Okay, that is a rhetorical question-but it alludes to this:
With multiple grading companies, who regulates them to make sure they are consistent? Who regulates them to make sure that someone does not fall to the temptation of upgrading? I could go on... I want to raise that point for discussion- beyond the typical "Is TPG good or bad" discussion:
Diamonds and Gems:
There are certified gemologists who assign grades. That is IT if it is "legit" graded" in the Gem world. Essentially, that is third party grading.
No one expects everyone to go learn how to grade their own diamond... but, at the same time, the gemologists - who give their professional opinion based on some rigorous criteria - have a body that provides a standard to determine what is what.
This body oversees the licensing of gemologists. No compliance= no certification (of grader) right?
Does this not seem like a good idea (in theory)? The problem is finding the resources it seems. We don't have a body to "license" people who want to get into TPG.
There is no "policing" body to ensure that grading companies are in line with the catalogue, or even consistent with each other. We have seen the terrible inconsistencies that can happen.
Look on a foriegn clothing tag -- 8 in USA, 32 in UK. That sort of information should be present, so that when people are actualy going to buy a TPG note, they can say "Oh! The description of this TPG note is UNC 60, but according to the Charton, it is a lower grade".
And last I checked, people use the Charlton Standard as the guide for pricing. Best to have a cross reference to TPG grades right there maybe even Charlton book based on TPG track record for accuracy, so that no one gets ripped off by buying a TPG Grade note at the price of the same grade in the Charlton.
Can you spell easy exploitation? If TPG company XYZ puts out notes that are consistently overgraded, in order for people to have a fair chance at not being ripped off, they need to know how those graded relate to the grades and prices in the Charlton, which is most likly what will be followed in determining a price range.
Use Charlton Price? Then use Charlton grading. Otherwise the innocent hobbyists are the ones who get nailed.
Thoughts anyone? (On a governing body for TPG companies and the implications?)
