One avid Pokemon collector had their worst nightmare come true when their latest graded card purchase arrived visibly damaged in the mail.
Expressing their confusion on Reddit regarding the severe damage to the package, the user posted a photo of the ruined package and inquired, “How does this even happen?”
Despite the PSA 10 Tyranitar Alt Art from Battle Styles appearing unharmed in images provided by the author, the plastic PSA case surrounding it was visibly damaged with multiple cracks.
According to PriceCharting, ungraded versions of the Battle Styles card typically sell for approximately $100 in the secondary market. In contrast, PSA 10 graded copies can command prices as high as $275.
Despite its grade, a damaged case would definitely impact the resale value of this unfortunate Tyranitar. Fortunately, fellow users in the thread were quick to provide valuable suggestions on how the owner could rescue their cherished card.
One person stated that it would be worth trying the relatively inexpensive reholder service offered by PSA, with no significant risk of receiving a lower grade.
Many also recounted their own terrible experiences of receiving parcels that were damaged or poorly packaged.
“One collector remembered receiving a USPS package containing a card in a Toploader, which was inside a bubble mailer within a box filled with additional cushioning. However, upon arrival, the box was completely damaged, causing the Toploader and card to become bent.”
Another person chimed in, saying, “It could have been a lot worse.”They went on to add, “I’ve seen countless posts of USPS apologizing for completely empty boxes or damaged items, so this situation is actually not too bad.”
Despite previous incidents, the United States Postal Service continues to face criticism for its quality of service. In 2020, Pokemon YouTuber Leonhart lost a $55,000 card after entrusting it to the courier for grading.
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