Originally posted by: Segertar
I was under the impression that VGA will only grade sealed games.
The qualified games do not have a grade on them (bronze, silver, gold), only a "qualified" sticker.
Someone please verify. Thanks.
The only thing VGA will not grade is used or resealed items.
In regards to Qualified games, they are examined and do get a grade (bronze, silver, gold)
A perfect example is the VGA Earthbound...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EarthBoun...
If a box originally had a seal and the seal has been removed, as long as the contents are unused ( brand new
), then they will grade it with a Qualified grading.
If a box had no seal, like a SNES console, it can receive a Standard grading (not qualified) as long as the box has never been opened. If the box had been opened before but the inner contents are unused, it will get a Qualified grading.
And yes, you can tell if the side flaps have been opened even once.
That VGA Earthbound never came with an official seal. The reason it received a Qualified grading and not a standard grading was because the box had been opened before.