Hello,
So I recently acquired a charizard PSA 7 1st edition which I was extremely excited about. Unfortunately I come to find out that there are some pixels in the PSA case. Now I know this isn’t too too uncommon, but on this card in particular, I really want a clean case, which is obviously fair.
So I figured I would get it reholdered/recased by PSA. I know there’s options to crack open the case and regrade it but, I didn’t want to take a chance. The way I saw it was that, I am willing to put the extra money in the fast turnaround time etc. and not take any risks just so I can get a clean new case from PSA. It’s worth it in my eyes.
So I send my zard to PSA, FedEx Express, all that good stuff. The other day I finally get it back…turns out the new case ALSO has pixels…and it even has MORE pixels on the front! What the heck??
So I called PSA the next day. Waited about 20 mins for the customer service line and politely explained my situation.
The person on the phone put me on hold, then came back and said “there can be varying degrees of issues with the cases because we don’t manufacture them”. I thought…well…that’s a pretty bad excuse considering all I wanted was a clean case…and I know clean cases are possible since I have many clean cases…but alright. I inquired previously about a refund or store credit or something at least…and she said “we’ll get back to you via email in 1-2 weeks”. That was it. The way the conversation was going made me believe I would get an email in 2 weeks saying “we can’t do anything for you”.
There was zero “oh I am so sorry about that” or “that wasn’t supposed to happen”. She basically told me recasing was a coin flip and there’s no guarantee to get a nicer case. Why even offer the service I wondered?
I even mentioned on the “notes” section for PSA in the initial submission that the reason I was getting this recased was because of the pixels and I want a clean case.
I try to email to follow up, their immediate reply was that the other colleague was dealing with this so we can’t do anything.
I emailed again with pictures just so they could see what I was referring to. I felt they were just brushing it off without actually seeing what I was dealing with. I am waiting for a reply…but based on the situation so far…my prediction is that they’ll say “tough luck” in a nice way to get me to go away.
Obviously I am super disappointed. The whole ordeal cost over $250 CAD, which I only paid for the certainty of a clean case. All I wanted was a clean case and was willing top pay premium dollar for it.
Is getting a recase/reholder just a coin flip?? Is this a warning for the future to not bother getting recasing/reholdering done??
Has anybody experienced this before??
Sorry for your disappointment and totally understand it.
That being said, here’s my opinion. I’ve graded thousands of cards and never paid such close attention to anomaly’s in the case…assuming they were new. I don’t even know what that kind of “pixel” looks like. I did look through a bunch of cards and did find little problems on some but am unsurprised since were dealing with plastic here.
Keep us updated on this and, btw, congrats on catching such an iconic card:)
Thank you for your reply. I attached pictures here so you can see for reference - let me know what you think of that.
Well I mean I hope so…I just want it as clean as possible on the cover. Obviously yes, this is the highlight of my collection by far so I want it to look as nice as I can get it to look.
I initially thought that…that initial pixel in the before was a part of the case. Then getting the new case…I see there is a pixel in the same spot, so I am thinking maybe it’s a part of the card…or maybe I just happened to get another case with the same pixel in the same spot…which would be weird but maybe possible who knows.
Well…I noticed it primarily in the backs of the cards, that’s where it’s easier to see.
I’ve seen this in other PSA cases too before.
Now I’m starting to wonder…for the front of the card…do those pixels just so happen to be printing defects of the cards?? Or did they use the same front cover as before?
Obviously…the main way I guess to solve this is to crack the case (which I personally wouldn’t do though I know somebody who does), and find out.
But based off the backs…it looks like it’s a part of the case and not the card itself.
I have a 1st edition venusaur that also has these pixels funny enough! I sent that to a friend to get cracked and regraded, but the charizard I didn’t want to take a chance.
That’s what I’m saying though I don’t think these are a part of the card…I think they are a part of the case!
I’m contemplating if they even changed the front! Maybe they reholdered the back but not the front???
It’s really confusing. Obviously I wish they would have just replaced the case altogether…that was kind of the point of sending it in!
I know what case defect you’re talking about and yes I agree that it’s annoying. From PSA’s perspective, if they gave some sort of compensation for the defect, they would be out of business in a week because of how common the issue is.
You have the following options:1) continue to recase until you get one to your liking2) crack out the card and put it in a clean ultra pro one touch or submit to a different company3) accept that the case is not perfect
You got a near mint 1st ed charizard, that’s an amazing card! Frankly, I’m not sure why having a gem mint case on a near mint card is ultimately that important but again, I understand the general frustration with the “pixels”. Never forget that in the end we are all here buying and collecting cards, not plastic cases.
I just checked a few of my cased cards and they all hsve these defects in small quantity. Have noticed before but since they dont hinder the presentation of the cqrd itself i dont think much of it. Fair enough if u want your 1sr ed zard flawless though.
I mean it does make sense and those do likely look like my options, thank you. The thing that bothers me more is that I spent the $250 on basically nothing…that plus the customer service staff’s attitude that this is acceptable. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t just…choose a good case.
I mean the more I look at it…the more it looks like they did not replace the front…but they replaced the back.
Yes exactly! My other cards I am not so concerned. It’s just this one really.
Who knows maybe PSA will offer to recase it for free but…I highly doubt that.
Apologies! I’ve gone back and highlighted what I am referring to. I do understand it’s hard to see.
Pixels are basically the main way I could describe them. They are little rectangular shapes (though not always) where the case isn’t clear, it’s somewhat oqaque. It’s like a little blurred pixel.
In the back it’s more evident that it’s not actually part of the card, it’s a part of the case.
PS. Your videos are great! They are what brought me to efour.
@papershredder955, Ahh ok yeah I have seen those little square/rectangles on occasion. Usually in the corners when I notice them. I personally don’t examine cases closely unless there is something extremely wrong, so I haven’t paid close attention.
PSA can’t accommodate everyone OCD or they would be out of business. I personally don’t think this is an issue they should be responsible for, but those pixels are annoying though!
If that’s true…and they did actually recase it (which…according to the back…I think so? it does look different)…do you think that possibly those pixels on the front happen to just be a part of the card??
They look exactly like the greyed out pixels on the case and I’ve seen them on other cases just like that…but…maybe they just happen to be printing defects on the actual card??
It would be an extremely weird coincidence.
I should have taken more before pictures!
Edit: Is there a possibility they did not recase it at all? They just looked at it and shipped it off back to me? I mean I HIGHLY doubt it but I am wondering…
