Kevin Ledwith, Division Operations Manager for PSA/DNA offered this response to my email on the fake card. I am utterly speechless:
When an autographed trading card is submitted to PSA for card grading, that is the only service being performed since it was the only service being requested. Autographed cards that come direct from the manufacturer, from 1998-present, are handled as such. The manufacturer is warranting that the autograph is authentic and that autograph is part of the make-up of the card so, in turn, we will grade the card without commenting on the autograph.
We do offer both services, card grading and autograph authentication, but you must request both in order to receive both. In this instance, the original submitter of the card requested only for the card to be graded and not for our opinion on the autograph.
There are a few things that need to be discussed with this response.
1) The card is fake as well as the auto, so his point is moot.
2) PSA is admitting that they slabbed a fake card, yet they are refusing to take responsibility for the possibilities it creates. So, if I send in a real auto card with a replaced fake auto, I can get it graded? That is fucking crap. Lets say I have a Tom Brady auto card. I take off the real sticker and replace it with a fake one. I then take the sticker and put it on another card that is more valuable. I can get the fake one graded because it is a manufacturer’s auto card, and it will be sold as real. Fucking wonderful.
3) Why is PSA offering this loophole? Its basically inviting people to exploit their grading policies.
Well guys, I would stay away from PSA from now on, if you arent already.