Conditioning- Maybe I'm the One Who's Off

[hcv123]

is there is no real objective standard by which everyone adheres. When I grade cards, I try really hard to go by TPG standards. But even that is sometimes a moving target as most know how inconsistent (usually within a 3 grade range) the TPG's can be.
That said, I would be bothered having received the card you did described as Near Mint. Based on what you have highlighted, I would likely call it somewhere between EX and EXMT.
Enhancing scans is plain wrong, but too many do it.

[Republicaninmass]

2 soft corners make it ex at best

[mrmopar]

With high resolution scanners and cameras, people really should leave the grading to the buyer in my opinion. I recall seeing a grading chart in Beckett or one of the earlier guides and it filled an entire page and must have had 8-10 different designations along the scale. Grading is a lot of work if you do it accurately. Then it comes down to personal subjectivity. Of course, when you are paying a premium for condition, you should get what you expect.

The again, this is the opinion of someone that never really sought out or worried about high condition cards. I wanted something affordable with nice eye appeal and would be fine with soft or rounding corner, light surface wear, very light surface creasing or bends. I could not accept broken paper creasing, major off centering, dark stains, holes or any of those major eye sores.

I look back at most of my better older cards and figure I am not going to win any grading lotteries with my stuff.

[Tere1071]

This seller tends to be optimistic in his grading, but he's one of many. I would say he's somewhere deep in the reserved seating in a ballpark rather than behind home plate. Back in the good old days there were also issues related to grading, but it's frustrating when I hope to receive a better card than what I already have only to receive something worse. Last year I had plenty of headaches purchasing cards from 1970 and 1972 that were creased, miscut, or just worn described as ex or better. One seller even told me to send them back because he'd get more money for the group on a resale due to the climate of the hobby. Amazing!

[nwobhm]

If it's the ebay ad I found the seller offers free 60 day returns. Certainly not NM and you can return it. It's definitely not as described.

With all due respect, why do you want to upgrade? Your card looks just fine IMHO. Not perfect but by keeping what you have you eliminate all the ebay hassle.

[Tere1071]

Yes, I know and you're probably right. I should put it to bed and live with what I've collected. My 71 set has probably cost me triple what it should have with all of the constant upgrades that I'll never see in return as I sell/trade my extras. I will take this as a sign. Besides, I have a 70 set to complete and am missing the 73 and 74 sets.

As for the seller, yes, you know who I'm writing about. His cards are over graded, but not to the point of absurdity. Beauty and card conditioning are in the eye of the beholder, but it's just that I've seen too many sellers tout their wares as being excellent-mint to near-mint and proceed accordingly only to find them to be no more than very good to excellent at best. It's an annoyance when I'm looking for cards, but forgotten otherwise when I'm doing other things.

Thank you for the feedback.

Phil aka Tere1071