I think the "loggage issues" with PSA are a stall tactic

RookieWax · May 4, 2012 9:37AM

Last month, I sent in a small group of cards to PSA for grading. I did not purchase delivery confirmation, so when I still did not see the cards even logged in after 10 days, I called them. I gave them only my PSA dealer number, and the person I spoke with was able to confirm my order was there and the exact type of order it was. So, clearly, my package had been opened and entered into the computer under my account. And the step of entering my list of cards likely had been done already as well. I mean, how long could that step take? I am sure they just find each card in a database and simply click on a box next to it. I finally saw my order show up on my account 5 days later. So it would appear that they are intentionally delaying the date at which it shows up as "arrived" so that their extremely slow grading turnaround times turn out "closer" to the stated times.

itzagoner · May 4, 2012 9:56AM

i was standing in line at the supermarket the other day and some lady in the front was fumbling around in her purse, presumably looking for a membership card to run through the slot so she could get her discounts, then she needed to repeat the process with her Visa card, which she couldn't seem to find right away, while the rest of us were waiting there tapping our feet and watching our Haagen-Dazs pints melt right there on the conveyor belt, and then she asks if they would accept a check and could she write it for $20 extra so she could have some cash, and damn!

she forgot eggs.

i bet she works for PSA, too.

brianwintersfan · May 4, 2012 10:06AM

<< Last month, I sent in a small group of cards to PSA for grading. I did not purchase delivery confirmation, so when I still did not see the cards even logged in after 10 days, I called them. I gave them only my PSA dealer number, and the person I spoke with was able to confirm my order was there and the exact type of order it was. So, clearly, my package had been opened and entered into the computer under my account. And the step of entering my list of cards likely had been done already as well. I mean, how long could that step take? I am sure they just find each card in a database and simply click on a box next to it. I finally saw my order show up on my account 5 days later. So it would appear that they are intentionally delaying the date at which it shows up as "arrived" so that their extremely slow grading turnaround times turn out "closer" to the stated times. >>

My question is why would you not purchase delivery confirmation?

RookieWax · May 4, 2012 10:09AM

I purchased insurance, so if it was lost the post office could track it using that information. The extra delivery confirmation purchased does nothing more than provide the convenience of being able to check the delivery status yourself.

Dpeck100 · May 4, 2012 10:09AM

The card market is on the upswing and they are getting more submissions then they are probably staffed for. A smart business will not higher new employees at first because they don't know how long the increased orders will last.

If this goes on for a few months they will need to increase staff levels.

I think in the big picture we should all be thrilled this is happening because many card prices have been moving much higher and PSA graded cards are bringing the strongest prices of any third party grading company.

DavidPuddy · May 4, 2012 10:11AM

<< So it would appear that they are intentionally delaying the date at which it shows up as "arrived" so that their extremely slow grading turnaround times turn out "closer" to the stated times. >>

Ding ding ding. We have a winner.

sportscardtheory · May 4, 2012 10:18AM

They must be busy slabbing the 7 million 9's and 10's for 4SC.

RookieWax · May 4, 2012 11:11AM

<< The card market is on the upswing and they are getting more submissions then they are probably staffed for. A smart business will not higher new employees at first because they don't know how long the increased orders will last.

If this goes on for a few months they will need to increase staff levels.

I think in the big picture we should all be thrilled this is happening because many card prices have been moving much higher and PSA graded cards are bringing the strongest prices of any third party grading company. >>

All true. However, this has been going on now for over 6 months. Where is the communication from PSA/Joe Orlando on this issue? Why not send out an e-mail to all PSA members apologizing and explaining what exactly is going on and what they are doing about it. And how about some vouchers or other means of appeasing customers? Especially those who have been waiting and waiting after paying higher grading fees for the faster turnaround times! All we have gotten from PSA is the silent treatment on this issue, along with these apparent games they are playing with our order "arrival" times.

CDsNuts · May 4, 2012 11:13AM

Who cares.

Dpeck100 · May 4, 2012 11:23AM

I don't think PSA owes us anything. If you go to your favorite restaurant on a Friday night and there is a wait that is longer then you want it to be it is for a reason. The food or atmosphere is good.

PSA is taking in a lot of cards for many reasons but the primary one is final sale price. All you have to do is look at a card like the 1993 SP Derek Jeter and you can see why the line is getting longer. The current bid on it that card in the SCP auction is $10,454 without the buyers premium. That is 6 times the BGS price and the auction has 14 days to go.

1993 SP Derek Jeter PSA 10 Gem Mint

bobbyw8469 · May 4, 2012 11:26AM

<< Who cares. >>

What?

RookieWax · May 4, 2012 11:42AM

<< I don't think PSA owes us anything. If you go to your favorite restaurant on a Friday night and there is a wait that is longer then you want it to be it is for a reason. The food or atmosphere is good.

PSA is taking in a lot of cards for many reasons but the primary one is final sale price. All you have to do is look at a card like the 1993 SP Derek Jeter and you can see why the line is getting longer. The current bid on it that card in the SCP auction is $10,454 without the buyers premium. That is 6 times the BGS price and the auction has 14 days to go.

1993 SP Derek Jeter PSA 10 Gem Mint >>

And if that Friday night restaurant manager told you your wait time is going to be about an hour, but you end up waiting two hours instead, I think you might be upset. And then when you question what took so long, the manager tells you that he meant 1 hour from when the hostess gave your name to the person who sits people (and not from the time you arrive), I think you would be even more upset. And after all of this, the manager offers no apology and no free appetizer or dessert.

This is more like what is happening at PSA.

Dpeck100 · May 4, 2012 11:49AM

Well either way the restaurant manager does not owe you a free dinner. I am quite aware of the frustration of waiting for cards. That being said the reason you are waiting is positive and in the end that is what will matter.

Dpeck100 · May 4, 2012 12:02PM

BBG,

I am not sure about shilling on any level at these auction houses and really have no reference point. That being said this auction is getting a ton of publicity and is sure to bring in some new buyers.

There have been sellers trying to get $25,000 for a Jeter on EBAY and to my knowledge have had no luck. This is a unique auction because I think with the recent price moves we have been seeing that a few new high dollar collectors will have moved into the market for this card and you are going to see a record number on this card for sure. With a PSA 10 Gem Mint Population of 9 that is a truly unique card with this card being in a PSA slab it is so much more rare then a BGS one and hence why it is so much more valuable.

PSA is the leader, plain and simple. This SCP auction is only going to make that more evident. This is the greatest free advertising ever for this firm and every major media outlet will be covering the final prices of the cards from this historic auction.

You are going to see so many record prices come from this auction and every card is graded by PSA. Joe must bee smiling from ear to ear.

In the end I think there are going to be deep enough pockets in the hunt for many of these cards that it will far surpass what a shill bid would have brought anyway.

grote15 · May 4, 2012 12:04PM

Maybe you should submit your cards to SGC. I hear they have much shorter turnaround times..

mccardguy1 · May 4, 2012 12:08PM

<< Well either way the restaurant manager does not owe you a free dinner. I am quite aware of the frustration of waiting for cards. That being said the reason you are waiting is positive and in the end that is what will matter. >>

The restaurant doesnt owe anyone a free dinner because of the extended wait time but that customer can chose to remain in line waiting or look for another restaurant that will provide comparable quality and service (and even better service in some cases) at better prices with no inflated wait times. We have the same choices and may are exploring their options.

Mickey71 · May 4, 2012 12:40PM

PSA is the big dog in town....I get that. My question is this....How do we know that their submissions have so dramatically increased? I mean..how are we basing this info? The current specials are not any better than the specials they've had for over a year now. I remember they had a $4.25 special and it was nothing like what's going on now. And DPECK100...can you stop talking about restaurants? I'm stuck working late and am getting hungry. Can you email me a prime rib. Please.

RookieWax · May 4, 2012 12:52PM

The deception with the 'arrival' time is the thing that really irks me. And sorry Mickey, but we are also getting hungry for poppage. And by the way, I don't expect a free "dinner" from PSA. Just some honesty, communication, and an apology. And a free "dessert" or "appetizer" from PSA would go a long way in making sure I "eat" again at PSA real soon.

Dboneesq · May 4, 2012 12:53PM

<< Can you email me a prime rib. Please.

>>

WalterSobchak · May 4, 2012 1:00PM

<< I am quite aware of the frustration of waiting for cards. >>

I'm not aware of that. Is that an issue around here? If so, why don't I ever see any threads about it?

itzagoner · May 4, 2012 1:01PM

by all means PSA should "apologize" to everyone of us with a voucher for free services to kiss and make up.

then we can expect yet another wave of complaining as everyone realizes that the next Great Bottleneck happened when 7,000,000 kiss-and-make-up vouchers were submitted at the exact same time.

Mickey71 · May 4, 2012 1:03PM

Doug,
That's cruel and unusual punishment. My goodness that looks good.

CDsNuts · May 4, 2012 1:05PM

I'm not aware of that. Is that an issue around here? If so, why don't I ever see any threads about it?

Did you enable your cookies?

WalterSobchak · May 4, 2012 1:17PM

<< Did you enable your cookies? >>

Not in the sense that you mean.

CDsNuts · May 4, 2012 1:22PM

Did you check your TCP/IP settings?

Sean1125 · May 4, 2012 1:38PM

The more their cards bring the more they can justify charging for their service...

Bigjohn69 · May 4, 2012 1:43PM

can someone tell me what this taste like, its been so long since i ate one i forgot,, thanks,

>>

DavidPuddy · May 4, 2012 1:45PM

<< can someone tell me what this taste like, its been so long since i ate one i forgot,, thanks,
>>

>>

Like warm apple pie.

gumbyfan · May 4, 2012 2:36PM

<< The more their cards bring the more they can justify charging for their service... >>

What does this have to do with the topic at hand?

PSARich · May 4, 2012 11:06PM

Like many of you, I have submitted many cards to PSA for grading and have enjoyed rather fast turn-a-rounds, usually 1-2 weeks. I think I have become spoiled by the estimated "45-day wait times" and pretty much ignored them because they never came into play.....1-2 weeks and I had my cards back. Now I am waiting like the rest of you. But really, PSA estimates 45 days on most of the specials and my last order popped on day 45. So PSA was pretty much on schedule. Not what I have been used to but certainly within what they estimate. My most recent order arrived seven days ago and I am waiting for it to get logged in. I know they have it because of delivery confirmation. I also know they are working on Saturdays to do log-ins as that is when my last order was logged. Fact is, business is booming and they are trying to deal with the surge. They will get it right with some time. They have not become the leader in grading and authentication because they have a bad business model. I do agree that perhaps a posted letter from PSA explaining what is happening and how they dealing with it might be helpful. But really, ripping on PSA, using their own message board, is not the best way to promote improvement in services. However, the fact that they are tolerant of some of these postings at least tells us that they are willing to hear from submitters about concerns...give them some credit for that.

DavidPuddy · May 4, 2012 11:15PM

<< Fact is, business is booming and they are trying to deal with the surge >>

Not fact.

Sean1125 · May 4, 2012 11:17PM

<< 

<< The more their cards bring the more they can justify charging for their service... >>

What does this have to do with the topic at hand? >>

It has to do with what Dpeck said about the prices of the cards being strong.

What does questioning every post I make have to do with you? Absolutely nothing but you do it anyway!

itzagoner · May 4, 2012 11:27PM

quality post from PSARich, as usual......you'd think by now, after seeing several various forum members describe their recent experiences, that some of the grumblers would "get it".

they really ARE that busy.

when guys who typically get to wave their "look at me" banners after a quick turnaround (myself included) are instead required to wait up to the maximum 45 days, that must be an indication worth recognizing.

i maintain, as i have all along, that the $4.50 Baseball special back in March released a locust-like response from the membership.

they got slammed. and they weren't prepared for it. and they are still playing catch up.

i've yet to hear any excuses from them about it, only apologies. that's good enough for me right now. i look forward to seeing my hostages again someday soon.

fiveniner · May 4, 2012 11:59PM

I do not mind waiting 45 days if thats the turnaround time.When I was submiiting on the 45 day turnaround and it took about that much time for my poppage
my grades were much better overall almost what I expected.When I turned in a 45 day sub and they popped in 3 to 5 days the grades were not as expected
I know I no professional grader however I can tell the difference between a 6 and an 8.As far as I am concerened they can take their entire time if need be in order to do better accurate grading.I am only speaking for myself.Sometime its worth the wait.

DavidPuddy · May 5, 2012 12:52AM

Waiting the entire approximated number of days for your items to be graded is acceptable.
Waiting 5, 10 15+ days for your items to be logged in, while other items received after yours are logged in a just a few days is UNacceptable.

fiveniner · May 5, 2012 1:17AM

<< Waiting the entire approximated number of days for your items to be graded is acceptable.
Waiting 5, 10 15+ days for your items to be logged in, while other items received after yours are logged in a just a few days is UNacceptable. >>

PSARich · May 5, 2012 9:37AM

I guess that I developed my patience back in the late 1990s when you would send an order in to PSA and receive it back from 3-4 months later. And at that time, orders were not posted on the website for you to follow. Like most new businesses they were growing in many ways, including an increase in services, volume of orders, as well as employees. They even lost key leaders and employees as other competing grading services sprang up, offering deals to those with experience in the business. Yet, the fact that PSA survived as the strongest certainly says plenty about their business. Saying that, the way that PSA submissions are handled on their website now is such an improvement over the growing years. Like I said earlier, I admit I've become spoiled by the logging, grading, and returns being so much faster than the estimated service times. I even posted on the board not too long ago that I had joined the waiting for grades to be posted club, although hopefully it was viewed with the humor it was meant to be. So now there is a slowdown and I believe PSA will make the adjustments to get back to service levels we have become used to. As to whether their "business is booming" is a fact or not, I base that on when I called PSA regarding my last order being in its 8th week, I was told that a surge in business during March and into April had set them behind. I have always received good cutomer service during inquires and see no reason to believe what I was told is not factual. However, on this message board, opinions have normally been welcomed and if some of you believe that PSA has been less than up front with you when you have contacted them and inquired about your orders, why not try giving them another call and perhaps you can get the information you need.

CDsNuts · May 5, 2012 10:07AM

I wonder if bird watchers, knitters or fly fisherman get this stressed out over their hobby.

lifeshouldbefun · May 5, 2012 11:37AM

What does questioning every post I make have to do with you? Absolutely nothing but you do it anyway!

Because most of what you say is completely worthless. It's just too easy to laugh

I send them, I wait, it is what it is. No reason for me to get all uptight about wait times. I do agree some games
are being played over there, and until my cards are logged, I worry a little bit about them getting lost in the shuffle.

itzagoner · May 5, 2012 12:11PM

<< I wonder if bird watchers, knitters or fly fisherman get this stressed out over their hobby. >>

that's pretty funny. i dare you to find a fly fisherman who wouldn't get stressed out over you calling it a hobby.

WinPitcher · May 5, 2012 12:13PM

Now that's funny.

Archaninator · May 5, 2012 12:24PM

.

vladguerrero · May 5, 2012 12:37PM

<< I wonder if bird watchers, knitters or fly fisherman get this stressed out over their hobby. >>

I find the stress relief offered by the hobby of public masturbation offsets the stress I get from my grading hobby.

otwcards · May 5, 2012 2:26PM

Nobody sends submissions to PSA any more . . . they're too busy...

Piggs · May 5, 2012 2:32PM

<< Nobody sends submissions to PSA any more . . . they're too busy... >>

"Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded" - Yogi

otwcards · May 5, 2012 3:20PM

<< 

<< Nobody sends submissions to PSA any more . . . they're too busy... >>

"Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded" - Yogi >>

Bingo! We have a winner.

I think the &quot;loggage issues&quot; with PSA are a stall tactic

Comments

I think the "loggage issues" with PSA are a stall tactic