Dear PSA.....
Mefer
Posts: 1,162 ✭✭✭
I'm a faithful PSA supporter but in the words of a great baseball movie, "you're killin' me Smalls" with the recent price history on specials. Pretty please, with sugar on top, provide a special between 5 and 6 dollars so I may give you more money in the form of a membership renewal and grading fees in relation to a stash of relatively low value cards I've amassed over the last year.
Carry on!
Matt
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"No soup for you!!!"
I would like to see a lower special price as well but it just is not happening. I have been utilizing the 100 card bulk pricing of $7 per. It is just economics. Why lower your price when demand is so high? They are constantly backed up with orders taking as long as 10 days to log. It does not make much sense to lower prices and create and even larger logjam
Why just go right out and ask them to lose money?
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It doesn't make sense not to hire qualified, well paid people to handle the demand. If it takes 20 seconds to grade a card and Joe Q. Customer pays $6.00 to get a card graded, then a grader can generate $18.00 x 60 = $1,080 in one hour. If you assume that only $3.00 per card goes to grading with the remaining going to slabbing and packaging, then you're still at $540 per hour per grader. Since we know that two graders look at every card.......BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA......then we're at $270 per hour per grader.
If you actually pay a skilled grader $40 per hour ($80,000 per year), then PSA can generate $230 per hour per grader in income while still having very attractive specials. If I were Mr. PSA, I'd be hiring.
bobsbbcards SGC Registry Sets
In all the years I have known him that is the most I have seen Bob laugh.
I will have to ask Doug G to get all the skilled graders he knows to apply for jobs at PSA
Bowman Baseball -1948-1955
Fleer Baseball-1923, 1959-2007
Al
With all due respect I believe you have missed the point. I'm not asking PSA to lose money or do something as crazy as grade cards at 50 cents a pop.
What I believe is happening is that there are a number of collectors out there like myself who enjoy picking up raw cards, of relatively inexpensive raw value of around twenty dollars or less from the 60s and 70s, for submission in the hopes of hitting some 10s. These are the cards that really need 10s (9s or better if we are talking 71 Topps) in order to make it worthwhile.
The September special is cost prohibitive as the risk/reward ratio is too high (i.e. not even grading fees can be recouped if 10s are not scored). Even at $7.00 a pop that creates a high risk in this area as you have to invest $700.00 with the need of scoring, depending on the cards of course, generally at least a 10 percent 10 ratio. It is extremely difficult to submit 100 cards within this era and say with a straight face you have a high level of confidence of killing it on 10s.
There is a dwindling amount of these cards available. Piles of raw pristine looking star cards from the 60s or earlier pop up frequently enough to justify those prices without blinking an eye. The whole purpose of grading is to add value- not lose value. Thus I have cards that remain ungraded.
While I don't know for sure, I suspect modern rookies are the driving force currently and providing a large portion of PSA income. Value can be added (10s are easier to hit) and incentive in turn exists to pay at the current tiers.
When it is all said and done, I do believe PSA is leaving money on the table by not offering a special in the five to six dollar range. I have trouble believing offering such a special from time to time would not be profitable as it:
On point three, I simply do not see how PSA would lose money at this price point. Let's be real-- considering these specials in the past have rightfully had value caps (no 52 Mantles), PSA is pulling cards that do not need as much time attention (I think we would all be crazy to believe PSA scrutinizes a 78 Topps common to the same degree as a 52 Mantle). I suspect a grader can do at least 150 to 200 cards an hour (and I am sure they must meet certain speed quotas).
In the end of course I'm not saying PSA give a special so low they lose money. That makes no sense. I do however believe this would be a money maker for them and sweep in cards to be graded that otherwise would be missed.
Matt
Why does everyone always seem to think the grader is the only expense for PSA?
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Well I do agree with you there. Shipping and receiving staff, management, supply costs, and general overhead all come in to play. Even considering those, my sense is that PSA could still turn a profit at the 5 to 6 range based upon the economies of scale.
I 2nd this request!!! It's about time...
I think everyone understands this intellectually, but we see an equal number of complaints about delays in logging/grading and lack of good specials. We can't have it both ways.
The thing you ALL are missing here is: 1800 N508 Women Baseball Players
WTH on mocking us men by THAT being the FIRST BASEBALL SET listed in the PSA Registry ??? Ohhhhh the mockery. Are 'THEY' saying WOMEN RULED BASEBALL CARDS from 1800 to when the next set listed is in 1861 ???
This concern is FAR worse than the current discussion.
That's a good point and I myself have complained about turn around times. Guilty as charged here. But all things considered, I'd rather have cards in for grading I can complaint about not being graded fast enough versus not sending any in as it doesn't make sense from a value added standpoint on my end.
You had me at including the word 'intellectually' on this forum. Please don't disgrace KISS past anything they did themselves on everything after Destroyer.
Would be nice but just not going to happen.
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.
Haha! Many great albums came after Destroyer. I'm a fan of all eras of KISS!!
"Good news everyone."
Same as the last month and the same it will always be.
I hope not but did not see it post yet
sadly, same type of specials, PRE 56...
or a special for only T11 Turkey Red cards....
Come on man!
Love gun??? Christine Sixteen
Heh Heh.. you know... some of the later stuff was actually pretty good. Alive II was awesome.
I got excited for a moment but then saw the pre-56 requirement. I don't have a single card worthy of this let alone 50. Hopefully it is a sign for next month. Until then PSA, I am tapping out again!
Ok. Phew. You've redeemed yourself as Alive II is my all time favorite album. Bonus points for the Scotty icon. Anthrax is in my top five favorite bands. In the words of Charlie Sheen, you sir are now winning!
Matt
Shipping is not a cost at PSA it is a huge profit for them. The October "specials" are a joke.
I agree shipping makes some profit for them. I'm not sure it is "huge" but it it adds to the bottom line and I'm sure defrays costs in the shipping and receiving department.
The latest special is rather puzzling but maybe it will foreshadow a similar price point for cards after 56 next month. I'll continue to wait.
I thought that was pretty good
I would not necessarily go so far as calling it "b-------"; its not ending my world and I am still a big PSA supporter. I am glad it is doing well and that helps us all.
Those price breaks you mention are just too much of a risk in what I want to send in. They would have me at $6.25 a card with a 50 card minimum like the current special (albeit change it to 56 to present). I take that special as a good sign that perhaps they will run this one next month for newer cards.
As far as PSA pulling in tons of cards (which, again, is great news don't get me wrong), I would be curious to learn what is the breakdown as far as types of cards. I suspect without any factual knowledge that PSA's bread and butter is coming from modern rookies (predominately 2010 and later) as those are generally fairly easy to hit 10s on and even at $7.00 a card, value beyond that can be added for the right player.
In any event, it sounds like you have done well and are happy with the pricing. That is really all you can ask for! Continued success on your submissions!
Matt
I find it odd that many people disagreed with the OP, don't they want lower prices? It silly to say we are bitching, these specials have been going on for years, it's not like we are asking for something new.
Successful card BST transactions with cbcnow, brogurt, gstarling, Bravesfan 007, and rajah 424.
I am glad someone believes the song remains the same.....
Hey thanks, it's awesome some of us can still think Frehley! lol
Successful card BST transactions with cbcnow, brogurt, gstarling, Bravesfan 007, and rajah 424.
Have you been working for the same pay for years?
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What a great apples to oranges comparison!
Successful card BST transactions with cbcnow, brogurt, gstarling, Bravesfan 007, and rajah 424.
In general, the cost of a product/service is going to rise over time. Inflation, employees get raises, property taxes go up, shipping costs go up, etc. Do you want PSA to freeze wages so they can offer you a $5 or $6 special? PSA specials have gone up, just like the cost of a lot of goods we purchase have gone up over time.
I don't get why people think there should be an exception for PSA.
I am going on 3 months waiting for a $7 bulk submission. Can you imagine the wait time on slew of $6 specials?
Does wait times really bother people unless it's a modern submission with hot prospects that you want to flip quickly to make fast cash? I would take a 6.00 special and if I have to wait 60+ day so be it. It's only cards. I know that I some point, I will get my cards back and it's something to look forward too. Not trying to get flamed here, but I never understood why collectors get bent out of shape over wait times. I'll take a cheaper special with longer wait times any day....
This is no bueno for someone with several just over 1 month...
47 business days here on a bulk submission
Not gonna happen = those $5-6 pricing level days are done .
As stated in prior threads the $6.50 -7.00 range will be the bottom you'll see and I don't see that coming soon . Not after hearing about "another record year" posted on twitter by Joe just a week ago.
BGS is floundering with lack of staff and times on slow stuff have ballooned from 45 business days to 60 to 75 to now averaging 83 business - not even close to PSA's 50 business average. SGC I couldn't even get email replies ( hello Hurricanes) and I view them as a distant third still. Why lower prices when competitors are just hanging on ??
I don't see low prices happening until perhaps January 2018 when everyone is broke with Christmas expenses and the pre-season for baseball is about to start. PSA traditionally runs a modern special then. Even then I don't expect to see anything near those old levels-- maybe $6.25-$6.50 at best
My opinion of course- I do 100 card 50 day bulks 2 times a week with PSA = it hasn't slowed down in the last 6 months. My crossovers have increased from 1 a month to 3 a month and my 30 day bulks from 1 a month to 5 a month.
Jeff
If PSA doesn't want to run the specials they should just say so instead of board members speaking and assuming for them like they own stock. Do the people that keep mentioning Joe Orlando get some kind of discount?
Successful card BST transactions with cbcnow, brogurt, gstarling, Bravesfan 007, and rajah 424.
I get what you’re saying g, but I look at it the same way I do when I hear people complain about the high prices at Disneyland and plead with them to lower prices when in reality Disneyland can almost name their price and it will still be overcrowded every day. PSA has the market and are overflowed with orders without lowering prices. Good ol Capitalism at its finest. God Bless America
TheClockworkAngelCollection
Interesting take. I could stomach a special, similar to the current one at $6.25 per card, for 1956 to present. For me, requiring a 100 card bulk submission is too much of a risk as I would need to send in "some fat" (i.e., hope and prayer cards that may hit better grades) that I prefer not to gamble on.
You do have me curious if I may ask-- what does your bulk submissions typically consist of? Modern cards after 2000? A mix? I ask as I believe it can possibly work (i.e., add value) for recent modern cards that are relatively easy to score 10s. It is much more difficult, and risky in my view, at that price point to submit cards in my wheelhouse-- 1959 to 1980-- with the hopes of hitting some 10s.
Matt
Mix on 100 card bulks- different years/types. I've experienced success however both ways- have sent some same type card subs and done well.
On your wheelhouse-- I'd separate out the chum from the good stuff and sub at the 30 day rate. Worth the risk and the $3 extra really won't factor in. One good 10 and the sub is paid for in full. And the 30 day rate just requires 10 as opposed to 100.
All it takes is one big hit. I think if one is willing to run with the big dogs one takes risks.
I personally can even sell the lower grades - sometimes at a gain, some at a loss , but at least funds came back in from the adventure. Minimizing the total hit makes it a profitable adventure when done correctly.
My opinion of course-
Jeff
p.s. Any you feel aren't worth the risk-- see me I'll let you sub at $6.50 ( that's the 6.25 plus declared value fee) if you come up with 50. I have enough vouchers to not worry about the cost difference
Thanks Jeff for further insight. You appear to be doing well and that is always good to see with a fellow collector. I am inherently more risk adverse so I tend to be cautious with my collecting dollar (and, to be honest, I don't primarily grade to make a killing but rather at least keep some cards for my personal collection with the end game hope of at least breaking even on my submission costs).
Did not realize PSA had a 10 card minimum, $10.00 bulk level. Assuming $24.00 for return shipping, plus shipping costs, looks like roughly $134.00 investment. It is certainly possible to hit a return on just 10 cards with careful review and ensuring only the "creme" is submitted. I may look into this at some later point but for now, I am going to sit tight and see if a special hits (and, again, my fingers are crossed for a $6.25 special for 56 to present next month given this month's special).
Good take and insight. Thank you.
Matt