In the often colorful world of card collecting, two things are certain: the thrill of finding a prized card, and the anxiety of waiting for its official grading. For enthusiasts and investors looking to receive that coveted PSA grade, there’s an expanding shadow looming over both aspects. As of today, Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), the juggernaut of the card grading realm, unveiled an update that faithful – yet increasingly impatient – collectors might not consider cause for celebration.
PSA has decided it’s time for another round of adjustments in both its pricing schema and its promises on turnaround times. Effective April 7, these changes are live, affecting multiple service levels due to the seemingly insatiable appetite for their services. The timeline updates are not for the faint of heart—prepare for a waiting game.
For those submitting under the “Value,” “Value Bulk,” and “TCG Bulk” categories, you’d better clear some room in your heart for patience: the estimated turnaround has lengthened to 65 business days. If your submission falls under the “Value + Bulk Dual Service” umbrella, crafted especially for those who appreciate the complexities of a mixed bag, anticipate a timeline stretched over 75 business days.
Adding a cherry atop this sundae of anticipation, starting April 8, the “TCG Bulk” submission price balloons from $16.99 to $18.99 per card. The price hike is a bitter pill many will have expected, given January’s shift which nudged the churn from 45 business days to the current 65-day window, thus extending the agony of wait by roughly three extra weeks.
The yearning for graded cards has been palpable, with high demand coming to define the submission experience. Collectors who merrily dispatched their cards in January and February are left twiddling their thumbs as estimated processing dates stretch like a cat basking in plentiful sun—and the community is not shy about voicing its discontent.
Turning to alternatives seems like an obvious choice. However, PSA’s rivals aren’t providing vigorous competition in soothing the frustrated collective. SGC, a notable contender vying for a slice of the grading market, finds itself ensnared in a similar tempest, grappling with a deluge of submissions while frantically paddling beneath the surface to maintain a semblance of turnaround. The relentless craving for card grading appears to be a phenomenon that discussion alone won’t easily curtail.
These logistical nightmares haven’t been helped by PSA’s newfound assertiveness in grading criteria. Earlier this year, PSA decided to swing an axe upon the leniency of yore, sharpening their standards, particularly in the realm of centering. The consequence? What once might’ve skated through to a Gem Mint 10 doesn’t feel so certain now, as legions of hopefuls discover their near-mint desires coldly downgraded.
The stricter grading pens yet another narrative into the scrolling saga: collectors may drop their ambitions for fringe submissions, lest they risk extended delays only to be met with the specter of a mere 9 and not the pristine glory of a 10. This potential tug at strategy may lead to a redux of submissions over time, thinning the backlog. However, only time will tell if this ebb and flow translates into any notable improvement.
The state of grading, therefore, hangs in the balance as collectors adapt to the newly imposed landscape. PSA, for its part, retains its grip on the market crown, reigning famously if not somewhat infamously. The fervor of demand has not dampened; in fact, it roars defiantly louder still. For those contemplating their next submissions, the counsel remains: brace for a test of patience, be judicious with your choices, and hold fast to the thrill that brought you into the fold in the first place.
The penchant for card collection remains steadfast amidst these evolving winds, with the compulsion to hold that perfect graded piece remaining a potent force. Whether waiting anxiously for an appointment with a grader or second-guessing decisions at a corner toploading session, one thing is certain: the love of the hobby continues to be a force that even time in a queue cannot dilute.
