Erasing errant marks and......caramel vs tobacco

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

Hi Leon....I just checked out a site called "The Straight Dope" (fighting ignorance since 1973.) I know of no TPG company that employs x-rays in their evaluation. Do you? There will always be a trace of tampering when trying to erase pencil marks. TPGs just don't look hard enough, heck they can't even catch trimmed and rebacked cards? How would you expect a bunch of bumbleducks to see a lightly erased pencil mark. They are only in it for the money and they suck at evaluating cards. It is unethical and downright deceiving if trying to hide or eliminate them. What is your take on "creases" ? If a crease is pressed out with a press, and then undetectable with the naked eye...does that seem ok with you? How about "dry cleaning"? to brighten up a dirty and dull card? Is there no end to it...people should stop effing around with our beloved cards! Aloha, dave. ps Hey leon nothing personal cause you know i respect and love the work you do here.

Nothing personal at all Dave. Folks can have meaningful debates, completely disagree, and still be friends. In that respect this is all a good debate and I respect your opinions, even if not in agreement with them. My line stops at taking things off cards that weren't supposed to be there to start with (including soaking in water which I am ok with too). I doubt there is an advanced collector on this board that hasn't pushed down a flipped up corner. No harm at all. However, all of that other stuff you talked about, I am against. There is an end, it is not endless.