OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA - UPDATE!

[jeff550]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

well psa did that to a mantle card at the national. it was measuered and psa said it was trimed. when it was subbed to bvg it came back graded. i forget whos card it was though. if bvg says its trimmed than it is trimmed. i have some cards that i want graded b psa but after all the recent crap i might go with sgc. we will find out if it is trimmed. good luck.

 

[matfanofold]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

The problem with vintage is that not all cards were cut to the same exact size. graders know this and allow for a slight varience. If it's beyond that, even if it's stil llegit, it will be labled as altered. Personally, I'd take my chances with PSA over BVG any day of the week with vintage. And, with a iconic and valuable card like that, if it's coming back altered, I would bet it's altered.

 

[zach]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

Wanted to relay this experience to you guys & get your opinions.

Recently a young lady came into the shop with some sweet cards her grandfather had left her when he passed away. The lot included a couple hundred '52 Topps cards in decent shape. Among them were a handful of precious hi #'s including a pretty nice Eddie Mathews RC, the last card in the set & incredibly valuable & in-demand. The card is sweet, a little oc & probably EXMT. It has a tiny blemish on the border by the top right corner (but not on the corner).

OK, so I told her we outta get the nicer high #'s & the Mathews graded to maximize return, and she agreed. I hadn't submitted anything for grading in a few years, so I initially looked into PSA & Beckett. I settled for PSA, settled being the key word lol.

I had 12 cards to submit & I thought my best deal would be to buy the 2-year PSA club membership, which included 12 gradings according to the website. Nice. So I paid a couple hundred bucks & waited a week until my "kit" arrived. I dived right in & got to filling out the submission forms. Only then do I find out that none of the 12 "free" submissions can be worth more than $500. The Mathews books for 10k, you get the picture. So now I have to find another card to get graded in the 12, and shell out another $60 plus $26 shipping to get the Mathews graded & sent to me in a seperate registered mail package.

Today I got back the Mathews. It's unslabbed & labeled "altered". What a bunch of crap. To me "altered" means like it was restored or something. Let me assure you whatever the tiny flaw is on the card it happened back in the 50's. WTF is altered? It's no different than a bad corner - it's a flaw on the card! But grade it for God's sakes! I am shocked that PSA wouldn't give the card a grade, and wish I could get my money back.

I'll scan it on Monday & post it here. The card is sweet & 100% unaltered. So where do I go from here? Should I call BGS before I waste more $, or just submit it & hope the BGS guy has a brain at least? I've never been a fan of grading, and I feel that I'm a bit qualified to judge a card, having been a full-time dealer all my life.

This card came straight from the shoebox PSA!

Hmm, there are a few things I need to point out in your post here...

On PSA's website, on the page with the membership descriptions it very clearly states the membership package information...

I assume you joined the Platinum level

Direct Submission Privileges to All PSA Grading Services for One Year
A voucher for 15 Submissions - 7 Business Day Turnaround (All 15 cards must be submitted at the same time. Maximum value per card allowed is $499 each.)
T3's, Autographed Tickets, and Autographed Cards* are not allowed on this voucher.
1-Year Subscription to the Sports Market Report
Collecting Sports Legends: The Ultimate Hobby Guide
1-Year subscription to the PSA Population ReportSM and SMR Online
Electronic Version of the Sports Market Report**
Monthly Grading Specials

1. There is NO 2 year membership
2. There are NO 12 card submission memberships
3. It clearly mentions that the submissions are for cards with a MAX value of $499 each
4. You're only upset that PSA rejected the card for an "alteration" (whatever this may be). If they slabbed the card and sent it back to you you would be thrilled and look like a hero in the eyes of this customer. However, if sometime in the future this card is proven to be altered then you would be pissed at PSA for slabbing it in the first place and would call them a fraud. Don't be upset with PSA for doing their job and not slabbing a card that they feel is not 100% authentic.
5. I had a teacher in high school that used to say "Listen to me, I've been teaching for 25 years". My answer to him was, that doesn't mean you've been doing it right for 25 years. Just because you've been a card dealer all your life, doesn't mean you know it all.

 

[sportscardtheory]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

Wanted to relay this experience to you guys & get your opinions.

Recently a young lady came into the shop with some sweet cards her grandfather had left her when he passed away. The lot included a couple hundred '52 Topps cards in decent shape. Among them were a handful of precious hi #'s including a pretty nice Eddie Mathews RC, the last card in the set & incredibly valuable & in-demand. The card is sweet, a little oc & probably EXMT. It has a tiny blemish on the border by the top right corner (but not on the corner).

OK, so I told her we outta get the nicer high #'s & the Mathews graded to maximize return, and she agreed. I hadn't submitted anything for grading in a few years, so I initially looked into PSA & Beckett. I settled for PSA, settled being the key word lol.

I had 12 cards to submit & I thought my best deal would be to buy the 2-year PSA club membership, which included 12 gradings according to the website. Nice. So I paid a couple hundred bucks & waited a week until my "kit" arrived. I dived right in & got to filling out the submission forms. Only then do I find out that none of the 12 "free" submissions can be worth more than $500. The Mathews books for 10k, you get the picture. So now I have to find another card to get graded in the 12, and shell out another $60 plus $26 shipping to get the Mathews graded & sent to me in a seperate registered mail package.

Today I got back the Mathews. It's unslabbed & labeled "altered". What a bunch of crap. To me "altered" means like it was restored or something. Let me assure you whatever the tiny flaw is on the card it happened back in the 50's. WTF is altered? It's no different than a bad corner - it's a flaw on the card! But grade it for God's sakes! I am shocked that PSA wouldn't give the card a grade, and wish I could get my money back.

I'll scan it on Monday & post it here. The card is sweet & 100% unaltered. So where do I go from here? Should I call BGS before I waste more $, or just submit it & hope the BGS guy has a brain at least? I've never been a fan of grading, and I feel that I'm a bit qualified to judge a card, having been a full-time dealer all my life.

This card came straight from the shoebox PSA!

Hmm, there are a few things I need to point out in your post here...

On PSA's website, on the page with the membership descriptions it very clearly states the membership package information...

I assume you joined the Platinum level

Direct Submission Privileges to All PSA Grading Services for One Year
A voucher for 15 Submissions - 7 Business Day Turnaround (All 15 cards must be submitted at the same time. Maximum value per card allowed is $499 each.)
T3's, Autographed Tickets, and Autographed Cards* are not allowed on this voucher.
1-Year Subscription to the Sports Market Report
Collecting Sports Legends: The Ultimate Hobby Guide
1-Year subscription to the PSA Population ReportSM and SMR Online
Electronic Version of the Sports Market Report**
Monthly Grading Specials

1. There is NO 2 year membership
2. There are NO 12 card submission memberships
3. It clearly mentions that the submissions are for cards with a MAX value of $499 each
4. You're only upset that PSA rejected the card for an "alteration" (whatever this may be). If they slabbed the card and sent it back to you you would be thrilled and look like a hero in the eyes of this customer. However, if sometime in the future this card is proven to be altered then you would be pissed at PSA for slabbing it in the first place and would call them a fraud. Don't be upset with PSA for doing their job and not slabbing a card that they feel is not 100% authentic.
5. I had a teacher in high school that used to say "Listen to me, I've been teaching for 25 years". My answer to him was, that doesn't mean you've been doing it right for 25 years. Just because you've been a card dealer all your life, doesn't mean you know it all.

There most certainly is a 2 year membership.

 

[Mark McGwire Museum]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

Zach, you must not or ever have been a member of PSA, as your first 2 points are dead wrong, and anybody familiar with them would know that.

 

[scotty21690]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

SGC > PSA/BVG

 

[starwarsfan2003]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

Bah forget it, why bother......

 

[zach]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

Zach, you must not or ever have been a member of PSA, as your first 2 points are dead wrong, and anybody familiar with them would know that.

I have been (for 4 years) and still am a PSA member. The Platinum USED to be a 2 year membership. The OP wrote this as if it just happened. Currently, they do no offer that.

 

[zach]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

I will gladly admit I'm wrong if you can show me where it mentions a 2 year NEW membership.

 

[zach]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

Wanted to relay this experience to you guys & get your opinions.

Recently a young lady came into the shop with some sweet cards her grandfather had left her when he passed away. The lot included a couple hundred '52 Topps cards in decent shape. Among them were a handful of precious hi #'s including a pretty nice Eddie Mathews RC, the last card in the set & incredibly valuable & in-demand. The card is sweet, a little oc & probably EXMT. It has a tiny blemish on the border by the top right corner (but not on the corner).

OK, so I told her we outta get the nicer high #'s & the Mathews graded to maximize return, and she agreed. I hadn't submitted anything for grading in a few years, so I initially looked into PSA & Beckett. I settled for PSA, settled being the key word lol.

I had 12 cards to submit & I thought my best deal would be to buy the 2-year PSA club membership, which included 12 gradings according to the website. Nice. So I paid a couple hundred bucks & waited a week until my "kit" arrived. I dived right in & got to filling out the submission forms. Only then do I find out that none of the 12 "free" submissions can be worth more than $500. The Mathews books for 10k, you get the picture. So now I have to find another card to get graded in the 12, and shell out another $60 plus $26 shipping to get the Mathews graded & sent to me in a seperate registered mail package.

Today I got back the Mathews. It's unslabbed & labeled "altered". What a bunch of crap. To me "altered" means like it was restored or something. Let me assure you whatever the tiny flaw is on the card it happened back in the 50's. WTF is altered? It's no different than a bad corner - it's a flaw on the card! But grade it for God's sakes! I am shocked that PSA wouldn't give the card a grade, and wish I could get my money back.

I'll scan it on Monday & post it here. The card is sweet & 100% unaltered. So where do I go from here? Should I call BGS before I waste more $, or just submit it & hope the BGS guy has a brain at least? I've never been a fan of grading, and I feel that I'm a bit qualified to judge a card, having been a full-time dealer all my life.

This card came straight from the shoebox PSA!

Hmm, there are a few things I need to point out in your post here...

On PSA's website, on the page with the membership descriptions it very clearly states the membership package information...

I assume you joined the Platinum level

Direct Submission Privileges to All PSA Grading Services for One Year
A voucher for 15 Submissions - 7 Business Day Turnaround (All 15 cards must be submitted at the same time. Maximum value per card allowed is $499 each.)
T3's, Autographed Tickets, and Autographed Cards* are not allowed on this voucher.
1-Year Subscription to the Sports Market Report
Collecting Sports Legends: The Ultimate Hobby Guide
1-Year subscription to the PSA Population ReportSM and SMR Online
Electronic Version of the Sports Market Report**
Monthly Grading Specials

1. There is NO 2 year membership
2. There are NO 12 card submission memberships
3. It clearly mentions that the submissions are for cards with a MAX value of $499 each
4. You're only upset that PSA rejected the card for an "alteration" (whatever this may be). If they slabbed the card and sent it back to you you would be thrilled and look like a hero in the eyes of this customer. However, if sometime in the future this card is proven to be altered then you would be pissed at PSA for slabbing it in the first place and would call them a fraud. Don't be upset with PSA for doing their job and not slabbing a card that they feel is not 100% authentic.
5. I had a teacher in high school that used to say "Listen to me, I've been teaching for 25 years". My answer to him was, that doesn't mean you've been doing it right for 25 years. Just because you've been a card dealer all your life, doesn't mean you know it all.

Trying to look like a smart ass only made you look that much more stupid. It's jerk offs like you that sour people to great message boards like this. Leave and don't come back, we don't need your kind here. Loser

Please tell me why? Because I point out that the guy gets pissed at PSA for doing their job? For the fact that the guy didn't read the terms of the membership? For the reason that I mention about how long he's been a card dealer? Chill out there big boy. I've been collecting for 27 years and would never claim that as my basis for experience in grading. I've submitted a complete 1965 Topps set to PSA for grading and have had my share of rejections. So what!

Now you delete your post???

 

[allstars]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

Well thanks for educating me guys. Been awhile since I've been called a newbie lol, but i can accept that. First thing tomorrow morning I'll post the card in this thread & you can give me your opinions on how it was altered. I'm almost certain the questionable thing is the flaw i'm talking about. I do appreciate your opinions.

 

[trademhigh]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

Trying to look like a smart ass only made you look that much more stupid. It's jerk offs like you that sour people to great message boards like this. Leave and don't come back, we don't need your kind here. Loser

 

[BunchOBull]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

Zach, you must not or ever have been a member of PSA, as your first 2 points are dead wrong, and anybody familiar with them would know that.

I have been (for 4 years) and still am a PSA member. The Platinum USED to be a 2 year membership. The OP wrote this as if it just happened. Currently, they do no offer that.

It sounds as if he joined a month or so back. The new pricing stucture at platinum with 15 grading vouchers didn't pop up until last month some time did it?

 

[allstars]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

The deal I did definately for 12 vouchers. Should it have been 15? It was less than a month ago.

Any way, here are the scans. In the third one I've lined-up a few commons along the borders to illustrate the fact that the card clearly isn't trimmed at all.

 

[matfanofold]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

Could you possibly make the scans bigger, with higher resolution? You can not tell anything from them as they are.

 

[BunchOBull]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

No, you're fine. The old deal was 2 years and 12 vouchers or 1 year and 6. The structure has just changed...maybe even last week...some time in July. Now it's 1 year for essentially the old price of 2, but you get 15 vouchers.

Also, you can get a basic membership, with no vouchers, for I think $50. You did the right thing having such high-end cards to have graded...the vouchers make up for the expense. I don't know if the basically membership allows you to take advantage of monthly specials though.

 

[teachervido]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

Trying to look like a smart ass only made you look that much more stupid. It's jerk offs like you that sour people to great message boards like this. Leave and don't come back, we don't need your kind here. Loser

 

[allstars]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

No, you're fine. The old deal was 2 years and 12 vouchers or 1 year and 6. The structure has just changed...maybe even last week...some time in July. Now it's 1 year for essentially the old price of 2, but you get 15 vouchers.

Also, you can get a basic membership, with no vouchers, for I think $50. You did the right thing having such high-end cards to have graded...the vouchers make up for the expense. I don't know if the basically membership allows you to take advantage of monthly specials though.

OK great, thanks. Yea I sent 11 nice High # 52's on the vouchers, of course they haven't come back yet. I realize that grading such cards maximizes the return & gives online buyers confidence.

Matt here's larger scans:

 

[nyc3]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

Call psa and see what they say is the reason they considered it altered. They used to keep it on record, it wouldnt hurt to see what they say is the reason.

 

[allstars]

Re: OK, I'm a Little Pissed at PSA

Call psa and see what they say is the reason they considered it altered. They used to keep it on record, it wouldnt hurt to see what they say is the reason.

Do you see why I'm miffed? Obviously no attempt to hide the flaw has been made. the rest of the card is clean as can be. I will call them.