Not what I was expecting

As I sit here at work, my wife emailed me to tell me my books arrived. I know theres no way I can wait until I'm home to know, so I ask her to open the box and tell me the grades. Before I tell you I'll take a step back and give you some back story on this order.

I sent off 3 books to Desert Wind for SDCC. Those books were the Walking Dead 48, 100 Chromium cover and Avengers 500 Directors cut. To be signed by Kirkman and Bendis. I sent them in on fast track as well. So about 2 weeks after the con I call CGC to check the status of my books. At this time they don't have the order, which is a little weird to me. I try not to worry and wait a week or so more before inquiring again. Now they have my order but its only 2 books, Avengers and Walking Dead 48. Now I'm worried. I email the guys at DWC and have to wait a little while for a reply as they were at a show. They inform me that CGC ran the Kirkman signing and had all the books. They said a few orders were messed up, mine included. They've told me that CGC will send me a 9.8 copy signed by both Kirkman and Adlard at no charge. I'm still waiting to hear back about the timing and shipping details on this but it more than makes up for the gaff. I do believe the book I sent was an excellent 9.9 candidate but who knows, probably not.

Now after all that my 2 books that did make it to CGC have arrived home. My thoughts when sending these off was that WD 48 was an easy 9.8 if not higher. Its in even better condition than the 33 I sent in a while ago that is a 9.8. The Avengers I figure is a 9.6. Boy was I wrong. My wife wrote back with WD - 9.0 and Avengers 9.2. I wrote her back hoping that was a typo. Nope. My heart sank and now as I sit here writing this I just wonder what happened to my books.

I understand theres a lot of hands involved in making something like these signings go smooth. But I've sent things to DWC before and never had a problem. Same with CGC. I believe them to all be very professional and understanding of how to care for your books. I don't want to seem like I'm calling out someone, but this is frustrating. This has really crushed my mood for today, which is even new comic book day. My excitement for that is now at 0.

I know its not the end of the world. I just wish I had answers. I will be checking the graders notes later today to see what that may show. Thanks for letting me vent my frustration.

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