TPG's Should They Offer Comments Or Not What Say You

I think they should be upon request only. This includes varieties, errors, as well and unwanted ones "cleaned" ect

I think that if a TPG want to make a comment on a coin, then it should be up to them. It is after all their reputation on the line and nobody else's.

If these comments were not made, then it could hurt their reputation. Imagine buying a coin online that is in a TPG holder and has been cleaned with no comment stating so. From the pictures it is often tough to tell if the damage is on the coin or the holder. It is the right of the TPG to place these comments to protect their reputation.

In the end, anyone asking the opinion of a TPG (which is exactly what anyone sending a coin is doing) is going to get exactly that. If that opinion has a comment whether it be negative or positive, it is the TPG's right to put it there. Anybody that doesn't want their opinion shouldn't ask for it.

I'm only thinking here of your desire for all TPGs to speak the same language with regard to negative comments and grade:

Every TPG considers different factors that contribute toward grade. For example, PCGS considers eye appeal whereas other TPGs may not. This means that the numerical grade will likely differ slightly between TPGs. The reason (as I see it) for "negative" comments such as cleaned, polished, scratch, etc., is that there is not an objective demerit system for how these imperfections affect grade. Is a bad scratch equivalent to the coin having been cleaned? Are two rim dings equal to one spot of corrosion? These factors are very difficult to quantify, so they are left to a simple description, and removed from the calculation of numerical grade. How comments affect the resulting price, is therefore between buyer and seller. I don't really see an issue differentiating between 'harshly' and 'lightly' cleaned; if a potential buyer reads 'cleaned' and then looks closely, the comment has done its job.

We say 'Buy the coin, not the holder'. If everyone followed this advice, grade-affecting "negative" comments might be less necessary. They sure help when buying a coin on ebay, when these issues might be subtle and hard to identify from photos.

I know that I.C.C.S. does. On the bottom of the holder it states that "tampering with this sealed holder invalidates above opinion".

Nor should they. What kind of guarantee are you looking for? These are ALL opinions based on Qualitative observations, and as such will be different from one person or TPG to another. If one person grades it as an MS64 and you have it regraded, and it gets an MS63 do you expect them to pay the difference in trend prices to you? I am confused as to how one would guarentee an opinion.

I think that more important then a grade guarantee (as most here know is an opinion based grade) is the ending of body bags for problem coins... I say since you have paid for the coin to be holdered, slab it and place the problems on the label, or return a partial refund for a unholdered coin...