T206 Red Cobb SGC 60/Altered? on eBay

[slidekellyslide]

Just a suggestion for Greg if he feels the compulsion to tear that Cobb card up into 50 pieces...send it to me instead?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Just a suggestion for Greg if he feels the compulsion to tear that Cobb card up into 50 pieces...send it to me instead?

He can't break it out, that would void the guaranty.

[Leon]

Sean Skeffington, VP of Operations for SGC, has asked me to post this for him.


I am reluctantly making this post because I have discussed this issue in detail with Greg in private. I believe this is an issue between SGC and Greg, however since he has posted images of the corner in question and there are clearly opinions on both sides, as to the originality of the corner. Here is our opinion on the card: The SGC grading team has thoroughly examined this card raw on two different occasions. Each time the conclusion was the same, that the card has a corner pull on the back and is not the result of an alteration. Cards exhibiting similar characteristics have been submitted for grading in the past. While we acknowledge the unique nature of this card, by no means do the scans provided indicate proof of any alteration.
With respect to SGC and our Guaranty. We have and will continue to purchase cards that are either overgraded or otherwise deemed not worthy to be in our holder. The cards we remove from the market are at the sole discretion our grading team, not by those who scream the loudest. I know that in the past we have bought back cards, some of which belonged to members of Net 54.
Finally from a business position, we are quite confident that our reputation is worth more than the $2400.00 Greg paid for the card. If we believed the card to be altered we would most certainly admit our mistake, avoid the negative publicity and move on. Regardless of the "evidence" Greg provided, the card is not subject to our Guaranty since we do not believe it to be a mistake. This will be the last comment we have on this subject, however if anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Regards,
Sean Skeffington
Vice President-Operations
973-984-0018 x101
973-984-8447 Fax
sskeffington@sgccard.com

[teetwoohsix]

I think that was very commendable for B & L Auctions to do what they did,especially because they didn't have to-and it was very decent of Mr.Skeffington to come on Net54 to explain their stance to us.As always,there are two sides to every story.Thank you.

Sincerely,Clayton

[Peter_Spaeth]

If those scans particularly the front scan don't constitute evidence of alteration I cannot imagine what does. If SGC insists this card is good can we trust its assessment of other cards? Just my opinion.

[botn]

While I know Sean will not reply I have comments/questions about what he posted.

Originally Posted by Leon

Cards exhibiting similar characteristics have been submitted for grading in the past.

Oh really? How similar are those characteristics? I would love to see scans of those. I have certainly never seen anything like this before.

Originally Posted by Leon

While we acknowledge the unique nature of this card, by no means do the scans provided indicate proof of any alteration.

What do you mean by the "unique nature of this card"? It cannot be unique if you have graded cards with similar characteristics.

Originally Posted by Leon

Finally from a business position, we are quite confident that our reputation is worth more than the $2400.00 Greg paid for the card.

I don't think you anticipated that you would get this kind of backlash from me. I think you figured due to our years of friendship that I would go away quietly.

Originally Posted by Leon

Regardless of the "evidence" Greg provided, the card is not subject to our Guaranty since we do not believe it to be a mistake.

And what other evidence do collectors have, Sean, other than visual assessment once the card is in the holder? You look at the card and make an opinion based on what you see based on what your level of experience and expertise is in distinguishing between alterations and natural anomalies. The card would have to be broken out and submitted to other grading services for independent assessment. If I were to break it out and submit it to other professional grading services I void your “guaranty.” Though legally speaking there has to be a guaranty in place in order for it to be voided. And even then if the other grading services reject the card you would say, "Sorry SGC stands behind the grade." It is a bit of a catch 22. That is why you told me to send it to PSA and if they rejected it you would place it back in the 60 holder. You do not care what anyone else says in assessing the card.

[botn]

I know Sean stated "...by no means do the scans provided indicate proof of any alteration." What about these? And what exactly is a corner pull?