Quote:
Originally Posted by Exhibitman
That's an understandable but not necessarily accurate assessment, especiall the assumption that the glance and return will actually ferret out trimmed cards. I doubt that is the case. The issue is four-fold:
--CSG is authenticating raw cards it doesn't actually grade.
--PSA is authenticating other TPG holders.
--There is a risk of false positives. I know several professional, reputable sellers who've had cards rejected, killing deals. I know these dealers are good enough to spot fakes and alterations. Mistakes cost money.
--The program is not voluntary. If I buy a card from a professional seller I've dealt with for years I don't need some jackhole at eBay mandating that I have to send the card to CSG. If I want to do that, I can do it myself.
It is inevitable that this mandatory program will end up as a 'wonderful new service for a modest fee' for sellers at some point. Meaning the buyer ends up paying for it in the end. Worst case scenario, it is a % charge like a service fee, which will give eBay a windfall profit on expensive cards. Just another profit center.
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I guess the eBay authentication process does include spotting alterations as well. Here is a portion of a current eBay listing description from a seller who originally sold a '52 Bowman Mays card to a buyer, but the sale didn't go through due to the card being declared as "altered" . . .
NOTE - an eBay's authenticator "claims" this card is altered. That it was trimmed. I have measured this card with a set of digital calipers SEVERAL times, and it measures out perfectly. Upon looking very closely with a Loupe on the edges, it has no apparent cut marks and the lay over on the cardboard is exactly the same on each edge. There is no "wavering" of the cardboard on the edge's indicative of trimming. There is no apparent clean corner or corners that would be present from trimming. The cardboard losses on the edges and corners appear to be natural and normal paper loss for a card 70 years old.
I DO NOT believe this card to be trimmed. BUT... because its eBay's world and they have some unnamed "authenticator" on their payroll, who obviously does NOT work as a card grader, we get their opinion and as such, I have to tell you that at least one eBay authenticators "OPINION" this card is trimmed.
That being said good luck and the card is priced accordingly.