OMG - The Hits Just Keep Rolling - some good Mojo

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Today, I'm the president and CEO of PSA's parent company and I don't agree with every card, autograph or bat grade issued ... and that's OK. As a collector, I don't have to. Why? Because I don't have to buy it. We have choices, which is part of what makes collecting so much fun. As an individual, I am entitled to an opinion too and it's OK if my personal standard differs from a third-party service. Their job isn't to confirm my opinion; it's to render their own.

Like most other industries, ours contains a fraction of people who choose to do nothing more than complain about how third-party systems are imperfect, instead of offering feasible or logical ways of making it better. Their expectation of human-based opinion services is simply unattainable. There are realities and limitations to what any third-party service can do.

If it were up to them, there would be no umpires in baseball either, because these men don't get every ball and strike call correct. Card and coin graders, like umpires, must make decisions repeatedly in a relatively short period of time. They do the best job they can, but like all people, they are not perfect. They can only judge what they see in front of them and interpret what their eyes are observing. Grading is not conducted in a science lab. It is simply humans looking at collectibles.

The train left the station a long time ago. You can choose to get on board and take the ride, which can occasionally get bumpy along the way, or get left behind with delusions that somehow returning to the Wild West of the 1980s is better than what collectors have today. If you prefer to collect raw cards, that's OK. There are many ways to enjoy our wonderful hobby.

In the meantime, the beat goes on. After 20 years at the company and a lifetime in this hobby, there are a few things I know. There will always be challenges that our hobby will have to face and, unfortunately, there will also be those who choose to spread fear and ignorance. For those of us who love the hobby, there will always be opportunities to improve it by engaging in civil discourse.

More importantly, third-party authentication and grading is here to stay. It makes the hobby better, even though no system will ever be perfect.

Never get cheated,

Ooooh goody, another meaningless statement. I LOVE these.

[Peter_Spaeth]

The corporate culture and attitude, which took its direction from David Hall initially and then Joe, is in my opinion vile. Time to write another formulaic piece on another big dollar collector with stacks of altered cards, I think. That's who they cater to anyhow.

[pokerplyr80]

It didn't take long for this thread to turn negative despite the OP's request for good vibes.

I thought about trying to make the national this year but it wasn't looking good with scheduling and I decided with all of these auctions running I would take the funds I might have spent on the trip and put them towards a card. Hopefully I can find the one I've been looking for.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Ooooh goody, another meaningless statement. I LOVE these.

I’m explore Mr. Orlando to take a look before and after on the 144 Goudey Ruth

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?p=14874068

Your experts graders are not experts, they’re Opinion Renders ...your Statement above confirms that’s all your company does, renders a Opinion, nothing more, nothing less...the link above proves they’re not experts, they’re amateurs with inaccurate opinions. Please cut Marketing them as experts. I now call them “Opinion Renders”. Their opinion is now worthless to me.

I Won’t be Cheated any further.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Your expectation is unattainable. Stop spreading fear and ignorance.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

I’m explore Mr. Orlando to take a look before and after on the 144 Goudey Ruth

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?p=14874068

Your experts graders are not experts, they’re Opinion Renders ...your Statement above confirms that’s all your company does, renders a Opinion, nothing more, nothing less...the link above proves they’re not experts, they’re amateurs with inaccurate opinions. Please cut Marketing them as experts. I now call them “Opinion Renders”. Their opinion is now worthless to me.

I Won’t be Cheated any further.

How could this Babe Ruth Goudey abomination not be commented on further?

That may be the worst and most amateurish attempt at concealing an erasure mark that I have ever seen. It is a glaringly horrific cover-up, stands out like a sore thumb, and the fact that PSA missed it is very hard to believe.

I am so sick of hearing how talented and sophisticated the fraudsters and card doctors have become... and that it is nearly impossible for PSA to detect their advanced methods. That is such BS.... find a simple ruler and spend more than 5 seconds on the damned card, or stop giving favorable treatment to your partners in crime. Just pick which one applies (or both!)

It will be quite interesting to see what the FBI uncovers in upcoming weeks. I am believing less and less in the ineptitude/incompetence theory... there has to be more. And the timing of Orlando's most recent meaningless letter is strikingly reminiscent of the "Conservation Letter" Huigens released just before the sh*t hit the fan.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by perezfan

How could this Babe Ruth Goudey abomination not be commented on further?

That is the worst and most amateurish attempt at concealing an erasure mark that I have ever seen. It is a glaringly horrific cover-up, stands out like a sore thumb, and the fact that PSA missed it is very hard to believe.

I am so sick of hearing how talented and sophisticated the fraudsters and card doctors have become... and that it is nearly impossible for PSA to detect their advanced methods. That is complete BS... spend more than 5 seconds on the damned card, or stop giving favorable treatment to your partners in crime!

It will be quite interesting to see what the FBI uncovers in upcoming weeks. I am believing less and less in the ineptitude/incompetence theory... there has to be more. And the timing of Orlando's idiotic letter is strikingly reminiscent of the "Conservation Letter" Huigens released just before the sh*t hit the fan.

Yes 100% agree this was the worst card I’ve seen so far !!!
Total Disgrace along with his shameful comments this morning...
His arrogance in his Ironclad Defense of Opinion Only Services is a strait up Up Yours move along this will pass to the Industry.

[ejharrington]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Ooooh goody, another meaningless statement. I LOVE these.

I actually largely agree with what he says about the grade a card receives as being an opinion. It is, so long as the card is not manipulated/altered/conserved/restored/etc. However, what is disappointing is he does not acknowledge the mistakes made or, even more importantly, assure people who rely on his company to identify altered cards that they will take steps to improve in the future.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by ejharrington

I actually largely agree with what he says about the grade a card receives as being an opinion. It is, so long as the card is not manipulated/altered/conserved/restored/etc. However, what is disappointing is he does not acknowledge the mistakes made or, even more importantly, assure people who rely on his company to identify altered cards that they will take steps to improve in the future.

Well said sir !!!

[MVSNYC]

Ryan, great original post. I'm excited too.

[x2drich2000]

Now if all the auction houses would just put out a preview so everyone didn't overspend on things they didn't really need.

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

Now if all the auction houses would just put out a preview so everyone didn't overspend on things they didn't really need.

Amen brother!!

And, if you want to talk about PSA or PWCC, fine - just please do it on another thread. It would be nice to have one F-ing thread that wasn't about PSA and PWCC.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Amen brother!!

And, if you want to talk about PSA or PWCC, fine - just please do it on another thread. It would be nice to have one F-ing thread that wasn't about PSA and PWCC.

Fair enough... and sorry that I was one of the violators on this particular thread.

There is indeed a ton of exciting activity right around the corner, and most of it is great legitimate merchandise.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by ejharrington

I actually largely agree with what he says about the grade a card receives as being an opinion. It is, so long as the card is not manipulated/altered/conserved/restored/etc. However, what is disappointing is he does not acknowledge the mistakes made or, even more importantly, assure people who rely on his company to identify altered cards that they will take steps to improve in the future.

Sorry, I've made that point so often I just assume that's what everybody sees regardless of what words I use. Pretty much exactly how I feel, and without addressing CONCRETE, OBJECTIVE errors his company has made I'm not really interested in his blather about the subjective differences people may have on grades received.

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Ooooh goody, another meaningless statement. I LOVE these.

Scott, I believe that the corporate term for Orlando's statement is "damage-control statement."