There are certainly grey areas between numbers. It’s the main reason the .5s were implemented but sticking one between the 9 and the 10 was never even considered. And rightfully so IMO.
How would you think the 9.5 would affect prices on cards? I like the distinction between a 9 and 10 compared to the BGS 9, 9.5 and 10 (which is perfect according to their standards).
You might like the 9.5 option personally but adding it at PSA would be a total nightmare as most here understand. Just consider there’s 20 years of PSA 10s out there, which is the foundation of the business, which would immediately be held up to scrutiny and devalued.
There’s to s of other reasons why it would be a bad idea. Can you think of any? 
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Having a grade of 9.5 will not add any value or solve any of the “grading” issues that we have right now. Disagreements between the grades of 9 and 10 will only be replaced by disagreements between 9 and 9.5 and 9.5 and 10. Disappointments will still be present when a card gets a 9 instead of 9.5 that the owner was expecting. Or a 9.5 instead of 10 because the owner thought the card was flawless. At the end of the day, grading is not a science and will always be subjective. The grade on the PSA label is the opinion of the grader based on his assessment of the card. We can only hope that it will be an informed assessment. IMHO only.
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Adding a 9.5 would call into question every single Gem Mint 10 grade from before. As if there isn’t enough controversy in some of the PSA 10s there are now. Either way, it can’t help the company at this point. They set their grading scale and would have to draw new guidelines for the new grade. This would call into question their consistency because it would be like they are saying they had it wrong all this time but now they’ve got it right.
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To piggyback off of this topic, I am curious to know what everyone thinks of the price market for this upcoming Christmas season?
I started collecting again back in March, so I missed the holiday season last year. I only ask because I’ve read a lot of concern lately about too many non-collecting re-sellers possibly flooding the market. I also read this comment in regards to someone asking the price for an error Wartortle card: “I’ve seen them go on average 46 dollars. Condition plays a large part and ebay fluctuates. Hold off till xmas to list and you may get closer to 100.” I’m 23 and grew up with the Pokemon phenomena, I know about 5-8 years ago when I was 16-18yrs. old I had a lot more $$ to spend on leisure items. The kids in that age range now are mainly the ones who grew up with the Ruby and Sapphire sets a.k.a. EX Sets. Because of this and the seemingly increased amount of pure re-sellers, does anyone see a sudden spike increase for prices in these sets alone the next few months, in all sets? Or is this topic of discussion a moot point since sometimes “holiday” markets may be unpredictable/vary for many different reasons?
“people don’t usually buy cards as gifts”
Ahhh… good point. This completely flips my train of thought upside down lol. Makes sense too since collectors are real picky it’d be hard to buy them gifts any time of the year lol
You may see some increased activity around holiday season but that doesn’t necessarily mean that prices will be affected. People often clear out their storage to make room and money for new things. Some people may even sell parts of their collection to help pay for holiday related expenses (travel, gifts, food, and time off work).
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This is especially true, be on the lookout and you can score some great deals from people looking for some quick cash.
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You deal in the Virbank market enough to notice that. I don’t think others would see it as much.
I’ve never purchased a card in my life. Pulled every card I own from boosters.
Sample
FPO
Graded cards
Everything.
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I know a guy with the Midas touch…
Put it this way…the collectors of the original base set cards are now in their 20’s… Working, able to afford cards and grading.
Me for example. Collected base, jungle, fossil as a kid. 15 years later - I dig out my binder, look online. See that they now grade cards, sealing them in their condition. I now look at my old cards and realise I want perfect copies to keep. It’s that nostalgic vibe, hanging on to something from my childhood and worrying that they’ll get destroyed. Silly really.
Also, I now collect very rare Chinese cards. I’ll get these graded. Many of them probably scoring 8 or lower as they’ve been played with and enjoyed (as they should have been!) I don’t care - I’m not doing it to sell on, I’m doing it to preserve something valuable that isn’t printed anymore. It’s our duty to protect these things (as mass produced as they are) as in the future - they might just be in a museum 
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