Are PSA qualifiers really that terrible?

[Section103]

This is just my opinion, but I hate qualifiers as a concept. To me, a qualifier says "this card would be a X, if not for the specified defect". Thats fine and all, but within a fraction of a second, my brain starts thinking "Thats great, but a grading company should issue a grade!" Granted, the 2 grades down is a decent rule of thumb, but I hate it. Give it an overall grade and live with it. I realize in some ways it provides "more information" to buyers and owners, but I never get the thought of "You still havent assigned a grade to this card" out of my mind." I'd still consider buying a qualified card, but I promise I'd crack it out and resubmit every single time.

[DanP]

Originally Posted by Section103

This is just my opinion, but I hate qualifiers as a concept. To me, a qualifier says "this card would be a X, if not for the specified defect". Thats fine and all, but within a fraction of a second, my brain starts thinking "Thats great, but a grading company should issue a grade!" Granted, the 2 grades down is a decent rule of thumb, but I hate it. Give it an overall grade and live with it. I realize in some ways it provides "more information" to buyers and owners, but I never get the thought of "You still havent assigned a grade to this card" out of my mind." I'd still consider buying a qualified card, but I promise I'd crack it out and resubmit every single time.

I still believe that if PSA were starting their business today they would not use qualifiers. They'd do just what SGC does and consider the "qualifiers" in the final grade. Or maybe not, maybe they would add more qualifiers like: "SC" Soft corners, "DE" Dents, "SS" Surface Scuffs", etc.
Dan

[Section103]

Originally Posted by DanP

I still believe that if PSA were starting their business today they would not use qualifiers. They'd do just what SGC does and consider the "qualifiers" in the final grade. Or maybe not, maybe they would add more qualifiers like: "SC" Soft corners, "DE" Dents, "SS" Surface Scuffs", etc.
Dan

My T206 Cy Young Portrait was a 10! With qualifiers for rounded corners, creases, stains and print defects.

[sreader3]

I agree with Rich V. I do not like the qualifier system. A "qualifier" is nothing but a defect in a card. Thus, the card should be downgraded according to the severity of the defect. If you are going to have a qualifier system, why not have a crease (CR) qualifier or a corners (CO) qualifier? Are these defects fundamentally different than, for example, a centering defect (OC, MC)?

I will go a step further. I don't think cards that are trimmed should be rejected for "evidence of trimming." Instead, a card should be downgraded according to the severity of the trim. Perhaps two grades for a minor trim and four grades for a severe trim. I personally would prefer a sharp looking EX-MT card with a minor trim that cannot be detected with the naked eye than VG card with rounded corners and creasing. Yet due to TPG's refusal to assign a numeric grade to the former, the latter is considered more valuable.

[vargha]

Originally Posted by sreader3

I will go a step further. I don't think cards that are trimmed should be rejected for "evidence of trimming." Instead, a card should be downgraded according to the severity of the trim. Perhaps two grades for a minor trim and four grades for a severe trim. I personally would prefer a sharp looking EX-MT card with a minor trim that cannot be detected with the naked eye than VG card with rounded corners and creasing. Yet due to TPG's refusal to assign a numeric grade to the former, the latter is considered more valuable.

One of the major reasons for TPG's was that they would detect (where possible) alterations made to a card. That, "objective" grade evaluations and detection of counterfeits were the reasons to have a "trusted" third party that set a standard. Even SGC, which doesn't use qualifiers, designates altered cards with an "A" for authentic. One can then evaluate just how "nice" that altered card is based upon a visual inspection. But they will have the knowledge of its alteration.

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by sreader3

I agree with Rich V. I do not like the qualifier system. A "qualifier" is nothing but a defect in a card. Thus, the card should be downgraded according to the severity of the defect. If you are going to have a qualifier system, why not have a crease (CR) qualifier or a corners (CO) qualifier? Are these defects fundamentally different than, for example, a centering defect (OC, MC)?

I can't say that I agree. Sure, I'm not a fan of the qualifier system, but I understand it in principle. OC, PD, MC and OF I guess I'm ok with because they're giving the grade that the card is in through no fault of the owner or any previous owners as it would've came from the pack. The MK is absolutely ridiculous. It's a defaced card, there should not be a qualifier for that.

[Gradedcardman]

Just a followup. When I submit cards for grading I ask for no qualifiers. The "mark" they will not ignore but the balance of qualifiers they will adjust for. I have always found the non qualified cards easier to sell or trade.