submitting cards to PSA seeking the half-point bump

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Posted By: Al

My apologies if this topic has been beaten to death.

I was not a big fan of the half-point move by PSA, however, I've gotten over that and realize it's here to stay, so I may as well join the process. I currently have 163 PSA 8s in my 55 Topps baseball collection, all NQ. I feel certain that perhaps 5-10% of these cards will bump to PSA 8.5s, and maybe one or two could hit the Holy Grail of PSA 9. I have sought info from various sources on how to submit my cards to Newport Beach for analysis. I also have a couple of hundred other PSA 8s and PSA 9s from various sets, of which again, I'm certain some would bump up.

A well known poster here advises me to contact Joe and see if I can get a deal on the volume submission, which I will do. The various comments I've gotten is to send the cards in all at once and then others tell me in batches. The batches idea is to hopefully ensure multiple graders for analysis as opposed to a one grader potential with a massive submission. Any comments or ideas on the batches vs big submission approach?

I am also told that PSA is a mere 5 minutes from John Wayne airport in LA. I am fortunate to fly free on Delta, the trip from Atlanta is perhaps 5 hours. Therefore, I could easily hand deliver and perhaps arrange for hand pickup, this would ensure no loss, no damage and the huge shipping fees back to me from PSA. I am retired, so it's just a matter of my butt sitting in the tube to pull this off. Is this the best way to go, or just trust the USPS and pay the coin to and from? I think getting to and from Atlanta via John Wayne in one day can't be that big a deal. Of course I would have to do it twice. Hand carrying would of course put me into the potential of the one-grader possibility...or is this just a bit of paranoia on my part?

Held at arms length, I honestly (could anyone) couldn't tell the difference between a PSA 8 and a PSA 8.5. Should I make a valiant attempt with a loupe to check the cards, or just plan to take them all?

Any pointers on this topic appreciated. I've been out of the submission arena for quite a while, anyone know what the rate is to review a slab for the bump? For a 163+ (depending on upcoming eBay bids), what should I reasonably expect from PSA to review them all? IOW what do you think is a fair price given the volume?

Thanks for all responses.