PSA-A Cautionary Tale!

japhi · #1 10-29-2013, 07:44 PM

To me, the big issue here is favoritism and conflict of interest. A big part of the crack and submit game is the risk involved with damaging the card during the crack out, and the risk of potentially getting a lower grade. Factor in higher grading fee's for high value cards and crack and submit can be a risky game.

In this case, the OP had a relationship with the President of PSA and because of that relationship he received favorable treatment. There was no risk of a downgrade because PSA had the slabs. PSA was going to crack the cards and assume the risk (realized) of a damaged card. Furthermore the regular fee's and process were bypassed. I get why Joe was pissed with the OP's reaction - he was doing the OP a huge favour.

This just re-enforces that retail submitter's like me have no chance, the game is rigged. My cards need to go on separate orders, with separate shipping and they are handled by a random grader.

The OP's cards are graded for free and handled personally by the President of the company.

I'm not into all the conspiracy theories that pop up on these boards but the grading process is far too loose This wouldn't be an issue if there wasn't so much money involved.

Frankly I'm amazed that the President of PSA is this involved in the day to day grading of cards... in this case it bit him in the ass, he took on a stupid amount of risk for no obvious upside. How many submitter's are there out there like the OP that have a relationship with Joe and get favours? The process lacks integrity.

slidekellyslide · #2 10-29-2013, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by japhi

To me, the big issue here is favoritism and conflict of interest. A big part of the crack and submit game is the risk involved with damaging the card during the crack out, and the risk of potentially getting a lower grade. Factor in higher grading fee's for high value cards and crack and submit can be a risky game.

In this case, the OP had a relationship with the President of PSA and because of that relationship he received favorable treatment. There was no risk of a downgrade because PSA had the slabs. PSA was going to crack the cards and assume the risk (realized) of a damaged card. Furthermore the regular fee's and process were bypassed. I get why Joe was pissed with the OP's reaction - he was doing the OP a huge favour.

This just re-enforces that retail submitter's like me have no chance, the game is rigged. My cards need to go on separate orders, with separate shipping and they are handled by a random grader.

The OP's cards are graded for free and handled personally by the President of the company.

I'm not into all the conspiracy theories that pop up on these boards but the grading process is far too loose This wouldn't be an issue if there wasn't so much money involved.

Frankly I'm amazed that the President of PSA is this involved in the day to day grading of cards... in this case it bit him in the ass, he took on a stupid amount of risk for no obvious upside. How many submitter's are there out there like the OP that have a relationship with Joe and get favours? The process lacks integrity.

This elephant in the room was already identified and beaten to death years ago...the more money you spend at PSA the more privileges you get. The registry is a farce. Can you imagine having a friend working as a grader at PSA? It'd be like printing money.

CMIZ5290 · #3 10-29-2013, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

This elephant in the room was already identified and beaten to death years ago...the more money you spend at PSA the more privileges you get. The registry is a farce. Can you imagine having a friend working as a grader at PSA? It'd be like printing money.

Dan- no offense, but it's better to print money (PSA) than play with monopoly money (SGC)

ullmandds · #4 10-29-2013, 08:40 PM

Kevin...you've certainly made your point over the years...you're all about the money...we get it! Why don't you and Joe go make out in the corner.

CMIZ5290 · #5 10-29-2013, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Kevin...you've certainly made your point over the years...you're all about the money...we get it! Why don't you and Joe go make out in the corner.

We are on the way to Hawaii for a couple of weeks...

slidekellyslide · #6 10-29-2013, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMIZ5290

Dan- no offense, but it's better to print money (PSA) than play with monopoly money (SGC)

Why are you trying to make this a PSA vs SGC thread?

Peter_Spaeth · #7 10-29-2013, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Why are you trying to make this a PSA vs SGC thread?

We probably haven't had one lately?

CMIZ5290 · #8 10-29-2013, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Why are you trying to make this a PSA vs SGC thread?

Dan- maybe not PSA vs. SGC, but you are the one that made the comment about PSA. Should I compare them with Beckett?

slidekellyslide · #9 10-29-2013, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMIZ5290

Dan- maybe not PSA vs. SGC, but you are the one that made the comment about PSA. Should I compare them with Beckett?

Ummmmm....errrrr...this thread is about PSA, it's right there in the title. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that made a comment about PSA. You're the one trying to deflect this thread in another direction.

Peter_Spaeth · #10 10-29-2013, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Ummmmm....errrrr...this thread is about PSA, it's right there in the title. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that made a comment about PSA. You're the one trying to deflect this thread in another direction.

Since Kevin won't or can't post Joe's version, there really isn't anything left to say, so I guess it only makes sense to take it someplace else.

vintagetoppsguy · #11 10-29-2013, 08:50 PM

Guys,

Am I the only one that doesn't believe that Kevin really called Joe?

Nice job, Kevin. You had me going for a while.

CMIZ5290 · #12 10-29-2013, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Ummmmm....errrrr...this thread is about PSA, it's right there in the title. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that made a comment about PSA. You're the one trying to deflect this thread in another direction.

Dan- you made the comment about "printing money" as far as PSA goes, as far as other comments about PSA go, Hell, I'm the only one on this forum that seems to like them....Except when then sell on REA, Goodwin, etc...

x2drich2000 · #13 10-29-2013, 08:50 PM

Does anyone else find it a bit disturbing that PSA would be willing to discuss the details of a private transaction with a third party who really has no reason to be involved in the discussions? Yes, Matt did bring this issue to light in a public forum, but as a publicly traded company I would think PSA would care enough and have an obligation to all of their customers not to violate their customer's privacy by sharing details of what transpired.

DJ

pepis · #14 10-30-2013, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by japhi

To me, the big issue here is favoritism and conflict of interest. A big part of the crack and submit game is the risk involved with damaging the card during the crack out, and the risk of potentially getting a lower grade. Factor in higher grading fee's for high value cards and crack and submit can be a risky game.

In this case, the OP had a relationship with the President of PSA and because of that relationship he received favorable treatment. There was no risk of a downgrade because PSA had the slabs. PSA was going to crack the cards and assume the risk (realized) of a damaged card. Furthermore the regular fee's and process were bypassed. I get why Joe was pissed with the OP's reaction - he was doing the OP a huge favour.

This just re-enforces that retail submitter's like me have no chance, the game is rigged. My cards need to go on separate orders, with separate shipping and they are handled by a random grader.

The OP's cards are graded for free and handled personally by the President of the company.

I'm not into all the conspiracy theories that pop up on these boards but the grading process is far too loose This wouldn't be an issue if there wasn't so much money involved.

Frankly I'm amazed that the President of PSA is this involved in the day to day grading of cards... in this case it bit him in the ass, he took on a stupid amount of risk for no obvious upside. How many submitter's are there out there like the OP that have a relationship with Joe and get favours? The process lacks integrity.

Matt,
welcome to the boards!,
very good analogy exactly what happened! money customer gets favorable
treatment that went bad, and that could expose kind of shady behavior by the head guy and doesn't want the public to find out, so he acts in his normal
totalitarian way, in an attempt of damage control.

chaddurbin · #15 10-30-2013, 08:29 PM

didn't see japhi's post before...agree with him completely. maybe this will teach joe to do any more favors.

bobbyw8469 · #16 10-30-2013, 09:22 PM

Where has Matt been since the original post?? Has anyone noticed that he has been eerily quiet since the opening statement?? I'm guessing he is reading this thread still?

japhi · #17 10-30-2013, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Where has Matt been since the original post?? Has anyone noticed that he has been eerily quiet since the opening statement?? I'm guessing he is reading this thread still?

Edit, misread

glchen · #18 10-31-2013, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Where has Matt been since the original post?? Has anyone noticed that he has been eerily quiet since the opening statement?? I'm guessing he is reading this thread still?

He's been taking some shots here that he probably feels isn't warranted. For example, I don't think there is anything wrong w/ submitting a card for review and it's obviously not his fault that PSA messed up, and dinged his card. However, some posters have been implying that he's greedy for trying to get that PSA 9 rather than be content w/ his 8.5. I personally don't think that's fair. If I had a card that was strong for its grade, I would submit it for review. If someone wants to pay 5X for that PSA9, that's that person's decision. It may be chump change for that buyer, who may prefer to spend his money on cardboard rather than buying a yacht.

bobbyw8469 · #19 10-31-2013, 06:33 AM

Gary...I don't think that is it. A true review for a card worth that much costs around $65. NOT allowable under the 'free' submission grading/service, due to the price/value involved. I think a lot of people have a problem with a personal relationship with the president of a company that allows others to bypass rules that apply to everyone else.

Leon · #20 10-31-2013, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Gary...I don't think that is it. A true review for a card worth that much costs around $65. NOT allowable under the 'free' submission grading/service, due to the price/value involved. I think a lot of people have a problem with a personal relationship with the president of a company that allows others to bypass rules that apply to everyone else.

If the president of a company wants to give a good customer a break on a price why is that a problem? Sounds like good business to me. Now, if Joe O said I can help you get a better grade, that's a whole different story (and I am sure Joe wouldn't do that). But as far as a discount on pricing, or a free submission, that doesn't matter to me at all. Almost Anyone in business has given a discount to a good customer.

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