Did PSA layoff a bunch of workers?

RookieWax

Over a two year period from 2009 to 2011 I submitted a dozen or so card grading orders, all of which were the $5 to $6, 45 day monthly specials. All but one order were graded and shipped within a week or less. So, this month, I decide to pay a little more and go with the 10 card, 10 day, $10 per card special so I could get the cards returned ASAP and I am still waiting for the grades to pop after 8 days.

grote15

Turnaround time varies according to a number of factors, but if I were routinely getting 45-day subs back in a week or so, I'd say that is super fast instead of super slow for 8 days on a 10-day sub.

They are probably more backed up now due to the holiday season, too.

CNote

So, are you whining that your TEN day sub hasn't popped after EIGHT days? And you do this on a holiday? All because past subs popped early?

RookieWax

Excuse me for getting a bit anxious. My point was...what changed? Its not like they had a recent great special which would have caused a backlog of orders.

grote15

Both today and last Monday don't count as business days, don't forget. And we are coming off the holiday season, too. I really don't think 8 days should suggest that PSA has had personnel changes because some of your other submissions were graded well before they were supposed to be.

neildown

Have a little whine and cheese on this most blessed Martin Luther King Day.

Boopotts

<< <i>Excuse me for getting a bit anxious. My point was...what changed? Its not like they had a recent great special which would have caused a backlog of orders. >>



I've wondered this same thing. Nobody knows for sure, but my suspicion is that they've laid off a few graders. Like you said, the recent specials haven't been barn-burners and this is typically the slow time of the season for submissions. If orders are backlogged it means one of two things: Either submissions are up or it's taking longer to process orders. My guess would be the latter.

hammered

My monthly special, 45-day subs, or "varies with demand" subs always pop faster than my premium subs.
Not sure why, but like you, my 10-day subs usually go the distance while my $4.50-per card large subs are processed in 3 business days.

My theory is that they put the bulk of their staff on the monthly specials, resulting in quicker turnaround.

jeffcbay

I don't see a change... we're still seeing $5 specials popping in three days, just as often as we see subs lasting two months.

Here's my December CC Special:

Total Items: 58
Date Received: 12/7/2011
Date Shipped: 12/14/2011

Dpeck100

I have never had a 10 day special pop early but have had most of the 45 specials well in advance of that number of days.

RookieWax

Their priorities seem out-of-whack, but it appears to happen with some consistency. Good to know for future reference. Thanks.

twiley

I never understood the whole wait time thing with PSA. None of it ever made any sense to me...

JustinsShoebox

3 of my 5 current subs are overdue as well, and these aren't 5 dollar specials; I paid full price. One sub that popped a couple weeks ago took a week to ship! They must have some kind of backlog, but it does frustrate customers a bit.

Justin

RonBurgundy

My CC free sub took 9 days.

I've also heard of multiple complaints of slower turns, but who really knows.

RookieWax

Getting really sick of seeing this every time I refresh my current pending order:

Your order is still being processed

wrestlingcardking

My wait is well documented.... Do you think if they were able to process orders faster that PSA would actually do more business?

RookieWax

Well, I can tell you personally that I renewed last year due to the quick turnaround times on all my "45 day" orders from the previous year. Knowing you can buy a group of cards, send them in, and get them back quickly motivated me to submit more such orders. Honestly, whether stated ahead of time or not, having customers wait 2 to 3 months for service is just plain rotten business practice. There is no excuse for that in ANY business.... regardless of the fact customers "will keep coming back" anyway.

Archaninator

.

JoeBanzai

My complaint is about "mechanical errors". I like that title. A machine put the incorrect information on the flip, even when it was CLEARLY listed correctly on submission form.

I have four items that show in my registry set as having being fixed for several days, but not yet shipped. Contacted PSA (email) and was told they would be mailed soon. Of course, there are several"mechanical errors" I have in hand, that I need to send in to be fixed, including a couple of wrongbacks. How close are the graders looking if they can't see the back is a different player (yes, noted on submission form).

I would think if PSA makes the mistake, they should make fixing the errors and returning the cards quickly a priority.

On the positive side my last three submissions all turned around early or very close to on time, although with the aforementioned mistakes.

Joe

Toro

Wow, this turned into a huge complaint thread. I recall people complaing that their 45 day subs(at a cheaper rate) were taking too long......now they're too fast but that's only because a 10 day sub takes 10 days?



<< <i> Honestly, whether stated ahead of time or not, having customers wait 2 to 3 months for service is just plain rotten business practice. There is no excuse for that in ANY business.... regardless of the fact customers "will keep coming back" anyway. >>



So there's a 60 and 90 day submission option? I've never submitted anything before. Honestly, I wouldn't mind waiting for a submission if I get the card graded cheaper. Isn't that the point of the 45 day submission? Wouldn't patience be a virtue as nobody is holding a gun to anyone's head to submit to PSA. Aren't there other grading companies out there?

MattyC

They actually did lay some people off. Those I know of weren't graders though.

RookieWax

<< <i>Wow, this turned into a huge complaint thread. I recall people complaing that their 45 day subs(at a cheaper rate) were taking too long......now they're too fast but that's only because a 10 day sub takes 10 days? >>



From what I have been reading here from others, I will be THRILLED if this 10 day order pops today(on the 10th business day). With PSA taking 9 days to fill Ron Burgundy's 5 day CC free submissions(something that actually would typically takes 2 to 3 days), it is a bad sign. And like I started when I started this post, something major must have changed with their personnel. I thought the opening of their east coast office was in an effort to cut down the shipping and grading wait times for everything, but that is clearly not the case either.

41GoudeyGuy

Maybe people took vacation at the Holidays and things got backed up? That happens at my job.

fiveniner

My renewal fee sub was processed on 12/28 and still no grades.

wrestlingcardking

wow, that is a long time for a renewal and still no poppage

JustinsShoebox

<< <i>My complaint is about "mechanical errors". I like that title. A machine put the incorrect information on the flip, even when it was CLEARLY listed correctly on submission form.

I have four items that show in my registry set as having being fixed for several days, but not yet shipped. Contacted PSA (email) and was told they would be mailed soon. Of course, there are several"mechanical errors" I have in hand, that I need to send in to be fixed, including a couple of wrongbacks. How close are the graders looking if they can't see the back is a different player (yes, noted on submission form).

I would think if PSA makes the mistake, they should make fixing the errors and returning the cards quickly a priority.

On the positive side my last three submissions all turned around early or very close to on time, although with the aforementioned mistakes.

Joe >>



One of my submissions just popped and this one also had another card labeled incorrectly. I had to call in this morning and get them to hold the shipment to correct the problem or this would have been another "mechanical error". I've had "mechanical errors" in almost 70% of my last subs which cost me money to send the card back and time. The last "mechnical error" took about 2-3 weeks to fix and return back to me.

Edited to add: For every card I send that I think might have a problem being a "mechanical error" I also list the spec number that I believe it should be. This one that I caught this morning has the spec number listed with the card on the submission form...

Justin

JustinsShoebox

Also...when I just called this morning, a CSR said that everyone is/was at a show and that hardly anyone was there?

What shows are going on right now?

Justin

Treetop

Talked with one of the administrative personnel recently and no lay-offs that would affect grading, just extremely busy for this time of the year. Normally January / Holidays are slower times, but not this year. They are starting to catch up and submissions should start moving at a better pace soon.

JustinsShoebox

Just wanted to add a note about my above comments.

After I called in this morning, they called me back and were able to correct the "mechanical issue" before shipping. They also processed my 3 overdues. I am back on track as of right now and still waiting on two 45 day subs.

They will listen and take action when issues are brought to attention, so +1 to them for helping me today. Though, receiving vouchers timely is another story.

Justin

bigreddog

Probably waiting on the new JTPA Temp workers they hired.