What would an acceptable rate of authenticity mistakes be?

[GeoPoto]

I think this topic needs to be broken down a little bit:

First of all, the TPG must identify and prevent counterfeits. Cards that are not authentic because they are counterfeits do not appear to be making it into graded holders. That is very important.

Next, we have the Blowout phenomenon where previously-graded cards are obviously cracked out, altered, and re-graded at a higher grade. That has to stop. Once a card has been graded, it has to be impossible to surreptitiously crack, doctor, and re-submit. If the TPG's can't stop that, they are in trouble.

Beyond that, the TPG has to disclose and adhere to a set of procedures and criteria designed to mitigate the likelihood of "unacceptable presentation enhancement". I use that term because everybody seems to agree that some effort to improve the way the card presents is OK: soaking, flattening, maybe even a little scrubbing with soap and water. Everybody also seems to agree that adding color or paper is out as is using chemicals and trimming. (Now the shouting starts.) Trimming is a particular problem because it seems to be devilishly difficult to detect. Chemicals also, perhaps.

The procedures used by the TPG's need to be effective, but they also need to be economical. Enhancements to the presentation of a card that are undetectable through the diligent application of reasonable procedures to identify them, are going to get through. The market will eventually determine how this uncertainty affects prices.

[Exhibitman]

The question misses the mark, IMO. Mistakes will happen. Grade 20,000,000 items and you will miss some. The question is how they are handled. "Go chase the seller" is not an acceptable response. "We made a mistake and we will be accountable" is.

[oldjudge]

According to PSA’s methodology, as I understand it, two people review each card and, if they disagree on the grade, a third person breaks the tie. If 2-3 people are looking at every card there should be virtually no mistakes, a lot less than 1%.

[glchen]

People make mistakes. It's just a fact of life. Zero % error rate is simply unreasonable when a TPG looks at millions of cards. Here's my take on this:

Declared value:

Under $100: 0.1%
$100-$500: 0.01%
$500-$100,000: 0.001%
Over $100K: 0.0001%

The idea here is that the two graders that are reviewing the card would be more experienced the greater the declared value

[Phil68]

Very good points, all.
Adam, I like your angle of accountability.
I do not believe that PSA has 2 graders look at a card.
If they do, it's exceptional. I cannot fathom a 3rd grader assessing it, frankly, unless we're talking about a card north of 100k...which I own none and will never be a threat.
Gary,
your point is very interesting. I would have to agree with your assessment on that at this point.

[2dueces]

Zero

[trambo]

I laugh at the comments who say "zero" is the acceptable tolerable error rate. I can appreciate the sentiment but because it is a human thing, there's no practical way it could ever be zero. I don't like mistakes in the grading obvious or otherwise but to say there is no room for a mistake ever is sort of comical to me.

I think the appropriate answer is as close to zero as possible with the understanding that their opinion is just that, an opinion. Some rely and some don't. No rule says you have to buy or not buy what they're selling....