First PSA submission....disappointment

rdwyer · Aug 6, 2024

Hi folks.

I submitted 6 cards to PSA for grading. I was disappointed in all the grades, but one of the cards, Griffey Jr rookie, came back as "N5: ALTERED STOCK". I read elsewhere that this result typically comes from cards being held in screw downs to tightly. Can anyone confirm this to be the case? All my cards are in screw downs. I'm also frustrated that I submitted a Mike Schmidt rookie that I thought had a realistic chance of being a 9...but it came back as a 6. I've asked PSA for some feedback but have yet to hear from them. My card is visually nicer than other 6's I see so I must be missing something.

Mike · Aug 7, 2024

Never heard of that before from the screw downs. I'd assume if it were altered it'd be slightly trimmed on one, or more, sides. The screw down wouldn't cause that. If anything, it'd cause the card to measure a little wider due to it being flattened out a little. If that's the case, just trim a little off and it should be good.

I'm kidding of course.

On a more serious note, though, I'd pop those cards out of the case and send them back as a "minimum 8 or no grade", assuming PSA will do that. I know BGS does it, or at least they did last time I submitted cards. Otherwise, just pop them out and put them back in some other kind of case to encase them.

zlw1 · Aug 7, 2024

Apparently screw downs of old cause altered grades. I have a griffey that came back as altered as well even though I pulled in 30 years ago, and sent it in roughly 2 months before the pandemic to get it back 15 months later with an A (non-grade) It was in a screw down from 1993-2019, so it would fit that category.

rdwyer · Aug 7, 2024

Mike said:
Never heard of that before from the screw downs. I'd assume if it were altered it'd be slightly trimmed on one, or more, sides. The screw down wouldn't cause that. If anything, it'd cause the card to measure a little wider due to it being flattened out a little. If that's the case, just trim a little off and it should be good. I'm kidding of course.

On a more serious note, though, I'd pop those cards out of the case and send them back as a "minimum 8 or no grade", assuming PSA will do that. I know BGS does it, or at least they did last time I submitted cards. Otherwise, just pop them out and put them back in some other kind of case to encase them.

I'm going to likely bust a couple of them open and send them to either BGS or SGC. Curious to see the difference in grades....or if there is no difference. I sent in 3 Griffeys, a Munson and Schmidt and a 1959 Duke Snider. The Snider was the highest score at 8. Munson and Schmidt were 5's and two of Griffey's that did get graded came back as 5's as well. Perhaps I've got a bit to learn on how they grade, but the Griffey's I pulled from packs back in 1990 and immediately put them in card holders. They are immaculate. I wish I had paid extra to have them tell me what the issues are.

AndyDrummond · Aug 8, 2024

rdwyer said:
I'm going to likely bust a couple of them open and send them to either BGS or SGC. Curious to see the difference in grades....or if there is no difference. I sent in 3 Griffeys, a Munson and Schmidt and a 1959 Duke Snider. The Snider was the highest score at 8. Munson and Schmidt were 5's and two of Griffey's that did get graded came back as 5's as well. Perhaps I've got a bit to learn on how they grade, but the Griffey's I pulled from packs back in 1990 and immediately put them in card holders. They are immaculate. I wish I had paid extra to have them tell me what the issues are.

I was going to suggest sending the vintage to SGC if you decide to resubmit. PSA is notoriously tough on vintage, I use them due to the gap in value, though that seems to be closing when it comes to SGC in the minds of vintage collectors. Here is an example of one like yours, thought it would at least be a 4-5.

First PSA submission....disappointment

rdwyer

Bench Warmer

Mike

TP9 | VC15

zlw1

MVP

rdwyer

Bench Warmer

AndyDrummond

MVP

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