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Turnaround on bulk submission

halfcentmanhalfcentman Posts: 1,498 ✭✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
I sent in 206 cards on the $6 February special. The cards were shipped out on 2-27. Got to PSA the following Monday (3-2), and entered into the system on 3-4.

I was told that it could take up to 45 business days. When the grades showed up on 3-10 I was shocked for two reasons:

1) How the grades came so quickly (a good thing)
2) How many of the grades were disappointing (a bad thing)

I know that this may not seem rational, but I feel that PSA rushed through the submission. I would have been glad to wait an extra few business days if the grades were better. I took the time to look over every card, and although there were a few bright spots, the non-bright spots were in greater quantity.

Since I do not submit as many cards as I do coins, I would like to have some feedback on this. I am getting ready to process another 200-300 cards before the end of the month.

Thanks,

Greg

Comments

  • waxpackwaxpack Posts: 547
    Question #1... I think PSA is not as busy as they use to be. They feel the hurt also.
    Question #2... Darthgrader
    Trying to climb the 1954-55 Topps Hockey ladder for the second time.

  • CNoteCNote Posts: 2,070 ✭
    Since you submit more coins than cards, it's same to assume you aren't as familiar with what may belong in a 9 or 10 holder. Show everyone some of the cards you thought should be higher than what they received when you get them back in hand.
  • JHS5120JHS5120 Posts: 1,968 ✭✭✭
    The group sub had a lot of low grades perhaps they aren't spending as much time on the bulk orders as they used to. IDK its just an opinion.
    My eBay Store =)

    "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Dr. Seuss
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,839 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'd suspect that for collectors who submit more cards than coins, the results from a PCGS submission would likely be as disappointing. Most new submitters significantly overestimate the grades of the cards they submit to PSA. Some scans would help.


    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.
  • mexpo75mexpo75 Posts: 1,938 ✭✭✭✭
    If the last group sub is any indication, it does seems as though large groups of cards seem to be just glossed over.
    PackManInNC
  • RookieWaxRookieWax Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭
    No question about it that your argument seems valid to me. My February sub was entered right away and grades popped only 2 days later. I was shocked at the grades. I subbed an absolutely stunning 1975 Topps Brett Rookie that appeared near perfect in every way to the naked eye...and it came back a 7. When I put it up on ebay and compared it to the scans of the other 20 or so ugly psa 7's for sale, I was even more disgusted by the grade. It used to be tough to tell the difference between an 8 and a 9....but now its tough to tell the difference between a 7 and a 9 or 10!! Something is just wrong...no consistency whatsoever in PSA's grading standards.
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,111 ✭✭✭


    << <i>No question about it that your argument seems valid to me. My February sub was entered right away and grades popped only 2 days later. I was shocked at the grades. I subbed an absolutely stunning 1975 Topps Brett Rookie that appeared near perfect in every way to the naked eye...and it came back a 7. When I put it up on ebay and compared it to the scans of the other 20 or so ugly psa 7's for sale, I was even more disgusted by the grade. It used to be tough to tell the difference between an 8 and a 9....but now its tough to tell the difference between a 7 and a 9 or 10!! Something is just wrong...no consistency whatsoever in PSA's grading standards. >>




    I fully agree also it appears to me and maybe its just my eyesight there seem to be a very inconsistent grading results lateley and the larger the sum the more inconsistent they appear.
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • lsutigers1973lsutigers1973 Posts: 11,093 ✭


    << <i>The group sub had a lot of low grades perhaps they aren't spending as much time on the bulk orders as they used to. IDK its just an opinion. >>



    An opinion shared by many.
  • GoDodgersFanGoDodgersFan Posts: 1,392 ✭✭✭
    We all get hammered on subs and I took the hit several subs ago.

    My most recent sub was solid and fair. It is part of the grading process. Boy, that 75 Brett is a
    definite resub candidate.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,839 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I don't think the quick turnaround has much to do with spending less time evaluating each card. It's already been confirmed by Joe O that the average common card is graded in just a few seconds, so how much quicker could they possibly be? However, I do think that certain issues (like 1975 mini baseball, for instance), are graded stricter now than in years past.


    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.
  • halfcentmanhalfcentman Posts: 1,498 ✭✭✭
    As full-time coin dealers, my associate and I have been doing this for over 25 years. I remember going to shows and cherrypicking 1968 Mantles from vending for $30 per. We have an excellent eye for quality, and lately the two of us have taken the time to "modernize" our eyes to the current market.

    As with anything that you submit, you are going to get good grades and bad grades. For example, I had the 5-day service and got a MINT 9 65P Brown and 63T McCovey and a NM-MT 8 63T Mantle - all accurately graded and all found new homes. On the other hand, I got hammered with a GD 2 MC on a T201 Cobb/Crawford (the MC was legit).

    My initial argument is that when you submit coins in bulk, they take forver. Perhaps PSA is not as busy and went through them at the normal rate. I appreciate everyone's input, and I am going to be more selective when I send in the next batch on the March special.

    Thanks again,

    Greg
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,839 ✭✭✭✭✭
    FWIW, I've gotten back bulk subs in a matter of just days going back several years at least. The policy is not FIFO, so there's no way to know in advance. I do know, however, that only cards of significant value command more than a few seconds of evaluation by a single grader.


    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.
  • RonBurgundyRonBurgundy Posts: 5,491 ✭✭✭
    The low grades are why I have not submitted a single card this year. This started late last year and according to many national dealers has gotten to the point that some dealers have threatened to stop submitting altogether.

    It used to be that when grades were ridiculous, people would just resubmit. Not anymore. More and more people are done after the first sub.
    Ron Burgundy

    Buying Vintage, all sports.
    Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
  • Bosox1976Bosox1976 Posts: 8,567 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It takes no longer to give an 8 or 9 than it does a 7. The amount of time is not the issue, it is differing standards for different graders - and my submissions are way down as a result too.
    Mike
    Bosox1976
  • MCMLVToppsMCMLVTopps Posts: 5,005 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I sent in an 11 card sub a week ago. The sub was a two-parter, grades are dismal to say the least, 5,7,7,8.5 and miscut. I kinda expected the 5, but the the 7,7, miscut are a bit of a mystery. The miscut was a crackout!!

    The other 6 are discs, should be interesting.

    What has happened to the graders, is it standards or what? Did I just get the grader from hell or are things just going downhill in Newport Bch?
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