Everyone doesn't "know" this. So, what SHOULD REA have done with the cards? Please explain what REA (legally) could have done to PROHIBIT these cards from entering the market.

While I agree with the majority opinion here, I would also hope that if this was done, if the consignor and/or REA resubmitted the card to PSA for a second look and clarification, that these facts would also have been disclosed and stated as such in the auction listing. The fact they are not leads me to believe these steps were not taken by either the consignor or REA in order to put REA's concerns to rest.

I'm sure some discussion between the consignor and REA did take place though.

I 100% agree with this, it is on PSA to fix this problem, I emailed Joe Orlando with a link to the auction lots in question. None-the-less, it is up to the consignor, consignee, bidders and us to help keep these bad cards off the market.


Personally, I don't think this is a simple "difference in opinion". I have been tracking a lot of these older flips for a while. There were several dozen (probably more) high grade, trimmed cards that got past PSA and entered the market. I haven't seen too many newer flips with this isue - I would like to believe that whatever was causing this (a problem grader, a lenient environment or lack of knowledge) was fixed. Hopefully if these cards were re-evaluated by PSA they would be slabbed "authentic".


I think they should have declined the consignment.

Or, I think they should have sent the cards in to be re-evaluated. I have consigned plenty of items to these auction houses and whenever I have a group of nicer raw cards they always foot the bill to have them graded for me. There is potentially $20,000+ in trimmed cards here - around $4,000 in buyer's premiums alone. I think that it is negligent to not have them checked out before listing. It would've cost them less than $200 and IF they came back okay from PSA, then include the disclaimer and tell people you had them reevaluated and viola! you bring in more money and you make back your $200.

But don't you think the consignor would have found another auction house that would be willing to take them? At least this way, they are described accurately.

This is getting painful to read. REA should have taken someone else's property and sent it back to PSA for a 're-evaluation?" Really? Do you train unicorns for a living?

Priceless.....:D

So honestly, no one here has a problem with 14 trimmed cards in PSA 8 holders entering the market?

Maybe if you ask a third time you'll get the answer you're looking for?

Glad I got busy at work and didn't reply sooner. Saved me from typing the same response (minus the unicorns, though). LOL

Of course no one likes trimmed cards, in numerical holders, on the market. Maybe you should buy them all and send them into PSA for a re-evaluation?

@ Scott F who asked the question, "Is it reasonable to assume that the consignor and REA discussed this before the item was added to the catalog with its description as "possibly trimmed?"

I sold my T206 near set with Rob about 4-5 years ago. It was 475 or so cards to the set. He noted to me after looking at the set that he felt there were a few cards (I think 8-10 or so) that he felt were trimmed. It was 99% ungraded. He graded maybe 15-20 cards in the process. In his auction description, he noted the cards he felt were trimmed. So, the current disclosure of trimmed cards is not a new development for REA.

And I think Rob and his folks are doing all the right things with these cards. There is, however, NO GUARANTEE that the next person that sells them will do the same thing. The buyers could turn around and sell them on ebay the next day without that disclosure. I'd say the PSA8 T206 set collectors out there could probably be counted on a couple hands, so they are probably pretty good at keeping up with cards/certs/etc but someone could miss it. Who knows.

Regardless, PSA should make good on the deal and note them as 'A' and re-enter them into circulation. Some of the group are way worse than the others too.........

I'm surprised that more of our experienced T206 group or advanced collectors have not weighed in on this. I don't collect the T206 set but even I know that the Harris collection has raised eyebrows for years. Here is a card from that collection auctioned by REA back in 2009, in which the same language is used to advise of a possible trim. Why all the outrage now?
http://robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2009/248.html

Let me ask you this. If the cards were not in PSA 8 holders and they were just selling 14 raw trimmed cards (that otherwise looked NM/MT) still describing them as trimmed, would you still have a problem?

Edited to clarify my question.

"From the responses given, no they don't."


No, I have no problem with an AH selling trimmed cards (as long as they're described as trimmed. My issue is that they have been assigned a numerical grade. If they weren't graded and just appeared NM-MT I wouldn't have a problem with it, I know that there's a market for it (I have a few trimmed t206's in my personal collection).

Because they have been assigned a numerical grade it opens the door wide open to future fraud, deception and theft. There are $500 worth of cards here, but they will sell for a combined $20,000 because no one is willing to take these off the market. I know REA is doing what they can to inform the buyer, but these cards should not be sold in these holders.

This is what happens!!!!


This card was sold by REA with the disclaimer, "In our opinion, this card has been very slightly trimmed at the top, though someone else could have a different opinion."

http://robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2009/248.html

Since then it has changed hands twice!

Once on ebay 6 months later for $1,893 TWICE THE AMOUNT PAID!!! DO you think it had a disclaimer? I doubt it.

And then it was sold again here:

http://www.milehighcardco.com/LotDet...-PSA-8-NM%2fMT

No disclaimer. Shame on Mile High, but shame on REA for KNOWING that this card is trimmed but allowing it to enter the market. Someone profited on this card because they got it for a bargain at REA and flipped it months later. How can anyone say that what REA is doing helps our hobby?

OK so far, you've offered 2 solutions to stop them from being sold in these holders.

1 ) REA should refuse to sell them. Fine, REA can do that, but do you honestly think no one else will sell them? Especially if the INTENT is deceive?

2 ) REA should turn them in to PSA for re-evaluation. Again, REA does not OWN the cards so they can not legally do that without buyer consent.

So the onus still falls squarely on the seller and PSA. REA can do no more than what they are already doing.

They have offered their OPINION on the cards in question, and my guess is, they would have had to get the seller's consent to even do that.

Do you have any other logical options to what REA should do?

Thanks for proving your option 1 won't work.

My brain hurts.

I think the only solution is for you to bid and win these items from REA then it's off the market.. you can then get it graded properly...problem solved....

Ricky Y

Ricky, alot of people like to pass the buck. PSA does have a card guarantee. I know that I have submitted several cards under the card guarantee, and got rewarded with grading vouchers and the card returned in a lower grade case. I don't know of anyone else who has submitted under the "Grade Guarantee". If people have, I would love to hear about it!

why would you want a card in a lower grade case when people are busting cards out of their cases all the time trying to resubmit them to get a higher grade? Isn't getting a higher grade the point since it is all just subjective on their part anyway?

yeah, they can refuse to sell them if they are confident they are trimmed.

if someone else sells them, rea still did the right thing. just because the consignor can try to sell them somewhere else isnt rea's concern.

Expecting him or anyone else to be the gatekeeper of the market, especially when he has made full disclosure, is beyond absurd. If you are so concerned, I suggest that you buy it yourself and destroy it.

Please re-read the post and response.

REA refusing to sell them will not stop this, no matter how noble the (empty) gesture. Any questions?

I have a better proposal. Please send me all your cards directly to me so I can re-evaluate them. I will review them and return the ones that I don't believe to be trimmed. On the ones I believe to be trimmed, I will stamp "TRIMMED" on the back of the cards and keep them so that they can never deceive anyone again. I promise to send the non-trimmed ones back. Remember, your mileage may vary. :D

First of all, I acknowledge REA for disclosure on cards they had concerns with. Would most auction houses do that? I sincerely doubt it. Secondly, if you have concerns with the card, simply don't bid, period. There are a couple of cards that I had a concern with, but they are not any of the 14 disclosed. REA vs. PSA? It's your opinion, but nobody has a gun to their heads...

That's the thing... they are already in the marketplace.

I don't have a problem with REA auctioning off these cards with the disclaimer. I have a problem with PSA grading these cards as Nm-Mt in the first place. PSA should buy these cards back -- it is their responsibility to get them "out of the market". I would be curious to hear their reply, if you could, please. Thanks for contacting them about the cards.

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