I don't want PSA to introduce tamper-proof holder because....
 

I like the option of cracking out cards for my raw sets, one reason I never consider buying BVG cards. I'm guessing PSA never wanted tamper-proof cases as it would turn off raw collectors like myself...

Tamper proof
 

Not sure what would make a holder tamper proof. I use a bolt cutter to free cards. It does not tamper

I crack BVG's. I just make sure I wear my safety goggles.

I've cracked several. Not too tough with a flat head and a hammer used carefully.

Along with a friend of mine, I have become an equal opportunity cracker-outer. :D

Following up on Al's comment, is there some rumbling within the grading industry to make holders tamper-proof? What would that involve - an encasement so tight that the card might be damaged by attempts to open the case?

Forget tamper proof. There's no such thing and anyways, the cases already are...you can't crack and reseal without the telltale frosting.

What they REALLY NEED is a counterfeit resistant label insert. Because right now it is SO easy to just lift an authentic label from, say, Heritage Auctions, do a little photoshop maagic and hey presto, you've got a seemingly authentic label with a real ID paired with a bogus '52 Mantle.

There needs to be a hologram or something, much like what PCGS uses on their coin inserts.

Example
 

Here is an example, yes the card is a "6" but I would've only bought it to crack out for my raw set, had it been in a BVG holder or the new proposed PSA tamper-proof one, I wouldn't have been a buyer...

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps80898b08.jpg

Great Podres!

Do you want a card, or a piece of valuable plastic?
 

What I was wondering about after reading the first posts, was if there have been ideas floated about plasticizing cards in such a way that any attempt to free them would result in heavy damage to the card itself? No offense, but who gives a flying blank about a damaged holder, except maybe fraudsters - or grading companies looking to discourage them.

Not true. Some people found a way to crack out cards without the frosting. There was a big to-do over on Blowout forum about it. The people doing it were only focusing on certain cards but they were then taking them to B/S/T forums and trying to sell them. Many were sold privately or through ebay.

I believe this was the impetus for PSA to come up with a better holder.

I started wondering the same thing. If this does happen, there will be a segment of collectors who won't buy cards in the new style holders. I know there are others here who maintain ungraded collections and sometimes crack out cards. Such collectors will be targeting current and older graded slabs. Probably won't be enough to influence the grading companies or the prices of graded cards, but it might diminish the supply of cards available to ungraded card collectors.

There isn't a holder that can't be cracked. I haven't had a reason to, but If I had to get a card out of a Beckett holder I'd just take it out to the tablesaw. I can't imagine the new PSA holder would be any tougher.
Maybe I should start a "deslabbing" service?

Back before pages and other holders were common, some people would get their cards laminated. Basically a clear plastic sheet melted around and onto the card. If you were lucky it wasn't done "right" and didn't stick to the card. If not there's no easy way to get it off without horrible damage. Like peeling the card in half horrible. or worse. A bad idea all around.

There's plenty of ways to make a holder tamper evident without risking damage to the card. I'm assuming the point would be to ruin the slab and /or flip, so the card couldn't be swapped for a lower grade or reprint.

Steve B

This is correct!

Also, if you have any type of workbench, chisel out a 1/2 inch deep slot to hold the card into...not too wide of course, but it works like a charm. I have a little "cracking station" in my garage with a mini flathead and and hammer all ready to go.

Laughing out loud.

So, you're saying that the people who get paid for their opinions not only care about collectors, but specifically care about collectors who do not pay people for their opinions?

I would have to respectfully disagree.

The only reason that any of the paid for their opinion folks care one way or the other is if it means that people will "resubmit", and pay again.

Doug