Graded Card Moral and Ethical Issue

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Posted By: bruce dorskind

Companies don't grade cards. People do. And different people have different
opinions, especially on matters as subjective as grading.

In the coin hobby, grading companies often run full page advertisements to
announce that they have hired "a top grader" from a competitor.

It is difficult to imagine, given the number of cards (not just pre WWII cards) graded,
that it is possible for any service to be 100% consistent in their grading standards.

Any card dealer who has worked in the numismatic profession is well
aware that "cracking the case" is a regular exercise for many collectors and dealers.
What is remarkable is that coins are often "cracked out of the holder."
and sent back to the same grading service. We have heard that as often
as 10% of the time, "cracked holders" receive a higher grade.

In fact, if the grading services did not regularly "raise the grade level," no one would
"crack the case," and the services would lose an important source of revenue.

We are not endorsing this process, simply making an observation.

The ethical issue raised by James Gallo, also requires that one address a second issue.

Suppose card A is graded a "7" by Service #1. The collector believes the card is
"a blazer" and decides to send said "7" to Service #2. Service # 2 grades the card
an "8." Does the collector or dealer have an obligation to share this information
with a potential buyer?

Clearly not....think about the concomitant implications of this course of action.

Remember, when one buys a graded collectible, one is buying an opinion. The question
then is how much faith should one have in the "opinion" of the people who are grading
one's cards?


Bruce