My business tracks customers by assigning customer numbers, and those numbers are just unique random numbers.
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
<< <i>
<< <i>Do you guys think that there are graders who only grade new stuff and graders who only grade vintage?? >>
They've said before that some graders have certain specialities, so they'll tend to grade certain cards more than others. >>
That is why some subs tend to take longer than others I suspect. If you notice most of the fast pops are cards from pretty much the same era. Slower pops tend to be mixed eras.
<< <i>
<< <i>Do you guys think that there are graders who only grade new stuff and graders who only grade vintage?? >>
They've said before that some graders have certain specialities, so they'll tend to grade certain cards more than others. >>
That's very interesting info there. I've always thought that brand new cards, like Chrome cards for example, were graded a little tougher than vintage.
I've also noticed that all of your "153s" that I've seen seem to be newer stuff.
<< <i>If it did not matter then the numbering system would be straight forward and not skipped around like it currently is. There would be no need for it to skip around. >>
I have to agree with that statement.
When your cards come in they are received into the system. At that time the cert numbers are issued and printed out on a sticker. Some of you are aware of what these stickers look like because you've gotten cards back with no grades.
I've seen the conspiracy theory that we don't generate random numbers because your orders have consecutive cert numbers. Blocks of numbers are assigned to the receivers so of course your orders will have consecutive cert numbers.
To the person who is convinced that can't be true because what if we lost our database we would need a way to know who, when, etc.
Don't fear we have backups.
Now I'm off to have breakfast with my friends, Elvis, Jim Morrison and Marilyn Monroe.
Carol
<< <i>I'm guessing that some of you all believe Elvis is alive and well shopping in a piggly wiggly somewhere.
When your cards come in they are received into the system. At that time the cert numbers are issued and printed out on a sticker. Some of you are aware of what these stickers look like because you've gotten cards back with no grades.
I've seen the conspiracy theory that we don't generate random numbers because your orders have consecutive cert numbers. Blocks of numbers are assigned to the receivers so of course your orders will have consecutive cert numbers.
To the person who is convinced that can't be true because what if we lost our database we would need a way to know who, when, etc.
Don't fear we have backups.
Now I'm off to have breakfast with my friends, Elvis, Jim Morrison and Marilyn Monroe.
Carol >>
OH SNAP!
Hi Carol.
Get that stuff outta here!!!!
<< <i>but suppouse for a second that they somehow lose that database there has to be a way they can tell by looking at the cert numbers. >>
Doomsday scenarios like this are protected against by routene backups.
Besides, I doubt that PSA is worried about conducting business in a post-apocolyptic world without computers.
Besides, in the post-apocolyptic world, baseball cards won't be acceptable tradebait for the shotgun shells, food, or fuel you'll need.
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
<< <i>Say hi to the Loch Ness monster for me Carol.
She's been hanging with the Chupacabra lately so I haven't seen her much but I will if I run into her.
I used to sell alot of photos of old barns and stuff like that on a now defunct photograph site. When I would log these in the system I would use a code like 010105-1. To me that told me that the file was on my computer in the file marked Jan. 1 2005 and was photo #1
Why get so upset about it?
<< <i>
<< <i>but suppouse for a second that they somehow lose that database there has to be a way they can tell by looking at the cert numbers. >>
Doomsday scenarios like this are protected against by routene backups.
Besides, I doubt that PSA is worried about conducting business in a post-apocolyptic world without computers. >>
'
True. We'd have to N3 everything because they'd glow.
<< <i>Why get so upset about it? >>
Sounded pretty calm to me. And funny.
<< <i>True. We'd have to N3 everything because they'd glow. >>
Everything would be an Atomic Refractor then....
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
<< <i>
<< <i>Why get so upset about it? >>
Sounded pretty calm to me. And funny. >>
Agreed.
<< <i>Honestly though why do they get so upset when people talk about that its not that big of a deal to get upset about it makes no sense to me. Most companies generate numbers for things and these numbers tell very someone in the know at a glance things about that item.
I used to sell alot of photos of old barns and stuff like that on a now defunct photograph site. When I would log these in the system I would use a code like 010105-1. To me that told me that the file was on my computer in the file marked Jan. 1 2005 and was photo #1
Why get so upset about it? >>
I’m not sure why you are assuming I’m upset. This isn't the only subject I've come on to correct the information being given out. Recently I’ve posted multiple times about the incorrect information given about the differences between red flips/blue flips so it’s not just this subject
It's a matter of incorrect information. There are those that will believe what they want no matter what I or anyone else says. That's fine by me.
But to perpetuate that incorrect assumption, especially to people new to grading, isn't fair to them. If after I've told them what the procedure really is and they choose to believe differently, so be it.
New people come on this board and look up to many of the collectors here. They believe everything most things stated on policy and procedures is fact when it is not.
<< <i>Most companies generate numbers for things and these numbers tell very specific things about the item someone in the know at a glance things about that item. >>
Cards go into the black box and come out graded. If you could tell who graded a card, the PSA brand would be slighted as folks became fans or critics of individual graders.
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
Wal-mart, Target an all major stores use a pricing codes that tells them about an item right away. If the number ends in a certain number it tells them if the item is reorderable, discontinued or unorderable.
Target if the last number is a 4 it means the item is marked down as low as it will go.
Sams anything ending in a 1 is being sold at below cost.
<< <i>May not have been upset, but it was defensive IMHO. It really makes no difference to me and should not make any difference to the company.
Wal-mart, Target an all major stores use a pricing codes that tells them about an item right away. If the number ends in a certain number it tells them if the item is reorderable, discontinued or orderable.
Target if the last number is a 4 it means the item is marked down as low as it will go.
Sams anything ending in a 1 is being sold at below cost. >>
I learn something new everyday. But you’re assuming that because Target handles it that way or someone names computer files in a certain way, we would follow suit.
I don't believe I'm being defensive but I will come on when I can to correct misinformation. If that makes me seem defensive then I am guilty as charged.
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
Thank you, thank you very much.
Mickey71
no #1 records
Carol, I appreciate you coming on and giving the info.
I didn't get the feeling that you were upset from your response, but the sarcasm you used could give that impression. Alot of people on this board use PSA graded cards as a substantial part of their income, and are rightfully concerned about the grading process. I think they feel like you might have trivialized their concerns.
but anyway, thanks again for participating
Jeff
<< <i>I think they feel like you might have trivialized their concerns. >>
If this was the first time this issue came up, I'd agree, but it comes up again, and again, and again....
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
A newbie who reads the sarcasm might suddenly believe PSA is hiding something, not knowing the sarcasm is coming from having seen and heard the same question over and over.
<< <i>
<< <i>I think they feel like you might have trivialized their concerns. >>
If this was the first time this issue came up, I'd agree, but it comes up again, and again, and again.... >>
I'm sure that when old crusty vets hear a question asked that they've heard a thousand times, it seems very stupid and pointless. But please keep in mind, if someone is asking a question, they obviously haven't heard the answer before. Now if the same person is asking the same question over and over....THEN there's a problem.
<< <i>I'm sure that when old crusty vets hear a question asked that they've heard a thousand times, it seems very stupid and pointless. But please keep in mind, if someone is asking a question, they obviously haven't heard the answer before. Now if the same person is asking the same question over and over....THEN there's a problem. >>
There's no harm in asking, but there is harm when folks who have heard the answer continue to offer the wrong one when the question is asked.
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
<< <i>There's no harm in asking, but there is harm when folks who have heard the answer continue to offer the wrong one when the question is asked. >>
Completely agreed!
Carols response I saw was the first I have ever actually seen from her or Joe Orlando on the matter, all I have ever seen before was so and so says so.. Just never paid much attention to it until we have seen a recent pattern of 153s getting top grades on alot of stuff sent in while others numbers are getting slammed.
To me it does not matter one way or another.
I would suggest that any new people who have questions as to what happens with your cards watch the Grading Video located on the homepage of PSA.
Link
<< <i>And you know I have seen the actual answer because?? >>
The first 4 words of your first post in this thread were "PSA says no, but..." I figured that you had read Carol's and Joe Orlando's denials.
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25