I'm New and Two Stupid Questions

trex

I'm new to the forum, and I think I have found a bounty of great information. A lot of good stuff here. Recently I've been upgrading my '62 set and want to send in some cards for grading. This will be my first attempt at sending cards in for grading. Having never done this, I have a question I can't find anywhere. I would like to be able to specify a minimum grade and if the card doesn't achieve that grade, I don't want it slabbed. Can this be done and if so how do you notify PSA to do so? I've looked at the submission form and don't see anywhere to specify this other than for crossovers. Of course my eyes aren't what they used to be. Any help with this if it can be done? I hate to go through the ordeal of cracking the case when I get it back, but then if I'm building a NM set, I don't really want a card to come back say a "5". I think they should be okay, they all have nice centering and sharp corners, even under 16x magnification, and all have good eye appeal, glossy and good registration. But then I have this thing in the back of my mind...what have I missed. Thanks for any help anyone might have, I hate to sound so naive.
Second stupid question. Any recommendations for a scanner for cards? My old scanner gave it up recently and I need a replacement. Looked on Amazon, some get decent reviews but none really great. Most of the scans put up here are excellent, so what's the secret and what scanner out there will work best for cards?
Thanks for any help you might offer and I look forward to contributing to the forum.

mealeworm

I would start out with a few stars to get a grasp on what PSA is looking for when they grade. Also be ready to be shocked.

A lot of people are unhappy with their first couple subs to PSA. It is a very humbling experience when someone tells you your mint cards are only ex/mt.


On the scanner topic. Get a scanner that has CCD it allows for thicker images and is great for slabbed cards.

Good luck

Dave

orioles93

Be careful with your selection of which cards you send in. I have sent many cards in that i thought were in Near Mint shape and they came back 5s and 6s. They catch even the smallest things that you cant see when they grade.

70ToppsFanatic

Welcome,

You CAN request MIN GRADE and also NO QUALIFIERS with any submissions. Just write it on the submission form in BOLD print after you list the card.
They have always followed these instructions for me.

jeffcbay

I think PSA only allows the "minimum grade option" for crossovers. I could be wrong though. EDIT: and it appears that I am wrong.

Myself and many people on here use the Epson Perfection V300 scanner. I absolutely love it, and it has the CCD (charge-coupled device) that allows you to scan graded cards and it reached the depth of the slab.

Dboneesq

Welcome to the boards and good luck with the '52 set. Stay active. Please post the results of your card when you get them.

I 2nd the "Epson Perfection V300 Photo" Scanner. I have had it for ~2 years and it takes great scans. From what people have been saying, look around and this scanner can be DELIVERED for ~$75.00.

Since Jeff showed you how a slabbed card looks, here is a raw one as well as a slabbed pack.

Sean1125

There are no such things as stupid questions when you are trying to educate yourself!

trex

I know. It was a sad attempt at humor.

cpamike

to the boards!!!

Good luck with your first submission to PSA. Let us know how you do.

gemint

I always thought you could specify a minimum grade but I'm looking at the form and it does state 'crossover only'. One thing you should do which I always do is request no qualifiers unless you don't mind getting the OC or PD kiss of death. That way if a card is NM-MT but only centered well enough for a 7, they'll give you the 7 instead of 8(OC). I'll forwarn you that they're tough on '62s. Any more than a slight touch of white showing on two corners and it's a 7 at best. Also watch out for print defects like grey/brown spots on the card. I see a lot of that on this issue for some reason. It must be due to the wax they used to seal the packs combined with the surface not being as shiney on this issue.

Bosox1976

Good luck with the 62's and welcome.

Cracking cards out of slabs is no big deal, if you end up with grades that you don't care for.

JoeBanzai

I agree with what has been said. I have an Epson as well and am very happy with it.

PSA is horrible at grading '62s I have a couple that look like easy nines and they came back 7's.

Welcome to the boards!

Joe

jay0791

many people reccomend epson scanners.
on grading. scan cards and write down grade you think.
post here and ask opinions. if you think psa 8 and everyone is saying psa 6/7 then be prepared to get shocked as said before here.

send in a small representative sample first to get an idea. you can lose some $ getting mid grade cards graded.

divecchia

As far as grading cards you can list next to the card the minimum grade you will accept for a card.

The Epson Perfection series are good scanners. I'm sure there are others that are just as good as long as they have the CCD (charge-coupled device) technology that allows for thicker objects to be scanned.

to the boards and good luck with your set.

Donato

trex

Yeah I know cracking cards is no big deal, but I would rather avoid it if I could on the front end.

trex

Thanks to everyone for the awesome response. I had totally forgotten about the no-qualifier statement, and I don't want any qualifiers. I have a '57 Mantle PSA 8 with an OC qualifier. I've had the card for years. The qualifier kinda ruins the card, if you know what I mean. I have often thought about sending back in for a re-eval without the qualifier, or cracking the case and sending it in with a no-qual statement. Call me chicken but I get real squeamish when it comes to cracking an "8" even if it is a "qualifier".

ga5150

I also will jump on the Epson bandwagon as I've had mine for a year or so and it makes wonderful scans. I too have the V300.

JohnnyD

A couple recommendations - post pictures of some of the cards you plan on submitting here first and trust me, you will get some potential grade opinions - I wish I had done that before my first submission.

Second - Submit the cards on a grading special, maybe a $5 special - so if the grades are not to your liking you can crack them out and keep them raw without losing much...

thunderdan

<< <i>There are no such things as stupid questions when you are trying to educate yourself! >>



There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots.

EAsports

<< <i>There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots. >>



I'd always framed it as:


"There are no stupid questions, just stupid people that ask questions."

trex

I like that...so cal me an inquisitive idiot...and I will learn.

trex

I would say inquisitive questions from less than knowledgeable people who are eager, willing and want to learn and apply newly learned knowledge.

rlange5

I thought that the minimum grade was for crossovers only. How does it work with a regular sub? What is the charge if it is below the minimum grade?

Bob

thunderdan

<< <i>I like that...so cal me an inquisitive idiot...and I will learn. >>



trex, i wasn't referring to you.

Brick

Hi, hello, how are ya?

There may not be stupid questions but I'm afraid I've given some stupid answers in my day.

trex

Thunderdan...I didn't think you were, and I didn't take it negatively. Just a general statement.

trex

Hello Brick...haven't we all!

trex

I ordered my new Epson Perfection V300 scanner today thanks to all the positive responses received, Thanks to all who responded.