Some people argue with regards to qualifiers, "What does it matter?"
So, here's an example which illustrates exactly why it's important to me personally.
These two cards (just screengrabs, BTW, not my cards) are very nearly identical. Side-to-side centering is very close to being exactly the same, and the top-to-bottom is slightly different, but neither card would be considered OC based on that sole factor.
One of these cards is a
PSA 9OC, and the other is a straight
PSA 7. Again, they are nearly identical, so the question must be asked: a) Did somebody check the 'no qualifiers' box on their submission, so it came back a straight 7 instead of a PSA 9OC...b) or is the straight PSA 7 a 7 because the centering fits the parameters for that specific grade and there were other factors which caused it to be 'lowered' to a PSA 7? In effect, the grade of 7 is an illusion, because we don't know whether it was 'a' or 'b.' However, with the PSA 9OC there is no illusion whatsoever. The card was graded a 9, meaning its features (corners, edges, focus, etc.) are virtually perfect, but the 'OC' qualifier was added because it is unsuitably off-centered. Very straightforward.
1972ryan595mockupb.jpg
I would prefer my card to be graded with the qualifier, because the information is complete, and if I sold the card, potential buyers wouldn't be in the dark. Again, the information is straightforward - a nearly perfect card that is off-centered.
But if I sent this card in today and it came back a 7, I would be pissed. Someone looking at said card wouldn't think it's really a 9 that's OC, so it was knocked down two number grades. No way. They would see it as a 7 that is waaaaaaaay off-centered (so in their mind it would actually 'look' more like a PSA 5, so to speak)...which would hurt any potential seller's ability to move the card at the 'correct' price.
PSA screwed the pooch on this one.
• Here are two cards I have in Bobby's group sub. The 1966 Choo Choo Coleman high number is a coveted card, and it's in sweet shape (Who am I kidding? Whatever grade I believe it should get will end up being way off). I would want it to be (God willing) around a PSA 8OC, because it would tell potential traders that it really is in nice shape, but is obviously off-centered. No grey area to speak of.
And the 1967 Hammerin' Hank Aaron, too, is really beautiful with incredible image clarity. Not really a diamond cut, but what I call a
'Rotato' - a rectangular card with an image that's twisted. I purposefully submitted this card to (hopefully) come back at a high grade with the requisite OC designation, not a much lower straight grade.
1967aaron1966choochoo.jpg
It's pathetic that they can just change the rules in the middle of the game without any regard for their customers' wishes and intentions. Absolutely ridiculous!!