Why I Hate the Whole Card Grading Thing...

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by Brianruns10

Card grading has been a boon for me. I wouldn't be able to collect, otherwise, because of the lack of good, quality vintage dealers in my area. And I simply do not trust buying raw cards online...too much of an issue over alterations.

At least with card grading there is a standard in play, and I know with the better confidence that what I'm getting is legit.

But with that said, I always buy the card, never the grade. If offered for the same price, I'd readily buy a centered PSA 6 over an off center PSA 8. And while I try to buy PSA 6-7s, I have no problems buyings 5s or even 4s if the card has terrific eye appeal for me.

Card grading is a tool to aid the hobbyist and the collect and the investor, but it is not the only one, and certainly not one which all should rely upon. Because a blind faith is a great why to wind up with a phony '52 Mantle in a cracked holder....

would be easy to start a thread 'why I hate raw cards' and show a listing on ebay with the card description and pictures and then when receive the card show what you actually got picture wise.......the comparisons would show huge differences .

[grainsley]

Personally, I have no use for grading.........for the most part. I do see some value to it, in the case of wanting to hedge your bet that the card is genuine, and not a reprint/forgery/counterfeit. Perfect example is the Rose RC...I just felt better knowing it was in a slab. (PSA) Obviously not a guarantee, but I feel it tilts the odds in your favor.

I must have missed something

Experts have a prolonged or intense experience through practice and education in a particular field. In specific fields.

Do grading companies have their own schools like Fast Food Companies and Circus Clowns

Also the Grading Companies have no Liability on the cards that they grade wrong or by inconsistencies by a half or whole number which can also cost MONEY for people who paid for the grading service

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by rgpete

I must have missed something

Experts have a prolonged or intense experience through practice and education in a particular field. In specific fields.

Do grading companies have their own schools like Fast Food Companies and Circus Clowns

LOL Some days I would say exactly like circus clowns.

[MattyC]

Brilliant about the circus clown school! It is often true.

As some have said: TPGs are very useful for basically telling you a card is likely unaltered and legit when buying online, which thus makes buying online much safer. That's great for the hobby. And there's the slab's protection. But for me that's all they are for. My own personal grading standards are way different from theirs, in terms of how I weigh back damage, wrinkles that need magnification or intense light to see, centering, tilt, etc.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by rgpete

I must have missed something

Experts have a prolonged or intense experience through practice and education in a particular field. In specific fields.

Do grading companies have their own schools like Fast Food Companies and Circus Clowns

Also the Grading Companies have no Liability on the cards that they grade wrong or by inconsistencies by a half or whole number which can also cost MONEY for people who paid for the grading service

Yes you missed something.. Experts get things wrong in criminal cases and people go to jail......and you worried about MONEY for a half point.....don't need schools to be an expert in the field......I would think the lead grader from PSA would qualify as an expert in a court of law if there was a dispute on a raw expensive card about what is 'mint' and 'poor' etc.......or I guess they can be an expert on circus clowns..you guys are so witty!..

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

Yes you missed something.. Experts get things wrong in criminal cases and people go to jail......and you worried about MONEY for a half point.....don't need schools to be an expert in the field......I would think the lead grader from PSA would qualify as an expert in a court of law if there was a dispute on a raw expensive card about what is 'mint' and 'poor' etc.......or I guess they can be an expert on circus clowns..you guys are so witty!..

I disagree some schooling whether it be trade schools, certified courses or college is needed. Plus meeting the Competency Level by what ever means by exams or hands on testing. I guess not going through K-12 you can still be considered an expert. There is no news there for the difference between Mint and Poor if you cant get that right hang it up

[ALR-bishop]

I think the hairdresser girlfriend in My Cousin Vinnie qualified as an expert

[begsu1013]

"she's kinda cute too, isn't she?"

"well yes, very!?!?"

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I think the hairdresser girlfriend in My Cousin Vinnie qualified as an expert

Yes she is, and more likely can grade cards a lot better. Even hair dressers take state exams

[begsu1013]

Originally Posted by rgpete

Also the Grading Companies have no Liability on the cards that they grade wrong or by inconsistencies by a half or whole number which can also cost MONEY for people who paid for the grading service

actually there is liability on psa's part and there have been many of instances where a circus clown has gotten the grade wrong and psa has either bought the card back from the winning bidder or was the winning bidder themselves to get the card off the market.

[MattyC]

Where do we start with this one?

Special

I mean, with registration this poor, shouldn't the card get a "1"? It does in my personal grading book.

Not to even mention the centering.

Or the back, LOL.

This is why-- no matter what their little sticker says-- I use my own eyes and personal judgement to evaluate a card. If some guy in a cubicle thinks that card is "better" than some amazing 4s I've seen, then I simply reject their system. For basic authentication, to know a card is legit and (likely) unaltered, and thereby to buy easier online, the slabbers are great. But the numbers on their stickers are utterly irrelevant to me.

This is just me, and an opinion admittedly worth nothing, but there are "3's" I'll pay "5 money" for without hesitation, and then there's the "5" above for which I wouldn't pay a dollar.