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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Morgandude11, post: 2063004, member: 37839&quot;]Doug, to answer your question, as you did point out some advantages of the TPGs--there are just as many folks who do not think that the grading of TPGs is whimsical, as you suggest.&nbsp; You make it sound as if everybody agrees with you--that Third Party graders are arbitrary, and change standards all the time.&nbsp; MANY folks actively disagree with your statements here, and state it openly--probably as many as support your views.&nbsp; However, we&#039;re not doing quantitative studies as to how many people support Doug in his opinions. </p><p><br /></p><p>The main reason I question your extreme condemnation of TPG grading &quot;inconsistencies&quot; as you call them is your position here.&nbsp; Being the &quot;big cheese,&quot; some newer collectors, and some followers will not question your position, as you are one of the most senior persons here--they assume that everything you say is absolute gospel.&nbsp; I am arguing that while there is some minimal irregularity with TPGs, they get it right MOST of the time.&nbsp; That is the important thing--THEY GET IT RIGHT MOST OF THE TIME.&nbsp;&nbsp; The positive grading result is far higher than it was before TPGs, and when word grading scales predominated--in those &quot;bad old days&quot; that some folks do not remember, grading was arbitrary between buyer and seller.&nbsp; I could call all of my coins XF, when in reality, they might be closer to VF or even VG.&nbsp; Nothing questioned my call as &quot;Joe Seller&quot; except for the marketplace, and a lot of people ended up buying coins grossly overgraded or damaged.&nbsp;&nbsp; TPGs have equalized the playing field, so that a third party makes the call, and that third party does not have a vested interest in the transaction between buyer and seller.&nbsp; This is what is crucially important--an expert third party makes grading calls, and not someone who has a vested financial interest in the trading of coins.&nbsp; It is almost like playing hockey without a referee, and letting the teams call the infractions versus, a third party making penalty calls.</p><p><br /></p><p>Do TPGS blow the call sometimes?&nbsp; Of course--they are human.&nbsp; However, they are far more accurate in most situations, and while variances do exist, they are comparatively small.&nbsp;&nbsp; Some folks disagree with this philosophy, but you make it sound as if it were the entire coin collecting community--that is simply NOT true.&nbsp;&nbsp; Most collectors, myself included, know how to grade, buy coins that they like and do have a basic trust of the third party to make a good call.&nbsp; Would I buy a coin that I knew to be a &quot;bad call&quot; on the part of the TPG?&nbsp; OF course not--I buy a lot on eye appeal and what I like.&nbsp; The adage &quot;buy the coin and not the holder&quot; is certainly partially true.&nbsp; One&#039;s own judgement should be the final arbitrator in a purchasing situation.&nbsp; However, it is very nice to have a safety net, so that arms length transactions, unseen purchases, and third party buying can take place with a certain amount of reliability and safety.&nbsp; You think I am stating that TPGs are omniscient--far from that.&nbsp; I am stating that the better ones are reliable, and far from the guesswork of grading by the &quot;word--&quot; Very Fine, vs VF 30 from a company that does back their opinions with a guarantee.&nbsp;&nbsp; I have used said guarantee a few times, and have NEVER had trouble getting my money back--perhaps you have had other results, but I simply have not had the negative experience you describe.</p><p><br /></p><p>When it comes down to the final analysis, one needs to buy what one likes--however said person looks at it.&nbsp; One needs to be happy with his/her purchase.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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