Grading boxes manuals and games aren't a bad idea, eveyone almost does it. I didn't quite understand the pin question, but you mean that some have a blank space? Some carts/ boards do have that but it's made like that, ment to be so nothing to do with how the game's been used.

oh yeah I would grade that way to each part out of 5 or 10 however I don't know if I agree with the pins just not being there or being taking out. Because on some games you can see that it has been there but it is wearing out and the 3-4 PINS are fading out and disappearing. So I don’t see anyway on how that is true. After looking at 2 games I have I found that is actually 6 PINS on most of my games. Also I think this can be caused by cleaning the games also but I am not sure. I just don’t think that is the reason because you can tell on some games the PIN used to be there 100% but looks like it has been wore out. I will provide pics soon on exactly what I am talking about if anybody is confused.

Bump for really great idea.

There should be a standard for grading individual items.  Carts, boxes, manuals, etc.

Let's start with boxes.  What is your idea of a #10 box (perfect) and a #1 box (horrible)?

Reply to this thread if you're interested in a standard.

Go Go Go!!! 

NGD, I happen to agree with you that games are for playing first and collecting second. 

However, I also know there are people who buy just the boxes and just the manuals and just loose carts and just carts and then put collections together that way.

My thinking was that, for those people, it would help them know a little more clearly what they are getting.  If I'm buying a manual off of ebay, just for example, and I ask the condition the manual is in, the seller could respond:

"The pages are sorta creased and the binding is kind of loose."

OR

"It's about a six on your scale."


If we had a comprehensive scale, I only see it being easier for collectors.  I guess it could raise the price, but prices are going up anyway.

I dunno.. What does everyone else think?

good idea, very hard to execute.

Three problems I forsee.

1) human error/difference of opinion.  I've had people turn down what I would consider a 9/10 box after I sent them a picture and gave them a detailed description of all the flaws, then they tell me its not nice enough.  I'm looking at this practically mint box saying "are you kidding?" but everyone has a different idea on what they want and how bothered they are by certain flaws.

2)  banning together, if you set up a detailed how to guide on how to grade/rate stuff.  getting the community as a whole to accept an use it would be very very difficult.  And if only a select few use it then its a waste of time.

3)  grounds for complaint.  If there was a detailed way to rate a box say.  Lets say you start at 10 and -.2 for a crease 1 inch or less, -1.2 for a tear, -.8 for a crushed corner not extending more than 1 inch into the box and so on.  And I came up with 6.8 rating for my box and traded it to you.  Would you be able to rightfully complain if you get it and find an extra crease or two and end with a 6.5 rating?  Obviously if I tell you its a 9 and it ends up a 6, thats a no brainer.  But a minute detail on an already flawed box?  I bring this up because there are a lot of people in the community that are THAT anal and would make issue.

This post wen the other way it was meant so I could grade my own games, and I wanted to know about the 72 pin?

What's wrong with...

NEW

USED (Excellent, Good, Fair or Rough)

Anything beyond that is just ridiculous. If you need perfection become a Borg. As far as grading the pin connector, you must be joking? It either works or it doesn't. If you clean it and it still doesn't work it's broken, end of story. I'd really like to see a pic of a "worn through" connector. There is no possible way to wear through a connector...unless you are cleaning it with a bench grinder.