Haha, Jim. I don't think you are a dark body part! I get what you say, but I will disagree.
I have looked at hundreds of graded cards in my own hands, and frankly, if I were to guess the grade without looking, I would be one grade off at least 50% of the time. And I see many dealers on eBay with great feedback who very frequently argue that the card in question could easily be a grade higher. To me that means even the 'experts frequently disagree. So, maybe I'm not as green as you think. Haha.
I look at hundreds of examples on eBay and in auctions, too. Scans on eBay can't possibly show enough detail to hit a grade on the nose. Even graded cards are difficult to rate with a scan. The auctions have a lot of credibility, but they are so often selling stuff in the stratosphere which most of us can't relate.
I think some of the ambiguity is due, in part, to times changing related to card values/grades. Certain cards or sets gain or lose popularity, and I think there is an inescapable bias based on card 'heat'. Hot cards are scrutinized more closely and grades seem to be more conservative.
The circular logic is pretty obvious: I'm asking for a grade, but have to do my own grading to get it. And SGC does not publish their criteria as far as I can see. PSA does, but it's very subjective.
So, I think my judgment quandary of not being able to pin a grade may be some ignorance, but I really think it's pretty valid.
Do you get back grades you anticipated most of the time?
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