The Great PSA Upcharge Debate 😂 Geoff Wilson vs. Collectors (Who’s Right?)

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PSA upcharges are back in the spotlight after Geoff Wilson (Sports Card Investor) shared a $4k upcharge email. Is PSA “creating” value—or just charging more after the grade? I break down both sides (including Ballpark Cards Alex’s response), read PSA’s policy, and give my take on what’s fair, what isn’t, and how collectors should play it.

Timestamps
0:00 Cold open: why this PSA upcharge post exploded
0:44 The email: PSA re-tiering & $4,058.99 upcharge
1:56 Geoff’s stance: “I welcome these fees” (value created?)
3:05 The pushback: Ballpark Cards Alex’s counter-argument
4:28 Hooks vs. tone: why phrasing matters for the hobby
5:10 PSA policy in plain English (re-tiering, decline = raw return)
6:15 Pro-PSA arguments (liability, guarantee, pricing by value)
7:12 Anti-PSA arguments (service didn’t change, appraisal analogy)
9:10 My position: comps, trust, and market dominance vs. customer value
12:10 SGC’s momentum, acquisition headwinds, and the “race with rocks”
14:20 What collectors can do next (risk control & platform choices)

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• Zach LaFountain