eBay adds PSA grading service for select trading cards

eBay is adding an option for trading cards purchased on its marketplace to be easily graded by PSA.

eBay announced the new service March 31 and buyers should begin seeing the option over the next few weeks for all individual, raw, non-autographed cards priced at $250 and above, with more than two images in the listing. According to eBay, the feature will offer a more seamless process for trading card collectors, streamlining the grading process and adding more convenience.

“Grading is a core part of the trading card hobby, and now the process to get from raw card to authenticated and graded is seamless when you build your collection with eBay,” said Ron Jaiven, eBay’s general manager, U.S. Collectibles. “We’re raising the bar and setting new standards for trust, innovation and speed, in service of the collecting community.”

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The new service will be more convenient for collectors to purchase PSA grading at checkout, with no extra steps. It also leads to faster turnaround times by eliminating the need for cards to be shipped to the buyer first, streamlining the grading process and speeding up delivery. It also reduces the chances of cards being damaged during multiple shipments.

Any eBay purchase over $250 is automatically sent for authentication, where the card is verified to be in the condition listed.

This new offering expands eBay’s partnership with PSA.

Here’s how the new service works, according to eBay:

• When a collector buys a raw card for $250 or, they will have the option to easily purchase PSA Grading at checkout. Buyers don’t need to register for a PSA account to add PSA Grading to a purchase.

• When a card is purchased with PSA Grading, the seller sends the card directly to eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee service for inspection, at no cost to the buyer or seller. After the card passes inspection, it is sent to PSA for grading. Once grading is completed, the card is shipped to the buyer. If a card does not pass Authenticity Guarantee, it is returned to the seller and the buyer’s purchase is refunded.

• Any item that passes PSA Grading will be a final sale and not eligible for return.

• U.S. buyers and sellers of individual, raw, non-autographed cards priced $250 and above, with more than two images in the listing, are eligible for the service.

• The new service eliminates multiple shipments, saves time by cutting out multiple steps, reduces costs, and supports a faster time-to-market.

eBay is offering free shipping of graded cards from PSA to buyers through June 30.