PSA Response from President Steve Sloan

[jhs5120]

Originally Posted by LOUCARDFAN

Yes, Brent Huigens and Gary Moser are pretty much scum of the earth but for PSA to deflect with this sorry excuse of an announcement is just pathetic and inexcusable.

PSA - Professional Sports AUTHENTICATOR. PSA's main job is to authenticate the item before any grading takes place.

Straight from their website - PSA states that "a SERIES of PSA graders review your card for authenticity. If genuine, PSA looks for evidence of doctoring such as re-coloring and trimming".

A SERIES - meaning MORE than two graders are supposed to inspect the card to confirm that it is authentic and that it has not been doctored.

One of two things can be explained. 1 - either the SERIES of graders that are looking at these cards are ALL inept and can't be counted on to spot a doctored card or 2 - a SERIES of graders ARE NOT inspecting each card as stated by PSA. If you go by the sheer numbers of submissions that PSA touts, I'm pretty sure that a SERIES of graders aren't looking at each card.

I am pretty sure that this has been happening with PSA since it's inception but hopefully not to the scale that we are seeing now.

How does PSA choose to handle this? Do they choose to blame the card doctors for engaging in deception while also proving that their certified card graders suck at spotting altered cards and have so for may years now?

Or do they make a couple of card graders out to be the sacrificial lambs and state that they were acting in cahoots with Brent, Gary and whoever else to get doctored cards in holders?

Honest question, what if there is no evidence of doctoring?

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by jhs5120

Honest question, what if there is no evidence of doctoring?

If there's truly no evidence then obviously they won't find it, but in some of these cases we're talking about examples where we can make out the recoloring work just from a scan of slabbed card. In other cases, even if the doctors can do a trim that replicates a factory cut the card should have been sent back with a "Min. Sz." card saver.

[jhs5120]

Originally Posted by darwinbulldog

If there's truly no evidence then obviously they won't find it, but in some of these cases we're talking about examples where we can make out the recoloring work just from a scan of slabbed card. In other cases, even if the doctors can do a trim that replicates a factory cut the card should have been sent back with a "Min. Sz." card saver.

I agree, some of them in hindsight look obvious. It's fascinating, many of the cards were rejected at least once (per the posted Moser submissions). Clearly the graders were rejecting some of the cards when they noticed alterations - unless they purposefully rejected some to keep up some sort of appearance.

The "Min. Sz." is tough, because some of the cards might still be within appropriate measurements (especially if pressed then trimmed). There is more money in faking cards than spotting fakes. I think seeing more and more of these is going to be inevitable without some additional action.

[LOUCARDFAN]

Originally Posted by jhs5120

Honest question, what if there is no evidence of doctoring?

With the amount of re-coloring that has taken place on many of these cards, it just proves that PSA's graders are either truly inept in performing PSA's main objective of being in business or they are conspiring along with the card doctors and Brent.


One thing I do wonder is will Brent have security with him if he shows up at this years National Convention? I would say it would be in his best interest to do so as I am sure there are plenty of people out there that would love to do him bodily harm. He seems to have that kind of face that makes you want to punch it and that was before everything went down with PWCC...lol

PSA would probably be wise to have extra security as well as I can see this being a very entertaining show this year.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by LOUCARDFAN

With the amount of re-coloring that has taken place on many of these cards, it just proves that PSA's graders are either truly inept in performing PSA's main objective of being in business or they are conspiring along with the card doctors and Brent.


One thing I do wonder is will Brent have security with him if he shows up at this years National Convention? I would say it would be in his best interest to do so as I am sure there are plenty of people out there that would love to do him bodily harm. He seems to have that kind of face that makes you want to punch it and that was before everything went down with PWCC...lol

PSA would probably be wise to have extra security as well as I can see this being a very entertaining show this year.

We keep saying that the word must get out beyond these forums, for any real positive change to happen. Otherwise all of our complaints and pleas for change remain futile. What better venue than The National, to spread word of the deep-seeded corruption?

I will join the cause if anyone else wants to picket or protest right in front of the PSA or PWCC Booth. I personally suggest PSA, as it would be further reaching, and will have a greater impact on cleaning up the hobby. Perhaps just an hour at each Booth... Nothing too time-consuming, as I know we'd all rather be walking the Show (and enjoying it).

To be taken seriously, I would imagine we would need 20 people or more... I think if it's less than 10, it won't have the desired impact. We might be dismissed as a few random wackos. And absolutely no "bodily harm" or physical threats of any kind. We'll need to be taken seriously, or PSA/PWCC will once again portray themselves as "Victims".

I know a few others will be distributing the Moser/Orlando/Huigens Cards. Let's draw some much-needed attention to this scandal... Reporters are always present at the National. If anything is to change, this is perhaps the best chance to make some news, and get the word out to a wider audience (beyond the forums).

On another positive note... When you simply Google Search the name "Brent Huigens", the #2 link that comes up is an article on the current scandal. Now that's progress!

https://www.google.com/search?source...10.wvcxjPFX6vs

[Peter_Spaeth]

Meanwhile, the beat goes on.

Baseball 1955-1962 Highlights
Closing Today: 6-9pm PST
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When one speaks of all-time Baseball greats, Mantle's name is on the tip of your tongue. Although he experienced great success in his first five seasons as a Yankee it was really his 1956 season which secured him as an all-time great and a potential threat to break baseball's greatest hitting record. Even Bill Dickey predicted Mantle would break every record except Lou Gehrig's streak. During this season Mantle won the triple crown by hitting 52 Home Runs with 130 RBI and a batting average of .353. Due to this historic season and the fact that the 1956 Topps issue is among Mantle's most beautiful card, this is an exceedingly important investment card which is highly prized in PSA 9.

These elite offerings only surface but once or twice a year as the vast majority of them are locked up in private investment portfolios. The offered specimen is the most recent addition to the PSA 9 family and boasts undeniable MINT presentation throughout. The surfaces glisten with beauty, showing tremendous gloss, bright color and flawless clarity. All four corners are dagger sharp and the centering is 45/55 (so close to perfect). This card redefines what's possible for the issue and sets the tone for what an ultra high-grade 1956 Topps Mantle can truly offer. We love this card and recommend it for the finest portfolio.

Closes Today @ 6:48pm PST
__________________________________________________ __




Easily one of the most important post-war rookie cards in existence and highly sought after in PSA 8. The offered Koufax is special, boasting undeniable NM-MT qualities throughout. Free of typical excess print with mesmerizing color and clarity. Beautifully framed with sharp corners and strong card stock.

The card possesses clean borders with blemish free edges around. For the last five years of his career Sandy Koufax set a tone of excellence which most feel will never be matched. A very difficult grade to improve upon and one of the best investment pieces in the market. Comes highly recommended by PWCC.

Closes Today @ 6:21pm PST
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Stunning! This card absolutely glows boasting some of the finest qualities we've seen on the issue. As the market matures, certain cards are elevating towards immortality among investors and we view this '56 Mantle production among those on the rise. Features the 'The Mick's' world class portrait alongside an action shot outfield leap all set against his renowned Triple Crown 1956 performance. Just his 3rd Topps issue, and while certainly not the most expensive, we view this as his most attractive card from all of the 1950s (and that includes the '52 Topps).

The offered example is perhaps the best '8.5' we've ever brokered of the card. Dead centered with many attributes of a MINT card. The surfaces and edges are simply flawless for the issue. An exceedingly faint touch to the extreme lower right corner is the only 'flaw' we see. Despite this corner touch, we feel this card is a dead lock for the SGC 9 assessment. Easily ranks in the top 5% of all examples we've seen.

Closes Today @ 6:48pm PST

[perezfan]

And the beat will continue to go on until we stop feeding them our huge sums of money.

I'm tempted to conduct a poll, asking if people here would volunteer some time at the National to protest peacefully. I expect that very few people would actually commit, but I do sense lots of buiding rage towards PSA and PWCC... Even if we had a meager 10% success rate, that could be 25 out of 250 respondents. But I don't want to upset the apple cart or associate Leon and his site with something he has no desire to support.

So if anyone wants to just privately email or PM me, feel free.... thanks!

[Peter_Spaeth]

How about a poll on how many people will stop buying from consigning to PWCC.

[Stampsfan]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

How about a poll on how many people will stop buying from consigning to PWCC.

I've already posted, that's my answer to the poll.
http://net54baseball.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=231

Not bought a card in a few weeks now, and have hardly looked. Not gonna pay for PSA grading that we planned a trip around this fall.

I truly hope I've not lost the collecting bug, but truth is I'm not interested in trying to figure out what PSA cards are doctored and what are not.

I did buy myself a couple of new wedges (54 and 58 degree) a week ago, and got my wife a new 5 iron and electric walking cart.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

How about a poll on how many people will stop buying from consigning to PWCC.

How can you include PWCC, but not PSA? And, instead of a poll, how about a pledge? Everyone signs a pledge not to do business with either company in any way. Who wants to sign their name?