Back damage--and grading craziness

[Clydewally]

I can't tell how the graders grade, but they seem to put more emphasis on some paper loss or stain on a blank or generic back and on things like corners than on the gloss and eye appeal of the picture. As a collector, I am often willing to trade problems with the back for a glossy front, even if the corners are rounded. Some company used to grade different aspects of the card, corners, front, back, centering etc. and then do an overall grade. While I don't prefer that method, it might lead to more thoughtful grading by the service companies.

[GregMitch34]

I could be wrong, but it just seems to me that up to VG-Ex the graders let a lot go in terms of a little dirt or stain on the reverse, but from Ex on up much tougher. I have a couple nice card that are easily "5s" but PSA gave them a 4 due to very slight stains. But they probably would not have docked a slightly weaker card.