Something to think about in regards to a cards condition

[Archive]

Posted By: Scott

but subjectivity of grades by SGC, PSA, GAI IS NOT my gripe.

My gripe is over their inability to "sufficiently" recognize alterations (or to apply the methods available to do so), and over collectors' willingness to blindly accept that any holdered card is 'safe'.

As Jay pointed out, we know in advance that certain dealers selectively disclose back damage, others ignore alterations or trimming, etc. - while it's still inexcusable, I should only purchase from them if I have the balls to send back screw-ups I find unacceptable. I think we've heard that all the dealers have favorable return policies.

I argue that paying for a slab is paying for expertise. Others argue that we are also paying the dealers for their grading expertise - wrong. The difference is that dealers use their own grading to stretch their profit, while slabbers are supposedly attempting to apply a uniform standard so that we're all "talking the same language".