Is PSA really $100 per card?

No, PSA isn't always $100 per card; costs vary widely from around $20 for low-value bulk to several hundred dollars for high-value, fast-service cards, with $100 often being a mid-tier price for regular service or a potential "upcharge" if a cheaper submission gets a high grade, though true bulk pricing is much lower. You can find cheaper rates for modern, lower-value cards (around $20-$50) and much higher rates for vintage or high-value cards, plus shipping, insurance, and potential extra fees if your declared value is exceeded, says a Reddit thread.

How much does PSA charge per card?

Affordable PSA Grading Options

PSA's Value tiers are ideal for collectors submitting modern or lower-value cards. The PSA Value Max service costs $65 for Regular and $85 for Dual, while the PSA Value Plus tier is $50 and $60 respectively.

Is PSA at Collect a Con?

Yes, PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) attends Collect-A-Con events to offer on-site submission for grading and authentication, not typically for instant, in-person grading, though some dealers might offer faster turnarounds for a fee, saving you shipping costs and time. You drop off your items (cards, tickets, memorabilia) at the PSA booth, fill out paperwork (often on-site), and they handle the rest, with returns often taking weeks or months, depending on the service level. 

Do collectors prefer CGC or PSA?

Collectors prefer PSA for higher resale value and market dominance, while CGC is favored for stricter grading (especially Pristine 10s), better slab aesthetics, faster service, and lower costs, making the choice dependent on whether the goal is maximum profit (PSA) or collection enjoyment/accuracy (CGC). PSA is the industry leader, especially for older or high-value sports cards, but CGC offers a strong alternative, particularly for modern Pokémon, with a more critical eye and attractive cases.
 

Is a CGC 9.5 now a 10?

Yes, CGC Cards, the leading card grading company, updated its system so that previously graded CGC 9.5 Gem Mint cards are now equivalent to the new CGC 10 Gem Mint grade, and collectors can get them reslabbed for a new label. While the old blue-labeled 9.5s automatically convert in the population report to a 10, you can pay a fee to have them physically reslabbed with the updated Gem Mint 10 label, making them functionally the same as newer 10s, though some collectors debate the market perception and whether they should have remained 9.5s.
 

MY $100 PER CARD PSA STANDARD SUBMISSION RESULTS 👀

Is PSA 7 a bad grade?

A PSA of 7 ng/mL is considered elevated and borderline, suggesting a higher chance (around 25%) of prostate cancer but not a certainty, as it can also be caused by aging, inflammation, infection, or an enlarged prostate (BPH). Doctors usually recommend further investigation like a repeat test, digital rectal exam (DRE), or biopsy, with action depending on your age, medical history, PSA velocity (rate of change), and prostate size (PSA density). 

Is PSA 8 a bad grade?

Yes, a PSA level of 8 is considered elevated and warrants further investigation, as it falls into the "borderline" range (4-10 ng/mL), indicating about a 25% chance of prostate cancer, though it doesn't confirm cancer, as other issues like BPH, inflammation, or recent ejaculation can raise levels. You need to see a doctor to discuss your age, medical history, and potentially get additional tests like a biopsy or imaging to find the cause.
 

What does Gamestop charge for PSA grading?

GameStop's PSA grading costs typically range from $19.99 to $21.99 per card, depending on the card type (Pokemon vs. Sports/Other), with some promotions or Pro memberships offering slightly lower rates, plus a potential flat shipping fee, and additional charges can apply if your card's graded value exceeds the initial insurance tier. The process involves dropping cards off at a store, tracking online, and picking them up, with Pro members getting perks like extra credit for traded cards. 

Why are PSA 10 so rare?

PSA 10s are rare because they require near-flawless cards, meaning perfect corners, edges, surface, and centering, with very few cards meeting these strict criteria due to manufacturing flaws and handling damage, creating high demand for these virtually perfect cards that drives prices significantly above lower grades. While modern cards have better initial conditions, widespread quality control issues like print defects and centering problems still limit the number of true Gem Mint 10s, especially for popular vintage cards where finding pristine examples is extremely difficult. 

Does PSA check if cards are fake?

PSA authenticates both sports and non-sports trading cards across all eras. A series of PSA graders review your cards for authenticity. If genuine, PSA looks for evidence of doctoring, such as re-coloring or trimming.

Is PSA 55-45 or 60-40?

PSA's standard for a Gem Mint 10 used to be 60/40 centering, but they officially updated it to 55/45 or better, though graders still have some discretion, sometimes allowing up to 60/40 if the rest of the card is perfect and it has good "eye appeal". So, while 55/45 is the stricter new requirement, older 60/40 cards might still get a 10, but it's less common now. 

Is PSA being sued?

PSA and American Americans are being sued because "they are the common carrier that was entrusted with the responsibility to provide the care and safety at the highest degree possible for the traveling public," one of the mid-air collision victim's family's attorney said.

What is cheaper, CGC or PSA?

Yes, a comparable CGC grade (like a 10) generally sells for less than a PSA grade (like a 10) due to PSA's higher market recognition and established resale value, though this can vary, with CGC's stricter standards sometimes making its pristine grades more valuable, but PSA remains the go-to for maximizing short-term resale profit, while CGC is popular for its lower cost, faster service, and perceived stricter grading on modern cards. 

What Pokémon card is worth $60,000?

A Trainer No. 3 card, awarded to a third-place winner in a 1999 Japanese competition, famously sold for $60,000 in 2018 but was lost in the mail, while a rare Gyarados Unnumbered Promo card was also selling for around $60,000 in July 2023, both prized for extreme rarity and unique tournament origins.
 

Is it worth getting cards graded by PSA?

Yes, PSA grading is often worth it for valuable cards, especially modern stars and high-grade vintage, as it confirms authenticity, protects condition, and significantly boosts resale value, but it's not for every card, as lower grades might not recoup the cost, making it a strategic decision based on the card's potential, your budget, and market demand. 

What if GameStop loses my PSA card?

*GameStop guarantees the safety of your cards while in our possession. To the extent your cards are lost, stolen or damaged while in our possession, we will compensate for the fair market value of the card (but in no event more than the Max Insured Value).

Why did GameStop charge me $27?

That $27 charge from GameStop is very likely your annual GameStop Pro Membership auto-renewal, which costs $25 plus taxes, often appearing as $27-$28 on your statement and sometimes originating from Grapevine, TX. You probably opted into this when signing up for Pro or a purchase, and it automatically renews yearly unless canceled. Check your online account to manage or cancel it, or contact GameStop customer service if you don't recognize it. 

Can I drop cards off to PSA?

Yes, you can drop off cards at PSA in person at their official drop-off events, often held at local card shops or conventions, where PSA staff assist with the submission process. You'll need to prepare your cards and paperwork beforehand, and at these events, you can finalize your submission and hand them directly to a PSA team member, with some shows offering express options like a "Lightning Lane". 

What cards will PSA not grade?

PSA generally won't grade cards that are significantly altered (trimmed, recolored, cleaned), counterfeit, non-English/Japanese cards outside specific releases, or sometimes obscure/vintage items where they lack established standards, leading to returns or "Authentic Altered" (AA) designations for genuine but tampered items, rather than a numerical grade. Cards with major manufacturing defects or those deemed too thick/memorabilia-heavy can also face grading challenges. 

Should I crack PSA 9?

You should crack a PSA 9 only if you're confident it's a strong candidate for a PSA 10 (near-perfect centering, no surface flaws) and your goal is to potentially increase its value significantly, but it's generally better for binder collections or if you got it very cheap; otherwise, sell the slab as is, as a 9 holds more value than raw and is safer, and you risk it getting a lower grade. For less valuable modern cards, cracking an 8 or 9 to put in a binder is common, but for high-value items, selling the authenticated 9 is safer than risking a lower grade on resubmission. 

Can there be fake PSA graded cards?

Yes, fake PSA-graded cards exist and are becoming increasingly convincing, with counterfeit slabs featuring fake cards, incorrect grades, and forged labels that mimic authentic ones, requiring careful inspection for subtle details like UV markings, engraving quality, font accuracy, and label security features (like the lighthouse logo) to spot the fraud. While checking the certification number on the PSA website confirms a number's legitimacy, it doesn't guarantee the card in the slab is the real one associated with that number, as fraudsters can replicate labels and swap cards. 

Is a 60% an F or D?

A 60% is usually a D, which is a passing grade in many US systems, but it's the minimum passing mark and sits just above an F (failure, typically below 60%). However, grading scales vary by school, so some might consider a 60% a failing grade (F), while others might have a different cutoff, especially in high school or for specific courses. 

Are PSA 7 near Mint?

Near Mint or NM (PSA 7 or SGC 84):

A NM card will look virtually new at first glance. However, upon closer examination, there may be slight fuzziness to the corners, minor color or print imperfections and the centering must still be 65/35 or better all around.