Does PSA Actually Look at Cards Before They're Slabbed?

samosa4u · #1 02-22-2025, 09:16 PM

Here is the original listing:

https://goldin.co/item/1921-exhibits...-psa-gd-26jq76

Graded GD 2 by PSA (86528730). Hall of Famer. A stunning, postcard-sized collectible, capturing the great Ruth in only his second season as a Yankee. This popular and rare arcade card shows Ruth in a seldom-seen fielding pose; the name used as a caption (Geo. H. "Babe" Ruth) offers another intriguing element with respect to an important card from what was arguably Ruth's finest season as a major leaguer. Upon close examination, vestiges of defacements that appear to be faded, handwritten notations can be observed on the card�s surfaces; routine general wear affects the periphery.

Why did you bid on the card then ??

G1911 · #2 02-22-2025, 09:31 PM

For a second or so, maybe. Why bother to pay attention or be competent, people keep throwing money at them and their slabs no matter how obviously incompetent and/or corrupt they are. If your customers refuse to expect or reward competency or honesty, why bother? PSA has it made.

Wanaselja · #3 02-22-2025, 10:00 PM

I haven�t submitted in a while but if memory serves you can opt out of the qualifiers and accept a lower grade when you submit.

gunboat82 · #4 02-22-2025, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samosa4u

Why did you bid on the card then ??

Unfortunately, I used the Goldin app to bid on my watched lots in that auction. When you click on the thumbnail to place a bid on a card in an active auction, it looks like the attached images. I didn't scroll down to the description, which appears at the bottom in smaller print, below the Current Bid, End Time, Quick Bid Button, Manual Bid Entry Box, Place Bid Button, Sales History, and Shipping & Handling. I generally don't bother with the description unless it's an ungraded item or it's marked "Altered" and I want to see if they disclose what the alteration is.

When I bid on a PSA card, I know that their policy is to not issue a numeric grade to altered cards. I also know that submitters can't opt out of a Marked or Miscut designation. If the grader detects those, it goes on the label. PSA has a notice explaining this during the online submission process. A card with evidence of handwriting (other than an autograph) should never receive a numeric grade without a qualifier.

I got complacent because I trusted the slab and placed a bid quickly. That's on me. I'm still concerned that PSA charges $599 per card to inspect these cards (with occasional upcharges) and they somehow didn't notice the handwriting when it was in-hand. Maybe this was part of a bulk submission with a preferred customer and just got waved through.

OhioLawyerF5 · #5 02-23-2025, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunboat82

. A card with evidence of handwriting (other than an autograph) should never receive a numeric grade without a qualifier.

Interesting, because I see PSA 1s with writing all the time. If that's their policy, they never follow it.

gunboat82 · #6 02-23-2025, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

Interesting, because I see PSA 1s with writing all the time. If that's their policy, they never follow it.

This is their written qualifier policy:

Quote:

PSA no longer requires submitters to decide whether to request "No Qualifiers." The qualifier MK (Marks) will continue to be used to identify writing and other marks on a card. MC (Miscut) will continue to be used to identify cards where a portion of the subject card is cut off or a portion of a second card is visible. Moving forward, characteristics such as Centering, Staining, Print Defects and Focus will default to impacting the numerical grade rather than carry a qualifier. The qualifiers OC (Off Center), ST (Staining), PD (Print Defect) and OF (Out of Focus) will be used infrequently and at the discretion of the PSA grading staff.

Aquarian Sports Cards · #7 02-23-2025, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

Interesting, because I see PSA 1s with writing all the time. If that's their policy, they never follow it.

I'm assuming there was an attempt to remove the writing which would result in "Authentic" Writing itself has never precluded a number grade in my memory.

Beercan collector · #8 02-23-2025, 09:21 AM

This one got a straight five

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