In the fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled world of card collecting, patience is often a virtue—but it seems PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is about to test the limits of even the most saintly of hobbyists. Today, PSA made the rather sobering announcement that the timelines for grading submissions are about to stretch out longer than ever. This new reality unfolds like an agonizingly slow game of solitaire where the reward comes eventually, but the waiting is the uninvited guest.
Starting from April 7 onward, the landscape for those submitting their prized pieces of cardboard will look markedly different. The Value and Value Bulk submissions now come with a 65-business-day wait time. TCG Bulk, a prime service for trading card game enthusiasts, rides the same sluggish boat. And for those hoping that Value + Bulk Dual Service might be an express train with a scenic view, think again—it stands at a 75-business-day wait. The world of contiguous happiness, it appears, has winnowed down to the methodical pace of lengthy anticipation.
Thus, at a time when patience might already be wearing thin, PSA has sprinkled a pinch of salt into the mix: a price increase. As collectors squabble to navigate the labyrinth of increased wait times, the cost of TCG Bulk will rise from the current $16.99 per card to $18.99, starting April 8. So, while your cards are off on an extended sabbatical, your wallet might find itself feeling a tad lighter.
For those keeping track—or feeling a strong urge to do so—the latest amendment is the second adjustment of the year. The prior shift took hold in mid-January, when the bulk processing queue was initially stretched to 45 business days. The latest adjustment brings a not-so-welcome encore of sorts, tacking on approximately three more weeks of anticipation.
The present scenario is a conundrum for card enthusiasts who have already sensed the slow crawl of progress when it comes to submissions. Backlogs from the early months of the year still loom in the system, and the resultant delay has not gone unnoticed. Collectors, airing their grievances vocally, see their estimated completion dates morphing into unexpected marathons.
Even as some ponder migrating towards other competitors in search of swifter service, they may well end up in rough seas. SGC, one of PSA’s chief rivals, finds itself grappling with a tidal wave of submissions too. The sector-wide hike in demand has created a riptide that’s proving difficult to navigate for all involved.
Tangled timelines are not the only snag PSA clients are tripping over. Rumblings of stricter grading standards have spread like a whisper in the wind across the community. At the beginning of the year, PSA announced a fortification of their grading criteria—particularly in the realm of centering. Evidence of this stricter scrutiny appears in the form of deflated hopes. Cards expected to stride back home adorned with a Gem Mint 10 have returned with a demure Near Mint 9, leaving some people to catch their breath and recalibrate expectations.
This fabled rise in standards, along with the maelstrom of longer waits and higher prices, could catalyze a shift in strategy for budding collectors. Those who once eagerly sent in borderline cards might now hesitate, niggling fears about delays and potentially lower grades playing on their minds.
Amidst all the reshuffling and recalibrating, the card grading world continues its spirited dance, seemingly unfazed by the storm clouds overhead. Though the present situation could possibly nudge collectors to reassess their palate, the thriving heartbeat of grading demand shows no sign of slowing down.
Despite the turbulence, PSA holds firmly onto its crown as the front-runner of the grading kingdom. For those mulling over an upcoming submission, brace for the journey; it may be long, the road winding, and no shortcuts in sight. Choose wisely—and submit even more wisely. The path may be scattered with challenges, but the thrill of the hobby remains unyielded.
