Opinions on the PSA Offers Program

[CaptSpaulding]

https://www.psacard.com/info/psa-offers

Not sure if anyone has experienced this yet but I just did as did a friend of mine who is a very high profile dealer. In both of our situations the offers made on the cards were just the cards that appeared grossly under graded based on photos.

Not sure if there is now an in house department who looks over the results and makes these offers before grades are released to the submitter or if this is just some software mechanism that matches want lists.

It says the offers are coming from third party partners. Yeah sure they are. I am a bit skeptical of the program and found it disturbing the offers get released at the same time grades are released and the offers are on seemingly under graded cards.

[f2tornado]

They made offers on 15 of the 50 cards from my last order. All but one or two were on gems. All the cards were under $200. I accepted 12 of them as they were around 85% eBay comp. I don't believe my offers came in until several hours after the grades popped. If I truly thought my card was drastically undegraded, then I'd probably just have it shipped back to me to see what I missed (or on rare occasion, what they wrecked). I usually find something I missed on the lower grades. I suspect they damaged a couple others, thankfully relatively cheap ones.

[inaka]

There's something unsettling not knowing who these offers are from. That's telling to me that the groups making offers are unknown. Hypothetically, if you could get multiple offers, and, one was for $1000 and one for $950, but the $1000 offer was from "Bin Laden's Death to America Card Shop", I would choose the $950 offer, but that's just me.

I have a feeling the reason why PSA isn't showing who these offers are from is because it's really ultimately going back to PSA in the form of gambling prizes for their PSA x Gamestop PowerPacks™ Mystery Packs in a partnership with Gamestop. So technically by the letter of the law, the offer is coming from the Gamestop wing inside of PSA, but it's the same thing.

Not sure if they've implemented this yet, but PSA's plan is to own the marketplace itself for trading cards, and it all starts with the vault. Need those cards in the PSA vault. Currently, the button is "Sell on eBay", but a second option will be added like PWCC to see on the "PSA marketplace". They could do weekly auctions like PWCC, and again, it all starts with having volume in an initial launch, so they need high profile cards for sale to sway people away from eBay eventually down the road.

It'll just be a matter of time before people find out who these offers are from. (Maybe they already have?) If someone graded a big card that sold via the PSA offers, the cert number is known. So if/when it ends up as a prize in the Mystery Packs or on eBay, etc. then people will know. It will be interesting to see this unfold.

[Scottish Punk]

Originally Posted by inaka

There's something unsettling not knowing who these offers are from. That's telling to me that the groups making offers are unknown. Hypothetically, if you could get multiple offers, and, one was for $1000 and one for $950, but the $1000 offer was from "Bin Laden's Death to America Card Shop", I would choose the $950 offer, but that's just me.

I have a feeling the reason why PSA isn't showing who these offers are from is because it's really ultimately going back to PSA in the form of gambling prizes for their PSA x Gamestop PowerPacks™ Mystery Packs in a partnership with Gamestop. So technically by the letter of the law, the offer is coming from the Gamestop wing inside of PSA, but it's the same thing.

Not sure if they've implemented this yet, but PSA's plan is to own the marketplace itself for trading cards, and it all starts with the vault. Need those cards in the PSA vault. Currently, the button is "Sell on eBay", but a second option will be added like PWCC to see on the "PSA marketplace". They could do weekly auctions like PWCC, and again, it all starts with having volume in an initial launch, so they need high profile cards for sale to sway people away from eBay eventually down the road.

It'll just be a matter of time before people find out who these offers are from. (Maybe they already have?) If someone graded a big card that sold via the PSA offers, the cert number is known. So if/when it ends up as a prize in the Mystery Packs or on eBay, etc. then people will know. It will be interesting to see this unfold.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if PSA is building their inventory for mystery pack hijinks. They have the ability to cherry pick the popular, high graded cards and get them at a discounted price. It is scummy in a collectors side of things, but makes great business sense. PSA has never been one to shy away from conflicts of interest.

[Blazed]

Originally Posted by inaka

There's something unsettling not knowing who these offers are from. That's telling to me that the groups making offers are unknown. Hypothetically, if you could get multiple offers, and, one was for $1000 and one for $950, but the $1000 offer was from "Bin Laden's Death to America Card Shop", I would choose the $950 offer, but that's just me.

I have a feeling the reason why PSA isn't showing who these offers are from is because it's really ultimately going back to PSA in the form of gambling prizes for their PSA x Gamestop PowerPacks™ Mystery Packs in a partnership with Gamestop. So technically by the letter of the law, the offer is coming from the Gamestop wing inside of PSA, but it's the same thing.

Not sure if they've implemented this yet, but PSA's plan is to own the marketplace itself for trading cards, and it all starts with the vault. Need those cards in the PSA vault. Currently, the button is "Sell on eBay", but a second option will be added like PWCC to see on the "PSA marketplace". They could do weekly auctions like PWCC, and again, it all starts with having volume in an initial launch, so they need high profile cards for sale to sway people away from eBay eventually down the road.

It'll just be a matter of time before people find out who these offers are from. (Maybe they already have?) If someone graded a big card that sold via the PSA offers, the cert number is known. So if/when it ends up as a prize in the Mystery Packs or on eBay, etc. then people will know. It will be interesting to see this unfold.

High probability of this being a bullseye

[Blazed]

Originally Posted by CaptSpaulding

https://www.psacard.com/info/psa-offers

Not sure if anyone has experienced this yet but I just did as did a friend of mine who is a very high profile dealer. In both of our situations the offers made on the cards were just the cards that appeared grossly under graded based on photos.

Not sure if there is now an in house department who looks over the results and makes these offers before grades are released to the submitter or if this is just some software mechanism that matches want lists.

It says the offers are coming from third party partners. Yeah sure they are. I am a bit skeptical of the program and found it disturbing the offers get released at the same time grades are released and the offers are on seemingly under graded cards.

I got a 6 on a 98 Essential Credentials and can't figure out why as everything looks sharp and no chipping on the back at all

It's still in the vault but it's always got an offer on it

Right out of grading it had a $1.1k offer > later (not sure how often offers update) it dropped to $885 > and right now it's $1.2k

Too bad you can't opt out of receiving offers

[CaptSpaulding]

Originally Posted by Blazed

I got a 6 on a 98 Essential Credentials and can't figure out why as everything looks sharp and no chipping on the back at all

It's still in the vault but it's always got an offer on it

Right out of grading it had a $1.1k offer > later (not sure how often offers update) it dropped to $885 > and right now it's $1.2k

Too bad you can't opt out of receiving offers

Yeah I would like to opt out. My offers fluctuated between post grading and shipping. Before I sell anything I want to see it, especially if it did not grade what I expected it to grade. I do only vintage. My sub was 70 cards and almost half had offers.

Wondering if they feed the material to the PSA eBay id? Either way, the program feels like another conflict of interest more than the convenience PSA advertises it to be.

[pspa123]

It's the hobby of no consequences.

[auburn35]

Originally Posted by inaka

There's something unsettling not knowing who these offers are from. That's telling to me that the groups making offers are unknown. Hypothetically, if you could get multiple offers, and, one was for $1000 and one for $950, but the $1000 offer was from "Bin Laden's Death to America Card Shop", I would choose the $950 offer, but that's just me.

I have a feeling the reason why PSA isn't showing who these offers are from is because it's really ultimately going back to PSA in the form of gambling prizes for their PSA x Gamestop PowerPacks™ Mystery Packs in a partnership with Gamestop. So technically by the letter of the law, the offer is coming from the Gamestop wing inside of PSA, but it's the same thing.

Not sure if they've implemented this yet, but PSA's plan is to own the marketplace itself for trading cards, and it all starts with the vault. Need those cards in the PSA vault. Currently, the button is "Sell on eBay", but a second option will be added like PWCC to see on the "PSA marketplace". They could do weekly auctions like PWCC, and again, it all starts with having volume in an initial launch, so they need high profile cards for sale to sway people away from eBay eventually down the road.

It'll just be a matter of time before people find out who these offers are from. (Maybe they already have?) If someone graded a big card that sold via the PSA offers, the cert number is known. So if/when it ends up as a prize in the Mystery Packs or on eBay, etc. then people will know. It will be interesting to see this unfold.

This is very similar to my POV.
If I was selling, I would want to know who's making the the offer.
PSA has several partnerships that I would never choose to support.

On the topic of powerpacks, I thought it was interesting to see Collectors Universe, not gamestop on the LLC filing.

https://www.bizprofile.net/authorize...s-universe-inc
Type of Business: Sales of trading cards and other collectibles over the internet

[oddstuff]

I swim in the shallow end so maybe not contributing to this thread...the couple of cards I accepted offers on were below $100 comps. The offers sent were nearly comps on eBay. On these cards, I believe it's a quick flip for PSA...as they make their juice on the grading fee I paid. They charge me $20 to grade...but their time/labor was probably $3-5. They probably have a special seller fees deal with eBay too. The cards were lower grade cards which I was glad to get rid of at comps and not have to pay ebay fees plus time/effort to sell.

[Scottish Punk]

Originally Posted by oddstuff

I swim in the shallow end so maybe not contributing to this thread...the couple of cards I accepted offers on were below $100 comps. The offers sent were nearly comps on eBay. On these cards, I believe it's a quick flip for PSA...as they make their juice on the grading fee I paid. They charge me $20 to grade...but their time/labor was probably $3-5. They probably have a special seller fees deal with eBay too. The cards were lower grade cards which I was glad to get rid of at comps and not have to pay ebay fees plus time/effort to sell.

Of course, there are going to many instances on where the offer is inline with market. It makes sense to get the most money you can out of them and PSA is making it real convenient. If PSA is stocking up for repacks, they will need slabs at all kinds of different price points.

[88horsepower]

Feels like a conflict of interest.

[FT35]

Originally Posted by Scottish Punk

Of course, there are going to many instances on where the offer is inline with market. It makes sense to get the most money you can out of them and PSA is making it real convenient. If PSA is stocking up for repacks, they will need slabs at all kinds of different price points.

I’d be ok with it if they offered market value on everything they want. Since so many people are selling as a part of a business—these PSA offers are essentially B2B offers. Why is it that they should offer less than market value on anything? Is it just the privilege of having PSA buy the card that’s causing people to agree to their lowball offers? Why aren’t their offers at least at market prices—or higher if they are trying to take over more of the market?!?!

Wouldn’t it make their services look even more valuable if they demonstrated the willingness to pay more than market value for a card graded by them?? Nope! They now want the best of BOTH worlds. “We graded your card and now it’s worth more—but we’re not willing to even pay market value—it’s actually a gift to you the submitter from us here at PSA….You should take more of a loss on YOUR business income to help OUR business take over.”

Why do people have to keep giving PSA a bigger cut of everything?!?!

[edogg1982]

Originally Posted by FT35

I’d be ok with it if they offered market value on everything they want. Since so many people are selling as a part of a business—these PSA offers are essentially B2B offers. Why is it that they should offer less than market value on anything? Is it just the privilege of having PSA buy the card that’s causing people to agree to their lowball offers? Why aren’t their offers at least at market prices—or higher if they are trying to take over more of the market?!?!

Wouldn’t it make their services look even more valuable if they demonstrated the willingness to pay more than market value for a card graded by them?? Nope! They now want the best of BOTH worlds. “We graded your card and now it’s worth more—but we’re not willing to even pay market value—it’s actually a gift to you the submitter from us here at PSA….You should take more of a loss on YOUR business income to help OUR business take over.”

Why do people have to keep giving PSA a bigger cut of everything?!?!

Their offers are basically what the seller would net after fees on Ebay.

[Scottish Punk]

Originally Posted by edogg1982

Their offers are basically what the seller would net after fees on Ebay.

Plus the convenience of one-click at it is sold. I totally can see the urge to take a few percentage points less if my inventory is moved instantly.

[oddstuff]

Originally Posted by Scottish Punk

Plus the convenience of one-click at it is sold. I totally can see the urge to take a few percentage points less if my inventory is moved instantly.

I sold several less than 9 cards yesterday as a first timer. So I had to follow the prompts to get an account created with their payment company Stripe. It was pretty easy and I got a text alerting of the transfer of funds by early evening. Not every card will be offered for buying at comps or even 13% lower/eBay fees. It really depends on the player and the card. On some cards, I got offers for the PSA 10 and the 8 but not the 9. It's whatever their system determine they can make the most money...of course.

[lisu]

I didn't take an offer on a card where I would have gotten $221 instantly. I listed it on Ebay, and I ended up getting only about $180 net.

I also sold a Thomas White PSA 10 Bowman Draft auto last night for $180 which seemed like a good deal too. I like getting paid within 24 hours of accepting the offer.

[thestickman1]

I have sold cards through PSA offers for higher than that card is currently being sold for on eBay. I then buy the card on ebay and add it back to my collection. Almost all of my cards are RC's of HOF's. The resale value is between $50-$250. I have made between $20-$50 per card doing this.

[bub838]

My last sub was all Japanese Pokemon and I accepted most of the offers. Alot of them were right at ebay comp and not even including fees.

[swerve]

Just sold them a card. I can buy the same card, 1 grade higher, for less right now if I wanted.

[sandyfrank]

I just had a small order completed with PSA and they made a decent offer on a PSA 9, but it was a card that is worth well over 1000 as a PSA 10. It made me uneasy thinking they might purposely undergrade a card, buy it from the submitter then reslab with the higher grade and make a massive profit. Like someone said earlier "This seems like a conflict of interest" By the way the card was a rookie Ohtani and some Ohtani collectors are saying they are grading Ohtani rookies much tougher now...

[bub838]

Originally Posted by sandyfrank

I just had a small order completed with PSA and they made a decent offer on a PSA 9, but it was a card that is worth well over 1000 as a PSA 10. It made me uneasy thinking they might purposely undergrade a card, buy it from the submitter then reslab with the higher grade and make a massive profit. Like someone said earlier "This seems like a conflict of interest" By the way the card was a rookie Ohtani and some Ohtani collectors are saying they are grading Ohtani rookies much tougher now...

They can barely operate their core business let alone any scams like this.

[auburn35]

New article on this topic was just published by Cllct. Shares a little more info on some of the approved buyers, and future plans.

PSA Offers program: Who's buying cards? What's next for hobby 'matchmaker'?
https://www.cllct.com/sports-collect...ard-matchmaker

According to PSA, the network is currently made up of dozens of buyers, including Burbank Sportscards, which was founded by Rob Veres in 1987, Atlanta’s CardsHQ, which was founded by Sports Card Investor creator Geoff Wilson in 2024, and Buffalo-area retailer Dave and Adam’s Card World.

PSA confirmed to cllct it has remained “very selective” when adding new partners to the program, but expects the number to scale in 2026 when it makes the application process more accessible.

The process for which cards receive offers and the price of each offer has largely been unclear, though collectors have speculated it being linked to buyers within the network selecting cards ahead of time and offering to pay a percentage based on recent sales data.

“Buyers set their offer criteria in advance,” Ebeling said. “When a card matches, the offer appears in the card owner’s account during the submission process or thereafter, if they store it with the PSA Vault through our My Collection feature.”

If multiple buyers are interested in the same card, PSA says it will only show the owner of the card the highest offer.

PSA declined to offer any insight into how many items have sold through the program, but told cllct “most” cards receive an offer, and the eventual goal is for every card to receive an offer.

[Rpal1977]

Nice catch auburn!!
Thanks for the post and link.

[NEOSportscards]

Keep in mind its technically not PSA buying the cards. Power Packs is a GameStop/Collectors Universe company. I'm not saying that makes it better by any means but PSA is not actually buying the cards. They are two different companies on paper.