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Posted By: John

Paul;

I hope you’re not comparing the advent of the automobile, airplane or personal computer to the advent of grading companies. Before the airplane it would take us a weeks or months to travel to certain destinations, I use to be able to buy nice un-altered cards before grading companies popped up.

Have grading companies helped new collectors out in some ways? Yes and in some ways no. Sure for collectors who knew nothing before I guess the added comfort of a grading company slab may make it seem safer. The other edge of that knife for all the amateur collectors who depend on their information coming from population charts and grading company BS, take real chances getting burned these are the same guys who buy common cards worth a few hundred dollars for thousands with little or no chance of re-sell. Why because we have created a whole new breed of collector, the collector who collects and educates them selves more on the plastic containers the cards come in more than the cards them selves.

I’m tired of bashing grading companies too, but I’m even more tired of hearing how they have saved the hobby, and made it such a safe and more pleasant place for the collector! I would have continued to buy cards and collect, regardless if grading companies were ever invented. I did it before they arrived and I’ll continue after they have gone.

Regards,

John