10 Items YOU NEED To Get PSA 10s! | PSA Submission Tutorial - New Online Submission Center

MY BIGGEST SUBMISSION YET!
If you are looking for a video on how to submit sports cards for grading, you've come to the right place! I take you through my step by step process on selecting, cleaning and submitting cards to PSA. This is a 62 card submission that I am sending in via their PSA Collectors Club exclusive monthly special for January. This submission contains cards from Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, Trevor Lawrence, and many more!
3 IMPORTANT NOTES:
1) Ship cards safely and securely in protective pouches. Semi-rigid plastic pouches like the Card Saver I® brand are recommended. Please do not submit unprotected cards, or cards in top loaders, screw-down holders or hard acrylic snap cases.
2) Do not place labels, stickers, or writing on the outside of each card saver.
3) Put the collectibles in the order they appear on the submission form. Failing to do so will result in a 5% service charge on your order and longer processing time.
TO BECOME A PSA COLLECTORS CLUB MEMBER - tinyurl.com/PSACollectorsClubIF
FOR MORE INFO ON PSA'S GRADING SPECIALS - tinyurl.com/PSAGradingSpecialsIF
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If for whatever reason you would like to send me something, I do have a PO Box that I pick up mail from on a weekly basis! Please include a note! The mailing address is:
Ian Fitzgerald
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🙏 WISH LIST
Link to set building needs list: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
I am also trying to collect every base and insert card of my main PC, George Kittle. Here is the list of cards I have yet to acquire: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
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Thank you all for your support! 💗

[@IFSportsCards]

Other tips...

[@discorips]

I know you’re sponsored by PSA but I think card grading has to change their pricing. It shouldnt matter what a cards “value” is at the time of grading to determine the price it cost. And seeing PSA 9’s selling for very close to raw values more often why risk losing money on a 9 when you don’t even know why it’s a 9? It’s a flawed business practice that I can’t believe is still flourishing, for now.

[@MrWeirdBeard]

Yea PSA is garbage, they grade MAJOR stream channels and breakers cards on a curve us peasants don't receive. It also matters if you're a $99 member or a $199 member.

[@discorips]

@@MrWeirdBeard I would have thought at this point collectors would demand accountability but it seems the chase for a 10 out weighs the reasons it’s not. I can give my own opinion on a card for free but if I put a 10 on it it’s $100 how’s that sound?

[@ighoutdoorssports1492]

I do agree with you on not knowing why your card got a 9, when you thought it should be a 10. There should be some transparency when you receive your items and they did not get a 10 grade! It would be nice to know what to look for that made that card get a 9 or less so it wouldn’t happen again!

[@discorips]

@@ighoutdoorssports1492 and that is a huge issue for me. Also quite often you can hold a 9 and a 10 next to each other and you cannot tell a difference. You can crack a 9 resubmit it (pay them more money) and it comes back a 10. That shows the flaws in the process and destroys all credibility for me because the process is subjective which makes the grade no different then if you or I did it

[@Kybone]

It's not for everyone

[@DenDonDennis]

Very informative, I haven't ever submitted any cards for grading so this really helps. I appreciate the video and good luck on your card grades.

[@chuckmcbuckets6011]

Can’t lie, the title is actually pretty funny. 10 items to GET psa 10s. You cracked the code

[@IFSportsCards]

I think so too

[@cardswithkev]

Super helpful video man thank you!

[@Artie77]

Great vid and tips. Thank you.

[@CoffeeNCards]

Just me… I took advantage of the new year deal also with close to 100 cards. I generally break them in bundles of 25 then put them in cardboard. So in order 1-25, 26-50 etc etc so 4 stacks of cards in cardboard. Then I wrapped them in bubble wrap larger bubbles with 3 wrap arounds. As for insurance I still have never heard of anyone having luck based on the value of their cards if they were lost or damaged. The fedex person I talked with said your better off going through a 3rd party to be protected. You just don’t know what fedex would deem the value of your product. Also (fedex) said if the value exceeds a certain amount you would have to show them how the cards were packaged. I now ship via usps and just print and package everything myself with not much insurance. If you or anyone can point me to a story that they lost or damaged cards and insurance covered it I would love to read/watch it. Great video with easy to understand steps.

[@golferguy17]

Love the content!! Anyway you could post a link to the Magnifying/ Light you have. I’ve been needing to get one and I love how bright that light shines to clearly show the surface. Thanks in advance!

[@shawndube6957]

Great video once again Ty sir

[@ericottiano4885]

Ian great video as usual

[@johnblacksmith9505]

@03:37 wow! You you just blew my tiny little mind. Thank you for this tip It's always bugged my that i would damage stuff trying to pull penny sleeves out of top loaders

[@carlosjr8642]

I cannot stress enough that you MUST use a loupe. I always see these videos from so many card collectors and it is baffling how common it is that people complain about the results but yet do not take the time to put their cards under the level of scrutiny that grading companies use or close to the same methods. You didn't check a single corner. More importantly, using the eye-test method to look for imperfections is the worst method. Use a loupe.

[@zachj8789]

Put a note IN the box with a “if lost return to address”. A breaker I use always sends packages with his address. He says it has helped when packages have been lost in the past. Also takes an honest person..

[@99ljohn]

Love the channel. One thing that I do when sending cards to PSA is before I put them into the Ultra-Pro semi rigid holders I use Post-it arrow flags on the back of the penny sleeve so when they get the card they don't have to try to dig it out of the holder they can just grab the flag and pull it out easily

[@DCANHODL]

They cut the side of the rigid holder to remove the card.

[@skateordie165]

PSA actually came out a year or two ago and said they prefer people to not do this

[@99ljohn]

Ok thank you. I didn't know that

[@chadhowell1328]

@@skateordie165 exactly what I was going to say. These are all the things that PSA said specifically not to do.

[@chadhowell1328]

This all sounds great to us that don’t grade cards but these are all bad practices. They want them in card savers when sending in because they use a machine to slice open the card saver to retrieve the card. They do this to keep from damaging the card like what could happen if digging in a top loader to get it out as you mentioned. PSA has posted a lot of good “how to submit” videos lately that show the process they prefer customers use when submitting cards. They don’t go into the detail this video does as far as how to get the best grades so this video is great for that.

[@ighoutdoorssports1492]

Hello Ian, I did find out when you fill out the declared value on each card, to just put the max value “250” (if that is what the special is for that submission) because no matter what you put, PSA will adjust to the correct value at the time it’s done and the grade it has. It saves a boat load of time trying to look up the value of each card, especially if you have a big submission. I learned that from the KZbinr Chasing cardboard. Can’t remember his name, but I have been doing that ever since I saw that episode he did about submissions and it’s been a big weight lifted off my shoulders. And I believe he said you didn’t want to put a value way less than what it would actually be worth in case something does happen. Which makes sense. Good educational video!

[@philadelphia0collins]

I personally do not give gloves as it can give the false illusion of proper handling. But everyone has their preference! Also I advise not getting insurance when sending TO PSA. From PSA, yes get insurance (they will add it onto their shipping charge). You are sending cards to get graded and it is not a sale, therefore it doesn't fall under most insurance terms.

[@idisc0rdthebeatmakerryanma75]

As far as wiping the cord off, I used microfiber before and it works pretty well, but I’ll tell you the best thing in the world, but you just have to be very careful is compressed air like duster from a distance. It works amazing. Second of all I don’t use a magnifying magnifying glass magnifying glass. I use a digital coin microscope for a coin, collectors or people who do a lot of soldering electronics and stuff I mean 20 bucks dude hook straight up to your laptop or your desktop or even your phone I mean really bright LEDs build into it or whatever actually I have an extra one just give it to you. You know you won’t go back to a magnifying glass once you use that two cents, but let me know if you want me to send you that microscope super super good investment like I said I’ll just give it to you. Keep up the good work.

[@rccollectibles2320]

Hey, you did a great job! I just noticed that they do not want tape over bar code on side of box. Thank You!

[@1982cmf]

Great detailed video, question will a 55 point card into a Card Saver I ?

[@ThunderCards96]

Nice video man and I have seen putting the cards in one touches help you get 10s a lot better

[@Duuuval23]

I put all of my big cards in one touches immediately. I don’t bother putting them in a sleeve and then a top loader. That two chances to cause damage to the card as opposed to just setting it a one touch.

[@ChrisHarrison-sc7sz]

Great video, Let me know what that CJ Stroud (1st card) grade came back as.

[@in2rock275]

Yes, any tape used inside the box needs to be folded over 1/2"-3/4" at one end so it is easy for the grader to remove. You may want to downplay some of the values for insurance to keep your shipping costs down since the cost to ship is commensurate with the insurance amount claimed. I've been shipping for over 20 years and I've never had an insured package lost. Trust me, USPS pays close attention to insured packages. If a package is lost or damaged, I've heard it's quite the process to file a claim. Also, I use the USPS Priority Mail Boxes. A little more to ship but they arrive quicker and are free at the post office.

[@booksfromthehood5779]

i been sending to sgc in top loaders. i jacked up a card trying to put in a ultra pro. Im not very gentle so once it gos in i dont want to touch lol

[@randys77108]

Ian, thanks for this video brother. I am sending a Chet Holmgren rookie auto 3/5 in to be graded. Ive asked a couple people who I should use. PSA seems to be the best one?! Not sure what to declare value though?! But, I am very thankful for knowing how to prep it now. Thanks bro! 🤜🤛

[@IFSportsCards]

PSA would be my preference! No problem!

[@dwiii1635]

People said PSA's the best? Maybe for card value because of the slab, but their grading is wildly inconsistent, very long turnaround times, and no explanation of why you got the grade you got on the card. If you're looking to resell, then PSA. Looking for an actually accurate grade with a report or subgrade on the card, TAG or SGC.

[@kennymcfarland9895]

How do you prepare thicker cards for submission? RPAs, 130 Point Cards, etc.? Thanks

[@johnmack8904]

That 🦓 Brady ended up gemming , nice .

[@WinterSchluter]

I would love stream videos of you cleaning your cards a couple times a year

[@josefnitervol6415]

My question is what if you have a T-206 Ty Cobb Polar Bear in great shape I think it's a 7 the most I could get on Max declared value is 2,500. I guess there isnt any question but why isn't there higher declared values?

[@thedarkgreenmarine2100]

For insurance purposes I always declare my cards at max submission value. Those were some nice cards that Brady Zebra was sic

[@IFSportsCards]

I've heard others say the same, and that is fine. You'll just end up spending a little more on the cost of insurance.

[@mauison]

When submitting a large stack of cards, would it be better to break the stack into two or three smaller stacks when you package them up? It looks like if it isn't taped tight enough, there's enough space for the cards to slide around. Even though they'll probably be okay if they do slide around, you'd still want to minimize any movement during shipment.

[@IFSportsCards]

This is probably not a terrible suggestion! As long as they are still in order, there is no reason not to do this. Thank you!

[@joelloyd9985]

I've sent in several cards with faint print lines and gotten gems .. love you videos tho bud

[@in2rock275]

A couple of questions as I have never submitted. 1 - If sending 50-60 cards, can you bundle them in say 15-20 card bundles? I can just see a grader removing packaging from a 50-60 card submission and them spilling out everywhere. 2 - What about shipping in toploaders, one size larger than your card and using painters tape to "pinch" the top (with 1/2"-3/4" folded on one end for easy removal). This way the card comes out with no effort instead of the grader having to squeeze the card saver and having to reach in to get it. This would be quicker and also lessen the possible damage the grader could cause removing it from the card saver? Any thoughts anyone? Thanks

[@Codedrunk]

What do we do if it's not showing on their site, and they're not responding to your I inquiry? I submitted them to their address and it shows delivered, then it vanished off the site and I'm seeing another card in its place.

[@lavarball719]

i’ve heard usps doesn’t do insurance on cards on the way to grading

[@coltoncyr2283]

This is interesting. What about older cards, before 2000. I have a few that have perfect corners/edges, but some minor surface scrapes or dimples. Obviously a card from like 2016 and now will have a better chance of staying perfect, but do they take anything into consideration when it comes to older/more rare cards?

[@changedman7627]

I was wondering the same but I bought a Deion sanders rookie at a ps8… Looking I can’t see anything wrong … tempted to crack it but I would say they grade on the same curve.

[@coltoncyr2283]

@@changedman7627 I mean if a different person were to grade card there's a possibility it can get a 9. But the older the card the higher chance something happens to it. But yet the older the more rare, and so it would make sense to keep grading even more strict. Because an old PSA 10 vs 9 is huge. I have a few old Favres I would love to grade, personally I think they can be 10, but if they don't get 10s then it just doesn't make sense to grade them imo. I have a ton of refractors but they have minor scratches on them otherwise they are perfect. 🤔 Though I got some nice Steph Currys I know would be fine as PSA 9. I'm very tempted to send like 5-10 cards in. Maybe in a few years.

[@changedman7627]

@@coltoncyr2283 The hobby is ruined in my opinion… I have a Barry Sanders PSA9 rookie a 10 goes for $2,200… Mine at 9 goes for $50. It’s not about the money but then it is if the gap is that wide. If you send your cards in and they come back less than a 10 they’re pretty much worthless. I collect for the fun of it but want to know what I’m collecting has some value. Anything less than a 10 is shunned.

[@changedman7627]

I even bought hobby boxes everything considered a hit was damaged out the box… couldn’t even get them graded… Off centering, garbage autos,nicked corners, print lines, all in one box. Will just let other guys go through the hassle and will cherry pick the 10’s I can afford.

[@coltoncyr2283]

@@changedman7627 it's also hype based. I used to collect when I was very young. Just got back into it and learning. Something didn't add up. Why some cards are worth more than Kobe's. Found out it's all hype based. BUT once the hype goes away it's scooping time! Still don't agree to it. Like Stroud may never win a SB but his cards are going for hundreds now. I just scooped up some nice Brady cards #d for the cost of 1 Stroud card 😆

[@stevenhollingsworth6902]

Question- So what value do i put on a card if i cant find any comparative comps for it?

[@IFSportsCards]

There isn't an easy answer to this question, but there is usually something else to point to. One thing I like to do is find the same exact card of a different player that has sold, then find a card that has sold for both players, and calculate the difference. Apply that multiplier to the first sale.

[@in2rock275]

The "neater" your submission the better. Cut the ends of any tape used inside the packaging. If you can't print legibly in block letters, print anything out that is pertinent to the submission. When a grader opens the package, they will see that you took some time and effort shipping and submitting your order.

[@Poke_Dan]

Is the max declared value for the cards raw price or is it psa 10 or 9 price?

[@donnieborruso]

psa 10 price

[@IFSportsCards]

It is the value of the card after being graded.

[@Poke_Dan]

@@IFSportsCards Thank you!

[@zachj8789]

I added a max declared value for a Pujols RC. PSA damaged the card making it worthless. They paid me roughly the raw price. Use anyone else

[@Hectekk]

I never wipe card while holding it and always wipe card from center outwards so not to snag a corner. Also actual graders don’t use gloves because they can easily snag on card as well.

[@IFSportsCards]

The wiping away from center is a great tip that I did not mention! Thank you!

[@MrSteevo28]

Just a fyi. Almost every newer card from mosaic, optic, and prizm have some sort of print lines on the back.

[@changedman7627]

Yep sure do. Bought a hobby box so bad couldn’t even send in for grading…

[@johnrusselman1364]

I'm not sure I can agree with your approach, the first 5 cards are gradable and if you don't get them graded they won't be protected at their highest obtainable grade, I would consider sending your 8's to a lesser grading company that grades for much less than the top 5 graders...

[@damiangray3605]

Does the back really pull as mutch weight as the front??

[@cvg9142]

likely no unless there is a flaw. a flaw on back will kill value. traditionally gum stain or if corners on back damage. good question as there are likely some high graded cards where if you look at the back there could be an issue. Especially on high value 10's the back is important.😀

[@skeletonjones1]

That pink Richardson is so off center how is that even in the pile of potentials to send in

[@CARDSINTHEATTIC]

You left out that you also need to be a SPORTS CARD INFLUENCER or get sponsored on YOU TUBE by PSA to have a better chance at getting a 10..LOL

[@TIME2RIP808]

Thanks for the tips buddy. The only question I have is “ WHAT IS THE MINIMUM OF CARDS THAT WE CAN SEND TO PSA??” Thanks buddy. Aloha

[@IFSportsCards]

That answer is dependent on which service level you are using, but most do not have a minimum. If you look at their pricing guide on their website, it will tell you the minimum requirements, if any.

[@TIME2RIP808]

@@IFSportsCards THANK YOU. ALOHA

[@johnrusselman1364]

That's enough to hurt hurt's grade for sure 😁

[@joeypanozzo]

U need nicholas cage from national treasure movie to grade cards..if they get government documents to shine..these would be easy

[@mattsebring]

You should write down what you are unsure of on the cards you send in. Then you will have notes for your reveal video.

[@MrWeirdBeard]

Yea PSA is garbage, they grade MAJOR stream channels and breakers cards on a curve us peasants don't receive. It also matters if you're a $99 member or a $199 member and if the grader happens to not be a fan of your team or player you definitely ain't gettin a 10

[@jasonward3295]

One thing I do with chrome cards, it's ok to dab a little bit of water on it and use your cloth to get rid of prints and dust. It also really makes the card pop and lets me see minor print lines and other blemishes I may not have seen previously. Biggest advice, BE PICKY. If it is for PC that is one thing, but if you are flipping it, it is ok to sell it raw. Also, big values on your card don't matter to them, but it will your wallet for insurance there and back.

[@Blanco_e25]

Just have 10 cards and have psa sponsor your channel, easiest way to get 10s

[@mikerukavina4551]

Bubble wrap.

[@sdharrow1947]

Why do think fingerprints appear on cards. Graders dont use gloves. FACTS!! Prove me or anybody wrong. Just a thought.