Are PSA qualifiers really that terrible?

[alanu]

I believe that in the registry the qualifiers knock the grade down 2 grades too.

I actually liked it when BVG/BGS used to put the 4 separate grades on their cards, it gave you a little better idea why the card received the grade it did, especially for the lower grade cards.

[53Browns]

Yes.

[CMIZ5290]

Brian- this is a very interesting thread. I myself own many, many vintage cards with qualifiers, especially t206s. First of all, you get so much more card for the money. Secondly, i own many psa 8and 9 oc t206s that don't even appear to be badly centered. The other feedback in this thread is pretty much on the money, most oc or mc qualified cards will bring prices around 2 grades lower than if they did not have a qualifier. Most collectors with high dollar collections tend to shy away from them.

[Peter_Spaeth]

It depends on the card. Sometimes, on a card that is typically off center anyhow even with no qualifiers, you can pick up one with an o/c qualifier for a fraction of the price of the equivalent grade.

For example, on the one below, is it worth paying 4x for a hair better centering?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

It depends on the card. Sometimes, on a card that is typically off center anyhow even with no qualifiers, you can pick up one with an o/c qualifier for a fraction of the price of the equivalent grade.

For example, on the one below, is it worth paying 4x for a hair better centering?

Personally, I would pick a 6 with perfect centering much more than this card shown. Qualifiers mean nothing to me. I tend to look at the card itself to see how it looks to me. Then again, I don't play the registry game.

[vargha]

Terrible in what sense? If you are talking about purchasing with the idea of making a nice profit on resale down the road, then it is definitely not good. Centering is the most common qualifier and is the kiss of death on value, especially in post-war cards. Pre-war is another issue altogether, where on certain issues of candy and ice cream cards, centering is all over the place and is not typically as big of a concern. But when the market offers large quantities of better looking cards, whether it is is T206 or 1955 Topps, the price will suffer on those cards that have qualifiers. The bottom line is to collect what you like and can afford. I never realized how off-center so many of the cards I bought as a kid in gum packs actually were until the advent of grading as an adult.

[Touch'EmAll]

A dealer friend who was on this PSA thing back at its infancy said the qualifiers were, "The kiss of death."

There are rare exceptions to the rule.

[Gradedcardman]

With respect to qualifiers, for myself and my t206's I don't worry about it. I love the set and the hunt so it will always be a work in progress to complete. As stated before it is also a cost factor. With respect to newer sets where the cards are more plentiful and the manufacturing was better, then yes I care. I have a PSA registry set consisting of cards from 1971 and up. For them I want them all without qualifiers.

Hope that made sense, trying to watch hockey and type !!