What's your opinion on owning altered cards?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by perezfan

It's not my cup of tea...

But for those of you who like 'em trimmed and altered, there's a slew of Cracker Jacks in the current Heritage auction to wet your whistle.

Only a week to go, and no signs of warning, disclosure, addendum or withdrawal on the part of Heritage. Here's a preview...

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1460488

Would it surprise you if SGC had pulled a PSA and confirmed the grades?

[prewarsports]

I look at it this way. If it is "Authentic" because a kid erased a pencil letter on the back or something like that, and you can get a card that looks like a 7 for the price of a beat-up 1, I would prefer that ALL DAY!

Some altered cards to me are hard passes, but depending on the alteration, some are great values. Especially if the "alteration" is something like a colored in corner or other factor that does not affect the integrity of the card like a trim job or something with malicious intent to deceive.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Would it surprise you if SGC had pulled a PSA and confirmed the grades?

Not in the least. The sleaze factor is about equal.

What would pleasantly surprise me is if Heritage would do the right thing, based on the conclusive evidence provided by BODA.

At a bare minimum:
Let the auctions continue, but with addendums in red font, linking the evidence of alteration. Also allow people to retract any bids placed prior to the addendum being posted.

At a more expected level:
Withdraw each of the lots revealed to be altered. People have already placed bids based on the premise that these cards were legitimate. Some might not even see an addendum, unless they were to revisit the page and re-read the descriptions.

[Jobu]

I have several As that I like quite a bit. If my budget has me looking at an A that looks great or a 1 that looks rough, I think going with the A can be a good thing. If I am able to find a 1 or a 2 with good eye appeal I would usually prefer those, but picking up an A the looks like a 4 still gives you a great card to look at. (I am not interested in As that are badly trimmed or have another alteration that is hard not to notice.)

[Sean]

My two favorite cards in my collection are Authentics. Both seem to be hand cut from sheets. I could never find one of them in a number grade, and the other would be unaffordable if graded. So no, it doesn't bother me at all that they are considered altered.

[GasHouseGang]

Originally Posted by Jobu

I have several As that I like quite a bit. If my budget has me looking at an A that looks great or a 1 that looks rough, I think going with the A can be a good thing. If I am able to find a 1 or a 2 with good eye appeal I would usually prefer those, but picking up an A the looks like a 4 still gives you a great card to look at. (I am not interested in As that are badly trimmed or have another alteration that is hard not to notice.)

That's were I was too. I hadn't seen any nice looking 1's, so I went with a card graded A.

[Yoda]

I believe it all has to do with the psychology of the buyer. If he decides he can live with it prior alterations, knowing the card's limitations and save bucks in the process, then why not? If this is not the route other buyers wish to follow and knowing full well what they are buying, then power to them.

It shows the overpowering influence and power the TPGers have over the entire industry. For those who collect only raw cards with no intention to ever sell, their chances of reaping huge gains may not be there but peace of mind must be.

When I started a retail business back in the 90's, there were no graded cards, Then, when PSA launched, graded card began trickling into the marketplace, The debate, still resonating today, was whether TPG was necessary. The overwhelming opinion was negative. Several well-known dealers publicly spoke, saying they would never carry a graded in their inventory. Sure

[prewarsports]

Originally Posted by Yoda

I believe it all has to do with the psychology of the buyer. If he decides he can live with it prior alterations, knowing the card's limitations and save bucks in the process, then why not? If this is not the route other buyers wish to follow and knowing full well what they are buying, then power to them.

It shows the overpowering influence and power the TPGers have over the entire industry. For those who collect only raw cards with no intention to ever sell, their chances of reaping huge gains may not be there but peace of mind must be.

When I started a retail business back in the 90's, there were no graded cards, Then, when PSA launched, graded card began trickling into the marketplace, The debate, still resonating today, was whether TPG was necessary. The overwhelming opinion was negative. Several well-known dealers publicly spoke, saying they would never carry a graded in their inventory. Sure

Yes but this is a two-edged sword. The vast majority of altered cards were done after grading came about in an attempt to capitalize on the value of high grade cards in slabs. Had 3rd party graders never entered the hobby, most of the "authentic" cards would not have been altered in the first place.

[FrankWakefield]

Altered... as in soaked, or pencil marks have been erased off of the back? Bring them on, stack them up, I'm good with those. Trimming annoys me, I don't want those, generally. And really don't like it when ink or color has been added to conceal a blemish.

In general, I'm in agreement with what the OP and the DDS said.


To some extent doesn't slabbing a card alter it; while it's in there you can't really touch it or hold it. Golly, what if a guy gave a girl an engagement ring, but because of great 4 C rating from the GIA the ring has to stay in a safety deposit box? That would be just a few steps removed from slabbing a diamond ring.

[FrankWakefield]

Altered... as in soaked, or pencil marks have been erased off of the back? Bring them on, stack them up, I'm good with those. Trimming annoys me, I don't want those, generally. And really don't like it when ink or color has been added to conceal a blemish.

In general, I'm in agreement with what the OP and the DDS said.


To some extent doesn't slabbing a card alter it; while it's in there you can't really touch it or hold it. Golly, what if a guy gave a girl an engagement ring, but because of great 4 C rating from the GIA the ring has to stay in a safety deposit box? That would be just a few steps removed from slabbing a diamond ring.