Looking for some opinions and ideas

[Fred Bear]

A few years back, I started collecting a set on the PSA registry. More for fun and nostalgia than anything else. When I started it, most of the cards were not 'uber-valuable' and 99% in the set I'm working on still aren't.

Along comes a pandemic, a boom period, and, most importantly, the PSA shut (slow) down.

I still really enjoy collecting my set (1980-81 Topps if at all interested), but these, for the most part, aren't cards that can be graded even at the newly opened $50 'Economy' level.

So, what's the word on the street... Do you think the PSA Registry is dead? Will PSA ever return to a 'Value' service level?

I have listened to most of the interviews with Nat Turner, but, let's just say, I'm not convinced. The complete through dates on all the older 'Value' service orders are still a year old and they move the slowest. They are actively taking orders at the Economy level with a submission 'event' every day or two...

Is it time to put a nail in the Registry's coffin?

 

[cygnusx1]

While not really knowledgeable or interested in the grading scene, everything I've seen since the boom has been about how much money can be made. The fact that I regularly see collectors on Facebook asking if they should send their $2 Mike Modano jersey card in for a $50 grading service tells me that PSA will probably do whatever makes them the most money. I imagine a "value" service is not in their plans.

 

[Triple B]

My own personal opinion/guess is that they will bring back the economy level, but I don't think it will be $12. My own guess has been in the $20-$25 range with a long turnaround (9 months is also an added guess).

Right now they are aiming 80% of staff at the backlog and 20% at incoming and the people handling the 20% incoming have been SUPER efficient at getting cards out the door well below the 90 day guarantee at the lowest current tier. Once that backlog is gone, they should be humming.

I think there will still be a need for the registry but I don't think those cards that are less desirable grading-wise are going to see their pops expand in a rush.