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Grading...

CharlieCharlie
in Valuation
Ran across this web page that Matt (Harry Caul) from APF posted.  Pretty good IMO:  http://www.icollectmovieposters.com/article/3/making_the_grade_how_to_grade_movie_posters_and_related_memorabilia/

What do you think?

Comments

  • DavidDavid
    It's a good article but...

    The 10 point system might be OK for a hobby that has more than half a dozen collectors in it. I just think there is too much detail within each rating, I think it is a debate that could (and has) rage on ad infinitum.

    Personally I like Bruce's - it's easy, quick and rarely can be confusing. Now true, it is so simple that the introduction of the hyphen can allow for some vagueness and I think that it (the hyphen) should be removed from all descriptions eg Very Good - Fine, or Good - Very Good etc but all in all it is simple to understand and simple to use to grade with too.

    Some will argue that it is too wide a description, but on the flip side this is one reason I am sure Bruce grades down or hard so that there can be no disagreement.
  • CharlieCharlie
    My personal view is to not grade at all but merely point out the flaws in detail.  I remember having heated debate with cinemasterdave about it where he told me to open my own store...
  • DavidDavid
    Essentially that is what grading is doing isn't it?
  • CharlieCharlie
    No.
  • BruceBruce
    You know if a grading system "works" if people are happy with their purchases. It all boils down to honestly. To some people, "over-grading" = "good salesmanship". If the person doesn't return it, they think they won. Of course, they lost if that person never orders again, but some people are pretty short-sighted.
    HAS lifetime guarantees on every item - IS eMoviePoster.com
    HAS unrestored and unenhanced images - IS eMoviePoster.com
    HAS 100% honest condition descriptions - IS eMoviePoster.com
    HAS auctions where the winner is the higher of two real bidders - IS eMoviePoster.com
    HAS up to SIXTEEN weeks of "Pay and Hold" to save a fortune on shipping - IS eMoviePoster.com
    HAS real customer service before, during and after EVERY auction, and answers all questions - IS eMoviePoster.com

    HAS 25% or 26% "buyers premiums" of any kind (but especially the dreadful "$29 or $49 minimum" ones) - NOT eMoviePoster.com
    HAS "reserves or starts over $1 - NOT eMoviePoster.com
    HAS hidden bidder IDs - NOT eMoviePoster.com
    HAS "nosebleed" shipping charges - NOT eMoviePoster.com
    HAS inadequate packaging - NOT eMoviePoster.com
    HAS no customer service to speak of, before, during and after any auction, and answers almost no questions - NOT eMoviePoster.com

  • BruceBruce
    P.S. Thanks David!
    HAS lifetime guarantees on every item - IS eMoviePoster.com
    HAS unrestored and unenhanced images - IS eMoviePoster.com
    HAS 100% honest condition descriptions - IS eMoviePoster.com
    HAS auctions where the winner is the higher of two real bidders - IS eMoviePoster.com
    HAS up to SIXTEEN weeks of "Pay and Hold" to save a fortune on shipping - IS eMoviePoster.com
    HAS real customer service before, during and after EVERY auction, and answers all questions - IS eMoviePoster.com

    HAS 25% or 26% "buyers premiums" of any kind (but especially the dreadful "$29 or $49 minimum" ones) - NOT eMoviePoster.com
    HAS "reserves or starts over $1 - NOT eMoviePoster.com
    HAS hidden bidder IDs - NOT eMoviePoster.com
    HAS "nosebleed" shipping charges - NOT eMoviePoster.com
    HAS inadequate packaging - NOT eMoviePoster.com
    HAS no customer service to speak of, before, during and after any auction, and answers almost no questions - NOT eMoviePoster.com

  • JohnJohn
    I agree that Bruce's system works well. Good photos help too. Anyone who tries to hide flaws is asking for trouble.
    https://www.moviemem.com
  • DavidDavid
    Yes good photos should form part of the description.
  • DarioDario
    Jon Warrens Grading system I simple and effective.

    Poor.

    Good.

    Very Good.

    excellent.

    Near Mint.

    Mint.

    Why nit pick? It's a movie poster. It need its flaws like the rest of us.

    dario.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    Dario said:

    Why nit pick? It's a movie poster. It need its flaws like the rest of us.

    dario.
    And flaws keep you in business Dario $-)
  • DavidDavid
    IMHO Mint should not exist. 

    Mint is as it was printed, the moment it is taken off the printer, handled, moved etc it fails to be mint anymore.
  • ZorbaZorba
    David said:
    IMHO Mint should not exist. 

    Mint is as it was printed, the moment it is taken off the printer, handled, moved etc it fails to be mint anymore.
    Agree. I have bought many  "mint" posters and they are not mint. They are in almost perfect condition but mint? Nope.  

    New cars are no longer mint after they leave the lot. The value drops like a rock after just 5 feet.
  • CharlieCharlie
    If your definition of mint hold up, it does not exist.
  • CharlieCharlie
    "Mint" can only be observed but never experienced.
  • MattMatt
    Not quite, it can be eaten.

    image
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    It can also be built and visited:

    image
  • HumphreyBogartHumphreyBogart
    Canadians and castles!  
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    It's where we keep all our Loonies and Toonies
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