Did PSA raise their membership fees?

gregm13 · July 28, 2009 3:59AM

My membership expires soon and it seems that I can only extend my membership for 1 year at a time; plus the fees seem to be higher than I remember. If I remember correctly, wasn't the cost of the 2 year membership $179 or $199 which included a subscription to the SMR plus 12 free gradings?

Rgs,

Greg M.

PoppaJ · July 28, 2009 4:03AM

Doesn't look like any recent changes ...

OAKESY25 · July 28, 2009 4:57AM

You still get the book..it is in the 1st paragraph

gregm13 · July 28, 2009 8:04AM

I think it did change because it was $179 for a two year membership with 12 free grading vouchers. Now it's $179 for 1 year with 15 free grading vouchers. So, in essence, you're paying an additional $179 for 3 more grading vouchers. Please correct me if I'm wrong???!!!

Rgs,

Greg M.

coachh · July 28, 2009 9:14AM

Prices have gone up in the last month. I just re-joined at the beginning of July for 1 year at $99. That is now $110. Looks like they have added a new level where you do not get the free gradings.

alnavman · July 28, 2009 9:20AM

I must have gotten in under the deadline, my renewal was $169 plus $5 shipping....received my renewal package and the awesome book yesterday. Now I have to decide what 12 cards to send it for my freebies.....

al.

GoDodgersFan · July 28, 2009 9:36AM

Just saw the new membership fee structure.

The 179.00 for 15 free vouchers is not cheap. This is doable if you have higher value
cards to submit. This plan does not work for me. The 49 one could work for me.

mknez · July 28, 2009 9:48AM

I called customer service today.

There is a (new?) Silver membership for $49 which is all of the on-line stuff, but no free gradings, printed SMR, or free book.
Gold was $99, with 6 free grades, plus the printed SMR and book
Platimum was $170 with 15 free grades.

ga5150 · July 28, 2009 10:57AM

I noticed that when I read the monthly special that it was only available to Gold and Platinum members and not the $49 Silver members. It may be worth thinking about that if you join the $49 Silver level, that you could be excluded from the monthly specials. I don't know for sure, but it's something to consider.

Rodney

gregm13 · July 28, 2009 11:06AM

<< <i>I noticed that when I read the monthly special that it was only available to Gold and Platinum members and not the $49 Silver members. It may be worth thinking about that if you join the $49 Silver level, that you could be excluded from the monthly specials. I don't know for sure, but it's something to consider.

Rodney >>

Rodney,

Thank you VERY much for pointing that out. I hadn't read the fine print yet.

Rgs,

Greg M.

gregm13 · July 28, 2009 11:07AM

<< <i>Prices have gone up in the last month. I just re-joined at the beginning of July for 1 year at $99. That is now $110. Looks like they have added a new level where you do not get the free gradings. >>

You may want to read the fine print because I think the membership fees are now only for 1 year when before they were for 2 years.

Rgs,

Greg M.

mknez · July 28, 2009 11:12AM

<< <i>I noticed that when I read the monthly special that it was only available to Gold and Platinum members and not the $49 Silver members. It may be worth thinking about that if you join the $49 Silver level, that you could be excluded from the monthly specials. I don't know for sure, but it's something to consider.

Rodney >>

I did ask specifically about that, the rep told me that silver members could submit on the monthly specials. I'll find out in about 1 week!

gregm13 · July 28, 2009 11:15AM

I'm just surprised that in the midst of the worst recession since the great depression, PSA practically doubles the membership fees (for a purely frivolous expense for most people). Beyond that, the free grading vouchers can't be used to grade/authenticate non-certified and pre-1998 certified autographs which eliminates most cards that I would like to submit.

I'm really, really surprised that PSA would make such a change during a period where most people are looking stretch every dollar. For the first time in nearly 6 years, I may not renew my membership if I have to pay more to get the same or less in return.

Rgs,

Greg M.

thenavarro · July 28, 2009 11:20AM

<< <i>Beyond that, the free grading vouchers can't be used to grade/authenticate non-certified and pre-1998 certified autographs which eliminates most cards that I would like to submit.

>>

Greg, I've used both my 6 card voucher and my 12 card voucher for autographed cards that were non-certified. I know the voucher says you can't do it, but I've had good experience through both Joe and Carol, by getting pre-permission to do that. Despite what some people here say, I've found both of their customer service to be impeccable if you treat them like you want to be treated.

Mike

storm888 · July 28, 2009 11:44AM

The 1-year is still a good deal, in my view.

It is $10 more than the 2004/05 price. Not a terrible hike.

Also, when you renew each year, you can collect the "free gift"
on each renewal.

.......

GOLD MEMBERSHIP (1 Year) $110

•Direct Submission Privileges to All PSA Grading Services for One Year
•A voucher for 6 Submissions - 7 Business Day Turnaround (All 6 cards must be submitted at the same time. Maximum value per card allowed is $499 each.)
•T3's, Autographed Tickets, and Autographed Cards* are not allowed on this voucher.
•1-Year Subscription to the Sports Market Report (SMR)
•Collecting Sports Legends: The Ultimate Hobby Guide
•1-Year subscription to the PSA Population ReportSM and SMR Online
•Electronic Version of the Sports Market Report**
•Monthly Grading Specials

/////////////////

When I was poking around the site, I was disappointed to see
the "Legendary" advertisements.

Little revenue bumps are great, but.....

gregm13 · July 28, 2009 12:13PM

Storm,

Good point. Maybe I'll downgrade my membership from platinum to gold.

Rgs,

Greg M.

pdub1819 · July 28, 2009 2:35PM

I'm on the tail end of my two year platinum membership that cost me $179...so the price DID change, you get the same assortment of things, but it only lasts 1 year instead of 2. Did PSA ever mention this to their customers? I would have renewed before the change!

Carew29 · July 28, 2009 4:23PM

as 7 of the specials had fit my needs this year so far, i guess i will have to re-new on a year by year review of my orders.

WinPitcher · July 29, 2009 12:29AM

Wow glad I re-upped when I did. 179.00 for 1 year is quite expensive.

Even with 15 freebies.

Steve

Did PSA raise their membership fees?

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