[Archive]

Posted By: Lawrence

Jim C-

I have brought this up to you before and this maybe a sore spot so clearly I will mention this politely so you do not get defensive:

1-If you want to really clean up the hobby, you need to really look at your own collection first, have Kevin S(someone you admire) really go through your collection and let you know the % of cards that "could be tainted" even if you want them to be kept by your family. Maybe you will be surprised since many of your posted cards are OLD labels and even though you think two graders graded this, they were far more naive as to what was going on then than now and the standards were so much looser than currently....and some of your nice cards are possibly now considered overgraded including the T205 in an 8 PSA holder that has white at the tip.

2-NO one should be obligated to give a money back guarantee on BRANDED THIRD PARTY cards graded except for the grading services that put the cards in the holder. If you are unhappy with your purchase, CONTACT AND PRESS THE SERVICE TO HONOR THEIR DECISION, they put that card in that holder, no dealer did that. If you are so confident that the grading services are correct about your 28,000 cards percentage wise, then maybe you should feel that same way about the majority of cards comparably graded at the same ratio that others possess...or consider that maybe a given percentage of your high grade cards especially early ### cards may have been tainted, and maybe sold to you by those you think are so knowledgable........

3-There are quality tiers of auction houses and their reliability , no question, however there are many reliable dealers that sell at shows, e bay etc...and they are subject to the same rules that Barry Sloate has stated, we rely on third party graders to make the decisions of gradability. Collectors and Dealers are not responsible for that decision, and we are all paying for a branded product. If that was not the case why wouldn't you would crack all your cards out if you did not care? Certainly, Mr. Louchious, Spence etc. and other advanced collectors are very important to this hobby and are still buying what they need currently. They are continually active thru e bay, private sales or auction houses.

Currently PSA, SGC and GAI are all MUCH tougher now. I really do not know how much you currently spend in the hobby, nor is it my business, but those above mentioned are extremely important to the hobby NOW, not 5-10 years ago. I admire your collection and best wishes for you and your family.