# Dealing with imperfection **URL:** \ **Category:** Collecting\ **Tags:** opinion, psa, advice, discussion\ **Created:** [January 5, 2024, 7:16am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586 "2024-01-05T07:16:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![slowpokeman](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/slowpokeman/32/37868_2.png) [@slowpokeman](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/slowpokeman)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 7:16am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/1 "2024-01-05T07:16:00Z")
Hi I’m new here. Lately I have been feeling very bothered with scratches and lint encased in my PSA slab collection. Eye appeal of my card and slab collection is very important to me. I collect PSA 10s because of their almost flawless visual appeal. I get very bothered when I discover an inner scratch/lint in the slab (direct from psa). Sometimes, the PSA slabs have these weird transparent squares too which is so distracting. I feel that all I can focus are on these flaws, distracting me from their actual grades. Whenever I hold the cards in hand, I can’t help but notice the lint or scratch that I cannot remove. I know I sound super OCD, but does anyone here feels the same way I do? I tried sending my favourites for reholder, but they just come back with the lint still there/ or another new lint or scratch at another area. I am feeling very frustrated over this as I have no control over it. Anyone feeling the same? Wish to seek some advice here. I know I should probably accept these small issues but it is so difficult to ignore them. ---
**Author:** ![Dyl](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/dyl/32/234623_2.png) [@Dyl](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Dyl)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 7:34am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/3 "2024-01-05T07:34:21Z")
If graded cards and their inherent imperfections give you this much stress and detract significantly from your enjoyment of collecting, I would recommend selling your PSA 10s and going back to binder collecting. Graded cards are meant to be enjoyed, flaws and all. If you are fixated on the flaws and not the card, it may be time to take a step back and reprioritize. Obsessions and compulsions can range from mild irritations to clinically significant symptoms (i.e., OCD). For those with autism spectrum disorder, obsessions and repetitive behaviors can be tricky symptoms to manage. If you feel like you can’t control your obsessions or compulsive urges, please consider seeking mental health treatment. ---
**Author:** ![ShinPorygon](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/shinporygon/32/75807_2.png) [@ShinPorygon](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/ShinPorygon)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 7:45am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/4 "2024-01-05T07:45:51Z")
Hi OP Collecting is suppose to bring joy and not distress. Unfortunately nothing is perfect in the world. Things like dust and lint is airborne and can get into anywhere, no matter how careful someone is. If it makes you feel better, even high-level craftsmanship items such as expensive watches have defects and lint in them too. Try to enjoy your cards for what they are. Life is short, in the end we all turn into dust particles anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Tropicard](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/tropicard/32/104745_2.png) [@Tropicard](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Tropicard)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 7:50am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/5 "2024-01-05T07:50:59Z")
You will never get a perfect psa case, i have had many come straight from them with small scratches. ---
**Author:** ![eeveeteam](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/eeveeteam/32/2219_2.png) [@eeveeteam](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/eeveeteam)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 12:18pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/6 "2024-01-05T12:18:50Z")
Best way to fix the issue with PSA cases is to get a side cutter and a screw driver. ---
**Author:** ![Charizard1020](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/charizard1020/32/252961_2.png) [@Charizard1020](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Charizard1020)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 1:18pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/7 "2024-01-05T13:18:18Z")
Just echoing what everyone has said here. Collecting should be a hobby you enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![Coop13](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/coop13/32/1290_2.png) [@Coop13](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Coop13)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 1:26pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/8 "2024-01-05T13:26:10Z")
The most expensive option would be to grade the cards, confirm they are PSA 10 via grading, crack them out and put them in your own personal holders that you consider free of imperfections. Otherwise stop grading and enjoy the “eye perfect” cards you have without worrying if PSA considers them a 10. ---
**Author:** ![TheMarillFoundation](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/themarillfoundation/32/234604_2.png) [@TheMarillFoundation](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/TheMarillFoundation)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 1:42pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/9 "2024-01-05T13:42:09Z")
I personally don’t use them for grading, but I will say the CGC wins hands down for the case clarity. ---
**Author:** ![dragonwarrior](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/dragonwarrior/32/1601_2.png) [@dragonwarrior](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/dragonwarrior)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 1:50pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/10 "2024-01-05T13:50:43Z")
Not trying to sound harsh but maybe it’s time to speak to a therapist. ---
**Author:** ![Typhlosion\_Collector](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/typhlosion_collector/32/27302_2.png) [@Typhlosion\_Collector](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Typhlosion_Collector)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 1:55pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/11 "2024-01-05T13:55:17Z")
Give all the slabs that bother you to me, then you won’t have to look at them anymore. ---
**Author:** ![jabby](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/jabby/32/26318_2.png) [@jabby](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/jabby)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 2:08pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/12 "2024-01-05T14:08:40Z")
I think all you can do would be to collect a different grading company or just build binder sets for viewing. I collect PSA primarily because that is what the Pokemon market prefers on a wider scale, but I also have binder collections for personal viewing enjoyment because I don’t always like looking through my slab collection for a variety of reasons. If you can I would try and have binders and slabs, it’s really the best of both worlds that way. ---
**Author:** ![UKLugia](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/uklugia/32/85791_2.png) [@UKLugia](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/UKLugia)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 5:24pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/13 "2024-01-05T17:24:24Z")
First PSA slab I bought was a 9 and it looks like there is a fingerprint mark on the holo. Now that should have surely meant it shouldn’t be a 9 in the first place, or was somebody at PSA who did it. Anyway, I thought f\*\*\* this and haven’t bought any more PSA cards since lol. ---
**Author:** ![Dirge](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/dirge/32/26866_2.png) [@Dirge](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Dirge)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 5:55pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/14 "2024-01-05T17:55:57Z")
I understand how you’re feeling because I’ve experienced the same problem too. I used to be really OCD about this stuff. But I eventually accepted these imperfections were always going to be around and there wasn’t really anything I could do about it so why linger on it. Still, that feeling pops up from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![quibble](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/quibble/32/1788_2.png) [@quibble](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/quibble)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 6:35pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/15 "2024-01-05T18:35:11Z")
Echoing everyone else, I agree that you should maybe reassess collecting PSA slabs if you’re not getting pleasure from owning them with their flaws. That said, I’ve personally gotten rid of all my slabs with blatant debris inside because it completely ruins the eye appeal, & I’ll be damned if I’m paying PSA twice to get a card cleanly graded. The worst offender I’ve had was a 1st ed Jungle Pidgeot holo with what looked like three small splinters of wood sitting against the surface of the card on the artwork box. ---
**Author:** ![pfm](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/pfm/32/254328_2.png) [@pfm](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/pfm)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 6:48pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/16 "2024-01-05T18:48:54Z")
The answer is to not use PSA. As others said, CGC doesn’t have this issue to even remotely the same degree. Alternatively, you can also switch to ungraded. But even then, I have issues with binder pages getting all scratchy over time that bothers me. ---
**Author:** ![celebi](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/celebi/32/2505_2.png) [@celebi](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/celebi)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 7:18pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/17 "2024-01-05T19:18:18Z")
For me, I expect cases and cards to come with some imperfections. I have yet to consider an imperfection egregious enough to send for reholdering. I would prefer to keep my PSA 10 with a lint than to risk it being damaged during the reholdering process and have it return as a PSA 5-6 with a lint still in the case. ---
**Author:** ![eeveeteam](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/eeveeteam/32/2219_2.png) [@eeveeteam](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/eeveeteam)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 8:13pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/18 "2024-01-05T20:13:51Z")
I had a Jungle Vaporeon PSA 9 that had a grass blade on the back. It would move around when you shook the slab. It was the only time I collected graded cards - I had a PSA 9 of each rookie Eevee card. That grass blade made me stick to binder only and I love it. ---
**Author:** ![jac2357](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/jac2357/32/76046_2.png) [@jac2357](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/jac2357)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 9:11pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/19 "2024-01-05T21:11:41Z")
That piece of grass increased the value to some people lol. ---
**Author:** ![UKLugia](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/uklugia/32/85791_2.png) [@UKLugia](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/UKLugia)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2024, 11:32am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/20 "2024-01-06T11:32:38Z")
It might have done if it was a Leafeon and not a Vaporeon. ---
**Author:** ![azulryu](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/azulryu/32/54539_2.png) [@azulryu](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/azulryu)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2024, 4:13pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586/21 "2024-01-06T16:13:27Z")
There’s some things PlastX can’t fix. A topic for another time but I wonder if there’s a way to remove those binder page streaks. To jump back on topic - I also say go for a different company or go to binder collecting. I find great satisfaction looking through my binders and almost always forget any imperfections. Or you can wait for when AGS grading starts accepting overseas submissions. [Next page](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/dealing-with-imperfection/45586.md?page=2)