I didn't see this in the grading system posted, and I did a thread search. I would imagine it's very subjective, but what impact does a production error have on the grading of near mint modules?

I have a module in shrink, perfect, save for a loss of color (paint) or color mismatch around the spine. Specifically, it's about a 1/8 to 1/16 inch wide grey line down all the way the front spine at the very edge; and then there's about a 1/2 inch grey line down the length of the back spine. TSR obviously felt it was good enough for the market, or it got passed their QC accidentally (ha!). It is not mold or anything else.

I purchase this thinking it was glare, as nothing in the description intimated otherwise (in fact the description noted the flash was responsible for any glare etc, which I assumed meant the discoloration). Not sure it's worth the return (paying for shipping back, etc). Would this lower it to vf, f, .. or even worse? How does one handle this sort of thing generally?

Thanks.

I am not convinced that the s/w cult is as careful and rational as all that.  S/w implies new and unused, but most of us know that is not synonymous with "best possible original copy a large sum of money can buy".  S/W can shrink, crackle, bend, retain moisture and cause problems that many collectors who want "the best possible original copy a large sum of money can buy" would not put up with at all.

Sorry for the nonanswer...  but the s/w usually drives up the value and the production error sometimes harms it.  But, each transaction, collector and seller are unique.

I can think of two modules with production errors:

D3 Vault of the Drow - has a misprint in some printings with most of the details of an encounter area left out.

Book of Treasure Maps - by Judges Guild had a print run with a cover chopped off at a crazy angle...but was shipped for sale anyway.

In neither case does the production error increase collectibility.