Why is PSA still the Gold Standard?

[5429]

PSA has already been proven to grade doctored and forged cards. They use BBCE to authenicate unopened materials. BBCE are the same guys who gave their stamp of approval to a 3.5 millin dollar case of Poemon cards that turned out to be fake. After the latest fiasco at the National where BBCE authicated a box of 1986-87 "unopened packs" that were obviously tampered with, why would anyone believe any material autheticated by PSA/BBCE is actually authenitic?

With all the doctored cards out there in PSA slabs why would anyone trust PSA's grading? Is there really any difference between a PSA 10 and 9? How many times have people resubmitted a PSA 9 and gotten back a PSA 10? Why is PSA so highly regarded? They seem to be pretty bad at grading cards.

[rngrdanny22]

Why is most of what you said directed at PSA when the majority of your issues appear to be with BBCE?

[zworykin]

Bigger question, why is this thread not in the Grading sub-forum?

[aro13]

1) Marketing
2) not a large enough population read the message boards (I believe way back when Joe Orlando was President he said it was like 1%)
3) once it's in a PSA holder people it's not coming out unless you try to upgrade it
4) Set Registry - people want to complete sets in PSA holders and compete heavily to do so
5) many wealthy people have quite a bit of money tied up in PSA cards

[5429]

Originally Posted by zworykin

Bigger question, why is this thread not in the Grading sub-forum?

You're right I probably should have posted this there.

Originally Posted by aro13

1) Marketing
2) not a large enough population read the message boards (I believe way back when Joe Orlando was President he said it was like 1%)
3) once it's in a PSA holder people it's not coming out unless you try to upgrade it
4) Set Registry - people want to complete sets in PSA holders and compete heavily to do so
5) many wealthy people have quite a bit of money tied up in PSA cards

It's sad how collectors are giving one company so much power over the hobby.

[letsgocapitals]

ROI.

/Thread

[aro13]

Originally Posted by 5429

You're right I probably should have posted this there.




It's sad how collectors are giving one company so much power over the hobby.

That is it right there. PSA has incredible power. Especially in the autograph area. If you have an auto that doesn't have a PSA/DNA sticker it is a tough sell. Once the PSA/DNA sticker is attached to it, it doesn't matter what it looks like it is given the green light to sell. Same with a PSA 10. The difference in prices between each grade puts way too much power in the hands of a grader looking at the card for 45 seconds (I'm being generous).

[KhalDrogo]

Which company do you suggest be the gold standard?

[Skipscards]

You must be old around here.

[SupermanBrandon]

Originally Posted by letsgocapitals

ROI.

/Thread

Bingo /thread. Zero reason to list anything else.

[Seitas]

I think their pricing model lacks integrity and is a HUGE conflict of interest. They’re rewarded financially for offering higher grades. I can’t believe I’m the only one that feels this way.
BUT…the return on investment is indisputable.

[rngrdanny22]

Originally Posted by Seitas

I think their pricing model lacks integrity and is a HUGE conflict of interest. They’re rewarded financially for offering higher grades. I can’t believe I’m the only one that feels this way.
BUT…the return on investment is indisputable.

From my experience, upcharges are incredibly rare.

I've submitted probably 10K+ cards and had it happen ONCE.

[Gary C]

Meh sleeve the card place in binder and enjoy. Take your 40 bucks and get another nice card.

[Seitas]

Originally Posted by rngrdanny22

From my experience, upcharges are incredibly rare.

I've submitted probably 10K+ cards and had it happen ONCE.

Honest question: PSA states the reason for their pricing is due to insurance while shipping. Is their pricing different at a card show where the grading is done same day, on-site and doesn’t require shipping insurance?

[towerymt]

Best in the biz. Untouchable.

[5429]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Which company do you suggest be the gold standard?

I don't know but it sure shouldn't be PSA. PSA grading a card is akin to an auditor giving and opinion on finacial statements. In business, once it becomes common knowledge that a firm is giving unqualifierd opinions to companies that don't warrant them, users are going to start disregarding their opinions and start using another firm. The original firm then gets sued or evetually goes out of business. People don't just shrug their should and say "Oh well" like they do with collectible cards.

I have some PSA slabs but luckily there are newer ones. Nowadays, I wouldn't trust a PSA grade on anything other than ultra modern. PSA cards only sel for a premium becuase of their reputation, but since they can't even detect forged or altered materials why would anyone give them any credibility anymore?

[cardsin47]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hermanotarjeta]

The answer is - sheep.

[blackbears86]

Originally Posted by aro13

1) Marketing
2) not a large enough population read the message boards (I believe way back when Joe Orlando was President he said it was like 1%)
3) once it's in a PSA holder people it's not coming out unless you try to upgrade it
4) Set Registry - people want to complete sets in PSA holders and compete heavily to do so
5) many wealthy people have quite a bit of money tied up in PSA cards

Ding, ding, ding.


We have a winner!!!!



I'm guilty as charged. I grade with PSA.

[BigSeph]

Because collectors hate cheating in sports, but they don't mind fraud in grading if they can personally profit from it.

[SupermanBrandon]

Originally Posted by 5429

I don't know but it sure shouldn't be PSA. PSA grading a card is akin to an auditor giving and opinion on finacial statements. In business, once it becomes common knowledge that a firm is giving unqualifierd opinions to companies that don't warrant them, users are going to start disregarding their opinions and start using another firm. The original firm then gets sued or evetually goes out of business. People don't just shrug their should and say "Oh well" like they do with collectible cards.

I have some PSA slabs but luckily there are newer ones. Nowadays, I wouldn't trust a PSA grade on anything other than ultra modern. PSA cards only sel for a premium becuase of their reputation, but since they can't even detect forged or altered materials why would anyone give them any credibility anymore?

Welcome sports cards. This isn't a law firm or financial institution. Who grades "better" isn't a real thing. It's just an opinion based on that persons personal experience, that day. PSA is king due to ROI. Thats it. Until someone else starts selling for more...everything else DOES NOT MATTER!

[blackbears86]

Originally Posted by rngrdanny22

From my experience, upcharges are incredibly rare.

I've submitted probably 10K+ cards and had it happen ONCE.

It's happened to me 4 times this year already with small orders. I'm not complaining.

[blackbears86]

Originally Posted by SupermanBrandon

Welcome sports cards. This isn't a law firm or financial institution. Who grades "better" isn't a real thing. It's just an opinion based on that persons personal experience, that day. PSA is king due to ROI. Thats it. Until someone else starts selling for more...everything else DOES NOT MATTER!

Great answer.



Years ago, BGS was the king of modern, and PSA was the king of vintage.


But the set registry really took hold and BGS made some mistakes and PSA is now the king of both modern/vintage.


Both companies are hugely flawed and have made terrible lapses in judgement/ethics, but PSA has maintained their advantage. I just feel they are so firmly entrenched no one will challenge them for many years.

[dwillard]

Originally Posted by Gary C

Meh sleeve the card place in binder and enjoy. Take your 40 bucks and get another nice card.

The real /thread!!

[discodanman45]

Don't worry, TAG will be grading soon with each subgrade graded on a 1000 point scale. Every PSA slab will be cracked to have perfect grading done.