[QUOTE=anusinha;18231296]Im sure it doesnt actually cost more than a few bucks to grade a card. If they have to drop to $10 bucks a card to do so, they can do that and still make a profit.[/QUOTE]

Maybe they can profit at $10/ card. But in light of increasing supply, lots of $3 market value MINT9s and overall hobby downturn they may need to do more than lower the price to achieve the volume needed to support. Hence the comment about loosening up the standards. I don't pretend to know the answer but have lived long enough to see certain things coming from a few miles away and am wary and pessimistic about consistent standards winning out over needed revenue.
We will see.

Coin shows have become a PM's convention.

Gold and silver are just a commodity.

Same with plastic entombed cards.

My card grading skills are no longer relevant I feel.

Collectors should just buy what they enjoy.

Speculators should sit tight or move into other interests.

What edge do you have?

I can grade Morgans, Quarters, and Lincoln cents.

Coins are starting to see longer delays for grading.

[QUOTE=anusinha;18231296]Im sure it doesnt actually cost more than a few bucks to grade a card. If they have to drop to $10 bucks a card to do so, they can do that and still make a profit.[/QUOTE]

Worse thing would be is to scale down and fire people. I can see $10 a piece still making a profit especially if they stream line the process.

I think they would "tier" what can qualify as a cheaper sub. I said earlier that common (for the registry) and base cards fall in it.

Point is that the remaining PSA backlog is not some bogeyman that spells further doom. Most of the backlog has been completed. We are past the peak of that. The overwhelming majority of the PSA 9 Pink Shock 2nd year Michael Porter Jr. Cards have already been shipped back.

What comes next as PSA reopens reasonably priced services will be a new equilibrium. People will not send the same things they were sending in 2020. They will send cards that make sense for grading in 2022. Also keep in mind a huge per centage of modern gradable stock was already sent in during that time.I am not scared in the least by PSA's expanded capacity as some thing that is going to further depress prices. The demand is there for slabs. A clear majority wants the security of a grade and authentication for even relatively low end cards.

[QUOTE=soey10;18230759]If you don’t have any kids then you shouldn’t be explaining why it would be bad to have kids. If you didn’t want to have kids, or couldn’t, then that is your outlook and perfectly fine but the reasons you list as negatives are the positives for people that have kids. I have 3 kids and it is glorious. Yes they cost money but raise them right and you will enjoy grandkids when it is time and have someone to look out for you when you are older. The best part about vacations are taking my kids and enjoying memories being made with them. My kids are my legacy.
[/QUOTE]

Totally. I have two beautiful kids and while it may be expensive and difficult to raise them at times, they give me love and joy like no other. I seriously can't imagine life without them. Taking my kids on vacation is fantastic. Family > All.

[QUOTE=soey10;18230759]If you don’t have any kids then you shouldn’t be explaining why it would be bad to have kids. If you didn’t want to have kids, or couldn’t, then that is your outlook and perfectly fine but the reasons you list as negatives are the positives for people that have kids. I have 3 kids and it is glorious. Yes they cost money but raise them right and you will enjoy grandkids when it is time and [B]have someone to look out for you when you are older. [/B]The best part about vacations are taking my kids and enjoying memories being made with them. My kids are my legacy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=SupermanBrandon;18230822]To each their own. That’s the beautiful part of life…most of us have choices. [B]I’ll never understand the “have someone look after you when you’re older”[/B]. I’ve seen families torn apart over the elders getting older, what their care “should” be, money, etc. Enjoy life with those that you love. And here’s hoping we all get to grow old.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

No kids here, but I am seeing this first hand right now. I've been watching the decline of my better half's mother's quality of life (there are tears on the keyboard thinking about it). I can't imagine how much worse it would be if not for her and I, especially her. We will only have each other, so if one of us dies first the other's quality of life is going to be unbearably poor at the end.

[QUOTE=MyckKabongo;18230889]Aren't they only a few months from completely clearing the backlog? My last PSA sub just hit assembly. Seems to me like the worst is behind us. With grading prices higher and the devastated market for 9s and 2nd tier NBA yung playaz, the economic incentive just isn't there to send in mountains of junk. We are well past peak junk slab.[/QUOTE]

Yes, they are nearing the end of the backlog. That will be the lowest quality cards at the highest cost.

[QUOTE=anusinha;18231296]Im sure it doesnt actually cost more than a few bucks to grade a card. If they have to drop to $10 bucks a card to do so, they can do that and still make a profit.[/QUOTE]

At one point I tried to estimate how much 4 Sharp Corners was paying for PSA 10s. When everyone else was paying $8, I estimated that had to be no higher than $4. This was many years ago (maybe 2017?) so costs are up, but the marginal cost to grade a card has to be pretty damn cheap. I think we can see an $8 level (or less) again at some point, even if it's only specials.

[QUOTE=rwperu34;18232662]At one point I tried to estimate how much 4 Sharp Corners was paying for PSA 10s. When everyone else was paying $8, I estimated that had to be no higher than $4. This was many years ago (maybe 2017?) so costs are up, but the marginal cost to grade a card has to be pretty damn cheap. I think we can see an $8 level (or less) again at some point, even if it's only specials.[/QUOTE]

Especially with the cheaper subs for lower quality cards (having it be a longer time frame) it is a great start for PSA or any company to use it to train people. Having someone new trying to identify a 1936 card to see if it authentic and then grade it is much different than a 2022 Wander Franco base card.

I think any specials will have qualifications tied to it as in it can't be numbered/auto/relic for it to be accepted (also only accept a certain amount, maybe in waves each quarter).

I just don't see people not sending in bulk base Wander (or the hot rookie) to PSA especially if its $20 and under when a PSA 10 sells for ~$75 and a PSA 9 ~$30.

[QUOTE=SupermanBrandon;18230822]To each their own. That’s the beautiful part of life…most of us have choices. I’ll never understand the “have someone look after you when you’re older”.[B] I’ve seen families torn apart over the elders getting older, what their care “should” be, money, etc[/B]. Enjoy life with those that you love. And here’s hoping we all get to grow old.
[/QUOTE]
+1

GREED is a powerful drug

[QUOTE=Raleigh504;18232848]Especially with the cheaper subs for lower quality cards (having it be a longer time frame) it is a great start for PSA or any company to use it to train people. Having someone new trying to identify a 1936 card to see if it authentic and then grade it is much different than a 2022 Wander Franco base card.

I think any specials will have qualifications tied to it as in it can't be numbered/auto/relic for it to be accepted (also only accept a certain amount, maybe in waves each quarter).

I just don't see people not sending in bulk base Wander (or the hot rookie) to PSA especially if its $20 and under when a PSA 10 sells for ~$75 and a PSA 9 ~$30.[/QUOTE]

Except its a matter of time when his psa 10 sells for $30.

[QUOTE=k13;18233120]Except its a matter of time when his psa 10 sells for $30.[/QUOTE]

Oh agreed, right now it is supply and demand. Not many graded (yet) and people wanting it as an alternative/addition to 1st Bowman

Setup at a 200 table show in NC today, 1/2 cards and 1/2 other collectibles.

Worst attendance ever at this particular venue. Not my best show for sales and heard the same from others. Lots of looking but no buying. Had some amazing buys though on grail type 90’s cards.

This venue has never been amazing, I’ll hold judgment on the state of my local scene until I can setup at a couple shows next month.

[QUOTE=bravesfan#1;18237742]Setup at a 200 table show in NC today, 1/2 cards and 1/2 other collectibles.

Worst attendance ever at this particular venue. Not my best show for sales and heard the same from others. Lots of looking but no buying. Had some amazing buys though on grail type 90’s cards.

This venue has never been amazing, I’ll hold judgment on the state of my local scene until I can setup at a couple shows next month.[/QUOTE]

At least it was worth it for the buys. Anyone else hit up any shows this past weekend?

I sold (first time) at a show on Sunday outside of Winston Salem, NC.

[B][U]My Stuff:[/U][/B] I had some sealed product, some $100+ slabs, cheap slabs, ungraded cards from $1 to $30 and then a $0.25 bin. 95% of my stuff was baseball with some older football and basketball. Only stuff that sold was baseball.

[U][B]My Sales:[/B][/U] The first 2 hours for me was really slow only selling about $10 worth of stuff. The early crowd seemed to be looking at football and basketball or even cheap slabs they could flip. Eventually my sales picked up and I thought I did well overall. Only 1 person dug through my value bin and picked out over 200 cards. I was willing to give deals and discounts to people to move cards. About half took the sticker price as is, the other half would either ask what is the best I can do or knock off a few dollars ($12 card would ask for $10 or if $40 card would as for $35). Also it seemed about 25% would pull up there phone and look at comps, but I already priced it somewhat close to comps the week before.


[U][B]Foot Traffic:[/B][/U] Having gone to the show before as a buyer, I kind of had a notion of how busy it would be. I guess a year ago it was slammed, but this one had a steady stream of people coming in and out. It wasn't jam packed but for about 4 hours almost every table had at least 1 person looking at their stuff. Had a few people complain and say that there wasn't a lot of people there.

[B][U]Other Sellers:[/U][/B] Most of the people always set up at the show and do the circuit it seems in setting up at shows each weekend. Before it started, had several dealers come and look at stuff. They would either say "That should sell fast" or "Would you take $25" for 4 of my boxes. Towards the end I heard a few complaining about lack of sales or sales only being lower end cards. Had one dealer say to me that he had a cards in his case for $50 while the guy across from him had if for $120. Mainly seemed that people didn't update prices and just kept it as is the first time they priced it and wouldn't budge on prices unless you did a large deal.

[B][U]Overall:[/U][/B] I had fun and plan on doing more shows in the future if it works out. Will be going through all my stuff this week to see what I sold exactly (I keep track of graded stuff). I wish I brought 90s baseball stickers with me to the show to give out to kids who came to the table. There weren't many there but the ones that were actually engaged in conversation and would negotiate if they wanted a card.

[QUOTE=solt0131;18239419]At least it was worth it for the buys. Anyone else hit up any shows this past weekend?[/QUOTE]

I went to the 175 table show in Tulsa, OK. I went into it with the intent to move some stuff I had sitting around that didn't fit my collection anymore and packed three 3,200 count boxes with dealers in mind for each.

Only one of the three dealers was there but he bought the box I took for him at the price I wanted and I sold a few singles to other dealers so it was a very good day for me.

It was the first major show in Tulsa in at least 10 years so the crowd was odd but overall I think it was a solid show after talking with dealers I know.

I even managed to come home with some vintage for decent prices.

What's the big show this weekend? That Midwest Monster?

[QUOTE=bravesfan#1;18237742]Setup at a 200 table show in NC today, 1/2 cards and 1/2 other collectibles.

Worst attendance ever at this particular venue. Not my best show for sales and heard the same from others. Lots of looking but no buying. Had some amazing buys though on grail type 90’s cards.

This venue has never been amazing, I’ll hold judgment on the state of my local scene until I can setup at a couple shows next month.[/QUOTE]

Was this the Salisbury show? I was there for 3+ hours and spent the lowest I've spent in several shows. I'm a bargain hunter and it seemed like all of the $0.25/$0.50 cards were now in dollar boxes ... inflation, I suppose. And I agree that the venue is not great. I really prefer the Hickory location.

[QUOTE=sak0309;18245614]Was this the Salisbury show? I was there for 3+ hours and spent the lowest I've spent in several shows. I'm a bargain hunter and it seemed like all of the $0.25/$0.50 cards were now in dollar boxes ... inflation, I suppose. And I agree that the venue is not great. I really prefer the Hickory location.[/QUOTE]

Talking to dealers that did the Salisbury and Winston show the next day (I sold for the first time at Winston), they were complaining about the lack of buyers at that show but said there were a lot of tables/people there. Granted I feel like all dealers complain about sales.

I heard Hickory show is great for vintage, but haven't attend one yet. Goal is to do 1 show a month for selling and I am glad that NC has quite a bit of shows to sell/go-to.

What type of items did you see mainly at Salisbury? More graded, modern, dollar bins, sealed, etc.

[QUOTE=solt0131;18245596]What's the big show this weekend? That Midwest Monster?[/QUOTE]

Yup, the show in Rosemont begins today & runs through Saturday (these shows used to be Friday through Sunday).

[QUOTE=Coach Ditka;18245684]Yup, the show in Rosemont begins tomorrow & runs through Sunday.[/QUOTE]

Could be a big indicator on how the National will be, don't you think?

[QUOTE=solt0131;18245596]What's the big show this weekend? That Midwest Monster?[/QUOTE]

Arlington Card show, same guy that runs the Dallas card show, just a different venue (and less dealers)

[QUOTE=Raleigh504;18245660]Talking to dealers that did the Salisbury and Winston show the next day (I sold for the first time at Winston), they were complaining about the lack of buyers at that show but said there were a lot of tables/people there. Granted I feel like all dealers complain about sales.

I heard Hickory show is great for vintage, but haven't attend one yet. Goal is to do 1 show a month for selling and I am glad that NC has quite a bit of shows to sell/go-to.

What type of items did you see mainly at Salisbury? More graded, modern, dollar bins, sealed, etc.[/QUOTE]

Hickory and Raleigh are the premier shows in NC. Salisbury and the small Charlotte venues are OK but just not on the same level. Even smaller venues are in Hendersonville and on the coast but I wouldn't even waste the gas going to them. Spartanburg, SC is solid and not too far from Charlotte.

The hobby store Cards At the Cages in Greensboro also hosts shows either at his store or another venue. Only a few hundred customers come through but boy do they spend money. He is hosting a show at the Greensboro Grasshoppers stadium on July 30th before the game that afternoon. It's going to be held on the concourse in the stadium so you'll probably see the field in the background, should be an amazing time.

[QUOTE=Coach Ditka;18245684]Yup, the show in Rosemont begins today & runs through Saturday (these shows used to be Friday through Sunday).[/QUOTE]

Somebody posted already that it is terrible. Same guys with the same junk.

:doh:

[QUOTE=WizardofOz1982;18239613]I went to the 175 table show in Tulsa, OK. I went into it with the intent to move some stuff I had sitting around that didn't fit my collection anymore and packed three 3,200 count boxes with dealers in mind for each.

Only one of the three dealers was there but he bought the box I took for him at the price I wanted and I sold a few singles to other dealers so it was a very good day for me.

It was the first major show in Tulsa in at least 10 years so the crowd was odd but overall I think it was a solid show after talking with dealers I know.

I even managed to come home with some vintage for decent prices.[/QUOTE]

It was really nice to have a show in town again....reminded me of going to the fairgrounds back in the 90's when they would have huge shows there.
I believe they are doing another one at the same hotel in November.