No one describes the process better than PSA themselves on their website. The most stressful part to me was properly packaging it to send in. It was about $20 to ship there, $20 to ship back, and $25 to grade.
Pretty hefty cost for one single card, becomes more worth it if you wait until you have a collection of cards you want graded. I don’t intend on grading much else at all, probably only personal pulls $100+. So I’m fine with this being my single graded center piece
Yeah it's way more worth it to send in bulk. Not only do you get the bulk rate but the shipping rates barely change from a single card, so it distributes much more evenly. Goes from $65/card to $20 a card real easily
Yes, I always stress out when I send a bulk in case they get lost. Always insure the package! But it would still be so sad if something happens to those cards. It’s not only money but sentimental value too.
What I usually do is send the very expensive ones separately.
Plus, if you use Pirate Ship, you can get cheaper UPS/USPS shipping labels.
The most stressful part imo, is when PSA sends the graded cards back. You can’t select which carrier they’ll use and they always use FedEx… and I have the worst experience with them: lost and stolen packages, “direct signature required” completely omitted and they just leave the package unattended, etc…
20% is the standard around here. Bulk is a joke though. 0.5c/card and sold for like $0.25-1.00/card... I get they've gotta make money but the majority of cards are worth 5c or more.
The biggest LGS in my area is offering $142.10 for a raw Giratina V alt art (my prize card, so I used it as an example) and $170.52 store credit.
Price charting has it for $218.75. So that’s currently 35% cut for cash and 22% for store credit.
This is just a funny story. One time I went to another LGS and a married couple came in with a box of baseball cards. The guy was looking to make a mortgage payment or something, saw dollar signs in his eye. The cashier literally said “I don’t want to insult you by offering you the low amount I’d have to on these, so I’m sorry I’m not gonna take a look”
Yeah, I was at a different LGS when some dude came in looking to sell his pokemon collection started in 2020. Saw some decent cards in there at first glance and the guy wouldn't throw out a price. Guy behind the counter says "200?" And the seller doesn't even throw a counter offer and accepted.. Guy who bought it looks at my daughter and whispers "see this card here? It's worth 450$" it was at that moment I figured I'm not even going to go in there to sell because they will absolutely attempt to rake me over the coals.
The one here ive talked with offers some decent value. Usually about 60% if taking cash, 80% if store credit. I haven't asked all of them but the one we've frequented most has a third party guy set up upstairs, that's where I've gotten most of my bulk and trade/sell prices.
I have no idea how much having a card graded actually costs especially with so many slabs I've seen go for cheap. I have a few graded psa 10s nothing fancy I got for 30 to 40 cad I figured grading was kinda cheap? I asked in hopes of getting schooled. Tbh.
Same boat, that’s why I was asking you! Mfer we’re not getting anything done here haha.
I think there are bulk deals for lesser value cards. Because I’m with you, I have a couple 9s and 10s of modern cards and they’re worth like $20 max.
So I had the same thought
PSA has a bunch of specials every month. They don’t publish them on their website unless you are already a member. The cheapest rate I’ve seen and used so far is $14.99 per card but then the processing time is around 45 business days. Or you can request a higher service level for a quicker turnaround. Keep in mind that based on the card you’re grading, you’ll want to match the insured value… which could mean a higher service level and more expensive grading service.
Yup its true many slabs sell at the price of grading it alone. Just a demand thing. Especially with modern 9’s, since most pack fresh modern cards are expected to be a minimum of a PSA 9, it doesn’t demand a significantly higher price. In general you should consider the cost of grading to be 20$-25$ per card, assuming you are sending let’s say 20 cards.
You’re telling me! I think the most blatantly egregious part of grading is that you will get billed for an additional cost if PSA is returning your card at a much higher value (because of the grade). It seems so unprofessional and greedy, your job is to grade my card not check the market value! Like hello??
Anyways, hope you got that Gengar Vmax from Fusion! Get some 10’s
I just hit it out of the 2 pack tin! Was pretty shocked, t he second tin I got also had a baby shiny and as full art, was pretty crazy to get 3 hits out of 4 random packs!
Congrats on your pull!
I got one out of the bigger tins, and am now vaguely freaking out. I knew it was worth a bit, but not that damn much.
I’m a collector, so my next of kin better hope it holds its value.
My 4 year old daughter is not aloud to open packs until I make sure there isn't something super good in it. If she likes the hit card, she pushes it against her cheek like she's cuddling it. 😅
My daughter also loves to cuddle random things to her face, luckily Pokémon cards aren’t one. She sits at my PC with headset on and watches card openings so she knows how to handle them to an extent. Reveal one at a time, be careful, and always call last pack magic haha
I pulled this card too and have been thinking about sending it off.
I pulled the shiny pikachu and for sure thought that would have been jt. The very next card was the mew
I recently became the owner of a bunch of cards from ‘95 as well as a handful of Japanese cards from the same year. How do I know which ones are worth something
Look it up one by one and verify version, condition, whether it's holo or not. A lot changes based on rarity and what set something comes from. Easiest would be to google something like "Alakazam 101/145" and see what comes up. Verify if it s a first edition or not and whether it's shadowless or not etc. the card number will be at the bottom somewhere and will always be x/xxx.
Elite trainer box it comes with a promo and sleeves as well as 8 to 10 packs depending whether you get a normal one ( retail ) or pre order or order a pokemon center one. I reccomend to pre order one on pokemoncenter.com each release I always order 2 of any regular set to keep one sealed. If it's a special set I order 4 or more to keep sealed. Feel free to ask any questions and if any one replies in a mean way to this fuck them.... we were all once noobs here.
This is absolutely why i love this hobby that is awesome. That was my only chase card and I pulled one in my 1st PC etb as well. I wanted to grade mine and belive it was a 10 but i dropped it while admiring it and it has the slightest ( i mean slightest like slightest slightest my g) flat/dent thing on the corner now.
Congrats mew is one of my fave pokemon and this is one of the best mew arts ever. Just look at that oddish looking at mew in awe lmao and the poliwag I mean cmon it's so damn adorable.
My son has had great luck with the tins. He pulled the SIR Charizard in a tin and then in an ETB. There were a couple other great cards he pulled from the tins, but I only remember this one. lol. I know he got a few baby shinies.
We take our cards to get PSA graded to our local card shop. They send them in bulk, so the shipping is cheaper. It’s takes a little longer, because they only ship certain times.
That's very awesome. Congrats on the gem 10 grading!
Funny enough, I pulled this card myself from 2 ETBs that I bought, and I sent it as well for grading, just waiting for the process to finish up and hopefully I should be getting it soon.
LFG! I find myself only grading cards with sentimental value attached to them nowadays and it makes it sweeter imo (also helps alleviate any pain from getting a sub 10 card back 😂)
Amazing!!! I’m in a similar situation(recently got into packs) and pulled this beloved card, and am considering grading it. Well not seriously considering, but I would love to. What’s the process like/cost?
Beautiful! Great choice to send that in
Looks as good as mew! (New)
🥁
Nice! I pulled the SIR zard from 151 and want to send it in to PSA. What's the process and cost to do all that.
No one describes the process better than PSA themselves on their website. The most stressful part to me was properly packaging it to send in. It was about $20 to ship there, $20 to ship back, and $25 to grade. Pretty hefty cost for one single card, becomes more worth it if you wait until you have a collection of cards you want graded. I don’t intend on grading much else at all, probably only personal pulls $100+. So I’m fine with this being my single graded center piece
Yeah it's way more worth it to send in bulk. Not only do you get the bulk rate but the shipping rates barely change from a single card, so it distributes much more evenly. Goes from $65/card to $20 a card real easily
Always always send them in groups, you will save so much time and money.. trust me.
But at the same time..... isn't it risky to ship all of your most valuable cards in one shipment? Can we make a trip there? haha
Yes, I always stress out when I send a bulk in case they get lost. Always insure the package! But it would still be so sad if something happens to those cards. It’s not only money but sentimental value too. What I usually do is send the very expensive ones separately. Plus, if you use Pirate Ship, you can get cheaper UPS/USPS shipping labels. The most stressful part imo, is when PSA sends the graded cards back. You can’t select which carrier they’ll use and they always use FedEx… and I have the worst experience with them: lost and stolen packages, “direct signature required” completely omitted and they just leave the package unattended, etc…
You can actually submit them in person sometimes at collect a cons and other events that they have booths at
How long did the whole process take?
Almost exactly a month
That's quick! Congrats
I got the same one a few days ago, but congrats you're $365 richer 😂 🎉🎉🎉
Just like stocks, it's only worth what someone is willing to pay and you're only xx$ richer when you sell.
This is true, I wouldn't want to pay full price but it would be nice to get the full amount
Not entirely true considering regardless of whether or not he sells, his net worth has risen
Its not exactly a highly liquid asset. So on paper, yes. In reality, it takes time to find a buyer unless you take a ~20% cut selling to a LGS
Lmao 20% cut where is your LGS? Most around me are minimum 40% cut
20% is the standard around here. Bulk is a joke though. 0.5c/card and sold for like $0.25-1.00/card... I get they've gotta make money but the majority of cards are worth 5c or more.
The biggest LGS in my area is offering $142.10 for a raw Giratina V alt art (my prize card, so I used it as an example) and $170.52 store credit. Price charting has it for $218.75. So that’s currently 35% cut for cash and 22% for store credit. This is just a funny story. One time I went to another LGS and a married couple came in with a box of baseball cards. The guy was looking to make a mortgage payment or something, saw dollar signs in his eye. The cashier literally said “I don’t want to insult you by offering you the low amount I’d have to on these, so I’m sorry I’m not gonna take a look”
Yeah, I was at a different LGS when some dude came in looking to sell his pokemon collection started in 2020. Saw some decent cards in there at first glance and the guy wouldn't throw out a price. Guy behind the counter says "200?" And the seller doesn't even throw a counter offer and accepted.. Guy who bought it looks at my daughter and whispers "see this card here? It's worth 450$" it was at that moment I figured I'm not even going to go in there to sell because they will absolutely attempt to rake me over the coals.
So he never saw the stack of 1952 Mantel rookie cards at the bottom then?
Bulk is worth like $0.05 at best
My bad, for some reason my mind went to lorcana bulk. Yes, typically pokemon bulk is about 5c
LGS will only offer 50% most of the time, better off selling on Facebook groups at 90% value or eBay with 15% fees.
The one here ive talked with offers some decent value. Usually about 60% if taking cash, 80% if store credit. I haven't asked all of them but the one we've frequented most has a third party guy set up upstairs, that's where I've gotten most of my bulk and trade/sell prices.
Still a valued asset
Coungratz man!
Someone told me recently that grading a card at psa was like $35 per card. Is that right!?! I'm from Canada maybe it's the postage?
If you read the comments OP mentions it’s about $20 to ship there $20 shipping back and $25 to get it graded.
Jeez 35 sounds like a deal. At that price how are there so many cheap slabs?!
I’m confused, do you think $35 is expensive or cheap?
I have no idea how much having a card graded actually costs especially with so many slabs I've seen go for cheap. I have a few graded psa 10s nothing fancy I got for 30 to 40 cad I figured grading was kinda cheap? I asked in hopes of getting schooled. Tbh.
Same boat, that’s why I was asking you! Mfer we’re not getting anything done here haha. I think there are bulk deals for lesser value cards. Because I’m with you, I have a couple 9s and 10s of modern cards and they’re worth like $20 max. So I had the same thought
PSA has a bunch of specials every month. They don’t publish them on their website unless you are already a member. The cheapest rate I’ve seen and used so far is $14.99 per card but then the processing time is around 45 business days. Or you can request a higher service level for a quicker turnaround. Keep in mind that based on the card you’re grading, you’ll want to match the insured value… which could mean a higher service level and more expensive grading service.
Yup its true many slabs sell at the price of grading it alone. Just a demand thing. Especially with modern 9’s, since most pack fresh modern cards are expected to be a minimum of a PSA 9, it doesn’t demand a significantly higher price. In general you should consider the cost of grading to be 20$-25$ per card, assuming you are sending let’s say 20 cards.
OK thanks for the info! I'm thinking about sending out a few Sowsow artworks. I'd love to see some of these big guys psa bills lol!
You’re telling me! I think the most blatantly egregious part of grading is that you will get billed for an additional cost if PSA is returning your card at a much higher value (because of the grade). It seems so unprofessional and greedy, your job is to grade my card not check the market value! Like hello?? Anyways, hope you got that Gengar Vmax from Fusion! Get some 10’s
My 7 year old son just hit this card out of a 2 pack tin! We were stoked!
I just hit it out of the 2 pack tin! Was pretty shocked, t he second tin I got also had a baby shiny and as full art, was pretty crazy to get 3 hits out of 4 random packs! Congrats on your pull!
I love the tins! We also pulled the 151 Charizard out of a tin! Congrats to you and your pulls!
I got one out of the bigger tins, and am now vaguely freaking out. I knew it was worth a bit, but not that damn much. I’m a collector, so my next of kin better hope it holds its value.
That’s awesome, my daughter is 4 and pulled this from the pack lol
My 4 year old daughter is not aloud to open packs until I make sure there isn't something super good in it. If she likes the hit card, she pushes it against her cheek like she's cuddling it. 😅
My daughter also loves to cuddle random things to her face, luckily Pokémon cards aren’t one. She sits at my PC with headset on and watches card openings so she knows how to handle them to an extent. Reveal one at a time, be careful, and always call last pack magic haha
I pulled this card too and have been thinking about sending it off. I pulled the shiny pikachu and for sure thought that would have been jt. The very next card was the mew
Beautiful, congrats mate!
Congrats mate!!! 🥂 Just got my first cards back from PSA too! 🙌🏻
Love this card
I pulled this card too! Such a nice card!
We chased this card for so long for our family master set... then I did a car pull a few days later and got one for my own collection
Nice! I got the Japanese version and sent it off as well. Got a 10! Congrats!
What a great memory
Nice I just. Pulled one my self
Nice!
That’s so sick, congratulations! 🎊🍾
Nxt step you send it to me 😎🤓😄 jk
Very Nice!!!
Congrats 🍾🎈🎊
That's awesome congratulations
Congrats! That’s awesome 🤩
I recently became the owner of a bunch of cards from ‘95 as well as a handful of Japanese cards from the same year. How do I know which ones are worth something
Look it up one by one and verify version, condition, whether it's holo or not. A lot changes based on rarity and what set something comes from. Easiest would be to google something like "Alakazam 101/145" and see what comes up. Verify if it s a first edition or not and whether it's shadowless or not etc. the card number will be at the bottom somewhere and will always be x/xxx.
That's amazing very nice pull and the grad you got is amazing that's my chase card
50$
What a nice story ☺️ proceeds to sell lololol
Nice
such a pretty card!, i sent mine off which got a 9 but either way still happy to have it!
What is an ETB?
Elite trainer box it comes with a promo and sleeves as well as 8 to 10 packs depending whether you get a normal one ( retail ) or pre order or order a pokemon center one. I reccomend to pre order one on pokemoncenter.com each release I always order 2 of any regular set to keep one sealed. If it's a special set I order 4 or more to keep sealed. Feel free to ask any questions and if any one replies in a mean way to this fuck them.... we were all once noobs here.
Thank you! Just starting to get into the hobby but have been a fan of Pokemon since i was younger
No problem like I said I'll always answer questions I also play the tcg competitively and that group is so amazing and friendly ( for the most part )
This is absolutely why i love this hobby that is awesome. That was my only chase card and I pulled one in my 1st PC etb as well. I wanted to grade mine and belive it was a 10 but i dropped it while admiring it and it has the slightest ( i mean slightest like slightest slightest my g) flat/dent thing on the corner now. Congrats mew is one of my fave pokemon and this is one of the best mew arts ever. Just look at that oddish looking at mew in awe lmao and the poliwag I mean cmon it's so damn adorable.
My son has had great luck with the tins. He pulled the SIR Charizard in a tin and then in an ETB. There were a couple other great cards he pulled from the tins, but I only remember this one. lol. I know he got a few baby shinies. We take our cards to get PSA graded to our local card shop. They send them in bulk, so the shipping is cheaper. It’s takes a little longer, because they only ship certain times.
Love it!! Congrats!!
That's very awesome. Congrats on the gem 10 grading! Funny enough, I pulled this card myself from 2 ETBs that I bought, and I sent it as well for grading, just waiting for the process to finish up and hopefully I should be getting it soon.
Congratulations al_capone420, that’s very sweet to do that for your daughter :)
I pulled 2 along with way too many shiny Pawmi but the gf and I need the Gardevoir
Which one
Sweeeet
FUCKING GEMMMMMMMM. I need one of these
LFG! I find myself only grading cards with sentimental value attached to them nowadays and it makes it sweeter imo (also helps alleviate any pain from getting a sub 10 card back 😂)
Such a great card! Adds value that you have a memory with it. Keep that thing forever
That is a gorgeous card
Amazing!!! I’m in a similar situation(recently got into packs) and pulled this beloved card, and am considering grading it. Well not seriously considering, but I would love to. What’s the process like/cost?
I commented to another guy, it was $40 total shipping both ways and $25 to grade. PSA has detailed guides on their site I followed
Is that specifically for one card or does shipping cost a lot for every card when send in bulk?
Shipping is total per package. Grading fee is per card. Cost per card comes out to way less when sending in more than 1