Just got suckerpunched by PSA

[SupermanBrandon]

Originally Posted by mc1

What a croc! This is nothing but a lie. We all know the grader(s) gave OP a good number of 10s and QA knocked them down to a 9.

QC...lol. Does PSA even have that?

[Bcwcardz]

Does everything have to be a 10? Everyone wants that extra $$


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[cardsin47]

Originally Posted by 88horsepower

Some of my favorite subs to PSA ended up being 9's. Personally, I'm mostly cool with PSA 9s from the 80s and early 90s.

Yes — I was using 1950’s as an extreme example for a desirable PSA 9. I know there are some VERY condition sensitive cards from later decades, where a PSA 9 is a very high end, rare card

[mc1]

Originally Posted by SupermanBrandon

QC...lol. Does PSA even have that?

Dont pretend youve never heard of the “whatif” glitch to check grades right before they get to QA. Then they magically bump down grades after QA2. What does that tell you? Its not that difficult to figure out chief.

[cardsin47]

I know that disturbingly, grading companies periodically go thru phases where they tighten up or conversely loosen up their grading standards / gem rates. I say disturbingly because it kinda’ defeats the whole purpose of 3rd Party independent grading, if the grading standards are not consistent- and can be altered tighter or looser with the simple release of an internal memo …. ( this is all speculation on my part / I have no proof - just my own observations over the decades )

[mc1]

Originally Posted by cardsin47

I know that disturbingly, grading companies periodically go thru phases where they tighten up or conversely loosen up their grading standards / gem rates. I say disturbingly because it kinda’ defeats the whole purpose of 3rd Party independent grading, if the grading standards are not consistent- and can be altered tighter or looser with the simple release of an internal memo …. ( this is all speculation on my part / I have no proof - just my own observations over the decades )

The problem now is that if OP sends all the 9s in again, half could come back 10s and the other as 8s. That doesnt mean their standards are tighter. It only highlights the inconsistency with their graders.

Not to mention that they could get damaged in the process and come back as 6s!

[theshowandme]

I’m sorry, I’m still not understanding, what is wrong with getting a 9?


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[speedyjg13]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

I’m sorry, I’m still not understanding, what is wrong with getting a 9?


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Nothing.

[callou2131]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

I’m sorry, I’m still not understanding, what is wrong with getting a 9?


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Yeah I am kind of the same. If they are all 10s, they carry no premium

[majestik101]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

I’m sorry, I’m still not understanding, what is wrong with getting a 9?

Can't make that crazy flipper money from a 9 is my guess.

[mc1]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

I’m sorry, I’m still not understanding, what is wrong with getting a 9?


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Money $$$ Its always about money.

[MoreToppsPlease]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

What is wrong with a 9?

Less profit potential for the opportunists.

[Bambino22]

These threads could be great if more descriptive, better data, and less ranting by op. Could be informative to everyone and help others make better decisions on there cards.

All I'll say is the top 13 cards in your collection should not do as well if you bought them raw. The more expensive cards (your top 13) are more likely to have been considered for grading by others already.

I just sent in over 100 cards in the last year. And the gem rate is much less on my top 13 cards.

[cardsin47]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

I’m sorry, I’m still not understanding, what is wrong with getting a 9?


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It can really screw up the money part and/or intent to add to your PC if you were anticipating a 10, much less on multiple cards as is the case with the OP. Could be short term or long term, but the screw is there- now tied to the card (although there is a way out using pliers and a flathead screwdriver… )

[lawrencedc1]

Originally Posted by mc1

The problem now is that if OP sends all the 9s in again, half could come back 10s and the other as 8s. That doesnt mean their standards are tighter. It only highlights the inconsistency with their graders.

Not to mention that they could get damaged in the process and come back as 6s!

Just to clarify, these subs were not for flipping, just my PC, and it's not so much that 9s are horrible. It falls more on my ability to dicern a cards presentation. I think we all get excited when we get our submissions and they come back GEM, at least I do. These should be incoming in a few days. I will look over them, and see if I should send one or two back for a "review". I'll spend the extra coin, and re-update this thread just for insight.

[PLAYED4NOTHING]

Originally Posted by Promethius88

I have to say, I have been submitting on and off since the 90's and other than a few issues, I don't ever see this inconsistent grading so many talk about.
I've gotten older, my eyes have gotten worse and I don't catch everything but if I'm honest with myself, I typically see where there was something I missed.
I've been pretty consistent the last 3 years with 70-90% gem rate on new stuff.

I had to laugh at all the new people entering the hobby in 2020-21 that were just sending in everything assuming it was going to 10 because it came out of a pack or because they wiped it down with a microfiber cloth. I honestly believe this is where the conspiracy of "pop control" really gained steam. I mean, c'mon... there were thousands of people that didn't know squat about cards to begin with, sending in cards, then when they were getting 30% gem rates b*tching because they knew they were all 10's. These were the same people telling everyone that HGA was going to be the next big thing.

I'm pretty old school when sending in cards for grading. But it's this simple and far too many people seem to skip step 6.

1. Pick cards you want to send in.
2. Look them over for obvious issues and centering.
3. Loupe the corners and edges.
4. Put them aside.
5. Come back and look at them again a few days later.
6. BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF!
7. Ship your cards off and watch the tracker

This is reality here. Expecting straight 10’s is laughable. If it were a guarantee everyone would do it all the time. Just buy the slab…

[thenightman]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

I’m sorry, I’m still not understanding, what is wrong with getting a 9?


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I’ll bite. There is a large majority/minority of people who submit for profit. PSA 9’s, particularly ultra modern, sell for less than the card + the grade. Someone who is selling to make money, whether it’s for a side hustle or a main hustle can’t afford to have one of their submissions come back mostly 9’s.

There are obviously actions, or non-actions, such people can take. I’m merely playing devil’s advocate. Don’t grade and sell raw. Submit to other grading companies for a better chance of making some profit instead of trying to get more profit with PSA.

[towerymt]

The good and the bad (mostly bad) goes in the Grading forum, in the PSA tracker thread...

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showth...12798&page=726

Originally Posted by metsandweezer

My buddy just went 4/20 on an ultra modern order. Ruh roh.

Originally Posted by JoefromMO

I just went 2/23 on gems. Worst gem rate I’ve ever seen. I’m normally 75%. The 2 that gemmed I thought for sure were 9s.

Originally Posted by HalfNipponese

That happened to me. My cards were in QA 2 for 3 weeks. The grades popped today and they are scary low. I'm guessing they are using the AI program to pre-grade cards and the humans aren't catching the mistakes. I have no information suggesting this, but my last 3 orders had more PSA 5's than anything else. My last order was 30% PSA 5's on modern pack fresh cards. It's going to be a rough year.

Originally Posted by metsandweezer

Big news. 50 card ultra modern order. 36 gems.

This order included TEN BGS 9/PSA 9 crack outs. 9/10 became a PSA 10. The only one that became a PSA 9 was the only BGS 9.5. Go figure.

This was the worst conditioned order I have sent in awhile. I thought 15/50 would gem based on my previous orders and everyone else’s orders.

I end up with 72%. Insane. PSA is clueless as usual.

Originally Posted by TXRunner

One of my orders popped tonight unexpectedly. Not kind at all. Of the 20 cards, only seven 10's. I can deal with the 8's and 9's. But a pack fresh Aaron Judge Bomb Squad card got a 6? WTH? A six would have visibly noticeable issues. I even ran all these cards under my magnifying glass. If I saw anything that would have pulled a 6 I wouldn't have even sent it in. I am contemplating cracking it and sending it back in and seeing what happens the next time around.

Originally Posted by spaceboy710

Order Type: Bulk Value
# of cards: 20
Order Arrived: 03/14/23
Order Entered: 03/22/23
Popped: 04/13/23

I got absolutely destroyed on grades though. All ultra modern (2021-2023):

2 PSA 10 (10%)
6 PSA 9 (30%)
5 PSA 8 (25%)
5 PSA 7 (25%)
2 PSA 6 (10%)

There was nothing obviously wrong with these cards. A few may be cracked and resubmitted (especially with the $16 deal) but... man. Either I need to step up my card screening or things are getting tighter out there. Or both.

Originally Posted by Cards and 401K

Had a bad GEM rate for my 245 card bulk order that sat in PSA for 13 months in 2021/22, cracked out 7 PSA 9's and 6 came back PSA10's last month
have another 30 from that order that will be cracked and resubmitted this year....horrible situation plus the card damage rate within PSA is ridiculous.

[theshowandme]

I really am struggling here

Getting PSA 9s is getting sucker punched?


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[Soxrule111]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

I really am struggling here

Getting PSA 9s is getting sucker punched?


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Yea, this new generation sucks. If a card isnt a 10 its damaged, and needs to be replaced and reimbursed. a 9 should be good, and an 8 expected. But nope, 10 or its #@#@#@#@

[towerymt]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

I really am struggling here

Getting PSA 9s is getting sucker punched?

9s are losers.

Top loader > PSA-9 holder

[BabaORiley]

Originally Posted by Soxrule111

Yea, this new generation sucks. If a card isnt a 10 its damaged, and needs to be replaced and reimbursed. a 9 should be good, and an 8 expected. But nope, 10 or its #@#@#@#@

I'm not a new generation. I've been here when everything you sent to PSA got 10's, then was here for when they tightened, then again when the loosened again, then when they tightened again and now it seems they're just volatile. Surely you see the inherent flaws in the same card fetching different grades based on which PSA-era you sub during, right? The difference is in the economics and I think this is why people are concerned: wax prices are hiked up significantly now and you're paying 2x the $ per card to submit (at a minimum in some cases). If anything, grading should be objectively more accurate now. And that montage of quotes that towerymt posted suggests a much more volatile grading sale/process.

[Cards and 401K]

Yes having the highest grading fees and sending in a well examined cards that are less than 2 years old,
and not being properly graded a PSA10 is being sucker punched, when I get a PSA9 I know the centering was not within spec and deserves it!
Normally those are numbered cards that I get graded anyway.
I am very happy when I get a PSA 8 or 9 on 1972 TOPPS.....

[fabiani12333]

OP -- show the cards. Let the BO community judge. Otherwise your story is hypothetical -- not anecdotal.

I regularly see newly-graded PSA 10s on eBay that are obviously below gem mint condition -- namely centering.

Cards manufactured over the last couple of years commonly have had condition issues. Paired with the big increase in submissions, is why gem rates have gone down.

[towerymt]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

OP -- show the cards. Let the BO community judge. Otherwise your story is hypothetical -- not anecdotal.

It's hard to figure why a card got a 5, 6, or 7 from 2D images. Determining why a card only got a 9....good luck.

Let's see some close ups