They NEED to get GPA and GoCollect to start tracking their sales alongside CGC's. I firmly believe that's a contributing factor to why CBCS, with its better case and better grading, hasn't gained wider acceptance/market share: because the "go-to" pricing services don't provide information on CBCS books, creating uncertainty around their slabs. PSA needs to try to break that monopoly to establish that certainty with their slabs. If he hasn't already, your dad should be on the phone to them tomorrow, asking "what's it going to take?"
i love TAG card grading. they have detailed notes, they show you the card at extremely high res & every flaw & reason behind the grade. they are a fairly new company. i want them to succeed, so the rest of the industry will follow
PSA should have walk in service in major cities in US- There should be a way to walk into a place in NYC , LA , Chicago and drop off comics to be graded . This would solve a bunch of problems . It would bring new users into the market who might be intimidated by the process of packing, filling out the forms and shipping comics to be graded. It would LOWER the cost of grading if you could just walk in to a place and drop off comics (no need to pay for shipping ) .
In the 5 things they need to do, you missed. Maintaining an accurate registry/census of graded books. For all grades and variants (including newsstands and MJ’s). They need to incentivize people who CPR, with returning 5 labels get a free book graded. This will(should) eliminate the ghost graded books
They need to have a slab that is closer to the dimensions of the CGC and CBCS slabs. I want to keep my run of graded comics in the same box... not a box for CGC/CBCS and another box for PSA.
Good points but your number one suggestion is out of their hands. That's up to the market, not them, to determine if their books can sell for the same value as CGC.
I hate that books recieved at CGC can take weeks before even being scheduled to grade then months after that before grading. The time delay is my biggest turn-off for grading
This is exciting. You have a vested interest in this, along with a unique inside influence. It feels like we have a real impact on this channel. Love this.
@@ComicBookInvestments they should not have a lower grade tier. You should not be grading a non-key issue lower than $120 in its raw form. This grading every book just to make a few dollars is diluting the market of actual grade worthy comic books. You shouldn’t be out here sending in distributor boxes or 10 to 15 copies of the same book in hopes to getting 9/8 to sell them for $50. The grading process was originally for high end key issue books into preserve them. If anything what they should do is make their selection process more rigorous so they’re not taking in low tear cheap books that shouldn’t be getting graded if they’re not key issues or over $120 they shouldn’t grade them at all
Dear PSA, I have hundreds of books ready to go as CGC has lost my business, and CBCS doesn't have the census/market report or communication to gain it. My business is literally yours for the taking if, IF, you have a nice alternate label. Give us that, and I'll register and mail out on day 1.
Isn’t it too late to get into the 3rd party grading market? Any book worth grading is already graded. Moderns aren’t worth the slab fees any longer & those few that are are also already graded. Cards is different
Thanks for an interesting video!! Three quick points from my side: - The comic book grading market may well have a strong "winner takes all" effect. Maybe simply because quite a few collectors have something like OCD when it comes to their slabs? They may want them all the same because it looks nice. If there is a real "winner takes all" effect, then it is all about fighting for that number one spot, and that could take years and big investments. - Your last point is obviously true: PGA needs for their slabs to fetch similar prices as same-grade CGC slabs. Ideally even better prices. But I think that's out of PGA's control. My suspicion is that the number one grader will always fetch better prices. So PGA may have an uphill fight here. Better to prepare for years of hard and smart work and lots of investment? - And yes, that slab design looks ugh. I would not want to have one. I prefer raw comics, but if I were to buy slabs for my PC, I would vastly prefer the CBCS and CGC slabs over PGA's.
Low cost idea: if submitter elects to send book to psa vault after grading = like 50% discount. Then, like pwcc, if submitter elects to run it in a PSA weekly auction immediately = no listing fee in auction. If book doesn't sell, then submitter has option to pay service charge to add book to their vault collection or to sacrifice the book to PSA to avoid any service charges.
Great video Dave, haven't actually seen the case but if it's a different size that is a killer to the investment because i can't store it with my previously graded books in my collection.
I would pay extra if there was a possibility to read your own comic book digitally as well, for example: you pay extra to get a QR code on de back of the slab, you scan it with a PSA app and you're able to read your own book. It can be used as an extra security layer as well, because the book inside needs to look the same as the digital version.
I agree with a comment, PGX putting graders notes on a book for $5 is really cool. I also think ALL grading companies should put on the label if that book has been pressed and drycleaned by Their company. As a collector you never know if its worth cracking a slab to resubmit for those services, especially for newbies to the hobby. Which also lends the question, is PSA going to offer pressing and drycleaning in house? Thats an important issue to me. I dont want my book shipped back and forth in the mail system.
I can’t believe you ignored what might be THE most important thing; The case HAS to be made smaller. They’re not uniform to the standard size of other graded books. That, combined with a label that can’t be read from 3-10 feet away means that dealers will have zero interest in displaying the books. Why get something graded that won’t fit in your bins to travel with AND people can’t see the grade when shopping? Personally, I think you had some good calls, though. 1. Better label. Bigger font so it can be read from 5-10 feet away. Also, why not bronze, silver, gold and a crazy hollofoil label so people can know what a comic is graded at a glance? 2. SMALLER/UNIFORM CASSES 3. Slash the prices for getting comics graded. Get as many PSA comics out there so people can see them and be familiar with them.
Transparency! Tell us how many people looked at my book and how they arrived at the grade (notes). I think knowing that potentially 2-3 people look at certain books and arrived at/near the same grade would quickly build trust in the validity of the grades and boost resale immediately.
I think it's PSA's arrogance that is preventing them from changing labels. They feel they are the Big Dick in collecting and their way is the right way.
I heard that CGC plays a power move at conventions to prevent CBCS from being there or having good spots. Basically do this it we don’t buy an expensive booth. Anyway, my one add to the topic of things they have to get right is communicating well with the comic crowd who send in books. I tried many times to find info about when in 2025 they plan to open up shop for comic grading and I could not find anything. Maybe that info is buried but that doesn’t help. So I would say they are not off to the best start in terms of giving their target crowd the info they are looking for. Just my two cents.
When they first start, they should offer a discounted crossover service to immediately increase market share (more PSA slabs out there AND less CGC). Maybe even offer free pressing for any banana books or something
Would like to see a label with a dark background. Maybe a gold font on a black background or a white font on navy blue ? The white background looks dated. $15 price point would cause me to send a LOT more books in. The biggest problem I see with CGC is the trust factor Having sent thousands of copies of modern books, I’ve never received a 9.9. This is even after pressing. I’ve seen some dealers get 2 or more 9.9s in the same order. Caused a lot of us to quit using them. The bias is obvious. Looking forward to the possible future of PSA maybe replacing CGC as the next big dog. Love the videos, keep em coming. 😊
Emphasis on quality control is critical. From proper handling of books so they are not returned damaged to consist grading criteria and hopefully no banana gate slabs.
If you do a trial with two different labels whatever label loses will probably be worth more on the same book just because it's rare don't advise that but definitely agree on the grading system in how many books they can turn around but to be honest I believe that they'll be so backlogged PSA that is people might get pissed but what's your alternative cgc with spotty grading and bent books as far as the thing I would like for PSA would be really good holders heavy duty and straight thanks brother you're the best on UA-cam
@ComicBookInvestments I think the funniest thing cgc does is if you have a tracking slip which we all do your comic arrives but two weeks later it goes in for processing I fast track three books in October late October they are still in grading and encapsulation for the last week and a half LOL I'm not asking for miracles but just be honest when you receive the book Market into your system. Great Channel Dave always making me laugh
He would help if they would also make sure that their graders knew how to grade and not be beholden and bent over by big dealers in the auction houses.
i had an idea. this would ONLY apply to 9.9 and 10's. These grades should default to a different fancy label. Purple backdrop color scheme for 9.9's and Gold backdrop color scheme 10's. However, the key thing is, that the CASE should reflect that same color. Have the case have a purple/gold frame/border around the case. I saw the cases live at SDCC and i think they have this blurry effect on the edges of the cases, that part should be purple/gold depending on the grade. That case would look SICK. people will pay for that.
I would also like to add that every third-party grading company needs to stop all the shenanigans at the upper levels of management. I would trust a politician on crack more than I trust Matt Nelson at this point.
PSA needs a 9.8 etc. pre-screen service. I no longer submit to CGC without a prescreen. CGC gives me a random 8.5-9.2 grade sometimes on an obvious 9.8 book, which I just have ro re-submit and waste time re-cracking the case. I don't like the current PSA label. I live in Seattle, so I would like to be able to drop off and pick up my books at their Seattle/Bellevue grading office and not have to do any shipping.
They have to get the size right. I know they are messing around with having two sizes but I think that is silly. Slabs already take up too much space and trying to get new storage units for bigger slabs is a non-starter. I would also mention that they have to have shorter times than CGC, so staff appropriately. I have two orders I sent recently. One was not even checked in for 15 days and just checked in yesterday and another is there two weeks (after being with a presser) as of today without being checked in. The clock for "estimated turnaround" won't even start until they are checked in (correct me if I am wrong). That is absurd and screams lack of staffing.
Maybe have grade bump downs… eg. If book grade 7.0… 20$ just like when they bump you up when a book grades higher. They would have to gain credibility as consistent grading
Most important thing they need to implement is sub grades….😅 just kidding. Great list. I think the value difference is going to be the most important. But how do they combat the perception of, “hmmm, I wonder if this 9.8 PSA is just a 9.6 in CGC. I don’t want to take that risk, therefore the value needs to be somewhere in between a 9.6 and 9.8 CGC”. It’s really hard to overcome this.
I spoke to PSA at nycc and the label is for sure gross….can’t read it if you’re 5 feet away and the font reminds me of a typewriter from the 80’s. Also the case being heavier and wider is a big deal for storage and shipping. Nobody is buying PSA longboxes because their case doesn’t fit into standard boxes….. Ultimately, the resale market is all that will matter.
Bottom line, PSA will only be successful if they can break into the market and that will be up to the consumer and more importantly the dealer. If people are buying and selling PSA comics in the open market PSA will fall to the under 10% category alongside CBCS, PGX ( which shockingly is still in business ) and my personal favorite EGS. Yes, I said EGS, that little company has stepped up its game.
Who else is done with CGC? About time for a change IMO. I hope it sticks, but we will see. I kinda dig the label actually. If they offered label variations on the same exact Hulk #181 at a 7.0, I wonder which type of label will hold more value over time, if any? Perhaps the "less cool" label could be a unique addition. Great video!
They need to allow only certain books to be graded by them. If it’s not over a certain raw value, they don’t grade it.. the grading market is being killed by people grading absolutely every single book and sending entire distributor boxes to CGC in CBCS to be graded. It’s diluting the market with garbage comic books that shouldn’t have been graded in the first place. Stop getting 25 and $50 books graded unless it’s a key issue
Bullish on PSA. PSA can enter comics, but CGC cannot/will not enter cards. Collectors eat PSA up due to solid grading, more often than not. Two things: For label A/B testing, no need to try to sell both label types to get the data of what people want. Instead, a simple survey of the community comparing different label designs will be cost effective and won't risk releasing a label that isn't ideal. Second, PSA can pull prices on par or even higher than CGC by delivering consistent, strict-enough grades over an extended period of time.
They NEED to get GPA and GoCollect to start tracking their sales alongside CGC's. I firmly believe that's a contributing factor to why CBCS, with its better case and better grading, hasn't gained wider acceptance/market share: because the "go-to" pricing services don't provide information on CBCS books, creating uncertainty around their slabs. PSA needs to try to break that monopoly to establish that certainty with their slabs. If he hasn't already, your dad should be on the phone to them tomorrow, asking "what's it going to take?"
… and having a likable census from day one will help a TON with being on or getting on GPA.
Throw in another suggestion: graders notes always. If my book isnt a 10, I want to know why.
That takes too much time. These companies want to churn and burn 🔥
i love TAG card grading. they have detailed notes, they show you the card at extremely high res & every flaw & reason behind the grade. they are a fairly new company. i want them to succeed, so the rest of the industry will follow
PSA should have walk in service in major cities in US- There should be a way to walk into a place in NYC , LA , Chicago and drop off comics to be graded . This would solve a bunch of problems . It would bring new users into the market who might be intimidated by the process of packing, filling out the forms and shipping comics to be graded. It would LOWER the cost of grading if you could just walk in to a place and drop off comics (no need to pay for shipping ) .
In the 5 things they need to do, you missed. Maintaining an accurate registry/census of graded books. For all grades and variants (including newsstands and MJ’s). They need to incentivize people who CPR, with returning 5 labels get a free book graded. This will(should) eliminate the ghost graded books
They need to have a slab that is closer to the dimensions of the CGC and CBCS slabs. I want to keep my run of graded comics in the same box... not a box for CGC/CBCS and another box for PSA.
They really should use this as an opportunity to change a 30 year old out of date label.
I actually reached out to PSA in Canada to ask if they’re going to start grading comics next year like PSA in the USA. They replied yes they are. 😃
Good points but your number one suggestion is out of their hands. That's up to the market, not them, to determine if their books can sell for the same value as CGC.
Was gonna say that too…
I hate that books recieved at CGC can take weeks before even being scheduled to grade then months after that before grading. The time delay is my biggest turn-off for grading
The months waiting time to get books back from CGC is atrocious
@@billd1668 Still have books from August at CGC scheduled for grading....
This is exciting. You have a vested interest in this, along with a unique inside influence. It feels like we have a real impact on this channel. Love this.
Thanks. Ya I do want them to succeed. I know my dad is very happy to have this job. So I’m very happy for him
@@ComicBookInvestments they should not have a lower grade tier. You should not be grading a non-key issue lower than $120 in its raw form. This grading every book just to make a few dollars is diluting the market of actual grade worthy comic books. You shouldn’t be out here sending in distributor boxes or 10 to 15 copies of the same book in hopes to getting 9/8 to sell them for $50. The grading process was originally for high end key issue books into preserve them. If anything what they should do is make their selection process more rigorous so they’re not taking in low tear cheap books that shouldn’t be getting graded if they’re not key issues or over $120 they shouldn’t grade them at all
Dear PSA, I have hundreds of books ready to go as CGC has lost my business, and CBCS doesn't have the census/market report or communication to gain it. My business is literally yours for the taking if, IF, you have a nice alternate label. Give us that, and I'll register and mail out on day 1.
Isn’t it too late to get into the 3rd party grading market? Any book worth grading is already graded. Moderns aren’t worth the slab fees any longer & those few that are are also already graded. Cards is different
Number one and two as a marketing strategy that’s something that would be a good pitch to people in general.
Thanks for an interesting video!! Three quick points from my side:
- The comic book grading market may well have a strong "winner takes all" effect. Maybe simply because quite a few collectors have something like OCD when it comes to their slabs? They may want them all the same because it looks nice. If there is a real "winner takes all" effect, then it is all about fighting for that number one spot, and that could take years and big investments.
- Your last point is obviously true: PGA needs for their slabs to fetch similar prices as same-grade CGC slabs. Ideally even better prices. But I think that's out of PGA's control. My suspicion is that the number one grader will always fetch better prices. So PGA may have an uphill fight here. Better to prepare for years of hard and smart work and lots of investment?
- And yes, that slab design looks ugh. I would not want to have one. I prefer raw comics, but if I were to buy slabs for my PC, I would vastly prefer the CBCS and CGC slabs over PGA's.
Will they have a PSA/DNA or comparable autographed slab?
As long as PSA does the opposite of CGC in everything, they're golden.
Low cost idea: if submitter elects to send book to psa vault after grading = like 50% discount. Then, like pwcc, if submitter elects to run it in a PSA weekly auction immediately = no listing fee in auction. If book doesn't sell, then submitter has option to pay service charge to add book to their vault collection or to sacrifice the book to PSA to avoid any service charges.
Great video Dave, haven't actually seen the case but if it's a different size that is a killer to the investment because i can't store it with my previously graded books in my collection.
I would pay extra if there was a possibility to read your own comic book digitally as well, for example: you pay extra to get a QR code on de back of the slab, you scan it with a PSA app and you're able to read your own book. It can be used as an extra security layer as well, because the book inside needs to look the same as the digital version.
I agree with a comment, PGX putting graders notes on a book for $5 is really cool. I also think ALL grading companies should put on the label if that book has been pressed and drycleaned by Their company. As a collector you never know if its worth cracking a slab to resubmit for those services, especially for newbies to the hobby.
Which also lends the question, is PSA going to offer pressing and drycleaning in house? Thats an important issue to me. I dont want my book shipped back and forth in the mail system.
Also having much quicker turn around times than CGC would be a plus.
Hey Dave when does their grading service start?
Beginning of 2025. The exact date. I have no clue. My best guess would be 1st quarter of 2025
I can’t believe you ignored what might be THE most important thing; The case HAS to be made smaller. They’re not uniform to the standard size of other graded books. That, combined with a label that can’t be read from 3-10 feet away means that dealers will have zero interest in displaying the books. Why get something graded that won’t fit in your bins to travel with AND people can’t see the grade when shopping?
Personally, I think you had some good calls, though.
1. Better label. Bigger font so it can be read from 5-10 feet away. Also, why not bronze, silver, gold and a crazy hollofoil label so people can know what a comic is graded at a glance?
2. SMALLER/UNIFORM CASSES
3. Slash the prices for getting comics graded. Get as many PSA comics out there so people can see them and be familiar with them.
#1. They need to hire me.
Transparency! Tell us how many people looked at my book and how they arrived at the grade (notes). I think knowing that potentially 2-3 people look at certain books and arrived at/near the same grade would quickly build trust in the validity of the grades and boost resale immediately.
I think it's PSA's arrogance that is preventing them from changing labels. They feel they are the Big Dick in collecting and their way is the right way.
I heard that CGC plays a power move at conventions to prevent CBCS from being there or having good spots. Basically do this it we don’t buy an expensive booth. Anyway, my one add to the topic of things they have to get right is communicating well with the comic crowd who send in books. I tried many times to find info about when in 2025 they plan to open up shop for comic grading and I could not find anything. Maybe that info is buried but that doesn’t help. So I would say they are not off to the best start in terms of giving their target crowd the info they are looking for. Just my two cents.
Hi Dave did you see the updated CGC TAT for grading, it's crazy !!! As a big submitter to you get any special faster lane treatment ?
Nope. Most of my books are being slow too
When they first start, they should offer a discounted crossover service to immediately increase market share (more PSA slabs out there AND less CGC). Maybe even offer free pressing for any banana books or something
Would like more details on notes for high value books, that would be cool. I'll give them a go 👍
Would like to see a label with a dark background. Maybe a gold font on a black background or a white font on navy blue ? The white background looks dated.
$15 price point would cause me to send a LOT more books in.
The biggest problem I see with CGC is the trust factor Having sent thousands of copies of modern books, I’ve never received a 9.9. This is even after pressing. I’ve seen some dealers get 2 or more 9.9s in the same order. Caused a lot of us to quit using them. The bias is obvious.
Looking forward to the possible future of PSA maybe replacing CGC as the next big dog.
Love the videos, keep em coming. 😊
Emphasis on quality control is critical. From proper handling of books so they are not returned damaged to consist grading criteria and hopefully no banana gate slabs.
If you do a trial with two different labels whatever label loses will probably be worth more on the same book just because it's rare don't advise that but definitely agree on the grading system in how many books they can turn around but to be honest I believe that they'll be so backlogged PSA that is people might get pissed but what's your alternative cgc with spotty grading and bent books as far as the thing I would like for PSA would be really good holders heavy duty and straight thanks brother you're the best on UA-cam
Thanks. Well I do know their cases are heavy duty. More so then cgc
@ComicBookInvestments I think the funniest thing cgc does is if you have a tracking slip which we all do your comic arrives but two weeks later it goes in for processing I fast track three books in October late October they are still in grading and encapsulation for the last week and a half LOL I'm not asking for miracles but just be honest when you receive the book Market into your system. Great Channel Dave always making me laugh
Could explain what those letters mean? :)
He would help if they would also make sure that their graders knew how to grade and not be beholden and bent over by big dealers in the auction houses.
They need to emphasize that they’ve been in the grading business the longest without fraud loss or acts of god. They do that they’re golden
Man! How long does it take you to grow a full beard? Have a great day!
How about turnaround time being number one on your list?
Have a UK office/presence please!
People grade books that should not be graded. I see tons that won't sell when graded because you can buy it raw for $5.
i had an idea. this would ONLY apply to 9.9 and 10's. These grades should default to a different fancy label. Purple backdrop color scheme for 9.9's and Gold backdrop color scheme 10's. However, the key thing is, that the CASE should reflect that same color. Have the case have a purple/gold frame/border around the case. I saw the cases live at SDCC and i think they have this blurry effect on the edges of the cases, that part should be purple/gold depending on the grade. That case would look SICK. people will pay for that.
I CALLED PSA they are not giving a date as to when they are beginning services. Any word?
I would also like to add that every third-party grading company needs to stop all the shenanigans at the upper levels of management. I would trust a politician on crack more than I trust Matt Nelson at this point.
Booze allen would charge a $250k consulting fee for this advice
PSA needs a 9.8 etc. pre-screen service. I no longer submit to CGC without a prescreen. CGC gives me a random 8.5-9.2 grade sometimes on an obvious 9.8 book, which I just have ro re-submit and waste time re-cracking the case.
I don't like the current PSA label.
I live in Seattle, so I would like to be able to drop off and pick up my books at their Seattle/Bellevue grading office and not have to do any shipping.
They have to get the size right. I know they are messing around with having two sizes but I think that is silly. Slabs already take up too much space and trying to get new storage units for bigger slabs is a non-starter.
I would also mention that they have to have shorter times than CGC, so staff appropriately. I have two orders I sent recently. One was not even checked in for 15 days and just checked in yesterday and another is there two weeks (after being with a presser) as of today without being checked in. The clock for "estimated turnaround" won't even start until they are checked in (correct me if I am wrong). That is absurd and screams lack of staffing.
Maybe have grade bump downs… eg. If book grade 7.0… 20$ just like when they bump you up when a book grades higher.
They would have to gain credibility as consistent grading
To me, the turnaround has to be less than 20 days and comparable prices
I will switch all mine to psa they are bigger and way more reputable!
Most important thing they need to implement is sub grades….😅 just kidding. Great list. I think the value difference is going to be the most important. But how do they combat the perception of, “hmmm, I wonder if this 9.8 PSA is just a 9.6 in CGC. I don’t want to take that risk, therefore the value needs to be somewhere in between a 9.6 and 9.8 CGC”. It’s really hard to overcome this.
You've got the inside scoop... how early in 2025 are they going to start taking submissions? 1st quarter?
They should pay me to change my CGC to PSA
So how’s the lawsuit?
I spoke to PSA at nycc and the label is for sure gross….can’t read it if you’re 5 feet away and the font reminds me of a typewriter from the 80’s. Also the case being heavier and wider is a big deal for storage and shipping. Nobody is buying PSA longboxes because their case doesn’t fit into standard boxes…..
Ultimately, the resale market is all that will matter.
CGC has GREAT labels. Copy them but use your colors. And, what's wrong with label art like our fave superheroes?
As a sports card collector and comic collector, I want the labels to match my cards
don't damage the comics
Bottom line, PSA will only be successful if they can break into the market and that will be up to the consumer and more importantly the dealer. If people are buying and selling PSA comics in the open market PSA will fall to the under 10% category alongside CBCS, PGX ( which shockingly is still in business ) and my personal favorite EGS. Yes, I said EGS, that little company has stepped up its game.
Who else is done with CGC? About time for a change IMO. I hope it sticks, but we will see. I kinda dig the label actually. If they offered label variations on the same exact Hulk #181 at a 7.0, I wonder which type of label will hold more value over time, if any? Perhaps the "less cool" label could be a unique addition. Great video!
The cases are dumb sized
I like the label.
They need to allow only certain books to be graded by them. If it’s not over a certain raw value, they don’t grade it.. the grading market is being killed by people grading absolutely every single book and sending entire distributor boxes to CGC in CBCS to be graded. It’s diluting the market with garbage comic books that shouldn’t have been graded in the first place. Stop getting 25 and $50 books graded unless it’s a key issue
Bullish on PSA. PSA can enter comics, but CGC cannot/will not enter cards. Collectors eat PSA up due to solid grading, more often than not. Two things: For label A/B testing, no need to try to sell both label types to get the data of what people want. Instead, a simple survey of the community comparing different label designs will be cost effective and won't risk releasing a label that isn't ideal. Second, PSA can pull prices on par or even higher than CGC by delivering consistent, strict-enough grades over an extended period of time.
CGC does grade cards and has been doing so for years now.