if I go for pokematt’s suggestion I’m gonna have to wait the shipping time back, then there again, then processing time. I’ll do it but this is so incredibly frustrating.
the other obvious thing is that even if it is fake, that doesn’t mean it will rub off.
it seems like as far as they are concerned it is real to them
Superfluous as in unneeded or nonessential? Often newer collectors have a different opinion than us old timers on the importance of information. As experience starts growing up around you, the more important those seeming incidentals become;)
No you’re right, it may indeed become essential to value new certs over the old if these fraudulent practices continue, or increase (which I fear they will). It’s just a shame that there has to be a needless increase in complexity in an already increasingly complicated hobby/market because of dishonest behavior. Otherwise cert numbers are superfluous or purely preferential. It doesn’t help that PSA doesn’t seem willing to own up to their oversight either, but I digress.
If you did crack the case, and open it, and the stamp does rub off, and you send the video to them and they deny it at that point still.
What would be your options then? Or what if you opened it and it was actually real?
There are a few things here that don’t make sense. Older certs provide no extra security in that they had even less experience then, and people were still faking plenty in pokemon. On top of that it also doesn’t make sense that PSA doesn’t want to own up to their mistakes as @gottaketchumall has pointed out that they do follow their guarentee, and for higher amounts than the 500$ this card is.
On top of that the people insinuating that rubbing the stamp off is the only way of checking if it is real also do not make sense. The stamp can be completely dry, and thus will not rub off, but still could be fake. Rubbing it, and it staying there doesn’t guarantee it is real like @masonkampe seems to be suggesting. \
On top of that I PERSONALLY will not be breaking the card out of the case under any condition. I will send it to PSA again when it gets back, but there is no way I am breaking their guarantee with the case on my own to test anything. I can understand if that is disappointing to some, but I will leave that to PSA. they can break it out as many times as it takes to either get them to realize it is a fake, or give some reason as to why they believe it to be real. it really sucks paying for all this shipping though.
I have not called PSA. I am way behind on my own work right now, and barely have enough time to read everything.
My thoughts on the situation, it obviously sucks, and wish it didn’t occur. In fact this is why I told PSA they need a specific Pokemon person. However, PSA can’t afford to hire an expert for every specific field/hobby. A business isn’t going to prioritize someone for 3% of their overall volume.
Ultimately I think this is falling into a low priority situation at PSA, because Pokemon isn’t vintage sports, and the card is real but the stamp is not. This is just my deduction.
@fazool if you want them to call me about the card, feel free to message them. They have called me before about verifying & valuating cards in the past. This would probably be the best route as this isn’t my card.
"PSA guarantees that all cards submitted to it shall be graded in accordance with PSA grading standards and under the procedures of PSA.
Certain exceptions to the Guarantee apply, including, but not limited to, the following . . . the Guarantee does not apply to any card that has been removed from the PSA holder or any card for which the PSA holder shows evidence of tampering"
I don’t think they would allow any persons other than those from their company to crack the case in consideration of the money back guarantee.
Sorry you have had to go through this Fazool.
They’re going to need to take this issue very seriously and tread lightly for their reputation to hold up, especially as the values increase…
Looks like the same seller (I think it was this guy right?) has listed another zard with a fake stamp on ebay, his alignment is getting better but the lettering still looks dodgy:
This is why I don’t buy from sellers with anything less than a 100% rating and try to stick with sellers I usually buy from. If they have a 99 or 98 Percent rating I make sure to look into the reason on why they got marked down and only buy if it was the buyer overreacting or being ridiculous. Sorry to hear this happened Fazool.