PSA Grading Conundrum
 

Happy New Year! I’m not quite sure of my path forward here (or if there’s a path) but would appreciate any thoughts. So here’s the situation…

A few years ago I picked up a 1998 Authentic Peyton Manning RC, graded a PSA 9. Just recently, I saw that Manning was signing at a show and I thought to myself, cool, I’ll break out the card, get it autographed, and then immediately drop it off at the PSA booth, fully recognizing that by breaking it out to get autographed it would be subject to the whims of re-grading but thought it a pretty solid 9 and would surely come back a 9. The front is exceptionally clean and the reverse does show very slight touch to a corner or two. Not that it mattered any but on the submission form I noted that the card had been a PSA 9, including the certification number as reference. Sure enough, the card came back from PSA graded an 8 - a full grade lower than what it had graded previously. This wasn’t the first card I’ve cracked-out so have become pretty proficient at it and the card was cracked out just prior to going to the show and was protected at all times, and as noted, handed-off to PSA at their booth at the show. I mention this as I took particular care during the process. Just leaves me wondering if the earlier 9 was the right grade or if the new 8 is the right grade. I think it might reflect PSA’s current tighter grading standard but it didn’t sit well with me. Also, as it had been a 9, I used the value of a 9 too determine the fee for the service so I’m now feeling like I got ripped on the cost of grading too. I shared this experience with PSA a few weeks ago but to date, haven’t heard back. What would you do? Submit again to PSA for a review? Just leave it? Keep pressing PSA? Anyway, appreciate anyone’s thoughts. Here are the pics from PSA of the card. Thanks!

PSA did exactly what you asked them to. If you don't want to be banned in the future from submitting, you should probably leave them alone.

We all know PSA cannot even reliably tell the difference between their own 8’s, 9’s and 10’s. It’s a gambling crapshoot, not a real consistent and honest grade. Either don’t submit and play this game, or just keep writing them checks until you get the grade desired, eventually you’ll get it.

IMO, you have to use the throwing the 'challenge flag' metaphor on this one. If PSA checks the replay, i.e., re-examines the card, they would need “clear and obvious visual evidence” that their call was wrong. Do you think those tiny touches on the back corners (or possibly other factors) would preclude them from agreeing with you (and themselves for previously giving it a 9)? As frustrating as it is (and we all understand that, because we've all been the victims of the grading machine), I fear your attempt will just be a waste of (more) money.

^^THIS^^ 8s, 9s, and 10s if sent back in could easily be graded any of the 3.

Also be careful because like swarmee posted they can and will ban you if you complain too much.

PSA question
 

Playball- I'll echo most of the sentiment expressed already. Your mistake was
assuming PSA would be professional and accurate. Heck, you even spoonfed
their own grade(!) and they still screwed it up. You've pretty much taken an
"L" on this one. Best advice- don't poke the bear again, because PSA is a bear
that is rabid and wasn't too sharp before the rabies began:)

Trent King

Just be happy they authenticated the autograph and didn't give it a mark qualifier.

How it all ended...
 

Thanks to all that offered input. Just wanted to circle back and let you all know how this played out. I ended up taking one more shot at this with PSA, submitting the card for "review". The bottom line is that it came back with no change to the PSA 8 grade and I'm out roughly $150 for the cost of the review and shipping both to and from. Also, I never did get a response from communication with PSA.

If anyone from PSA is tracking these threads, I wonder if there couldn't be a new at-show service developed to help card owners getting autographs at shows and then reholdering the cards on-site? I would have been happy to pay a fee to do so and hopefully, protect the card's existing grade.

Again, thanks for all your input. The card, once a 9 in PSA's eyes and now an 8 is still a 9 in my eyes!

I always hate to hear these stories but the reality is that grading is not an exact science. Plus the difference between an 8, 9, and 10 is so small that it is very possible that if you submitted a card three times it could come back with a different grade each time. Particularly now with half grades.

jeff

Agree with John here.

It looks like it's accurately graded as an 8, considering the bottom two corners on the back.

Steve