In the ever-evolving sphere of card collecting, another wild card has appeared and left collectors in a frenzy. The leading light in card authentication, Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), has yet again shuffled the pack by revising its grading timetables and tariffs. With demand seemingly unending like a bottomless magic hat, the wait times have inevitably grown longer. As if that wasn’t enough to ruffle a few feathers, a price uptick on TCG Bulk submissions is now in play.
Come April 7, collectors should brace for impact because PSA’s new timeline reads like a test for patience. Those applying under the Value and Value Bulk categories should expect a a two-month wait, which, for the impatient, might feel longer than a season of a gripping TV thriller. Meanwhile, those choosing the Value + Bulk Dual Service will despair as they hit the 75-business-day mark. It’s enough to make any card enthusiast start checking the lunar cycles.
Adding a sprinkle of salt to an already spreading wound, from April 8, the TCG Bulk cost will jump from $16.99 to $18.99 per card. It’s a subtle tweak, sure, but in a world where every cent counts, it’s akin to spotting a wrinkle on your prized graded Gem Mint 10. Speaking of which, the journey to capture the elusive Gem Mint 10 has turned into an expedition only rivaled by the hunt for El Dorado.
For those who’ve had submissions lingering since the dawn of 2023, the delay might already be causing anxiety. The cards are en route—but on an ancient caravan through the desert. And while some collectors may yearn to shift their submissions to other outfits, this might not unearth the solution they crave. Competitor SGC is likewise struggling under the weight of increased submissions, proving that the lust for graded cards is universal.
The sticker shock and ticking clock aren’t the only mechanics at play here. Earlier this year, PSA made a quiet declaration, loud enough to rattle the timbre of the grading world: stricter standards on centering were set to cut through the landscape like a hot knife through butter. And more rigorously applied standards have left collectors clutching their slabs like unwitting soldiers facing a drill sergeant. Cards once anticipated to blaze with glory as Gem Mint 10s are now being sent home alongside near-mint hopefuls wearing dejected 9 badges.
These continued trimmings at the grading table might spur a change in strategy among collectors, and the echoes of this practice will be worth observing. With cards languishing in mail rooms and stricter criteria applying pressure, there’s talk of selective submissions becoming the new norm. It’s only logical; fewer speculative submissions might dial down the backlog.
Yet for all these changes, PSA remains the Hercules of grading service providers. The demand hasn’t teetered an inch, perhaps scarcely affected by the growing pile of ‘out for grading’ reports. For those with a stack of cards waiting to join the slabbed elite, it’s still a game of hurry up and wait. Additionally, collectors might now opt for zen-like meditation practice while waiting, it’s their best companion alongside pending slots.
In the grand mosaic of card collecting, PSA’s latest moves show that the market is as dynamic as ever—though it may not be what hobbyists want. The game is always afoot, and the key takeaway: choose your submissions with the prudence of a chess grandmaster eyeing their next move. Each submission must be as deliberate as a well-placed knight or bishop.
Beyond mere numbers, this is a gentle reminder that being a collector is very much a journey replete with strategic pivots. And while the wait might test one’s patience more than a torturous game of Monopoly in a power outage, the payoff could still rival a royal flush. After all, a well-placed pearl in the sea of slabs can still shine brighter than a collector might imagine.
