GoneWithTheStain ? Anyone use these services?

[steve B]

Well......

1)This is as good a place as any.

2) I haven't used his service, and don't recall the specifics of the banning.

But altering cards- removing stains, flattening creases etc is generally frowned on in the hobby.

It usually becomes a heated debate as to exactly what is considered to be an alteration. Some favor some degree of things being done as long as it's towards preservation and not deceptive, But even those things can be deceptive later if the next person to own it doesn't disclose the alteration. Most people would be against removing wrinkles.
Other people consider anything that changes the card from its "as found" state to be an alteration - like removing scrapbook residue, or ingrained dirt etc.

I would strongly advise against having wrinkles worked on, even by a professional. The current thinking is that it's a deceptive alteration and if it's known negatively affects the cards value. By extension, if someone is known to use repair services, their cards become somewhat suspect even if they haven't been worked on.

[Slinger]

Very interesting perspective and points that I didn't realize.

I appreciate the input and helping me learn. I have quite the learning curve to catch up on since I have been gone from the hobby for nearly 30 years. Thank you.

[pclpads]

If you click on the "search" tab on this page and type in GoneWithTheStain, you will find an extensive read on this and poss. answers to your questions.

[Slinger]

Originally Posted by pclpads

If you click on the "search" tab on this page and type in GoneWithTheStain, you will find an extensive read on this and poss. answers to your questions.

Tried that first before posting. Wasn't successful. Hence the post. My apologies if my computer didn't find the threads you mention.

[bn2cardz]

He was banned because as a whole the idea of alteration is frowned. He didn't specifically do anything on here cause the banishment.

I don't know from first hand, but I have seen people mention that when wrinkles are removed they can come back later down the road since the paper is already ruined.

The only alteration that seems "ok" to some (about 50-50 still) is soaking to remove residue using water. Wrinkle removing is probably the second most accepted, but still I don't see as many ok with that as they are with soaking.

As mentioned it can cause some heated debates within the hobby. Particularly for those that get left holding a card that was altered and it caused further damage after it was acquired.

[Slinger]

Totally makes sense on all points. Appreciate the insight. Thank you!

[kailes2872]

I used him on a card one time a couple of years ago. I had seen him mentioned in a thread here and had a '55 Koufax that had a stain on the front and back and was hoping for his help in getting them out. It was a decent card otherwise, maybe a 3 and, at the time, I was trying to figure out if I need to upgrade it. It was $75. When I got it back, quite honestly, I couldn't tell much of a difference.

I eventually got a PSA 6 of Koufax so that I had all HOFers in PSA 6 for the set. I obviously still have the other Koufax as I hold onto most if not all of my doubles.

I didn't realize the controversy at the time since I was simply trying to get a stain out and I know that most are okay with soaking so I thought it was no different. I obviously would avoid it in the future due first and foremost to the fact that it is frowned upon and because it didn't work great for me.