Cards Sealed w/ Topps sticker to PSA

[seanbros55]

*SEALED* awesome typo in the Title...go me.

Sorry if this has been asked before...

Has anyone recently sent a Topps factory sealed (sticker + top loader) card to PSA?

I've typically kept these cards in the original factory packaging when submitting. (to hopefully express to the grader that they've been untouched)

As there have been more and more posts about PSA damaging cards, I was wondering if any of us regular submitters have changed their philosophy?

Have you always repacked factory-sealed cards into a CardSaver, per PSA's recommendations?

Have you always sent these cards in original/sealed factory packaging?

Am I overthinking it?

Thanks

[RufussCkingston]

I believe the grader NEVER sees the card in this "sealed" toploader.... When the card is taken out of the packaging and entered into the system, that person will cut the seal and take the card out of the toploader, hopefully not jacking it up in the process. Then will put it inside a regular cardsaver and attach the tracking cert barcode sticker to it. Then it will get sent to a grader.

You should always take the card out yourself and put it in a proper penny sleeve and cardsaver. Plus gives you the chance to inpsect the card to see that it didn't come damaged from topps.

[towerymt]

If you're sending for grading, take it out and inspect it. You might catch something dumb like a fingerprint. Or worse, a scratch.

[rnocards]

I'm sending in at least 20 cards soon, all in a penny sleave and cardsaver, except one card. This one card comes in a one-touch, with a factory sealed sticker on top. I put a note to PSA in the comment section of the submission form that they have my permission to break open the seal, take out the card, and grade it.

I know the risk of them damaging it, as they take it out, but I would rather that they damage it than me damaging it in the process of taking it out.

[KGD54]

I actually have been looking into the same thing. I have a card from 2005 in the original topps sealed case that i want to get graded. The card has black borders and I can see a little bit of white on a corner so I think the card is not getting a 10. That said I think if a grader sees its in the original sealed case I would have a good shot at a 9, but if I send it raw then maybe they knock it to an 8 as its a card from 2005.
I really think that the sealed card gets unsealed before they get to the grader, as the graders time is valuable and PSA would want cards to be easily accessible to graders. This is my own theory though.
At the end of the day, i do not think it really matters if you send it sealed or unsealed. I know some people have pulled out sealed cards and wiped down finger prints and dust, so unsealing may have helped them.
I look forward to reading more responses.

[RufussCkingston]

Originally Posted by rnocards

I know the risk of them damaging it, as they take it out, but I would rather that they damage it than me damaging it in the process of taking it out.

You must have some really fat fingers!

[rnocards]

The fattest.

I've damaged a good number of my cards so far.

[Woodsy074]

Originally Posted by RufussCkingston

I believe the grader NEVER sees the card in this "sealed" toploader.... When the card is taken out of the packaging and entered into the system, that person will cut the seal and take the card out of the toploader, hopefully not jacking it up in the process. Then will put it inside a regular cardsaver and attach the tracking cert barcode sticker to it. Then it will get sent to a grader.

You should always take the card out yourself and put it in a proper penny sleeve and cardsaver. Plus gives you the chance to inpsect the card to see that it didn't come damaged from topps.

OP - this post is spot on. You should do the work yourself and properly inspect the card.

[seanbros55]

Thanks for the thoughtful replies everyone!