Getting baseball cards professionally graded is a popular way for collectors to verify the condition and authenticity of their cards. Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) is considered the gold standard in third-party grading for sports cards, especially for vintage and high-value modern cards. The service does come at a cost that collectors need to factor in. This article will provide a detailed overview of the various submission options and pricing tiers available through PSA, as well as tips on how to minimize costs.
PSA offers several different submission service levels to accommodate collectors’ needs and budgets. The most economical option is their Basic submission service, which has a flat fee of $10 per card with an order minimum of 10 cards. Turnaround time is estimated at 6-8 months for Basic submissions. For collectors who want a faster turnaround, PSA offers several expedited service levels for an additional fee on top of the $10 per card charge. Their Economy service has an estimated 2-month turnaround and costs an extra $15 per card. Priority service promises a 30-day turnaround for an additional $30 per card. For the fastest possible grading turnaround of around 10 business days, collectors can opt for PSA’s Express service level which adds $50 per card to the fee.
In addition to the per card submission fees, PSA also charges a one-time submission fee based on the total number of cards submitted. Basic submissions have a $25 submission fee for orders between 10-49 cards, and $50 for 50 or more cards. Expedited service levels like Economy, Priority and Express have higher submission fees that range from $50 for smaller orders up to $150 for bulk submissions of 50+ cards. Shipping costs to send the cards to PSA and return shipping of the graded slabs are not included in any of these pricing structures and need to be paid separately by the collector.
There are some ways collectors can try to minimize the overall costs of getting cards graded through PSA. One strategy is to combine submissions with other collectors to reach the higher volume submission tiers that have lower per card fees. Group submissions through authorized PSA dealers are another option that can sometimes provide small discounts compared to individual submissions. Collectors should also consider whether Basic service is adequate for their needs, as upgrading to expedited turnaround levels adds significant costs. Bundling cards by player, set or year is recommended to simplify the submission process and qualify for the lower submission fees in larger order tiers as well.
For vintage cards from the pre-1980s era that are more valuable, collectors may want to opt for the higher service level of Express grading which promises the fastest turnaround. For modern production cards or prospects, the 6-8 month wait of Basic service is generally acceptable given the lower initial cost. It’s also worth noting that PSA charges an additional $2-5 fee per card for special services like cross-outs, re-holders or auto/relic authentication depending on the specific request. Make sure to carefully review all applicable fees before finalizing a submission.
In some cases, the cost of grading cards through PSA may outweigh the potential increase in resale value – especially for more common modern cards worth under $20-50 raw. It’s important for collectors to do the math and only submit cards likely to grade at the high Excellent or Mint condition levels where third-party authentication provides real value. Lower graded cards often end up selling for similar prices to their raw counterparts. Factoring in insurance for declared item value is also recommended to protect the investment in grading expensive vintage cards.
For collectors just starting out, budget-friendly alternatives to PSA include SGC and BGS which have lower submission fees but perceived lesser brand recognition compared to the industry leader. Ungraded consignments to major auction houses can also potentially realize close to PSA prices without the upfront grading costs in many cases. With experience, collectors will get better at identifying which specific cards are truly worthy of the PSA grading process based on their individual return on investment expectations. With some planning and strategy applied to the submission process, the costs of PSA authentication can be minimized to unlock greater profits down the road from cards that receive top grades.
While PSA grading fees may seem high initially, the brand carries immense clout in the hobby. For valuable vintage cards or modern rookies of future stars, the costs are usually justified based on increased resale prices commanded by PSA slabs. With the right submission approach and card selection, collectors can maximize returns on their grading investments over time. Just be sure to do the math upfront on individual cards to ensure only the best candidates make the cut. With some savvy, PSA remains an excellent option even for collectors on a budget.
