Methodology

What the tool does

You enter a card name and a short condition description. CardSnap returns estimated raw and PSA-tier resale values, PSA population context when available, and a simple recommendation aligned with modeled net return after common grading and shipping costs. Outputs are estimates for research purposes, not financial advice.

Inputs we use

• Your text inputs: card name (and similar identifying text) plus the condition note you provide.
• Market listings / sold data: recent public marketplace-style listings and sold results, when retrievable for your query, to ground price ranges.
• PSA population data: when available for the identified card, to add context on graded supply.
• Language model analysis: used to interpret your card description and combine signals into structured estimates. This can be imperfect on rare, obscure, or misidentified cards.

Recent sales and pricing logic (high level)

When comparable sales or listings are available, we use them to inform raw and graded value bands. When data is thin or ambiguous, estimates rely more heavily on modeled assumptions and may be wider or less certain.

Grading ROI in the scanner uses a net comparison: estimated resale if graded (with PSA 9 and PSA 10 paths considered in the underlying model) minus estimated raw resale, minus PSA fee tiers that depend on declared value, minus a default allowance for shipping and insurance. The headline recommendation follows the same net-profit threshold used in the product code (currently a minimum expected net gain of about $25 on the PSA 10 path versus selling raw, before any optional subscription).

Fees, turnaround times, and market levels change—treat CardSnap as a starting point and confirm numbers against current PSA pricing and your own comps.

How often we update content and descriptions

Programmatic card guide pages and the scanner's methodology copy are reviewed on a regular cadence and when product behavior changes. The "Updated" date on articles reflects the last editorial pass for that page or site section, not real-time market ticks.