What does "independent" mean here?
In short: I hold no interest in any card I evaluate, I never buy, sell, broker or consign cards, and my fee never depends on the value or my conclusion. Any conflict of interest is disclosed in writing in every engagement letter.
Independence has three parts. No stake in the card: I never appraise a card I previously sold or buy a card I have appraised. No stake in the answer: fees are flat or hourly, never a percentage. And full disclosure.
Every engagement letter repeats this standing disclosure: the appraiser receives a profit-based fee from a trading-card retailer that is not a party to the engagement. That retailer receives no opinion-producing or custody service from the practice.
I publish it so you can weigh it yourself before you engage me.