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PASJDIt seems to me the subject of grading services, their advantages, and limitations, at least in a general sense (as opposed to questions about specific cards which always make for interesting discussion) has been beaten to death. Those people with enough expertise to make their own judgments rightly do not rely on them and may even have contempt for them and the dealers who use them -- and perhaps some jealousy as well. For the average collector without the sophistication to make those judgments (such as myself), particularly those who buy mostly over the internet, third party grading (even if far from perfect) has significant advantages. Does that mean I am a sheep? Maybe it does, I don't know. I stay away from high grade pre-war because I suspect the most problems are there, and try to use what judgment I do possess as to the rest.