O/C in Graded Cards

[JollyElm]

I am personally not a graded card collector, but something really bugs me about the whole situation. When PSA, et al, were established, why didn't they 'truly' grade cards with qualifications included right on the holders as standard operating procedure? In other words, if it's O/C, then it's going to be noted as O/C on the slab no matter what.

For instance, I hear all the time that submitters can forego having qualifiers listed on the slabs (unless its too extreme a case) at the expense of a grade point or two. Why is that the case? If a beautiful card is an 8, but it's significantly off-center, why not have it be an 8 O/C from the get-go? If the grading companies did this from the beginning, then you would always know the 'true' grade of a card. Plus, if this was SOP from day one, then there would be much less of a stigma attached to cards with qualifiers, because it would be the norm.

It's annoying seeing a card that's an 8, but it's way off center and no qualifier is listed on the slab. And if someone recounts the stupid maxim, "Buy the card, not the slab" one more time my head is going to explode. That's not the point. The point is having a grading system that is true to reality.

Case in point (not my card):
clemente.jpg

[atx840]

"Buy the card, not the slab"

[t206blogcom]

Originally Posted by atx840

"Buy the card, not the slab"

You beat me to it!

[itjclarke]

This looks like a very recent submission, so definitely within the era of PSA qualifiers. Regardless of anyone's subjective opinion.. or that old oft used slogan.. it looks like a PSA grader considered this card an unqualfied 8.

Personally, I wish all cards used something like the old BVG (or BGS?) system where there were 3 criteria and it gave you a number for each. It would be nice if a couple other things like image quality, registration, etc could be added to a similar stye system and be printed on the back of a flip... or maybe on a registry filed with a high resolution scan under each card's s/n.

[brewing]

I couldn't disagree more. Qualifiers are the biggest pile of horse s#%t when it comes to PSA. If its off centered, stained, miscut, or has a print defect, then grade accordingly. These are all things that detract from a cards' grade or condition. No different than creases or rounded corners. Where is the creases qualifier?

I'm fine with the grade of 8. It is at least 70/30.

Here is the standard from PSA
NM-MT 8: Near Mint-Mint
A PSA NM-MT 8 is a super high-end card that appears Mint 9 at first glance, but upon closer inspection, the card can exhibit the following: a very slight wax stain on reverse, slightest fraying at one or two corners, a minor printing imperfection, and/or slightly off-white borders. Centering must be approximately 65/35 to 70/30 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.

[glynparson]

with the grade

[pepis]

Originally Posted by atx840

"Buy the card, not the slab"

The overwhelming majority of buyers are investors registry chasers and people
that think they have knowledge, will always buy the slab 1st! true collectors,
(and there is some here) still buy ungraded cards,
as for the qualifiers in slabs, it remains the dumbest thing that a grading company could have!! however PSA is the top grading company and they
don't even judge & grade cards by there true integrity, go figure.

[glchen]

Originally Posted by pepis

...
as for the qualifiers in slabs, it remains the dumbest thing that a grading company could have!! ...

Removing qualifiers for OC is somewhat persuasive to me although I don't completely agree. However, how about the qualifier for MK (marks)? Many marks on cards are not nearly so obvious.