PSA Getting Tougher on Grading

Merkle14 · 02-02-2022, 01:04 PM

Has anyone subbed lately and felt that PSA has gotten a lot tougher? There were a few cards that I subbed that were potential 10s that gotten 8/9s. It also appears to be affecting BD Draft 21 a ton. Mayer's gem rate is super low compared to even other players in the set. Print lines are playing a huge factor as well.

Its just crazy to me that they are charging crazy high prices and giving more 8/9s than in the past. The hobby just seems to be spiraling in so many ways right now.

I would love to hear peoples thoughts!!

Triple B · 02-02-2022, 01:11 PM

I have a high end 12 card sub coming back to me in a few weeks. Let's hope that's not the case.

theshowandme · 02-02-2022, 01:14 PM

You're supposed to slip a $20 bill in each card saver when submitting

matt roberson · 02-02-2022, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshowandme

You're supposed to slip a $20 bill in each card saver when submitting

I've heard this said in jest before, but I'm curious if people do it.... Is it illegal? or mentioned in the submission rules/notes? Or just against the graders guidelines/grounds for termination? Would they ding your grades if you tried and got an honest grader?

I don't grade my cards and don't buy a lot of graded cards due to cost(s) and it being so subjective so I have never read through their policies. I was going to submit a bunch of PC cards a few years back via 3rd party bulk submissions on here but then they jacked the costs up and I said screw that.

notoriousrmb · 02-02-2022, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merkle14

Its just crazy to me that they are charging crazy high prices and giving more 8/9s than in the past. The hobby just seems to be spiraling in so many ways right now.

Well, maybe there are just a lot more 8/9 grade cards these days with all the production problems?

I don't think the amount they charge should have ANY correlation on the grades they give out - that just flat out says grading is a scam with that company.

MoreToppsPlease · 02-02-2022, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merkle14

Has anyone subbed lately and felt that PSA has gotten a lot tougher? There were a few cards that I subbed that were potential 10s that gotten 8/9s. It also appears to be affecting BD Draft 21 a ton. Mayer's gem rate is super low compared to even other players in the set. Print lines are playing a huge factor as well.

Its just crazy to me that they are charging crazy high prices and giving more 8/9s than in the past. The hobby just seems to be spiraling in so many ways right now.

I would love to hear peoples thoughts!!

Not sure why people think the purpose of TPGs is to provide a consistent service.

ddearing · 02-02-2022, 01:35 PM

Anecdotal evidence, but I had a 230 card order pop last night and it finished at 80% 10's. Almost all modern baseball and that's about in line with what I have been getting on similar orders over the last few years.

It would have been higher, but I got a grader who was super picky on Topps Gold Foil's. Some graders just refuse to give 10's on those cards. I've had orders that go 0 for 20 on Gold foils and other other orders that get PSA 10's on 12 out of 20. No difference in the quality I'm sending them. Just some graders won't give 10's on the Gold foils....

BeastMode27 · 02-02-2022, 01:41 PM

I sent 9 cards in a group of 20 the first week of Jan 2021 with another person. Grades popped last night. I went 9/9 on 10’s. The other person went 7/11. I didn’t just send anything though. Cherry picked only cards I though would for sure gem through every thing I picked up over the prior year, or had pulled within the previous couple years that decided to pull the trigger on. I was shocked to say the least.

BigSlim16 · 02-02-2022, 01:43 PM

Is PSA getting tougher or is QC getting worse or are people getting worse at picking what cards to send in? We may never know

ThoseBackPages · 02-02-2022, 01:43 PM

how great is that?

seanrs1 · 02-02-2022, 02:06 PM

Just received a sub back from PSA. My gem rate was 40%. I think my eye is still not great as some and I think I also had a hard grader.

Pacmeyer · 02-02-2022, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigSlim16

Is PSA getting tougher or is QC getting worse or are people getting worse at picking what cards to send in? We may never know

I think overall card quality declining is a given. I'm also thinking there's no problem here except (1) grading is done by different people so it will be subjective to some degree and (2) high prices causing some customers to feel entitled to 10s.

GLCBrad · 02-02-2022, 02:58 PM

To be fair

I did many breaks of 2021 Bowman Draft of the Marlins and compiled 40 autos of the 4 guys who signed

Only TWO passed my pre screen to submit

Print lines like the players dropped every card on gravel and rubbed them around

Edges jacked up

Just an awful QC product- and I thought 2020 BD was bad!

I’m not surprised that the gem rate is low so far

66_Fiat · 02-02-2022, 03:08 PM

I did a 16 card sub within a ground sub that came back 6 weeks ago. Only two cards came back other than what I thought they would. I got a 7 on a card I thought would be an 8 (2001 Topps Traded T99), and a 9 on a 2015 TC refractor that I still can't find a flaw on. All the others were the expected 9 or 10 grades.

I loupe all my cards before I send them in. I don't think many of the new submitters do this.

anusinha · 02-02-2022, 03:18 PM

Ive been opening a bit of 90s wax and am surprised that the quality is much better than i remember. Just as good if not better than today.

discodanman45 · 02-02-2022, 03:22 PM

My latest bulk submissions have been graded easier since Nat took over. However, this could be explained not buy PSA getting easier, but getting an easier grader at PSA. I think this is what happens when people get "easy" grades and "harsh" grades. I don't think it is PSA/BGS/CSG/SGC being tough or easy, it is the grader or graders that actually grade your cards.

JRX · 02-02-2022, 03:25 PM

Ever since the bbce pokemon debacle, I've been watching rattles vids and it's pretty clear all the grading companies are shams

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

NCWolf · 02-02-2022, 03:45 PM

I've come around to SGC. I don't care to pay almost 3 times the money and wait much, much longer for the cards just because it says "PSA" on it... But that's just me.

I found last year that the higher class I spent on the order the better I seemed to do on grades with PSA. It's likely just anecdotal with such a small sample size - but that was my experience.

Wrigs37 · 02-02-2022, 03:57 PM

PSA was it’s toughest exactly one year ago right before the shutdown. My gem rate was down to under 50% in the 4 subs I did between November 2020 to February 2021. It’s back up to 75-80% on my last 4 subs since reopening express. So no they are definitely not tougher at this moment. In fact my small sample size says they are much more lenient atm. I don’t send anything I think will 9 unless it’s a huge card and needs to be in a holder regardless of grade.

Wrigs37 · 02-02-2022, 03:57 PM

Double post

towerymt · 02-02-2022, 04:04 PM

What does your rejection pile look like? Obvious flaws? Or you have to closely inspect to find why you didn't submit a card?

I really try not to sub cards I hope will gem. I'll sub cards that I don't think will gem, but they might, and if they don't that's OK. But the big hurdle was trying to be critical and stick to what I think I know about flaws that will prevent a gem grade.

I went 5/6 gem and one nine on some 2020 Bowman Chrome autos in my last small order from over a year ago. I rejected as many or more than I sent.

Print lines down the front, or across the back, or centering, or light surface scuffs/scratches, a lifted or pressed 'paper' corner on the back, and pressed/dinged chrome corner on the front....all could be super minor, but enough to knock a card down to a 9.

If the "pack fresh" quality is not as good as previous sets, then you should be rejecting more cards than what is usual to you.

I'm looking at the one 9 I got back and I don't see anything obvious. All 8 corners look good under magnification. Here's one, cell phone photo (1.0x) through an 18x loupe, and then digital-zoom-crop. Are your corners sharp?

mikee1186 · 02-02-2022, 04:07 PM

My first SGC order popped today and is on its way back. Delivered there January 14th, 15 cards combo of PC and others, amazing turnaround time! Luck must have been on my side because I got 11 10s and 4 9.5s. Very happy so far!

Meanwhile, still waiting on a couple of PSA cards from a bulk order from 17+ months ago.

danimal875 · 02-02-2022, 04:11 PM

I didnt notice any change at all. If you are not looking at all 4 corners from the front and also the back (8 Corners) and ALL 4 edges with a 10x jewelers loupe and looking at both surfaces in natural light then you arent pre-grading your card. The naked eye cannot see minor corner dings. My gem rate was 85% or so pre boom and post boom as well. I send in 10s, period.

Pacmeyer · 02-02-2022, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by discodanman45

My latest bulk submissions have been graded easier since Nat took over. However, this could be explained not buy PSA getting easier, but getting an easier grader at PSA. I think this is what happens when people get "easy" grades and "harsh" grades. I don't think it is PSA/BGS/CSG/SGC being tough or easy, it is the grader or graders that actually grade your cards.

PSA expanding their shifts makes this even more of a given. More graders at work equals more variation in grades statistically speaking. You would have to continually submit and check your results to make a definitive statement that PSA has actually changed. Instead, people are getting back a single order and announcing grading is tougher or easier.

ZappBrannigan · 02-02-2022, 04:20 PM

Tougher on grading.

Like the new Tide washes your clothes better than the stuff they made 8 months ago.

Hilarious hobby BS.

02-02-2022, 01:04 PM	#1
Merkle14 Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Virginia Posts: 702	PSA Getting Tougher on Grading Has anyone subbed lately and felt that PSA has gotten a lot tougher? There were a few cards that I subbed that were potential 10s that gotten 8/9s. It also appears to be affecting BD Draft 21 a ton. Mayer's gem rate is super low compared to even other players in the set. Print lines are playing a huge factor as well. Its just crazy to me that they are charging crazy high prices and giving more 8/9s than in the past. The hobby just seems to be spiraling in so many ways right now. I would love to hear peoples thoughts!!

02-02-2022, 01:11 PM	#2
Triple B Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 6,228	I have a high end 12 card sub coming back to me in a few weeks. Let's hope that's not the case. __________________ Wanted Dead or Alive! 1. 1997 Bowman's Best Jose Cruz, Jr Atomic Refractor Autograph 2. 1997 SPx Jose Cruz, Jr. Grand Finale /50

02-02-2022, 01:35 PM	#7
ddearing Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 3,817 vintage-dan ddearing	Anecdotal evidence, but I had a 230 card order pop last night and it finished at 80% 10's. Almost all modern baseball and that's about in line with what I have been getting on similar orders over the last few years. It would have been higher, but I got a grader who was super picky on Topps Gold Foil's. Some graders just refuse to give 10's on those cards. I've had orders that go 0 for 20 on Gold foils and other other orders that get PSA 10's on 12 out of 20. No difference in the quality I'm sending them. Just some graders won't give 10's on the Gold foils.... __________________ If you have to explain why it's a 1/1, then it's NOT a 1/1. Looking for Andre Dawson Serial numbered cards that are his jersey number - either #8 or #10. So looking for cards like 8/8 or 08/99 or 10/250.

02-02-2022, 01:43 PM	#10
ThoseBackPages Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 90,283 ThoseBackPages	how great is that? __________________ Pumpers Paradise #YouCryIBuy Four things that we cannot change each others minds about: Politics, Religion, Third Party Grading, and 2021 Bowman's Best Rookie Cards

02-02-2022, 03:08 PM	#14
66_Fiat Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Marysville, OH Posts: 3,168	I did a 16 card sub within a ground sub that came back 6 weeks ago. Only two cards came back other than what I thought they would. I got a 7 on a card I thought would be an 8 (2001 Topps Traded T99), and a 9 on a 2015 TC refractor that I still can't find a flaw on. All the others were the expected 9 or 10 grades. I loupe all my cards before I send them in. I don't think many of the new submitters do this. __________________ There is a difference between best hitter and best player. Paying nicely for 2013 and 2015 TTT Pujols "The Machine" patches!

02-02-2022, 01:14 PM	#3
theshowandme Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 5,070 theshowandme nova_cards	You're supposed to slip a $20 bill in each card saver when submitting

02-02-2022, 01:41 PM	#8
BeastMode27 Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 2,341	I sent 9 cards in a group of 20 the first week of Jan 2021 with another person. Grades popped last night. I went 9/9 on 10’s. The other person went 7/11. I didn’t just send anything though. Cherry picked only cards I though would for sure gem through every thing I picked up over the prior year, or had pulled within the previous couple years that decided to pull the trigger on. I was shocked to say the least.

02-02-2022, 01:43 PM	#9
BigSlim16 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 4,332	Is PSA getting tougher or is QC getting worse or are people getting worse at picking what cards to send in? We may never know

02-02-2022, 02:06 PM	#11
seanrs1 Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,884	Just received a sub back from PSA. My gem rate was 40%. I think my eye is still not great as some and I think I also had a hard grader.

02-02-2022, 02:58 PM	#13
GLCBrad Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Point Pleasant, NJ Posts: 381 GLCBrad	To be fair I did many breaks of 2021 Bowman Draft of the Marlins and compiled 40 autos of the 4 guys who signed Only TWO passed my pre screen to submit Print lines like the players dropped every card on gravel and rubbed them around Edges jacked up Just an awful QC product- and I thought 2020 BD was bad! I’m not surprised that the gem rate is low so far

02-02-2022, 03:18 PM	#15
anusinha Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 13,708	Ive been opening a bit of 90s wax and am surprised that the quality is much better than i remember. Just as good if not better than today.

02-02-2022, 03:22 PM	#16
discodanman45 Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: CA Posts: 9,797 danch27	My latest bulk submissions have been graded easier since Nat took over. However, this could be explained not buy PSA getting easier, but getting an easier grader at PSA. I think this is what happens when people get "easy" grades and "harsh" grades. I don't think it is PSA/BGS/CSG/SGC being tough or easy, it is the grader or graders that actually grade your cards. __________________ Always looking for rarer Rik Smits cards and cards from the 2014-15 Spectra Global Icons set. Send me a message!

02-02-2022, 03:25 PM	#17
JRX Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 15,881	Ever since the bbce pokemon debacle, I've been watching rattles vids and it's pretty clear all the grading companies are shams Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

02-02-2022, 03:45 PM	#18
NCWolf Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 3,449	I've come around to SGC. I don't care to pay almost 3 times the money and wait much, much longer for the cards just because it says "PSA" on it... But that's just me. I found last year that the higher class I spent on the order the better I seemed to do on grades with PSA. It's likely just anecdotal with such a small sample size - but that was my experience.

02-02-2022, 03:57 PM	#19
Wrigs37 Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 1,687 Wrigs37	PSA was it’s toughest exactly one year ago right before the shutdown. My gem rate was down to under 50% in the 4 subs I did between November 2020 to February 2021. It’s back up to 75-80% on my last 4 subs since reopening express. So no they are definitely not tougher at this moment. In fact my small sample size says they are much more lenient atm. I don’t send anything I think will 9 unless it’s a huge card and needs to be in a holder regardless of grade. __________________ -IG: @nice_cardboard Last edited by Wrigs37; 02-02-2022 at 04:01 PM.

02-02-2022, 03:57 PM	#20
Wrigs37 Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 1,687 Wrigs37	Double post __________________ -IG: @nice_cardboard Last edited by Wrigs37; 02-02-2022 at 04:01 PM.

02-02-2022, 04:04 PM	#21
towerymt Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: VA Posts: 8,802	What does your rejection pile look like? Obvious flaws? Or you have to closely inspect to find why you didn't submit a card? I really try not to sub cards I hope will gem. I'll sub cards that I don't think will gem, but they might, and if they don't that's OK. But the big hurdle was trying to be critical and stick to what I think I know about flaws that will prevent a gem grade. I went 5/6 gem and one nine on some 2020 Bowman Chrome autos in my last small order from over a year ago. I rejected as many or more than I sent. Print lines down the front, or across the back, or centering, or light surface scuffs/scratches, a lifted or pressed 'paper' corner on the back, and pressed/dinged chrome corner on the front....all could be super minor, but enough to knock a card down to a 9. If the "pack fresh" quality is not as good as previous sets, then you should be rejecting more cards than what is usual to you. I'm looking at the one 9 I got back and I don't see anything obvious. All 8 corners look good under magnification. Here's one, cell phone photo (1.0x) through an 18x loupe, and then digital-zoom-crop. Are your corners sharp?

02-02-2022, 04:07 PM	#22
mikee1186 Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: TN Posts: 2,147 mikee1186	My first SGC order popped today and is on its way back. Delivered there January 14th, 15 cards combo of PC and others, amazing turnaround time! Luck must have been on my side because I got 11 10s and 4 9.5s. Very happy so far! Meanwhile, still waiting on a couple of PSA cards from a bulk order from 17+ months ago.

02-02-2022, 04:11 PM	#23
danimal875 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 4,929 thunder_cards thundercards	I didnt notice any change at all. If you are not looking at all 4 corners from the front and also the back (8 Corners) and ALL 4 edges with a 10x jewelers loupe and looking at both surfaces in natural light then you arent pre-grading your card. The naked eye cannot see minor corner dings. My gem rate was 85% or so pre boom and post boom as well. I send in 10s, period.

02-02-2022, 04:20 PM	#25
ZappBrannigan Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Biafra Posts: 2,381	Tougher on grading. Like the new Tide washes your clothes better than the stuff they made 8 months ago. Hilarious hobby BS.