Here is the article. It is under the "articles" link on the home page. A good read. Oh, how I have seen many of the same examples of over grading.

http://www.choochooauctions.com/grading.html

Foolish inconsistancies is the hobgoblin of little minds.

Longfellow

lol..or nuts!

By necessity, by proclivity, and by delight, we all quote.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Or someone said it better before, and there really is no need to reinvent the wheel.

Allow me another little constructive (I hope) critique. Auction stickers are being put on old original boxes and on the lionel stickers underneath the cab roofs of the steam locos. Sometimes they come off easily, and sometimes they cause damage when removed.
Just a little irritation amongst the overall wonderful experience I always get from the Choomeisters here!

First of all let me say I have found many good deals here but have learned to take the grading of most items tongue in cheek. I haven't had to deal with any rust issues but "like new in the original box" should mean no corrosion on the trucks and no broken parts. I'm an operator; not a collector, so I don't expect perfection but perhaps the powers that be should take some time to open boxes for a cursory examination before pronouncing the grade as such and such. Not a slam; just a suggestion. I will keep buying from Charlie since he has the best deals and great service.