[Kenny Cole]

Originally Posted by 68Hawk

A. I don't think they portray themselves as anything other than a business offering a service to give opinion on the condition and authenticity of cards (as well as other things..)
I think all the companies are comfortable with other opinions being different to theirs, and you are not forced to accept their findings.
They give a quick breakdown of what they are looking for and giving a grade to so that you can see their approx thinking. It is not a final judgement, it is an opinion that enough collectors agree with and value that they will pay money to have given.

B. I agree, money will buy you access, and with access and large amounts of money come the opportunity for corruption.
Show me an industry free from it.

I would say the very clear nature of display of the card in a slab, allowing such good viewing of it's properties, makes it more difficult for wildly innacurate grades to be passed along and not widely questioned.

The problem lies at the high end, whether that's in vintage and high end is nrmt-mt, or modern where it's gem mint. And the differences between those assigned grades can be difficult to see or argue.

So, some have and will continue to find ways to buy their way into rigging the system for their financial benefit. I accept it.
I still believe that if 50-100K people submit to any particular company, the overwhelming majority are getting a normal and honest service. Not EVERYONE is buying their way to a '10'.

The scoundrels should be caught where possible, but it's never going to be a 'clean' industry. No industry that involves the exchange of money is.

So, accept the limitations, help to bring mistakes to center stage, and enjoy these little bits of cardboard.

Or not and just write of your angst on a message board.

Fortunately, I don't have too much angst. I have tried to be pretty selective in my choices and have never been too invested in grades. I don't submit enough to have much swack, which, ironically, allows me much more freedom to call it as I see it. Nor do I give a f_ck about what people think about my collection. So I'm good. Right now, that allows me to say that what I see is not what I wish that I would see. In any event, peace.