Site Forum

I try to replace my own scans that have problems. Back in 2011 I uploaded several scans of vintage cards that were far from perfect; creases, diamond cut, off-center, etc. As I've acquired better cards, I've tried to go back and update my scans of cards with condition issues. As I've gone through sets to replace my scans, Ive noticed other cards with the same condition issues.

My question: What is the proper etiquette on replacing scans? I do not claim to be an authority on judging scans and I'm not calling anyone out on their scanning ability, but there are scans or scans of cards that have issues that I could easily replace. I'm not concerned about getting points for a scan but I would like the database to contain the best possible image. 

Are there rules or guidelines for what is concerned good enough. I've read the rules for placing a scan, but are there rules for improving a scan?

Here's an example of one of my own scans that I feel needs replacement. Unfortunately I don't have a better card in my collection. You'll notice that is extremely off-center top-to-bottom and the printing is fuzzy (not a scanner issue).

http://www.tradingcarddb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/3220/cid/809683/1969-Topps-3-Jim-Cadile

Here's an example of a scan I feel needs replacement because some of the surface of the card is missing. The user who uploaded the image is no longer active so they won't be fixing the scan. I have a better example of the card in my collection and could easily replace the scan (I do have level 7 permissions).

http://www.tradingcarddb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/3220/cid/809700/1969-Topps-20-Len-Dawson

I'm not sure if I followed etiquette, but I recommended an update on Cowboys card, either Mel Renfro or Lee Roy Jordan, because there was writing on the back - you know those questions that are asked and the child decided to answer - and Admin deleted it and the scan was replaced.

I would think that most of us would be thankful for better scans being shown. There are some bad ones granted, but if anyone is like me scanning is not the most exciting thing to do albeit a necessary one for our site. Especially as I'm not the best at scanning, though I still try.

Etiquette is:

If the scan is juts outlandishly bad, Admin will remove it.

If the scan is just not as good as the one you have, Admin won't remove it, and you are always free to upload a better scan. You will not get "credit" (either in points or in the submitted by under the image).

Ditto to what Dan said! I have some cards that are in horrible shape and I won't scan them just b/c I don't want to steal the points and acknowledgement that someone will get with a good copy of the card. I'll eventually add a scan if none show up over time though, just to have scans on here.

When it comes to vintage cards, getting a scan of a poor condition card is better than no scan at all. For modern cards (and I mean 2000+, not 1980+), if the card is very bad, don't add it. There are plenty of people with good copies of that card that can add it. I mostly am thinking of the seriously off-center, miscut or warped Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome cards from the past several years. I'm pretty sure that most of the 1980's and 90's base cards have scans already and most bad scans have been replaced with better scans.

I replace any scans that I run across that are poor (or incorrect) if I have better copies. I don't really care if someone else keeps the credit and the points, a better image is now available for everyone. I would suggest that the best interest of the site and it's users (members) be kept as the priority. A such replacing poor scans with better copies is my recommendation.

Good advice from all. Like reakins said, I don't really care about the points but I would like TCDB to have the best images that us users can provide. When you google a card 9 times out of 10 and image on TCDB will be included in the search results. I like the fact that images on this site are "clean" with no logos or watermarks on them (unlike COMC and others). I take it as a personal point of pride that our site has the best, most accurate database with the best images available. And it is all free without heavy commercialism. By collectors...for collectors (I know that's kind of cheesey, but its what I appreciate most about this site).

I agree with everyone on this to a point.  When I initially started to upload scans, I kept my poor cards out even though they were from the 50s and 60s.  Then we had a discussionon the Forum that basically said when it was true vintage cards (I would suggest before 1980), a scan of a poor card was better than nothing at all. So I went back and uploaded images of cards from my O Pee Chee baseball in poor to fair condition.  I welcome all to go ahead and replace the scans if they come up with a better condition card of their own. I would also do the same if I upgrade some ofthe cards though they are hard to find.

What I don't agree with is replacing a scan uploaded by someone who continually has made errors in the cards scanned or has uploaded too many cards that did not meet the site's rules about scans.  For those, I advise Admin and get them to remove the scan before I upload mine.  How can you tell who is who?  For me, it is at a point that without looking at who uploaded the image, I can guess the name as it has happened much too frequently, always the same member. Petty? Maybe but the dedicated members of this site are having to go in behind those few for whom it is all about the points and correct their careless mistakes.

I truly appreciate this site and, like many members have said, it revived the hobby for me.  I hope its creator realizes what contribution they have made in this great hobby, more than the unmentionable doctor.  I don't wish to discourage members who work hard to fill the voids when it comes to checklists and images; all we ask is that you make sure what you are adding is accurate and meets the site's demands in quality. Let's keep it the best card collecting site ever.