you have to be kidding me

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Posted By: Grade Tech Services, Inc.

Today, there was an unfortunate incident. A T-206 Christy Mathewson reprint card was posted on eBay stated to be the original. Several of the hobbyists in the vintage card community called this to our attention. We at Grade Tech immediately contacted the eBay auctioneer, alerting him to this issue and asking him to withdraw the card for further inspection, which he promptly did.

In conversations throughout the course of the day, we have come to realize that his listing was not with bad intent and was an honest error. In turn, we also recognize that we at Grade Tech were in error by allowing a reprint card to be graded and encapsulated as an original. We take full responsibility for this lapse of attention.

We are now in our second month of active grading. As any new company, we must learn from our shortcomings. We have spent the last year developing our product model and it is in our charter to “right size” the card grading industry through the use of computer technology. Our model itself, embodies honesty and innovation through it use of photographs, microscopic analysis and detailed synopsis in the form of a CD report card. We have invested both time and capital in building this paradigm and we are committed to its growth and integrity.

Grade Tech would like to use this incident as a springboard to an opportunity. Moving forward, we intend to apply the utmost attention to vintage card issues, as well as fortifying our existing staff with the creation of the a Vintage Card Specialist position. We are currently accepting inquiries at vintage_specialist@grade-tech.com for anyone that may be interested.

We apologize to the vintage card community for this unfortunate occurrence. As it has been noted in this forum, even the leading grading companies are not immune to similar error. This is not an excuse, nor is there one. We simply wish to be given the opportunity to rectify this mistake. We thank you in advance for your understanding and support.

Best Regards,

Joe Quagliano, President, Grade Tech Services, Inc.
Lloyd Glavocich, Vice President, Grade Tech Services, Inc.