What Strategy Do You Use On Your Monthly Specials?

mrpeanut39

For years whenever I submitted cards on the monthly specials I'd place them in order by year first and then numerically. I've ranged from the 50s to the early 80s on my submissions. But usually I'd stick to only a couple of years per submittal. Anyways... it always seemed to me that the first card of the order and then the first card of any run of subsequent years would be graded harshly. So for this month's order I thought I'd try something different. I sent in about 25 1972s and about 75 1983s. I still ordered them by year, but instead of numerically, I placed them in random order. In addition to that I placed a sacrificial lamb at the beginning of the 72s and 83s. These cards were in similar condition to the other cards from those years, but I already had them in my desired grade. Interested to see what happens.

I don't know? Maybe I'm overthinking the whole thing. I'd be interested to hear any other strategies you may be willing to share.

1neatstuff

i submit and pray

alnavman

<< <i>i submit and pray >>



I agree, just mailed in a batch of supersized cards in the $10 special and hope they come back graded highly....all HOF'ers from the 1995 Finest Pro Bowl jumbo set.....they were in a sealed set that I recently opened.

1neatstuff

yeah we just mailed in a fair amount of 1971-77 opc baseball cards that are pack fresh so lets hope the graders are in a nice mood

cards651

I tend to disagree about the first card being graded harshly. To me, that does not make sense. I do feel that the graders (there are always supposed to be two) look at the entire submission and try to ensure that the best cards receive the best grades and the weakest cards receive the worst grades. Sounds simplistic but seems fairest and tends to ensure that customers return. (Inevitably, one compares grades within the same sub so differences within the sub are important.) My initial subs were collectively very weak but they always found a way to throw me a bone on a few cards. If my comments are correct, I believe it makes sense to submit in smaller batches, 50 to 80 cards as opposed to 100 to 200. These comments may be a bit of a stretch but they seem to hold based on my experience.

mrpeanut39

<< <i>i submit and pray >>



Ha ha. That goes without saying.

mrpeanut39

<< <i>I tend to disagree about the first card being graded harshly. To me, that does not make sense. I do feel that the graders (there are always supposed to be two) look at the entire submission and try to ensure that the best cards receive the best grades and the weakest cards receive the worst grades. Sounds simplistic but seems fairest and tends to ensure that customers return. (Inevitably, one compares grades within the same sub so differences within the sub are important.) My initial subs were collectively very weak but they always found a way to throw me a bone on a few cards. If my comments are correct, I believe it makes sense to submit in smaller batches, 50 to 80 cards as opposed to 100 to 200. These comments may be a bit of a stretch but they seem to hold based on my experience. >>



I know PSA says 3 graders (I thought) look at each card. But I tend to think that only applies to the big money cards. I'd suspect that only one set of eyes takes a gander at my 1983 Porfiro Altimirano and Juan Eichelberger and the like.

The way I see it when a grader starts off with a run of cards from the same year, they're not going to get a feel for the quality of the cards and tend to start out conservatively. Not to mention the fact that they may have just looked at 100 2012 cards before looking at my 1972 cards.

Mefer

Why I have no way to prove it, I think human nature would preclude the graders from awarding 10s on every card even though in your personal selection process, every card was a "rock star" (razor corners, 50/50 centering). Shoot I would even be willing to bet that if you took 20 cards graded 10 in your collection and then cracked and resubmitted those cards (assuming no injury in the crack and resubmit), no more than 4 or 5 would come back again as 10s. I just don't think graders (being human) can accept all cards beIng a 10.

With the above said, it is probably better strategically to submit in small numbers. I broke that rule this month though with the 100 card $4.50 special. I have my fingers crossed.

cards651

<< <i>Why I have no way to prove it, I think human nature would preclude the graders from awarding 10s on every card even though in your personal selection process, every card was a "rock star" (razor corners, 50/50 centering). Shoot I would even be willing to bet that if you took 20 cards graded 10 in your collection and then cracked and resubmitted those cards (assuming no injury in the crack and resubmit), no more than 4 or 5 would come back again as 10s. I just don't think graders (being human) can accept all cards beIng a 10. >>



mefer - I agree with your assessment. I think the PSA folks would disagree but I think you are spot on. You need to account for the 'human nature' aspect of this entire process. For exactly this reason, I don't even try to pick out all perfect cards because the typical sub will simply not receive perfect grades. I know there have been examples on the board of perfect subs but they are the exception that prove the rule you describe.