With millions of cards already graded it's not worth the headache, expense, and long wait times to submit anymore. And don't even get me started on the pack holders. I've stopped buying PSA slabbed wax packs as I've had three different packs bought at auction in 2025 arrive to me with gum pokes in the wrapper due to the poor holder design. The gum pokes drive me nuts, so I took a combined $800.00 bath when selling these packs. Never again.
Last year, PSA began rolling out their holiday grading specials on November 16 and continued through December 31. They included a relatively large number of different offers that were each valid for a much shorter period than the usual ones, and during that interval, the current holiday offers changed progressively every few days or so. It sure would have been nice to see that marketing concept come back again this season, but apparently the only holiday special they are doing is the holiday gift guide instead, which is unfortunately just items to purchase, and not grading offers.
Well my plan didnt work.
It's gone
So up from here on. Have fun. I have 12 trillion pokemon cards I would love to grade. But the price is way way to cheap.
Please raise it to 51.99 per card with a value less than 50.00 please!
They raised the bulk submission prices and had not had a card special in months. I would be fine with a special at the previous bulk submission prices. After 25 years and 267 submissions totaling thousands of cards, I let my membership run out. Seems pointless to renew until there is a special that I want to use.
I haven't sent anything in for grading in years, so I decided to compare, out of curiosity, using 50 cards (not TCG cards) as a submission size:
PSA
$21.99 + $149 / 50 = $24.97 per card when you prorate the collectors club fee to get bulk pricing
95 business day turnaround time
CGC
$14 per card
40 business day turnaround time
Serious question - is there a significant difference in value of a PSA 9 versus a CGC 9? I know it probably depends on the issue, but if we're talking, say, $50 cards and you assume that in this environment you will not hit a 10 with PSA, could a reasonable strategy be to submit to CGC and if any of those hit a 10, then resubmit those 10s to PSA with a chance to hit a 10 there? Of course, the increased value in a PSA 10 would have to warrant the cost of gambling on resubmission. This also assumes that only CGC 10s have a realistic shot at a PSA 10.
I know - lots of assumptions, but it would seem if you are looking for return on value, if there isn't at least an $11 difference in value of a PSA 9 versus a CGC 9, you're better off submitting to CGC and then make a decision to try to cross over any 10s.
@gemint said:
Are there really that many cards out there that justify a $20+ submission fee? With shipping costs and selling costs, a card has to be worth $30 just to break even.
The current "value" option is $27.99. This has nearly doubled from just a few years ago. I fully expect this to exceed $40 by 2027 after the acquisition of BGS.
Now seeing Arena Club join the fray. I saw their commercials during baseball season. Nice looking holder. Who's financing them, I wonder? [chin scratch]
The interesting thing is that a brand new grading company that offered reasonable prices, faster turnaround times, and hobby trust could easily take 50%+ of the market within 5 years.
@gemint said:
Are there really that many cards out there that justify a $20+ submission fee? With shipping costs and selling costs, a card has to be worth $30 just to break even.
The current "value" option is $27.99. This has nearly doubled from just a few years ago. I fully expect this to exceed $40 by 2027 after the acquisition of BGS.
So, basically the algebra on that is PSA can do half the grading and still make the same amount. These rates eliminate all the set building for sure and also eliminates a lot of the speculation on less expensive cards.
This entire concept seems to be to only go after the high $$$ modern chase cards and charge a ton more to do those grades. Those are easier to grade, take less time and I'm sure allow them to spend less to grade/card.
Vintage collectors are out in this scenario and why I don't send any in anymore.
@pdoidoi said:
I think vintage has not been on PSA's radar in a very long time.
That happened. As predictable as it was, still a shame they decided that as the amount and quality of vintage cards slowly decreased, they knew it would not continue to be their cash cow. I've posted before about my feeling on this. They've abandoned the very same people who helped build their brand. Without all the vintage submissions and the registry, they would never have experienced the worth they possess now. They've left us in a ditch on the side of the road and said "Goodbye, old farts. Enjoy your pretty old cards. We're moving on. An entire new generation of hustlers has been waiting on us. Later."
@gemint said:
Are there really that many cards out there that justify a $20+ submission fee? With shipping costs and selling costs, a card has to be worth $30 just to break even.
The current "value" option is $27.99. This has nearly doubled from just a few years ago. I fully expect this to exceed $40 by 2027 after the acquisition of BGS.
So, basically the algebra on that is PSA can do half the grading and still make the same amount. These rates eliminate all the set building for sure and also eliminates a lot of the speculation on less expensive cards.
This entire concept seems to be to only go after the high $$$ modern chase cards and charge a ton more to do those grades. Those are easier to grade, take less time and I'm sure allow them to spend less to grade/card.
Vintage collectors are out in this scenario and why I don't send any in anymore.
so do cards that are worth $50 now, like a PSA 10 2006 Topps base Albert Pujols (just threw out a random card) become a little more valuable because not too many people are going to pay $40 to sub a card that is only worth a little more than that $40, and that is only if you happen to get a 10? In any case, I best start subbing all my Jordans and other major star cards in the next half year or so before they drastically raise bulk pricing...
Go for it. Just know the average persons standards only goes to a 9. If you want a 50.00 10 grade you must grade it a min of 3 times in order to get the happy up charge. And not sure if it will go up in value when you have the other guy getting stacks of gems with no effort.
@gemint said:
Are there really that many cards out there that justify a $20+ submission fee? With shipping costs and selling costs, a card has to be worth $30 just to break even.
The current "value" option is $27.99. This has nearly doubled from just a few years ago. I fully expect this to exceed $40 by 2027 after the acquisition of BGS.
So, basically the algebra on that is PSA can do half the grading and still make the same amount. These rates eliminate all the set building for sure and also eliminates a lot of the speculation on less expensive cards.
This entire concept seems to be to only go after the high $$$ modern chase cards and charge a ton more to do those grades. Those are easier to grade, take less time and I'm sure allow them to spend less to grade/card.
Vintage collectors are out in this scenario and why I don't send any in anymore.
so do cards that are worth $50 now, like a PSA 10 2006 Topps base Albert Pujols (just threw out a random card) become a little more valuable because not too many people are going to pay $40 to sub a card that is only worth a little more than that $40, and that is only if you happen to get a 10? In any case, I best start subbing all my Jordans and other major star cards in the next half year or so before they drastically raise bulk pricing...
Absolutely. Simple supply/demand. Fewer there are the more demand (until there isn't for those of us who remember the junk era) there will be.
I enjoy subbing vintage team cards because I always thought they were super cool. That now makes no sense at all. Don't do those anymore.
I get this is where the grading industry has to go but it's a sad time for sure. I guess it's another reminder of how old I'm getting! In 5 or 10 years grading will be a completely different part of the hobby for sure. My guess it will only be for the most high $$ collector and everyone else will be out. Targeting the richer collector seems to be the trend in a lot of collectibles and fine art.
Too bad about SGC. That was vintage's sanctuary and lately every show I've been to exclusively used that platform. Maybe another one will arrive. How about just Vintage grading". Something that identifies with the older not looking to get rich collector. Go make your millions
Looks like its a wast to grade coins now. Seems Slabs dont matter for modern stuff or bullion.
Thought this current coin dealers video was interesting. at min 3 they are just busting coin slabs by the thousands just to melt the stuff. I bring it up because they are owned by Collectors and not many changes over there with prices and grading. https://youtube.com/watch?v=WHy3O1vdhRI&t=28s
@handyman said:
Go for it. Just know the average persons standards only goes to a 9. If you want a 50.00 10 grade you must grade it a min of 3 times in order to get the happy up charge. And not sure if it will go up in value when you have the other guy getting stacks of gems with no effort.
'tis simply about maintaining the medians.
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972) Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
Its allot simpler and cheaper to collect cards that are not entombed in plastic. Know your cards and grade them yourselves. Its the old fashioned way and the best way to truly enjoy this HOBBY.
I keep hoping for those promised Set Registry specials that we were assured would occur when the price increases took effect several years ago. Guess either that has been forgotten or the economics of the current grading landscape make it undesirable from the PSA side. I would very much like a special in that manner.
Comments
With millions of cards already graded it's not worth the headache, expense, and long wait times to submit anymore. And don't even get me started on the pack holders. I've stopped buying PSA slabbed wax packs as I've had three different packs bought at auction in 2025 arrive to me with gum pokes in the wrapper due to the poor holder design. The gum pokes drive me nuts, so I took a combined $800.00 bath when selling these packs. Never again.
Last year, PSA began rolling out their holiday grading specials on November 16 and continued through December 31. They included a relatively large number of different offers that were each valid for a much shorter period than the usual ones, and during that interval, the current holiday offers changed progressively every few days or so. It sure would have been nice to see that marketing concept come back again this season, but apparently the only holiday special they are doing is the holiday gift guide instead, which is unfortunately just items to purchase, and not grading offers.
Well my plan didnt work.
It's gone
So up from here on. Have fun. I have 12 trillion pokemon cards I would love to grade. But the price is way way to cheap.
Please raise it to 51.99 per card with a value less than 50.00 please!
They raised the bulk submission prices and had not had a card special in months. I would be fine with a special at the previous bulk submission prices. After 25 years and 267 submissions totaling thousands of cards, I let my membership run out. Seems pointless to renew until there is a special that I want to use.
I haven't sent anything in for grading in years, so I decided to compare, out of curiosity, using 50 cards (not TCG cards) as a submission size:
PSA
$21.99 + $149 / 50 = $24.97 per card when you prorate the collectors club fee to get bulk pricing
95 business day turnaround time
CGC
$14 per card
40 business day turnaround time
Serious question - is there a significant difference in value of a PSA 9 versus a CGC 9? I know it probably depends on the issue, but if we're talking, say, $50 cards and you assume that in this environment you will not hit a 10 with PSA, could a reasonable strategy be to submit to CGC and if any of those hit a 10, then resubmit those 10s to PSA with a chance to hit a 10 there? Of course, the increased value in a PSA 10 would have to warrant the cost of gambling on resubmission. This also assumes that only CGC 10s have a realistic shot at a PSA 10.
I know - lots of assumptions, but it would seem if you are looking for return on value, if there isn't at least an $11 difference in value of a PSA 9 versus a CGC 9, you're better off submitting to CGC and then make a decision to try to cross over any 10s.
The current "value" option is $27.99. This has nearly doubled from just a few years ago. I fully expect this to exceed $40 by 2027 after the acquisition of BGS.
I have nine orders in there now and just canceled my membership on the renewal. I hope Nat gets his when he sells.
Just like life, the rich dudes get the trim..here they get them graded timely. We all get leftovers.
Now seeing Arena Club join the fray. I saw their commercials during baseball season. Nice looking holder. Who's financing them, I wonder? [chin scratch]
The interesting thing is that a brand new grading company that offered reasonable prices, faster turnaround times, and hobby trust could easily take 50%+ of the market within 5 years.
So, basically the algebra on that is PSA can do half the grading and still make the same amount. These rates eliminate all the set building for sure and also eliminates a lot of the speculation on less expensive cards.
This entire concept seems to be to only go after the high $$$ modern chase cards and charge a ton more to do those grades. Those are easier to grade, take less time and I'm sure allow them to spend less to grade/card.
Vintage collectors are out in this scenario and why I don't send any in anymore.
I think vintage has not been on PSA's radar in a very long time.
That happened. As predictable as it was, still a shame they decided that as the amount and quality of vintage cards slowly decreased, they knew it would not continue to be their cash cow. I've posted before about my feeling on this. They've abandoned the very same people who helped build their brand. Without all the vintage submissions and the registry, they would never have experienced the worth they possess now. They've left us in a ditch on the side of the road and said "Goodbye, old farts. Enjoy your pretty old cards. We're moving on. An entire new generation of hustlers has been waiting on us. Later."
so do cards that are worth $50 now, like a PSA 10 2006 Topps base Albert Pujols (just threw out a random card) become a little more valuable because not too many people are going to pay $40 to sub a card that is only worth a little more than that $40, and that is only if you happen to get a 10? In any case, I best start subbing all my Jordans and other major star cards in the next half year or so before they drastically raise bulk pricing...
Go for it. Just know the average persons standards only goes to a 9. If you want a 50.00 10 grade you must grade it a min of 3 times in order to get the happy up charge. And not sure if it will go up in value when you have the other guy getting stacks of gems with no effort.
Absolutely. Simple supply/demand. Fewer there are the more demand (until there isn't for those of us who remember the junk era) there will be.
I enjoy subbing vintage team cards because I always thought they were super cool. That now makes no sense at all. Don't do those anymore.
I get this is where the grading industry has to go but it's a sad time for sure. I guess it's another reminder of how old I'm getting! In 5 or 10 years grading will be a completely different part of the hobby for sure. My guess it will only be for the most high $$ collector and everyone else will be out. Targeting the richer collector seems to be the trend in a lot of collectibles and fine art.
Too bad about SGC. That was vintage's sanctuary and lately every show I've been to exclusively used that platform. Maybe another one will arrive. How about just Vintage grading". Something that identifies with the older not looking to get rich collector. Go make your millions
Looks like its a wast to grade coins now. Seems Slabs dont matter for modern stuff or bullion.
Thought this current coin dealers video was interesting. at min 3 they are just busting coin slabs by the thousands just to melt the stuff. I bring it up because they are owned by Collectors and not many changes over there with prices and grading.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=WHy3O1vdhRI&t=28s
'tis simply about maintaining the medians.
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
Its allot simpler and cheaper to collect cards that are not entombed in plastic. Know your cards and grade them yourselves. Its the old fashioned way and the best way to truly enjoy this HOBBY.
I keep hoping for those promised Set Registry specials that we were assured would occur when the price increases took effect several years ago. Guess either that has been forgotten or the economics of the current grading landscape make it undesirable from the PSA side. I would very much like a special in that manner.