A Modest Proposal

[hcv123]

Scott - The idea would certainly leave the marketplace moving forward in better shape than it is in now - even with some of the pointed out "loopholes" and "imperfections". Far from perfect - but a large improvement.

Mark - The only weakness I see in your plan is the lack of numeric grading - There are too many in the marketplace that use the numeric grades as competition to be the best (think set registry and "buy the holder not the card) - take the numeric grading away and you lose that competitive factor which I believe is the one point of differentiation that has PSA so far ahead of the other grading companies. So, keep the numeric grading - add all of the other points of scrutiny.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Well it wouldnt be hard to get an 'extra sticker' that says that a 5k card or more past sales search was done to see if any possible altered card. The search can name all of the searches and name all the websites/auction etc that would check

I chose 5k as an arbitrary number

[bbcard1]

I don't do much with TGC. I have never submitted a card directly, own a few, but will generally crack them to put into my binders.

I think the answer is a new grading company with very high standards in terms of ethics and reasonable funding. That is doable. If a credible name was associated with it and the pricing reasonable, it could catch on. There are a ton of superior marketing angles that could be employed and technology to determine trims and centering could be integrated. It could be great.

If such a company were to be founded, the existing card companies would throw everything they could at them to discredit them. It would be an absolute sh•tshow.