Poll: response to recent PWCC revelations

[Dpeck100]

Originally Posted by Kenny Cole

And that 10 is so much nicer than the much more affordable 9 because? Oh, right, I forgot. PSA graded it and PSA has been shown to be infallible. And the 10 is being sold by PWCC, a notoriously honest seller. LOL, whatever. To each his own.

People to choose to spend their money on different shit. Charles Merkel is loaded. If you look at his set it is filled with 10's.

I choose to spend money on wrestling cards. Something most don't. My wife likes ridiculously expensive shoes and purses. Many would argue both are dumb ways to spend your money but to each their own.

Who knows if he is even bidding but judging by the fact there are now 15 bidders this card isn't flying under the radar that is for sure.

[CobbSpikedMe]

Originally Posted by Dpeck100

Who knows if he is even bidding but judging by the fact there are now 15 bidders this card isn't flying under the radar that is for sure.

So there are 15 guys that have ridiculous money to spend on cards don't know about this scandal yet? Shocking. I'm sure they have nothing better to do than read a message board about baseball cards like us. Out of all the collectors we're talking about 15 here with big wallets who are obviously all about the flip anyway. Not surprised the bidding is so high. Not at all.

[Kenny Cole]

Originally Posted by Dpeck100

People to choose to spend their money on different shit. Charles Merkel is loaded. If you look at his set it is filled with 10's.

I choose to spend money on wrestling cards. Something most don't. My wife likes ridiculously expensive shoes and purses. Many would argue both are dumb ways to spend your money but to each their own.

Who knows if he is even bidding but judging by the fact there are now 15 bidders this card isn't flying under the radar that is for sure.

One word: Registry. I cannot lie -- that was a brilliant idea. PSA creates a market for cards that it apparently cannot even grade accurately, at least based on the examples shown here, and then justifiably relies on the egos of people who: A) have much more money than sense; and B) buy the flip, not the card. Ingenious. I wish I had thought of that because it is literally the perfect scam. People feel good about falling for it and actually get recognized by PSA for doing so. How much better could it possibly get? When I see an otherwise $10 card going for 4 or 5 figures because there is a dick-measuring contest going on, it always makes me laugh. Again, whatever. If you have stupid money, I guess you are entitled to be stupid.

[Dpeck100]

Originally Posted by Kenny Cole

One word: Registry. I cannot lie -- that was a brilliant idea. PSA creates a market for cards that it apparently cannot even grade accurately, at least based on the examples shown here, and then justifiably relies on the egos of people who: A) have much more money than sense; and B) buy the flip, not the card. Ingenious. I wish I had thought of that because it is literally the perfect scam. People feel good about falling for it and actually get recognized by PSA for doing so. How much better could it possibly get? When I see an otherwise $10 card going for 4 or 5 figures because there is a dick-measuring contest going on, it always makes me laugh. Again, whatever. If you have stupid money, I guess you are entitled to be stupid.

The registry was brilliant. I have paid 2k for a $2 card. Haha

[perezfan]

That is one FUGLY piece of cardboard for the money. You could own both of their game-used uniforms for 1/4 the price.

[Collect Equity]

My answer is more nuanced than the poll allowed for.

I answered, "Yes I would buy/consign with PWCC," but this is not entirely accurate. I would NOT consign with PWCC. Although there isn't 100% conclusive proof, I am beginning to think they knew about fraudulent cards (and I mean more than just soaking in water or chemicals). I frankly don't care if all their consignments dried up and then I wouldn't ever have to buy from them.

But honestly I would still consider purchasing from PWCC. Especially because a) it is not 100% proved they weren't duped by Moser, and b) all the cards on my want list I would buy altered if I had the chance, because they are so rare they next to never come up for sale.

The more interesting question for me is does this change people's interest in buying PSA cards for grades? I am MUCH LESS interested in upgrading a PSA 5 to a 7, or a 8 to a 10 at this point because I do not believe that the difference is worth the cost. This is mostly due to watching the Blowout threads on altered cards and BGS black labels - I am more of the opinion that minor grading upgrades are a scam.

Do you think that the market is more wary of a point or two differences on PSA cards as well at this point?

[CobbSpikedMe]

Originally Posted by Collect Equity

But honestly I would still consider purchasing from PWCC. Especially because a) it is not 100% proved they weren't duped by Moser, and b) all the cards on my want list I would buy altered if I had the chance, because they are so rare they next to never come up for sale.

But do you want to pay the price of a PSA 4 of a rare card that was altered or would you rather pay the price of properly graded PSA Authentic example of the same exact card. What these guys are doing is selling you the PSA 4 when it should only be and PSA Authentic. And that sucks.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Kenny Cole

One word: Registry. I cannot lie -- that was a brilliant idea. PSA creates a market for cards that it apparently cannot even grade accurately, at least based on the examples shown here, and then justifiably relies on the egos of people who: A) have much more money than sense; and B) buy the flip, not the card. Ingenious. I wish I had thought of that because it is literally the perfect scam. People feel good about falling for it and actually get recognized by PSA for doing so. How much better could it possibly get? When I see an otherwise $10 card going for 4 or 5 figures because there is a dick-measuring contest going on, it always makes me laugh. Again, whatever. If you have stupid money, I guess you are entitled to be stupid.

It was transformative in terms of elevating worthless commons into high priced commodities as guys built their 50s sets. If I recall correctly the first PSA 8 Wehmeier from 52 Topps went for 25K or more. But more generally PSA well understood the mindset of many of its wealthy collectors.

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by Kenny Cole

One word: Registry. I cannot lie -- that was a brilliant idea. PSA creates a market for cards that it apparently cannot even grade accurately, at least based on the examples shown here, and then justifiably relies on the egos of people who: A) have much more money than sense; and B) buy the flip, not the card. Ingenious. I wish I had thought of that because it is literally the perfect scam. People feel good about falling for it and actually get recognized by PSA for doing so. How much better could it possibly get? When I see an otherwise $10 card going for 4 or 5 figures because there is a dick-measuring contest going on, it always makes me laugh. Again, whatever. If you have stupid money, I guess you are entitled to be stupid.

Given how wildly popular the registry is, isn't it in PSA's advantage to keep as many high grade cards in circulation as possible? And wouldn't they want to turn a blind eye to some of these restorations so that more collectors can get involved in registry collecting?

And every business wants to have happy customers who are good for repeat business. So who is happier- the guy whose cards get rejected for possible tampering, or the guy who consistently receives 8's, 9's, and 10's?

Just saying.