Importance of Qualifiers

[Pilot172000]

Over the years I have found some really good deals on cards because of their grade qualifiers. I have found that even though a card may have a strong PSA grade, qualifiers like (MK) and (MC) will cause a good bit of bidders to shy away from them. How important is it to each of you as a collector when you see a Q next to a grade on a card and by how much do you take off your offer when you see it.

My personal opinion is that not all qualifiers are created equal. I will over look a pencil mark or odd smudge over an (OC) off center or (MC) miscut just about every time. Some qualifiers are just too much to get over but if its tolerable I usually offer about 10% less than what a clean grade would bring. Tell me your thoughts.

[Sean]

Qualifiers are generally considered to be a reduction of two points, so a 5 (MK) should be worth a 3.

But it really is up to you how much of a problem the qualifier is worth.

[Pilot172000]

Originally Posted by Sean

Qualifiers are generally considered to be a reduction of two points, so a 5 (MK) should be worth a 3.

But it really is up to you how much of a problem the qualifier is worth.

Wow, I would take a 5 (MK) over a 3 any day of the week but that's just me. I honestly need to seek them out for my personal collection as I don't think I will be able to get higher end cards in decent shape without qualifiers.

[ajquigs]

MK in particular can be almost a non-issue for me. As you mention, a bit of pencil on a pre-war card can be worth it for me if it takes 1-2 grades off the price.
I've seen writing on the backs of cards - for example, brief updates on a player's career - that I think diminish the card very little. Overall I prefer clean cards, but some marks, especially those that suggest a genuine interest in the card and the player by a kid in the 1930s, can add a bit of character that helps make up for the "damage."

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by Pilot172000

Dangit!! posted on wrong forum. Please move for me!

To get a post moved it is best to ask Leon directly instead of posting a message in your thread. By posting it in the thread it may never be seen by Leon or another moderator.

[Pilot172000]

Originally Posted by bn2cardz

To get a post moved it is best to ask Leon directly instead of posting a message in your thread. By posting it in the thread it may never be seen by Leon or another moderator.

I contacted him.

[Pilot172000]

Usually if it is (MK) and I bought it, I didn't have any plans to sell it. There are some cards I covet and a stamp mark or something that doesn't over all distract from the card won't deter me from snatching it up

[Rookiemonster]

I like cards with pinholes.not just because they are cheaper. I think it's cool to think that at one point the card was on the headboard,wall,etc of a young fan. That love for the player and card is pretty much what drives us all. That kid might have grown up and wanted to regain that card.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Rookiemonster

I like cards with pinholes.not just because they are cheaper. I think it's cool to think that at one point the card was on the headboard,wall,etc of a young fan. That love for the player and card is pretty much what drives us all. That kid might have grown up and wanted to regain that card.

One of my favorite cards is a Magie error with pinholes. I imagine a young fan having this card in 1909 and knowing his name was misspelled, but the hobby didn't know for decades.

[xplainer]

Originally Posted by Rookiemonster

I like cards with pinholes.not just because they are cheaper. I think it's cool to think that at one point the card was on the headboard,wall,etc of a young fan. That love for the player and card is pretty much what drives us all. That kid might have grown up and wanted to regain that card.

I don't like Q's and don't buy them, but I like this post. You are so right. There is a story behind every card.

[Snapolit1]

I'll keep this one for a long while . . . . . . .

[steve B]

I don't have any, but I suppose if I could get a nicer card for the same price as a worn one I'd be all for it.

Qualifiers have always seemed silly to me. On some cards like the two basketball ones above they don't seem to be applied with any criteria at all. And centering is supposed to already be part of the grade.

So to me qualifiers have always seemed like the slab version of that guy at the flea market who's got a beater and calls it near mint because it would be mint except for the 5 creases and the corner the mouse ate.

Steve B

[clydepepper]

I stay clear of all qualifiers - from my experience, NQs hold their (resell) value better.



I do have to admit...Steve...that Gehrig is a lot better looking than my PSA-5 NQ
.