The Card Altering Services Saga Continues

[Seven]

It comes as no secret to anyone that many of the cards in the Hobby, especially the higher end ones, are altered, but in legitimate slabs receiving normal grades. I follow a few card collectors on Youtube, and today saw a video of this guys work, I will link his Instagram below for those of you that are interested in seeing what he is doing. Spoiler alert: he's altering cards, and sending them into PSA/BGS and getting higher grades. Vintage, modern, it doesn't matter. He has videos altering a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth, A 2000 Contenders Brady, He just sent in an 86 Fleer Michael Jordan after altering it, and is awaiting a grade. But Wait, there's more. He has the audacity to sell some of the products he uses to alter cards, so you can use them too. I don't want this to be an "old man yells at cloud" post against the grading companies and the people that do this, but damn it is difficult some time.

https://www.instagram.com/kurtscardcare/

[Tomi]

The sad part is that he gets a lot of likes and positive comments. The flippers just don't care.

[Leon]

That video is eye opening but, with the money involved in the hobby, most won't care. Sad.
.

[rjackson44]

Originally Posted by Leon

That video is eye opening but, with the money involved in the hobby, most won't care. Sad.
.

Right on

[Vintagedeputy]

As long as we value condition, there will always be people trying to improve condition to improve value. No stopping it, unfortunately.

[Johnny630]

The bottom line is the big money players in this industry, auction houses, and their mega buying investor/collectors have spoken. They could care less about what was done to a card as long as it’s in a PSA more so PSA or SGC with a numbered grade. Think Kendrick Wagner.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by Leon

That video is eye opening but, with the money involved in the hobby, most won't care. Sad.
.

It's terrible Leon. I've purchased altered cards before, ones with clear designation of being altered, though. I understand that with comic collecting, CSG grades restored comics but then designates them with a number grade and a restored label, which I personally would be fine with, if PSA did the same for its cards. I think the worst part is that while altering has been going on for a bit, this is only the tip of the iceberg. Oh Well, every thread needs a card

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Leon

That video is eye opening but, with the money involved in the hobby, most won't care. Sad.
.

I had another post about what has changed most in the last few years. The amount of money in the hobby currently is insane and I don’t see that changing.

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

I had another post about what has changed most in the last few years. The amount of money in the hobby currently is insane and I don’t see that changing.

What is in place for it to continue? The quick buck flips of modern are gone. Chase cards harder to find. People losing weekly/daily on "set breaks". Psa graders tougher than ever. Many headwinds here, aside from recession, bitcoin tanking etc

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

What is in place for it to continue? The quick buck flips of modern are gone. Chase cards harder to find. People losing weekly/daily on "set breaks". Psa graders tougher than ever. Many headwinds here, aside from recession, bitcoin tanking etc

I'm not seeing any softening on the really good stuff, vintage prewar, and Post War in Major AH’s I’m not talking average stuff I’m talking high end quality vintage in high grades..I see no headwinds at all. Investment grade cards again not mediocre PSA 8 60’s mantles I’m talking Cobbs Ruth’s 6’s and above along with 50’s mantles mays Jackie in 8’s and 9’s. Not slowing. The set breaks modern and crypto are all garbage not shocked it’s tanking and has further to go. The goods not going anywhere.

[Section103]

Originally Posted by Seven

I don't want this to be an "old man yells at cloud" post against the grading companies and the people that do this, but damn it is difficult some time.

Along the way, Ive come to realize that sometimes there's a reason old men yell at clouds.

[Exhibitman]

This CDV of HOF fighter John Morrissey came with crud glued to the front. I painstakingly and happily removed the paper and as much of the transparent glue as I could to get to see the whole image. As for grading, who cares...I just want to enjoy my card. If that makes me an evil card doctor, well, sorry.

[JustinD]

I think the descriptors got off on a tangent with some of the replies.

There is no issue with removing a pile of glue or the double sided tape mentioned earlier. No one is fooled and both would be visible damage or torn paper resulting in the appropriate grade of altered. The issue is people hiding alteration. Which is the advertised purpose of this business.

Somehow a jump was made from a defense of alteration by repairing corners using a roller tool to disguise damage for a higher grade. Described and shown by humidifying card stock and pushing out the corners to square them up and rolling out creases.

Then a transference was somehow made to defense of simply not repairing a card or trying to hide something but just flipping a tab back for a visual pleasantry that any 14 year old could spot.

It was a bit like someone arguing to the local sheriff that their request for a tank is kosher because the neighbor has a shotgun. It was an interesting transition…

For clarification I don’t think the flipping over of a corner in your penny sleeves needs any more defense from the crowd.

…now add some glue and pressing with all the other adjunct shamming to intentionally deceive either a grader or a purchaser for profit and now we got a discussion. i enjoy and value what many do, like the Boda threads, to call this out.