Quote:
Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy
Correct, Steve Hart does not grade the packs, he only authenticates them. I think my point was missed though. Earlier in the thread, someone inferred that grading companies (owners or employees) should not be allowed to grade their own cards and sell them. I agree with that. That same person then said there is too much temptation to over grade or overlook flaws. I agree with that too, not to mention there is also too much temptation for corruption.
My point was that Steve Hart authenticates his own unopened product and then sends it to PSA for grading. What's to keep Steve honest? Who is verifying his work? Can I authenticate my own packs and send them to PSA for grading? I guarantee you I can authenticate just as good as he does. He's made his mistakes, but we won't get into those. But my point is that graders/authenticaters should not be allowed to grade and/or authenticate their own stuff and then sell it - it's just too much room for corruption.
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I would agree with your point if he wasn't already widely regarded as the best and most honest unopened specialist before PSA contracted him. That marriage notwithstanding, his authenticated packs, boxes, and cases already sell for a steep premium. If it's wrapped by his brand - add 25%. If it comes with a FAFSC sticker as well - add another 15%. He doesn't need PSA. PSA needs him. His prices and reputation don't get to such a place by picking and choosing when to be honest. I don't doubt you could authenticate packs well, but when someone wants to sell or authenticate a high dollar pack or wax box they don't think to themselves "I should have David James look at this." Not knocking you, but you can't short a guy because he's built a brand - and an honest one at that. Yes, he's made mistakes here and there, but I do know he makes it right if he is wrong and the thousands of high grade important cards pulled from his packs speak volumes.
I'm sorry but I don't believe a well respected businessman in the hobby should recluse themselves because they were deemed good enough by a TPG or TPA to work with. Jim Stinson is at the top of my list when it comes to autographs and I trust him implicitly. If tomorrow he were contracted by Spence to authenticate for JSA I wouldn't start questioning his items he still sold until I was given a strict reason to.
You asked "what's to keep Steve Hart honest?" The answer: nothing. This hobby, however, requires you operate with a semblance of trust occasionally - in sellers, buyers, authenticators, etc. If I had none for anyone whatsoever I'd collect thimbles. Because thimbles seem safe.