There was a time when getting a card graded was about preservation. Authentication. Making sure your Mantle or MJ was sealed, slabbed, and ready to be admired. But now?
Now we’re drowning in base cards that cost more to grade than they’ll ever be worth.
Welcome to the Junk Slab Era.
If you’ve been in the hobby for more than five minutes, you’ve seen it—endless PSA 9s of mass-produced Prizm rookies, bulk subs of Topps base, and ultra-modern cards that never should’ve seen the inside of a grading sleeve. The problem? We’ve confused plastic with value.
đź’¬ The Community Is Over It
Collectors are speaking up:
“Why grade a $2 card with a $25 fee?”
“Raw sells higher than PSA 9s now.”
“Grading used to mean something.”
You’re not alone if you’ve questioned your last submission. And if you’ve canceled your PSA membership this year, welcome to the growing club.
📉 The ROI Might Not Be There Anymore
Grading was once about increasing value. Today, the margins are slim unless you hit a gem (which is harder than ever with gem rates dropping across the board). PSA 10s? Great—if you’re one of the lucky few. PSA 9s? Often worth less than the card raw. Add in 3–5 month turnaround times and $28+ fees, and it’s no surprise collectors are pulling back.
🧠A Shift in Strategy
Veterans are pivoting:
Buying raw, low-pop, serial-numbered cards
Slabbing only true rookies, autos, or vintage
Sending high-end cards to Beckett, SGC, or CGC instead
There’s a movement brewing. A return to intentional grading and actual collecting.
So before your next submission, ask yourself:
Am I protecting a card I love, or chasing a grade that won’t matter in a year?
🔚 Final Thought:
The slab isn’t the flex—it’s what’s inside. Maybe it’s time to stop grading junk and start collecting with purpose again.
đź“Ł Call-To-Actions:
💬 What’s the worst card you’ve ever seen in a PSA slab? Drop it in the comments.
📦 Thinking about submitting to PSA this month? Read this first.
🛑 Stop grading trash. Start collecting smarter.
#sportsCards #PSA #junkslab #collectsmarter
#cardcollectng #sportscardinvesting
