To learn and to improve my chances for success, I am going to measure everything about the process that I can. If you are interested in my progress, follow along:

4/27/2010

I have submitted 9 lots of modern books to CGC for grading. Here is a summary of all measurements of cost and time for these lots:

Lot #1 18 modern books, CGC invoice 166505, shipping cost $13.71, Shipping time via priority mail from Indianapolis to Sarasota:48 hours (mail pickup to delivery) 5 pounds/no insurance. CGC signed for package at 12:07 PM April 5th. Called CGC this AM and they said grading would not be done until next week. 22 days and counting at CGC. CGC cost $331.85 Total cost per book to slab: $19.20. You will see inventory results as soon as the books return.

Lot #2 13 modern books, CGC invoice 166697, shipping cost $10.14, Shipping time via priority mail from Indianapolis to Sarasota:48 hours (mail pickup to delivery) 2.5 pounds/no insurance. CGC signed for package at 12:52 PM April 12th. 15 days and counting at CGC. CGC cost $248.00 Total cost per book to slab: $19.86. You will see inventory results as soon as the books return.

Lot #3 25 modern books, CGC invoice 166677, shipping cost $15.35, Shipping time via priority mail from Indianapolis to Sarasota:48 hours (mail pickup to delivery) 5 pounds/no insurance. CGC signed for package at 12:52 PM April 12th. 15 days and counting at CGC. CGC cost $445.95 Total cost per book to slab: $18.45. You will see inventory results as soon as the books return.

Lot #4 6 modern books, CGC invoice 166862, shipping cost $6.82, Shipping time via priority mail from Indianapolis to Sarasota:48 hours (mail pickup to delivery) 5 pounds/no insurance. CGC signed for package at 12:23 PM April 19th. 8 days and counting at CGC. CGC cost $134.90 Total cost per book to slab: $23.62. You will see inventory results as soon as the books return.

Lot #5 30 modern books, CGC invoice 167000, shipping cost $17.18, Shipping time via priority mail from Indianapolis to Sarasota:48 hours (mail pickup to delivery) 7 pounds/no insurance. CGC signed for package at 11:17 AM April 24th. 3 days and counting at CGC. CGC cost $533.80. Total cost per book to slab: $18.37. You will see inventory results as soon as the books return.

Lot #6 23 modern books, CGC invoice 167099, shipping cost $12.15, Shipping time via priority flat rate box mail from Indianapolis to Sarasota:48 hours (mail pickup to delivery) 5 pounds/ with insurance. CGC signed for package April 26th. 1 day and counting at CGC. CGC cost $415.35. Total cost per book to slab: $18.86. You will see inventory results as soon as the books return.

Lot #7 30 modern books, CGC invoice 167111, shipping cost $12.15, Shipping time via priority flat rate box mail from Indianapolis to Sarasota:48 hours (mail pickup to delivery) 5 pounds/ with insurance. CGC signed for package April 26th. 1 day and counting at CGC. CGC cost $532.45. Total cost per book to slab: $18.15. You will see inventory results as soon as the books return.

Lot #8 6 modern books, CGC invoice 167112, shipping cost $0.0, Shipping time via priority flat rate box mail from Indianapolis to Sarasota:48 hours (mail pickup to delivery) 1 pounds/ with insurance. CGC signed for package April 26th. 1 day and counting at CGC. CGC cost $134.90. Total cost per book to slab: $22.48. You will see inventory results as soon as the books return.

Lot #9 4 modern books, CGC invoice 167113, shipping cost $6.93, Shipping time via priority flat rate envelope mail from Indianapolis to Sarasota:48 hours (mail pickup to delivery) 1 pounds/ with insurance. No tracking, CGC has not notified me of arrival. CGC cost $93.70. Total cost per book to slab: $25.15. You will see inventory results as soon as the books return.

Lessons learned so far:

1. The cost per book is much less if you pack 30 books in a flat rate box.

2. Don't mail using Flat Rate Priority Mail envelopes via stamps.com. No tracking info...

3. It looks like CGC's modern grading time is now in excess of 30 days.

Red Ella