1988 $1000 - Did I just get ripped off?

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I just bought a 1988 Th-Cr $1000 note today that was labelled "UNC" (book value $1600), I found a small crease to the bottom right of the bill and pointed it out. The seller goes "That is why I graded it UNC and not Gem-UNC or Choice-UNC but that's my opinion, if you want I can have it professionally graded for you".

I ended up buying the note at $1175 thinking it's much closer to AU than UNC but then I got home, sat in a dark room with a sharp light on (as the book says) and without taking the bill out of the plastic, I found not one, not two, not 3, but 7 demerits.... that's right, SEVEN. The note itself is crisp, clean and sharp with no folds. But I found one too many creases and "distractions to the eye". I'm beginning to think it might be AU- or XF+. Worst comes to worst I paid a $75 premium and saved myself the trouble of running around for a $1000 note. I gave up a chance to buy a Bonin UNC at $1300 so I can buy this one at $1175 and save $125.

I will post a scan soon. If you are by any chance in the Montreal area, I'd love you to evaluate my note personally. I'll get a 2nd opinion and you'll have the amusement of grading a $1000 note PM if interested.

Scan coming soon.... (probably later on today).

I got some photos with my digital camera. Lots of reflection and plastic reflection, the note is actually better than those images but look closely at all the flaws. Sometimes you wonder if you could trust anyone. The guy I bought it from is supposed to be a very reputable person (whose name I will not mention).

But for $1175... is it even an AU ? 

The last picture is more or less what the note looks like in a normal-lighted room. The first two pictures really display the "topography" of the note.

An easy AU, but not unc!!!
just the spots on the lower right in the first photo Kill it for me?
A couple of counting flicks no big deal, but I actuall can see the "topography" you have on the note!
Gem unc to me is a perfect note, Includeing the centering.
I cringe whenever I see a gem unc grade with bad centering.
an unc note should be as perfect as a gem unc but with bad centering or weak colors, But those are just my opinions and everyone seems to have thier own standards!!!!!

I think if you take a picture of the front and back of the note without the flash on the camera and out of the plastic sleeve and placed on a black background it would be much easier for someone to give you an opinion as to its grade. The glare from the sleeve makes it hard to see if the flaws are on the note or on the plastic sleeve itself.
If you wouldn't mind could you email or pm me the name of the seller,,,it would be greatly appreciated
mikez@scsinternet.com
It the seller is reputable and stands by his grading I would think that he would offer a full 100% refund on the note. If he doesn't that may be a reflection as to his integrity.  

An easy AU, but not unc!!!
just the spots on the lower right in the first photo Kill it for me?
A couple of counting flicks no big deal, but I actuall can see the "topography" you have on the note!
Gem unc to me is a perfect note, Includeing the centering.
I cringe whenever I see a gem unc grade with bad centering.
an unc note should be as perfect as a gem unc but with bad centering or weak colors, But those are just my opinions and everyone seems to have thier own standards!!!!!

There is no "bad centering" in the birds. I don't understand why they had to come up with stupid CUnc and GUnc bs. Now people will try to sell their EF's as UNC's because of the number of flaws. 1 flaw = 1 away from perfection (Choice), 3 flaws = 3 away from perfection (Unc) and more flaws are still AU's. Bull.

Why don't we all give our bills to the CGA for a "receipt" that includes the note's serial number, year, denomination and grade. Then we don't have to worry about touching the bill or ruinning the quality of the CGA receipt for that matter.

No I understand there is no bad centreing on your note, but the other defects keep it from being a gem,
A gem is just that, a GEM perfection!
and I concur with Friedsquid that the holder may be detracting and not giving a good look at the note.
but in my opinion even a small counting crease shoud take gem right out of the equation!

No I understand there is no bad centreing on your note, but the other defects keep it from being a gem,
A gem is just that, a GEM perfection!
and I concur with Friedsquid that the holder may be detracting and not giving a good look at the note.
but in my opinion even a small counting crease shoud take gem right out of the equation!

Forget GEM, forget UNC. I paid $1175 for the note and I am beginning to question if it's even an AU. Too many flaws. I am really considering returning it. If you look at the note, it may seem like an AU but the "topography of the note" makes it closer to an EF, don't you think?

It is very hard to trully tell the condition of a note from a photo. If you are trully unhappy with the note, and the seller will let you return it, then return it, there are mote out there, just give it time. Onw of the worst feelings is thinking/knowing you got taken.