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HPC
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"The customer is always right" is the most cliche and misued saying in business and most people who throw that phrase around when things don't go their way don't realistically understand how a business is run.
Dealing with a business is a calculated risk:
-You're hoping the sushi restaurant prepared your food correctly or the burger joint cooked your burger right
-You're hoping the audio and projector at movie theater you drove to works correctly so you can enjoy yourself
-You're hoping the iPhone you bought from ATT works properly
-You're hoping that the watch you bought off eBay is what was advertised and arrives safely
-You're hoping the car you bought from Sanderson runs like it is supposed to
-You're hoping the cards you send to BGS/PSA get handled with care and a grader or employee doesn't accidentally damage one of them
(You are also expecting these things to happen because it is good business practice, however, things sometimes happen that are even beyond a business' control.)
Normally if something doesnt work properly or a business doesn't do their job correctly they rectify the situation the best they can.
But, obviously, if a business replaced everything that someone brought back with a brand new item or honored every claim made against them, well, they wouldnt be open for very long.
Does ATT/Verizon/Sprint take every person at their word who said that their iPhone/Droid was already damaged or doesnt work because of a manufactuer defect? Hell no.
Why? Because people lie. All. The. Damn. Time. Every. Day.
This is the reason most places have a strict set of return guidelines.
Now, imagine a business like BGS whose job it is to assign a grade to an already valuable card and how they handle thousands upon thousands of cards every day.
How many people do you think call or email and say their card was damaged by a BGS employee and that is why it graded lower than pristine? Just guess. (I'm sure our former employee can provide insight.)
Also, it makes more sense for a company (BGS or whoever) to be upfront and admit to damaging a card if they did.
Why? For the same reason that Chevy/Dodge/Ford/etc issue recall notices on parts that don't work properly. For the same reason that food companies recall certain brands of fish or peanut butter.
The most obvious: legal issues that can arise. Many successful businesses have gotten shut down for deceptive practices and lying.
Any time you are dealing with a business there is a chance for a) human error and b) computer error.
Obviously, it is impossible avoid either of those from happening somewhere down the line.
So, when sending in cards to be graded or buying cards (graded or not) on eBay you have to assess the risk involved and decide whether or not it is worth it for you to submit them or buy them.
Are you worried that your cards will be damaged in the hands of a reckless or uncaring employee or that they will be damaged whilst in transit? Maybe on-site grading is for you. Not near a show that has on-site grading? That is risk you must assess.
Do people sometimes get screwed by companies? Absolutely. I'm not saying that never happens and it's a crappy situation when it does.
So, the question you have to ask yourself in almost any situation: is the risk worth it?
If your answer is "no" or you are unsure then you would probably better holding off. If you answer "no" or are unsure yet still proceed then you know what they say...caveat emptor.
No one should go through life expecting to get ripped off, screwed, or otherwise at every turn. The fact is, however, it is a matter of life that it does happen.
This should be especially considered because we all deal with collectibles of high value that sometimes cannot be replaced in it's current or a different condition.
/Sorry for the long read. This thread is not to specifically call anyone out or call people liars or insult people, but to hopefully provide some insight that might be helpful to some.
Dealing with a business is a calculated risk:
-You're hoping the sushi restaurant prepared your food correctly or the burger joint cooked your burger right
-You're hoping the audio and projector at movie theater you drove to works correctly so you can enjoy yourself
-You're hoping the iPhone you bought from ATT works properly
-You're hoping that the watch you bought off eBay is what was advertised and arrives safely
-You're hoping the car you bought from Sanderson runs like it is supposed to
-You're hoping the cards you send to BGS/PSA get handled with care and a grader or employee doesn't accidentally damage one of them
(You are also expecting these things to happen because it is good business practice, however, things sometimes happen that are even beyond a business' control.)
Normally if something doesnt work properly or a business doesn't do their job correctly they rectify the situation the best they can.
But, obviously, if a business replaced everything that someone brought back with a brand new item or honored every claim made against them, well, they wouldnt be open for very long.
Does ATT/Verizon/Sprint take every person at their word who said that their iPhone/Droid was already damaged or doesnt work because of a manufactuer defect? Hell no.
Why? Because people lie. All. The. Damn. Time. Every. Day.
This is the reason most places have a strict set of return guidelines.
Now, imagine a business like BGS whose job it is to assign a grade to an already valuable card and how they handle thousands upon thousands of cards every day.
How many people do you think call or email and say their card was damaged by a BGS employee and that is why it graded lower than pristine? Just guess. (I'm sure our former employee can provide insight.)
Also, it makes more sense for a company (BGS or whoever) to be upfront and admit to damaging a card if they did.
Why? For the same reason that Chevy/Dodge/Ford/etc issue recall notices on parts that don't work properly. For the same reason that food companies recall certain brands of fish or peanut butter.
The most obvious: legal issues that can arise. Many successful businesses have gotten shut down for deceptive practices and lying.
Any time you are dealing with a business there is a chance for a) human error and b) computer error.
Obviously, it is impossible avoid either of those from happening somewhere down the line.
So, when sending in cards to be graded or buying cards (graded or not) on eBay you have to assess the risk involved and decide whether or not it is worth it for you to submit them or buy them.
Are you worried that your cards will be damaged in the hands of a reckless or uncaring employee or that they will be damaged whilst in transit? Maybe on-site grading is for you. Not near a show that has on-site grading? That is risk you must assess.
Do people sometimes get screwed by companies? Absolutely. I'm not saying that never happens and it's a crappy situation when it does.
So, the question you have to ask yourself in almost any situation: is the risk worth it?
If your answer is "no" or you are unsure then you would probably better holding off. If you answer "no" or are unsure yet still proceed then you know what they say...caveat emptor.
No one should go through life expecting to get ripped off, screwed, or otherwise at every turn. The fact is, however, it is a matter of life that it does happen.
This should be especially considered because we all deal with collectibles of high value that sometimes cannot be replaced in it's current or a different condition.
/Sorry for the long read. This thread is not to specifically call anyone out or call people liars or insult people, but to hopefully provide some insight that might be helpful to some.
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