PSA Invitational question

[Flintboy]

Saw over on Blowout that Small Traditions is getting outed for trimming. Reading the OP it was mentioned that they were looking for cards to take to the PSA Invitational to meet with the graders to possibly bump. There’s been talk about the “Invitationals” but has anyone ever been to one? If so what was the experience like? The whole thing to me just drips of a conflict of interest for PSA.

[Johnny630]

I’ve mentioned this several times on numerous threads over the past years on this board......gets little attention. I have serious questions about what goes on at these secret meetings. You have to be a high volume submitter I think it’s a minimum amount you have to bring in value to be graded. Then supposedly you get to speak 1 on 1 with a greater about your cards. How great does that sound ?? transparency? Oh that’s right forget about it we just offer opinions, what a joke! Stinks doesn’t it ?

[perezfan]

Sadly, nobody that actually attends these Invitationals is likely to comment within this thread. Why would they reveal secrets and tacit agreements that would further expose the fraud and corruption?

Perhaps 2-3% of the ongoing hobby/industry sleaze has been revealed so far. Still the tip of the iceberg. There are a whole slew of other corrupt participants who are keeping a low profile and hoping that they can remain under the radar.

None of them are likely to open up this can of worms, or reveal any other favors granted by PSA in exchange for increased business and submissions. So unfortunately, this is likely to be a very short thread.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Sadly, nobody that actually attends these Invitationals is likely to comment within this thread. Why would they reveal secrets and tacit agreements that would further expose the fraud and corruption?

Perhaps 2-3% of the ongoing hobby/industry sleaze has been revealed so far. Still the tip of the iceberg. There are a whole slew of other corrupt participants who are keeping a low profile and hoping that they can remain under the radar.

None of them are likely to open up this can of worms, or reveal any other favors granted by PSA in exchange for increased business and submissions. So unfortunately, this is likely to be a very short thread.

Yup why bite the hand that feeds them......it's a rigged system in favor of the big submitter's ....some of the type guys with adds on their website and SMR

[Leon]

The invitationals from TPGs seem like a way to get preferential treatment. That isn't the way it's supposed to be. Maybe the FBI should take a look at those too.

[bnorth]

With PSA does anybody really know who is invited? Is it just the top submitters or is it all members in their submitter club or whatever they call their membership for submitting?

Does Beckett do anything similar?

I can only comment on SGC from about 3 years ago. They do something similar and they must invite everyone in their submitter club or whatever it is called. I say this because the year I was a member I got a invitation. I am not a big submitter, I just wanted a few 100 cards graded and it was cheaper if I joined the club.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by Leon

The invitationals from TPGs seem like a way to get preferential treatment. That isn't the way it's supposed to be. Maybe the FBI should take a look at those too.

100% Leon I've been talking about the PSA INVITATIONALS FOR YEARS......
All dependent upon how far the US Prosecutors Office and the FBI wanna dig and take it........maybe it's a time for someone to wear a wire.......

These are in person no paper trail or electronic means of communications sit downs ....that's why I mention a wire.....all dependent of course on how far they want to dig and go after the criminals

[Stampsfan]

I always thought the “PSA Invitational” was a golf tournament.

[Goudey77]

There is nothing illegal about a PSA invitational. (even with preferential treatment)
The problem starts with consumers believing grades are legally binding.
It's a service and an opinion with no legal implications.
Unfortunately this service has become a multi million dollar game changer.
None of this will hold up in court if you ask me.

If it were up to me everything should just be "authenticated" and premiums held for eye appeal. No numerical grades or subjective opinion by Joe Schmo who found a job at a TPG.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by Goudey77

There is nothing illegal about a PSA invitational. (even with preferential treatment)
The problem starts with consumers believing grades are legally binding.
It's a service and an opinion with no legal implications.
Unfortunately this service has become a multi million dollar game changer.
None of this will hold up in court if you ask me.

If it were up to me everything should just be "authenticated" and premiums held for eye appeal. No numerical grades or subjective opinion by Joe Schmo who found a job at a TPG.

Of course it should be that way. But their preferential grading system and highly subjective numbering have likely corrupted things forever (or at least in our lifetimes).

It will take an entirely new TPG entry to authenticate the way you described... But addicted Sheeple actually embracing it is a whole different story.

[Johnny630]

https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=181454