Posted By:
JKJim,
If your point is that lower grade cards (3s, 4s) have had pencil marks removed or a corner layed down, I agree. I also really couldnt care less if I had a card that once had a pencil mark removed. Frankly, I would not be overly concerned if I had a card that at one time had a wrinkle spooned out (as long as it never came back - which is a subject of debate). These things dont concern me as much because I (1) in the case of erasing, dont consider it to be an alteration; or (2) in the case of wrinkle removal, am prepared to accept and live with that fact. These types of "alterations" do not fundamentally change the card in my mind.
Trimming, recoloring, rebuilding corners, etc - these are all things that absolutely change the card and, IMO, are much more likely to be found in higher grades.