Why have a card simply authenticated?

[ValKehl]

Jason, I assume that every eBay seller knows why his/her card is graded "A." So, if the reason is not apparent and not mentioned in the eBay listing, I ask the seller. I feel that most sellers will respond with an honest answer.

[bobbyw8469]

Usually trim or color touch is the culprit....I personally, have had "A" cards get numeric grades from another grader.

[tbob]

I think any true collector is fine with a nice looking, very slightly trimmed example of a tough card, encapsulated in an "authentic" holder. Especially if the card is a scarce one. I am probably in the minority but I'd take a beautiful lightly trimmed card over one that looks like it went through a meat grinder, but grades.
If you are a set collector and run in to a card which may run four figures even as an SGC 10, you might be fine with an SGC A which is a great looking card with nice eye appeal but a tiny trim. At the very least it can be a nice placeholder until a gradable card comes along that fits the bill.
Just my 2 cents.

[SAllen2556]

As a novice I purchased this at a show in an "authentic" holder. The guy selling it pitched me this whole story of how he just wanted it protected and that he chose to simply get it authenticated so people would know it was real. What he didn't tell me was that the card was almost definitely soaked and pressed and possibly trimmed. At the very least it's warped to the point of no return, upgradable, and wasn't worth what I paid. Lesson learned: authentic means tampered.
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[skelly]

I would be in the minority, but I don't like the term "poor." I feel it puts a negative spin / vibe on the card. I request just an "Auth" grade if I feel the card could be deemed a poor. On a couple occasions I have bought a poor and crossed to an "auth: grade.