Quick take
PSA's backlog messaging is not only about turnaround times. The company also highlighted fraud and counterfeiting pressure, which matters in a Pokémon market where expensive raw cards and slabs change hands every day.
Demand attracts bad actors
As more collectors enter the hobby and prices rise, counterfeiters have more incentive to target popular Pokémon cards. High-value raw cards, fake slabs, altered cards, and too-good-to-be-true online listings deserve extra scrutiny.
Package timing matters
PSA noted that high package volume can delay when Value and Value Bulk service packages are opened and marked received. Collectors should keep shipping receipts, insurance records, photos, and submission documentation until orders are fully logged.
Authentication has a cost, but so does uncertainty
A grading backlog may tempt buyers to skip authentication and chase raw deals. That can be reasonable for low-value cards, but risky for vintage holos, trophy cards, and high-end modern chase cards where a counterfeit can wipe out the entire purchase.
Practical safety checklist
Buy from sellers with verifiable history, compare card fonts and holo patterns, inspect slab labels and certification data, avoid pressure tactics, and document expensive shipments before they leave your hands.
Bottom line
The backlog may slow grading, but it should not slow diligence. In a crowded market, careful authentication and transaction hygiene are part of protecting your collection's value.
Source note
This article is based on PSA's public Backlog Tracker language and June 2026 updates, including the June 2 Value tier pause, the June 8 receiving-delay note, and the June 30 estimate of approximately 12 million units in backlog.