PSA Collector’s Club Membership Increasing… But By How Much?

PSA, and their parent company Collector’s Universe, are huge players in the hobby. From their recent purchase of rival SGC to their big new deal with eBay, to their dominance of the grading submissions month after month.

But what is up with the PSA Collectors Club?

What is the PSA Collectors Club?

The PSA Collectors Club is an annual subscription giving collectors access to bulk pricing, grading specials, and other extras. These include several credits to 3^rd party platforms and a subscription to PSA’s monthly magazine.

Collectors Club memberships come with either a Sports focus or a focus on Pop Culture & TCG. This affects some of the specials and 3^rd party offers, plus the theme of your PSA Magazine subscription.

What is increasing and what additional perks is PSA including?

Starting on April 20^th the price for the PSA Collectors Club will increase by $50. This affects both new memberships and renewals.

The Collector Club Standard Level now costs $149/year, up from $99/year. In addition to bulk pricing, specials, and magazine subscription, the Standard Level membership comes with a $120 Loupe credit and a $60 for Fanatics Live.

The Collectors Club Premium Level now costs $199/year, up from $149/year. It includes the same items listed for the standard level but ups the Fanatics Live credit to $125 and a CardLadder subscription worth $150.

The Fanatics offers are net-new to coincide with this price increase. It appears that even though PSA felt the need to raise prices, they realized they needed to provide collectors with additional value.

Is the PSA Collectors Club still a good value?

Prices across the hobby seem to be on a permanent upward trajectory, but with the price increases for the PSA Collectors Club, is membership still a good value?

If you’re a regular submitter of cards to PSA, I think the answer is still “yes”.

The keys to maximizing value are:

• The more you sub, and the more bulk subs you do, the more value you’ll get. The high volume, bulk, and specials will save you big money if you use the service often.
• If you’re a low-volume submitter, want cards back faster than bulk and special turnaround rates, or only grade cards that are higher value than bulk or specials usually cover, membership may not help you much.
• Use your 3^rd party perks. It’s great to get $60 or $125 from Fanatics, or a CardLadder subscription, but if you don’t use them, you’re not getting the value.

Final thoughts: PSA Increases Prices on Collectors Club Membership

Nobody likes a price increase, but the PSA price increase in Collectors Club membership does offer an additional Fanatics credit that should soften the blow, especially if you’re a regular user of bulk submissions and monthly specials.

What is your take on the PSA Collectors Club Membership price increase? Going to renew your subscription? Looking forward to some Fanatics and Loupe shopping? Tell us about it at Cardlines on Twitter.