PSA Upcharges

[montej1695]

I'm fairly new to submitting cards for grading. This is the first time I've actually submitted. I managed to get some allotment and submitted a few orders to PSA over the last month or so.

When I submitted, a few of the cards were difficult to estimate value, as none of them were listed/sold. I submitted them all at 900+ to be safe, if thats the best way to describe it.

I was just checking eBay and noticed two of the cards that I submitted last month are now listed with ridiculously high BIN's. (10k - 20k)


How does PSA declare value in those situations? No I would not complain if those cards GEM and it would be a good problem to have.

As always, I appreciate all feedback.

[epatmythes]

They comp off of sold(s), not asking price. Any knucklehead can list a $500 card on eBay for $10K or best offer.

[Grid]

They go off of fair market value. But in your case, if something happened while they still had the cards, they would go off of your claimed value.

If you wanted to save money, since they up-charge based on the value of the cards, and claimed a $5,000 card was only worth $500. And PSA then loses your card while they had it, you would only get $500.

No different than lying when you purchase insurance.

One of the reasons why they charge so much more on high dollar cards, to essentially perform the same services they would on a $1.00 card. Is because they have to back up any issues.

If they grade a faked card, and had to buy it back at market value as an example. They would be out more money on pricier cards. So they charge more to grade them. Just as an example

[hugh]

I think I know the answer to this question, but does PSA ever refund money due to the card being worth less? Or do they only increase it?

[KPOD]

Originally Posted by hugh

I think I know the answer to this question, but does PSA ever refund money due to the card being worth less? Or do they only increase it?

PSA? Refund money? No

[IndySportsCards]

Originally Posted by hugh

I think I know the answer to this question, but does PSA ever refund money due to the card being worth less? Or do they only increase it?

No, because that would be fair.

[CardGoonies]

Originally Posted by hugh

I think I know the answer to this question, but does PSA ever refund money due to the card being worth less? Or do they only increase it?

They do not... The loophole PSA created there is that there is a value AND time/service level attached to your submission. So, even if your value was a big miss on your part, they did complet the service level that you paid for. This is also why they removed the "X Day" service names as to not be bound.

[montej1695]

I appreciate the responses so far, you guys make some great points... some of which I never even considered. I still dont think anyone addressed my specific question.

If I submitted a card that PSA has absolutely zero historic comparable sales info, how would they place value? I'm glad they would not just base it on some absurd eBay listing... someone mentioned they would probably default to my estimate?

They have that PSA Auction Prices tool which actually helped me on some cards that I had questions with.

Curious if anyone was ever in this position?

[mc1]

Originally Posted by montej1695

I appreciate the responses so far, you guys make some great points... some of which I never even considered. I still dont think anyone addressed my specific question.

If I submitted a card that PSA has absolutely zero historic comparable sales info, how would they place value? I'm glad they would not just base it on some absurd eBay listing... someone mentioned they would probably default to my estimate?

They have that PSA Auction Prices tool which actually helped me on some cards that I had questions with.

Curious if anyone was ever in this position?

Nobody knows guy.

PSA upcharges are about as reliable as their grading. One day your card might be a 10. The next it is a 9.

You might get upcharged for your cards one order, the next time they dont.

[CardGoonies]

Originally Posted by montej1695

I appreciate the responses so far, you guys make some great points... some of which I never even considered. I still dont think anyone addressed my specific question.

If I submitted a card that PSA has absolutely zero historic comparable sales info, how would they place value? I'm glad they would not just base it on some absurd eBay listing... someone mentioned they would probably default to my estimate?

They have that PSA Auction Prices tool which actually helped me on some cards that I had questions with.

Curious if anyone was ever in this position?

When I have submitted super low pop stuff.... non-sports.... They have just taken my $500 valuation. I just got back a 1985 Hasbro Action Packs Optimus Prime in a PSA 10 and I put a valuation of $500 on it for the $50 economy service and it went through just fine.... That card will sell for $2,000+.

PSA isn't killing people on absurd valuation upcharges or comping every card in real time as it passes through their offices. I wouldn't sweat it.

[Promethius88]

The amount of cards they actually upcharge is very small compared to the amount of cards they could upcharge if they wanted.
I can't tell you how many times over the years I've gotten back bulk submissions with 10's that were actually worth $500 or more.

As others have said, for something extremely obscure, they are going to go by whatever value that you declare on the submission.

[montej1695]

Awesome... u all have been super helpful, and it would be my pleasure to get the next round at happy hour!!!

Cheers!!!

[Ericc5Bears]

Originally Posted by mc1

Nobody knows guy.

PSA upcharges are about as reliable as their grading. One day your card might be a 10. The next it is a 9.

You might get upcharged for your cards one order, the next time they dont.

From my last express order ($1499 Max DV):

1957 Topps Bill Russell Graded PSA 1 (Easily a $4000+ card):
Not Upcharged

2017 Hoops Kobe Sticker Auto /99 Graded PSA 9 ($1400-$1500 card): Upcharged

[Boostedwrx]

I keep wishing for upcharges lol

[RufussCkingston]

Originally Posted by Ericc5Bears

From my last express order ($1499 Max DV):

1957 Topps Bill Russell Graded PSA 1 (Easily a $4000+ card):
Not Upcharged

2017 Hoops Kobe Sticker Auto /99 Graded PSA 9 ($1400-$1500 card): Upcharged

I thought express was $2499 max DV.... Did you mean Standard?

[PSA2Pac]

Speaking of upcharges, just got my first batch


Beyond excited.. two Gold Lamelos, one being an auto (pop 1 and pop 2), plus a SGA Contenders Optic Red Auto and a freakin blue Prizm rookie…. All Bought off eBay raw, all Gem Mints

Had another eBay purchase pop on a different sub today too: 2018 Status SGA Die Cut rookie - Gem Mint (pop 2)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[zworykin]

Well done!

[PSA2Pac]

Originally Posted by zworykin

Well done!

Thanks bro!

[jlebron44]

Quick question: Is the cost of the actual upcharge subjective or do they just bump the cost up to the next level (e.g., a card sent express that exceeds $1500 has to pay the super express cost)?

[Chy]

Originally Posted by jlebron44

Quick question: Is the cost of the actual upcharge subjective or do they just bump the cost up to the next level (e.g., a card sent express that exceeds $1500 has to pay the super express cost)?

Based on value, look at the image above. $50 Econ sub, one upgraded to $100, others upgraded to $300 charge.

[jlebron44]

Ah gotcha, thanks!

[towerymt]

Originally Posted by KPOD

PSA? Refund money? No

I should be getting a small check from PSA in a few weeks, but it's a much different situation.

No, they won't refund you when you send worthless cards at high grading cost.

They seem to upcharge on the more commonly traded (sold) cards. I sent a '89 Topps Tiffany Randy Johnson RC in a bulk order about 18 months ago, for a $10 grading fee, and it gem'd. But no upcharge. PSA's own SMR price guide lists it at $1,800. So they're not even enforcing something they could easily check against their own data. The max declared value was $99, and I think that's what I put, expecting it to get a 9.