Best Deals On PSA Value Bulk At $27.99: How To Qualify, Compare, And Save

You've seen the buzz: "PSA Value Bulk $27.99." It sounds like the sweet spot, low enough to mass-grade, high enough to make sense for cards with real upside. But what exactly qualifies as $27.99, who actually offers it, and how do you avoid paying way more after fees, shipping, and dreaded upcharges? As collectors and submitters at CardChasers, we've navigated this pricing window for years, through PSA promos, group sub waves, show specials, and the occasional unicorn deal. In this guide, you'll learn what $27.99 usually means in today's market, how to find legitimate offers, and how to decide which cards are worth sending right now. And if you want help from a team who lives and breathes the chase, our grading team can make it turnkey for you.

What “PSA Value Bulk $27.99” Usually Means

Official PSA Tiers Vs. Promoted Specials

PSA's public pricing lives on official tiers, which update as demand shifts. Over the last couple of years, PSA has floated "Value" and "Value Bulk" promos, sometimes tied to memberships, minimum card counts, declared value limits, or special events. The headline $27.99 usually refers to a promotional Value Bulk rate rather than a permanent tier.

Here's the key: the sticker price reflects the grading fee only. Whether it's posted by PSA during a promo window or by a reputable group submitter running a negotiated rate, you need to confirm eligibility criteria before you assume your stack qualifies.

Declared Value Caps And Card Eligibility

The Value/Value Bulk lane typically carries a declared value cap per card (historically in the ~$199–$499 range depending on the specific promo). Declared value is your estimate of the card's fair market value after grading, not raw. If PSA believes a card exceeds the cap, they may upcharge it to the appropriate tier. Vintage, modern, ultra-modern, sports, and TCG generally qualify, but certain promos restrict by year or category. Read the fine print.

Quick rule of thumb: if a gem-mint outcome could reasonably push a card above the declared value cap, assume upcharge risk and plan accordingly.

Turnaround Time Expectations

Promotional Value Bulk rarely guarantees fast service. Expect economy speeds, measured in weeks to a few months, depending on submission volume and PSA's current backlog. A good bulk deal isn't about speed: it's about cost efficiency. If you need a card back for Opening Day or a big show, you might opt for a faster (and pricier) tier.

Where To Find Legit $27.99 Pricing

Direct PSA Promotions And Member Specials

PSA periodically runs member-only or limited-time promos that drop Value Bulk into the high-$20s/low-$30s. If you're a Collectors Club member, check your dashboard and PSA emails during seasonal lulls (post-holiday, late spring, or mid-summer can be active). Verify:

  • Declared value limit per card

  • Minimum card count

  • Add-on fees (imaging, autos)

  • Promo end date and submission postmark rules

Authorized Group Submitters And Hobby Shops

Trusted group submitters and reputable LCS partners sometimes pass along negotiated bulk rates that land around $27.99. You'll save on per-card pricing, but you'll pay a share of inbound/outbound shipping and handling. The trade-off is convenience and QC, experienced submitters catch packaging issues and documentation mistakes that can cost you time.

At CardChasers, our grading team consolidates and preps submissions, offers prescreen advice, and handles the paper trail. If you want a no-stress path to promo pricing when it's available, start with our Grading page. We'll walk you through requirements, timelines, and cost transparency from the jump.

On-Site Show Specials

At large shows, PSA occasionally runs on-site specials with promo pricing or turnaround perks. You'll still need to meet declared value caps and eligibility, and on-site lines can be long. But if you're already at a major event, it's worth checking PSA's booth for any live deals. Bring your list, comps, and declared values ready so you don't make hasty (costly) decisions at the counter.

Comparing Total Cost Per Card Beyond The Sticker Price

Shipping, Insurance, Handling, And Return Postage

Grading at $27.99 sounds clean, until you add logistics. Factor in:

  • Inbound shipping to PSA (or to your group submitter)

  • Insurance on the way there and back

  • PSA return shipping (tiered by value/weight)

  • Handling fees from group submitters (if applicable)

If you're sending 20–30 cards solo, shipping and insurance can tack on $2–$6 per card depending on distance and declared value. Group submissions can reduce per-card shipping cost, but add a small handling spread. Run the math both ways.

Upcharges And How To Avoid Them

PSA reserves the right to upcharge if your card's true post-grade value exceeds the declared value cap for your chosen tier. You can't game this. To minimize surprises:

  • Use recent comps for your declared values, graded comps if available.

  • If a gem pushes it above the cap, consider a higher tier now rather than risking delays.

  • Be honest on declared values: under-declaring invites upcharges and slowdowns.

Add-Ons (Auto Grading, Imaging, Crossovers)

  • Autograph grading can incur separate or higher fees than non-auto cards.

  • PSA Imaging (if offered) adds per-card cost but can help with selling and record-keeping.

  • Crossovers from other slabs follow the target PSA tier rules and may require cracking or minimum grade thresholds.

All of the above can turn a $27.99 headline into $33–$45 real cost per card if you're not careful. Plan for it before you build your submission.

Requirements You Must Meet To Get The Deal

Minimum Card Counts And Prescreen Options

Promotional bulk rates often require minimums, commonly 20 cards (sometimes higher). Group submitters may set their own minimums or offer prescreen thresholds (e.g., only submit cards likely to grade PSA 9 or 10). Prescreens protect your ROI but can lead to return shipping for rejects: confirm the fees and skip-return options.

Memberships And Account Setup

Some PSA discounts are locked behind a Collectors Club membership. If you're submitting direct, you'll need a PSA account, a printed submission form, and payment on file. Group subs typically bundle this under their account, but you'll still sign off on declared values and terms.

Packaging, Forms, And Declared Value Documentation

PSA wants clean, consistent packaging: card savers or semi-rigids, no tape on card holders, and cards oriented per the form. Double-box, use painter's tape on team bags, and include a copy of your submission. Keep your own spreadsheet with:

  • Card details (set, player, parallel)

  • Declared values with comp links

  • Timestamps and photos of the cards pre-ship

If you don't want to deal with any of that, our team at CardChasers can prep, document, and submit for you, so you can focus on picking winners. Start here on our Grading page and we'll map your path to promo pricing when it's available.

Strategy: When And What To Submit At $27.99

Best Card Types And Eras For Value Bulk

At a $27.99 headline, your best bets are cards that:

  • Realistically hit PSA 10 or strong PSA 9

  • Have post-grade value that comfortably clears total cost (ideally 2.5–4x)

  • Aren't at high risk of upcharge

Good candidates:

  • Modern and ultra-modern rookies, color-matched parallels, lower-numbered inserts

  • TCG staples with strong 10 premiums (popular sets, big characters)

  • Late-90s/2000s stars with grading spreads in a 9/10 that make sense

Borderline candidates:

  • Raw base with soft corners or surface dimples

  • Vintage with centering issues, often better at higher tiers or kept raw unless particularly clean

Timing Around Hobby Cycles And PSA Backlogs

Pricing windows tend to pop during slower hobby cycles, after big product release waves or before holiday rushes. If you're targeting a season opener or playoffs, work backward: Value Bulk isn't a rush service. Watch PSA's turnaround updates and queue your submissions when the pipeline looks reasonable.

Pre-Grading And Surface Prep Tips

The easiest money you'll ever make on grading is the money you don't spend on cards that shouldn't be graded. Do a hard prescreen under bright, angled light:

  • Corners and edges first: then centering

  • Surface last with microfiber and light air-dusting (no chemicals)

  • Check print lines and dimples on chrome stock

If you're new to prep, have a trusted submitter give your stack a reality check. At CardChasers, we'll help you spot grade-killers and decide what truly belongs in a bulk lane. And if you need fresh wax to chase sub-worthy hits, browse our Store, new releases and restocks drop constantly.

Alternatives If You Can’t Hit $27.99

Other PSA Tiers And Coupon Windows

If the $27.99 promo isn't live, or your cards don't fit the declared value cap, look at PSA's other Value and Regular options. Keep an eye on temporary coupon codes, member-exclusive drops, or show specials that narrow the gap. Sometimes paying a few dollars more per card can save weeks on turnaround and reduce upcharge risk.

Competing Graders' Bulk Options

Depending on your goals (PC vs. resale), consider bulk rates from other grading companies. Pricing and turnaround can be competitive, and some categories, like certain TCG or niche sports, perform reasonably well outside of PSA. If resale velocity and max comps matter most, PSA still tends to lead, but map it against your specific cards.

Wait-List And Community Group Subs

You don't have to carry a whole bulk minimum yourself. Join a community group sub through a trusted hobby shop or breaker. CardChasers runs submissions with our community regularly, DM us during our live streams or contact us via our Grading page to hop on the next wave. And if you love the thrill of ripping for grade, our daily live breaks on Whatnot are an easy way to stack candidates in real time.

Spotting Scams And Protecting Your Cards

Verification, Paper Trails, And Insurance

Only work with submitters who provide:

  • A business address, phone, and active social presence with real customers

  • Written invoices and submission manifests

  • Photo/video chain-of-custody and tracking numbers

  • Insurance coverage details and declared value documentation

Document your card condition with clear photos or scans before shipping. Use insured carriers and keep serial numbers for high-end items.

Red Flags In Pricing And Turnaround Claims

  • "$27.99 for any card, any value, no upcharges ever." Not how PSA works.

  • Guaranteed turnaround times in Value/Bulk lanes, no one can promise that on promos.

  • Prices far below market with no explanation of fees or minimums.

  • Group submitters who discourage declared value documentation or won't share a final PSA receipt.

If it sounds too good, it probably is. When in doubt, reach out, our team's happy to sanity-check an offer before you ship your grails to a stranger.

Example Cost Scenarios At $27.99

Numbers help. Below are simplified examples to show how $27.99 can translate into real per-card cost. Adjust for your location, insurance choices, and add-ons.

20-Card Direct Submission

  • Headline grading fee: $27.99 x 20 = $559.80

  • Inbound shipping + insurance to PSA: ~$30–$45

  • PSA return shipping + insurance: ~$35–$55

  • Supplies/packaging: ~$10

  • Total est. cost: ~$634–$670

  • Effective per-card: ~$31.70–$33.50

Breakeven math: If you're targeting resale, you'd ideally want post-grade value of at least $80–$120 per card on average to feel good after marketplace fees.

100-Card Group Submission

  • Headline grading fee: $27.99 x 100 = $2,799.00

  • Shared shipping/insurance via group: ~$120–$180 total (your share: ~$1.20–$1.80 per card)

  • Handling/admin by submitter: ~$1.00–$2.50 per card (varies)

  • Imaging/auto grading: optional

  • Effective per-card (no add-ons): ~$30.50–$32.50

Scale helps. Group subs typically shave a couple of dollars per card versus going solo with many small shipments.

Low-Value TCG Vs. Modern Sports Mix

Scenario A: Low-value TCG commons/uncommons with thin gem premiums, likely not worth grading even at $27.99 unless they're iconic, short-printed, or you've verified strong PSA 10 comps.

Scenario B: Modern sports rookies, numbered parallels, or SSP inserts, these can work nicely. For example, a clean color-match rookie parallel with PSA 10 comps at $180–$250 clears costs well, even after fees. PSA 9s may still clear or be near breakeven depending on the player's momentum.

Always sanity-check with up-to-date comps and be conservative on gem rates. A stack of PSA 9s can erase thin margins fast.

Conclusion

If you play it smart, the "PSA Value Bulk $27.99" window can be a real edge, especially when you choose the right cards, time the market, and account for total cost. Don't chase the sticker: chase the spread between your all-in and the card's realistic post-grade value. Keep your declared values honest, prep your surfaces, and use prescreens to protect ROI.

If you want hands-on help, CardChasers can manage your submission end to end, prescreen guidance, paperwork, packing, and the whole chain-of-custody. Start with our Grading page, swing by our Store for fresh wax or singles to grade, and catch our daily live breaks on Whatnot to line up your next submission. The chase never stops, and neither do we.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “PSA Value Bulk $27.99” actually include?

It’s typically a promotional Value Bulk grading fee, not a permanent PSA tier. The $27.99 headline covers grading only. You must still meet promo rules (declared value cap, minimum card count, membership) and pay logistics like shipping, insurance, and any add-ons (autos, imaging, crossovers).

How do declared value caps and upcharges work at the $27.99 rate?

PSA sets a declared value cap per card for Value/Value Bulk promos. If a graded card’s fair market value reasonably exceeds that cap, PSA can upcharge it to a higher tier. Use recent graded comps, be honest on values, and consider a faster tier if a gem will exceed caps.

Where can I find the best deals on PSA Value Bulk $27.99?

Watch PSA Collectors Club promos, seasonal emails, and your account dashboard. Reputable group submitters and some hobby shops offer negotiated bulk rates near $27.99, and major shows sometimes feature on-site specials. Always verify caps, minimums, fees, and end dates before sending your stack.

What’s the real per‑card cost beyond the $27.99 sticker?

Add inbound shipping and insurance, PSA return shipping, and any group submitter handling. Expect an effective cost around $30–$33 per card on typical 20–100 card runs, higher with add‑ons or upcharges. Run the math with your location, declared values, and turnaround needs before submitting.

Is PSA Value Bulk $27.99 viable for international submitters?

Often yes, but total cost rises. Factor export/import paperwork, duties or VAT, currency conversion, and higher insured shipping both directions. Many international collectors use trusted group submitters that consolidate shipments to cut per‑card logistics. Confirm insurance coverage, chain‑of‑custody, and how upcharges are billed across borders.

Is $27.99 grading worth it versus other graders for resale?

For resale velocity and top comps, PSA generally leads, making “PSA Value Bulk $27.99” compelling when your cards can gem and avoid upcharges. Some TCG or niche sets sell fine in CGC/Beckett slabs at competitive bulk rates. Compare gem rates, market comps, and turnaround to your goals.

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