The Giant Professional Grading Thread

[sparky55603]

@Berndos

Might as well share the other pespective then. Connor definitely has a point about the framing & speculation in Rattle’s video, as he’s coming right off the moral high ground of the Booster Case situation, so people should probably base their opinion off of both videos.

regardless of what the two videos say, i personally think graded gem fumbled the bag in this particular scenario and some people got mega screwed.

[enigma]

@sparky55603

@Berndos

Might as well share the other pespective then. Connor definitely has a point about the framing & speculation in Rattle’s video, as he’s coming right off the moral high ground of the Booster Case situation, so people should probably base their opinion off of both videos.

regardless of what the two videos say, i personally think graded gem fumbled the bag in this particular scenario and some people got mega screwed.

Package getting lost in the mail + Graded Gem issuing raw value refunds/10% gratuity/submission cost refunds =/= Graded Gem fumbling the bag

[Cerulean]

While the focus is naturally on Graded Gem and how the company has handled this situation with its customers (and rightfully so), no one seems to be talking about the bigger picture which is how this is just another example of how FedEx, UPS, USPS and any other parcel/delivery services can royally screw you and completely avoid taking any accountability in the process.

Seriously: can you think of another job/profession/business where you can lose someone else’s item and just say “oh you didn’t have insurance? LOL too bad.” Imagine going to get your hair cut and the barber asks you to pay an extra $20 up front so they don’t accidentally ruin your sideburns. Or imagine going to your mechanic and having to give them a fee so they don’t ding your doors. Heck, if you’re a server at a restaurant and your customer skips out on the bill, some restaurants will hold the SERVER accountable and take the money out of their pocket.

The post office and other parcel services are truly the only jobs where you can not do your job properly and not be reprimanded. FedEx lost this package. FedEx themselves deemed the package lost. You lost the package? You pay for the damn package. Point blank. Period. It is hilarious how we are all under a rule that it is somehow a seller’s/vendor’s responsibility to get a package delivered from Point A to Point B when in fact that responsibility should fall solely on the delivery service. Once the postal worker/delivery worker picks up the item, the responsibility should then change hands from seller to postal/delivery service, like any normal operation. But no. Somehow, these parcel services have managed to shirk accountability and have placed it all on the shoulders of the seller/vendor and customer unless you purchase insurance. It truly is laughable.

Now I understand that in certain circumstances, the delivery service cannot bear the burden. If you send something out without tracking, then you should be responsible because no one can prove the item was delivered. But the idea that a postal worker/delivery worker can lose a package, misdeliver a package or, what likely seems to be the case with the Graded Gem situation, STEAL a package and the company gets off scot-free is sickening.

There was an incident on E4 earlier this year where a member sent off their entire collection (which was worth well into the six figures) to PWCC Vault but the package was “lost” at FedEx’s Memphis Distribution Center. Because the person did not purchase adequate insurance, they were screwed. Should they have purchased insurance? Of course. But it doesn’t change the fact that FedEx knew the damn package was lost BY THEM and they did nothing about it.

So, getting back to Graded Gem: when you are running a middleman service, you obviously have to prepare for situations like this because that is how the world works. You have to be prepared to accept financial responsibility if a package is lost in the mail, because that is the way it is. But that also doesn’t make it right.

I feel terrible for the people who lost their cards, and I also feel bad for Graded Gem.

[pokematt]

@Cerulean

While the focus is naturally on Graded Gem and how the company has handled this situation with its customers (and rightfully so), no one seems to be talking about the bigger picture which is how this is just another example of how FedEx, UPS, USPS and any other parcel/delivery services can royally screw you and completely avoid taking any accountability in the process.

Seriously: can you think of another job/profession/business where you can lose someone else’s item and just say “oh you didn’t have insurance? LOL too bad.”

There was an incident on E4 earlier this year where a member sent off their entire collection (which was worth well into the six figures) to PWCC Fault but the package was “lost” at FedEx’s Memphis Distribution Center. Because the person did not purchase adequate insurance, they were screwed. Should they have purchased insurance? Of course. But it doesn’t change the fact that FedEx knew the damn package was lost BY THEM and they did nothing about it.

I think the bigger issue here is that companies like FedEx will actually only pay up to $1000 in insurance if a package is lost, regardless of insurance amount purchased is. I believe this was investigated in the thread with the PWCC package that FedEx won’t pay out the full amount anyways… so what’s the point. There needs to be an option for people to be able to pay a higher amount for actual full insurance. In Graded Gem’s case though, he is a company, and could have purchased third party insurance I guess. But I am also not entirely sure how that works.

[markzkong]

@Cerulean

While the focus is naturally on Graded Gem and how the company has handled this situation with its customers (and rightfully so), no one seems to be talking about the bigger picture which is how this is just another example of how FedEx, UPS, USPS and any other parcel/delivery services can royally screw you and completely avoid taking any accountability in the process.

Seriously: can you think of another job/profession/business where you can lose someone else’s item and just say “oh you didn’t have insurance? LOL too bad.” Imagine going to get your hair cut and the barber asks you to pay an extra $20 up front so they don’t accidentally ruin your sideburns. Or imagine going to your mechanic and having to give them a fee so they don’t ding your doors. Heck, if you’re a server at a restaurant and your customer skips out on the bill, some restaurants will hold the SERVER accountable and take the money out of their pocket.

The post office and other parcel services are truly the only jobs where you can not do your job properly and not be reprimanded. FedEx lost this package. FedEx themselves deemed the package. You lost the package? You pay for the damn package. Point blank. Period. It is hilarious how we are all under a rule that it is somehow a seller’s/vendor’s responsibility to get a package delivered from Point A to Point B when in fact that responsibility should fall solely on the delivery service. Once the postal worker/delivery worker picks up the item, the responsibility should then change hands from seller to postal/delivery service, like any normal operation. But no. Somehow, these parcel services have managed to shirk accountability and have placed it all on the shoulders of the seller/vendor and customer unless you purchase insurance. It truly is laughable.

Now I understand that in certain circumstances, the delivery service cannot bear the burden. If you send something out without tracking, then you should be responsible because no one can prove the item was delivered. But the idea that a postal worker/delivery worker can lose a package, misdeliver a package or, what likely seems to be the case with the Graded Gem situation, STEAL a package and the company gets off scot-free is sickening.

There was an incident on E4 earlier this year where a member sent off their entire collection (which was worth well into the six figures) to PWCC Fault but the package was “lost” at FedEx’s Memphis Distribution Center. Because the person did not purchase adequate insurance, they were screwed. Should they have purchased insurance? Of course. But it doesn’t change the fact that FedEx knew the damn package was lost BY THEM and they did nothing about it.

So, getting back to Graded Gem: when you are running a middleman service, you obviously have to prepare for situations like this because that is how the world works. You have to be prepared to accept financial responsibility if a package is lost in the mail, because that is the way it is. But that also doesn’t make it right.

I feel terrible for the people who lost their cards, and I also feel bad for Graded Gem.

Can you link me to the post where fedex lost the six figure package to PWCC fault? What happened at the end?

[pikachutcg]

@markzkong

@Cerulean

Can you link me to the post where fedex lost the six figure package to PWCC fault? What happened at the end?

www.elitefourum.com/t/fedex-shipping-possible-lost-pwcc-vault-shipment/32856/1

[greenshoots]

Just to add, I later followed up with mewtuw, and as of October last year, he had not received the cards or any compensation and was just trying to rebuild his collection

[caughtatpoint]

@caughtatpoint

Just checked my Ludkins Google Sheet for November 2020 and the upcharges were added earlier today. Most were less than I expected, with one a good bit more than I expected. Hopefully that doesn’t mean the grades are bad

Update on this… grades were good! Some 9s that could have been 10s, some 10s that could have been 9s. One 8 that I can’t figure out, but overall probably the best case scenario of what my realistic expecations were. Highlight was 97 Carddass Starters getting a 9
It’s fairly OC so was dreading the 8.5, but it’s extremely clean.

[Cerulean]

Question for more experienced graders: is it wise to mix English and Japanese in a PSA submission?

I remember hearing on this forum a while back that because Japanese cards are typically easier to grade, splitting a submission between English and Japanese isn’t a good idea because it will make the graders notice any tiny flaws on English cards more.

I’m not talking about submitting just a few Japanese cards and tons of English cards, either. In my example, let’s say I send 50 English cards and 50 Japanese cards in the same sub. Bad idea?

[parkermrparker]

@Cerulean

Question for more experienced graders: is it wise to mix English and Japanese in a PSA submission?

I remember hearing on this forum a while back that because Japanese cards are typically easier to grade, splitting a submission between English and Japanese isn’t a good idea because it will make the graders notice any tiny flaws on English cards more.

I’m not talking about submitting just a few Japanese cards and tons of English cards, either. In my example, let’s say I send 50 English cards and 50 Japanese cards in the same sub. Bad idea?

Meh, psa is too random to have a reliable answer for this question but in my experience it hasn’t mattered.

[fourthstartcg]

@Cerulean

Question for more experienced graders: is it wise to mix English and Japanese in a PSA submission?

I remember hearing on this forum a while back that because Japanese cards are typically easier to grade, splitting a submission between English and Japanese isn’t a good idea because it will make the graders notice any tiny flaws on English cards more.

I’m not talking about submitting just a few Japanese cards and tons of English cards, either. In my example, let’s say I send 50 English cards and 50 Japanese cards in the same sub. Bad idea?

Been mixing English and Japanese for seven years, have never felt that the Japanese cards affected the grades of the English ones in any way.

If you think about it, PSA graders don’t grade one submission per day…so any effect of “quality bias” would be minimized by all the other cards and submissions they’re grading.

[squirtle1000]

I now have two 300+ card PSA subs in QA2, both from Dec 2020. One has been in that stage for two weeks. I’m guessing QA2 is when PSA does their market research? Presumably I’ll get hit with a bunch of upcharges. I managed to avoid them in past subs. Anyway, thrilled to be hopefully getting some cards back soon!

[yamahap45]

Does someone have tested if Genamint really works?
Especially this :
“Genamint technology analyzes each trading card in real-time and is able to provide diagnostics, measurements, and detect alterations or other changes made to a card’s surface in an effort to assist human graders. It will also provide unique card identification – or “card fingerprinting” – by identifying the exact card in order to track provenance, resubmissions, condition changes and other attributes over time.”

[justinmew]

Quick questions.

Does psa now grade all Korean cards including black and white promos?

How does psa crossover service work? If I put a minimum grade and the card does not meet it, will I be charged the crossover fee?

[pokematt]

Maybe off-topic from this thread, but has anyone else been experiencing PSA turning away packages due to “damage/tampering”? Last month PSA refused to accept my package to be graded I sent via FedEx due to “potential tampering”. They sent me a follow-up email saying the box had been damaged and they suspected it could have been tampered with so they refused the package so they were not liable for anything. I got the box back and there was literally no damage done, tape seemed fine, I opened the box and everything was exactly in place as I sent it.

Since this incident, I know of about 4-5 other people who have experienced the same thing… Anyone else??

[awsmofo]

@pokematt

Maybe off-topic from this thread, but has anyone else been experiencing PSA turning away packages due to “damage/tampering”? Last month PSA refused to accept my package to be graded I sent via FedEx due to “potential tampering”. They sent me a follow-up email saying the box had been damaged and they suspected it could have been tampered with so they refused the package so they were not liable for anything. I got the box back and there was literally no damage done, tape seemed fine, I opened the box and everything was exactly in place as I sent it.

Since this incident, I know of about 4-5 other people who have experienced the same thing… Anyone else??

Had this happen back in November. Had to resubmit and cost me getting metal upc Charizard in before the lock on em (and making a pretty penny). Quite annoying

[yamahap45]

@pokematt

Maybe off-topic from this thread, but has anyone else been experiencing PSA turning away packages due to “damage/tampering”? Last month PSA refused to accept my package to be graded I sent via FedEx due to “potential tampering”. They sent me a follow-up email saying the box had been damaged and they suspected it could have been tampered with so they refused the package so they were not liable for anything. I got the box back and there was literally no damage done, tape seemed fine, I opened the box and everything was exactly in place as I sent it.

Since this incident, I know of about 4-5 other people who have experienced the same thing… Anyone else??

In the last PSA communication they have explained about this.

"IMPORTANT SHIPPING GUIDANCE

Package tampering is on the rise. PSA is doing our part to protect customers by closely inspecting incoming packages and rejecting those that raise a concern. In many cases, we’re rejecting packages to be cautious and to ensure that our customers can file a claim with their shipper if indeed there is an issue.

Here’s what you can do to ensure your package is accepted by PSA.

NEVER re-use a box. Always ship in brand new packaging

NEVER re-tape a box. Always start with a fresh packing tape

ALWAYS use tamper-evident shipping tape

Other important suggestions:

PSA recommends USPS and FedEx Express. Do not use UPS or FedEx Ground

PSA recommends customers purchase shipping insurance equal to the Declared Value of the submission

PSA recommends shipping a box within a box for added protection and theft-reduction"

[parkermrparker]

They denied my shit and sent a pathetic picture of a box that looks like it travelled across the continent. A small dent. Clearly intact and not damaged according to anyone who isnt bleeepbleepbleepbleeep

[kpod]

@parkermrparker

They denied my shit and sent a pathetic picture of a box that looks like it travelled across the continent. A small dent. Clearly intact and not damaged according to anyone who isnt bleeepbleepbleepbleeep

There is a couple threads on blowout recently with a similar situation:

www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1503734

www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1503504

Not sure if PSA got burned once or twice and now they’ve gone extreme on accepting packages or what?

[pokecollectoramy]

@justinmew

Quick questions.

Does psa now grade all Korean cards including black and white promos?

How does psa crossover service work? If I put a minimum grade and the card does not meet it, will I be charged the crossover fee?

Can only answer the second question…yes. you are charged whether it crosses or not. If you want it in a psa holder no matter what just make the minimum a 1.