Did you ask if he any pro bats going spare?
Do they grade bats on looks or performance?
You obviously don't play vinyl, either, because the broken record you pictured would no way repeat.
As has been explained on numerous occasions, GM grade on looks aligned to the Wrights approach with upgrading and downgrading also done on weight. This is pretty straightforward and transparent. Which is also why you can get low grade bargains. Heart wood bats, for example get downgraded to below 808.
We grade bats on our assessment of their performance, in conjunction with the look and feel of that particular cleft.