Why do we even need TPGs?

[T206Collector]

Grading provides a level of assurance that is unobtainable from the seller of the card, even with 1,000 pictures.

[kmac32]

In general, I could care less about what grade a card has and it is all about appearance. I slab my cards for display and to protect the cards. It does also help when I go to sell the few cards I sell.

[perezfan]

Could care less, or couldn't care less?

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Could care less, or couldn't care less?

I'm amazed at how many people get this one wrong. Saying you could care less suggests that you do care.

[perezfan]

I've never understood it either. But the majority of the population seems to say it that way for some reason.

[steve B]

I'm guessing most of you started collecting after TPGs became common?

If I can't see a card in person, a really good scan will tell me all the important stuff. The slabs provide a bit more protection when they're done right. When they're not? They're worse than a plain box.

I can only think of cynical reasons to need a TPG.
Most dealers pre-tgp were at best poor graders, at worst deliberately misleading. Many were good, but the average weekend card show dealer wasn't.

Having tpg commoditizes the collectible, meaning it can be sold to a collector who doesn't know much. All they need to know is what the card is and the grade.
That's both good and bad.
The good is that a lot of people especially people with money may want to collect but don't have the time to learn much about the cards they'll be collecting. Having TPG means they can do that comfortably and that raises prices for all of us. (Also both good and bad)
The bad is that TPG has created an entire generation of collectors who have limited knowledge and experience at handling the stuff they collect.

TPGs are far from infallible. And while I've graded a few cards to make things easier on the family someday, I've also come to have far less faith in them all around.
One can't tell a fake from real even when given a list of points identifying the fake.
Another covers either a mistake or unintentional damage by altering the card and reslabbing it.

And that's not on really obscure sets.

Seriously, I'll trust myself over that sort of place every time.


Steve B

[ullmandds]

card prices would be nowhere near where they are now without grading...not sure if thats good or bad?

[packs]

Scans can always be manipulated. IMO TPGs ensure some kind of balance between buyer and seller. If you're a seller and you tell me your EX is the EX standard, I'm not going to buy that because you're trying to sell me something. You need TPG to ensure that there is some distance between the seller and his card, even though we all know people / houses get preferential treatment.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by packs

Scans can always be manipulated. IMO TPGs ensure some kind of balance between buyer and seller. If you're a seller and you tell me your EX is the EX standard, I'm not going to buy that because you're trying to sell me something. You need TPG to ensure that there is some distance between the seller and his card, even though we all know people / houses get preferential treatment.

can u say "battlefield?"

[Stonepony]

" Battlefield" ( and they've blocked me from their auctions)

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Stonepony

" Battlefield" ( and they've blocked me from their auctions)

lucky!

[egbeachley]

Originally Posted by Stonepony

" Battlefield" ( and they've blocked me from their auctions)

I haven't checked if I'm blocked but I suppose I am since I left 17 negatives and 6 neutrals earlier this year

[D.P.Johnson]

Originally Posted by Stonepony

" Battlefield" ( and they've blocked me from their auctions)

"Battlefield" bought some raw cards from me a year or so ago. I think they were SSPC's or RGA's or something similar.

I still feel guilty. Like I'm a co-conspirator or something......

I banned him from buying after that...

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

card prices would be nowhere near where they are now without grading...not sure if thats good or bad?

It's a very bad thing. I could see a small premium over a raw card but the prices those magic plastic holders bring is crazy.