It's always worth emailing the seller and asking questions about the surface integrity, especially on raw. Generally on mid grade raw if they don't specifically say the card doesn't have a crease you almost have to assume it has a crease. This is especially true if the card is priced well, unfortunately.
I have been collecting '57s and I share your pain. Been burned numerous times. I have gravitated toward sellers that are communicative. I've probably had ~250 shipments sent to me in the past year and have returned one card. I could have returned 10 or 15 cards, easily, but if it's not big $ it's not worth the hassle to me.
You can get burned with creases on graded 5 cards as well, although it's safer in my experience and they are easier to resell.
Also, you can resell the creased cards, especially for 50s and earlier. I have 50 or 60 creased 57s that would grade anywhere from 1-3 and I figure I can get a buck apiece for them.
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