Drake Dragoon

Thank you for your replies and the additional information.

It sounds like the definitive policy is: B) Date delivered to the CGC office/PO Box (via tracking)

I conclude that CGC doesn't have an automated system that links the data to see if there's a discount that expired between stages that should've been applied. They just see if you have a current discount when they actually charge the card, without seeing when the submission was delivered to the mail room. And if the customer calls in and says "did I get my discount? It was delivered on time!" they can review and fix it later.

But how do I know if I got the right discount if I can't review what credits I have available on my account page? And why do I need to call in and get the discount fixed when CGC already knows the date the package arrived?

(example: CGC destroyed one of my books during slabbing and paid my declared value. I assumed it was credited to my card. Nope. It's a credit on my CGC account that I had no idea was there, because I can't see it. I only found out because I was inquiring about my membership credit on the phone.)

My hope is that the new website changes (coming soon) will allow customers to view which credits they have available, when they expire, and a cut off date to mail in a submission to obtain each credit. And that the new system will automate the link between mail room deliveries and the finance department.

IN ADDITION:

- It would be nice if I could enter my own tracking number for a submission that I send to CGC when I use my own mail service. That way, CGC has a more accurate record of when my submission was delivered to their mail room, which could help automate the credit process.

- And finally, a line by line breakdown of the charges on the final invoice would be helpful. I'd be able to see what final services I was charged for and which discounts were applied. The final charge often differs from the submission invoice total, and even the services may differ if collectibles are moved to other tiers, charged based on FMV, or rejected in a pre-screen submission. So this seems like a necessary/required feature.

No need to respond. Thanks for reading my rant, comments, and criticism.

What date determines discount?

I asked this question because I kept getting mixed messages, and I wanted a final confirmation.

But I just got an email reply when I asked a representative about my membership discount that conflicts again.

"I wanted to confirm that my membership credit for $150 that expired on July 14th was properly deducted from the total. The package was delivered on July 10th."

"Regarding your renewal credit of $150. It was applied to this submission because you're not charged for the grading until the grading actually occurs (July 28)."

Shasta M. (customer service email) said: "until the grading actually occurs"

BUT...

NickiO CS (this thread) said: "as long as your package is delivered before the expiration date"

edited: And now the customer service hotline just told me "when CGC charges the card, which could be when it's received or when it's graded, depending on the service."

I'm sure CGC will sort it out in a fair manner and properly credit my account (edited: they did), but it's just strange that this is so vague.

I just want to be sure that my $150 credit from the last cycle was applied to my submission (renewed July 14th, package delivered July 10th), and that I still have a new $150 credit remaining for use in a future submission (edited: this was answered in a phone call).

After that, I'll just make sure to send a submission no later than 30 days before my membership renews - to be sure I get the proper credit without a weird experience.

In case anyone is curious about the pace of CGC this summer (July-August 2023), here is a final breakdown of the process for my 25 book Modern Prescreen submission (no press).

- Sent July 7th.

- Arrived in the CGC Mail Room (via Tracking) July 10th. (3 days)

- Scanned as received by CGC July 18th. (8 days)

- Moved to Prescreen/Grading/Encapsulation/Imaging July 28th. (10 days)

- Moved to Shipped August 1st. (4 days)

- Expected arrival date by August 8th. (7 days)

Basically, about 1 month from the time it left my house to the time it should end up on my porch.

Not bad!

Mine just showed up on the Submission Tracking page after 18 days. Still within the 10-20 days expected (in case anyone is curious).

I'm at 14 days and waiting. I can confirm as well that the intake process is taking awhile, but still within the expected 10-20 days.

My USPS tracking #9405509205568016807051 to verify that my package was at CGC before my membership lapsed.

Initially, I thought placing an order with my credit card would reserve the credit. But now I can see how someone might place an order, but delay sending it in for months, knowing they won't be charged until CGC grades the books.

Thanks again for the reply.

Thanks for the reply.

I would prefer to use my just-expired credit for the current submission that's still waiting to be scanned in. Then use the new credit for another submission once this one is completed and shipped back.

What's the point of an 'ASK CGC' thread if they don't answer?

Hello.

My membership is about to expire in 3 days.

I submitted an order to CGC 10 days ago and it was delivered by USPS 7 days ago. *I mailed it with my own shipping label and insurance, so CGC doesn't have the tracking information in their system.

Anyhow, I'm curious as to which date determines the discount that is applied to my account:

A) Date the forms were completed and an order was placed with a Credit Card (as it should be)

B) Date delivered to the CGC office/PO Box (via tracking)

C) Date CGC gets around to scanning it in (10-20 days average)

D) Date CGC charges me for the completed service

If my membership expires before CGC acknowledges the package, is my credit wasted?

Thanks.

On 7/7/2023 at 7:09 PM, darkstar said:

If you click the blue print button with the option you've already selected in that screenshot it will save the file to your computer as a PDF, it isn't actually going to print anything. 

Okay thanks! I didn't actually try pressing the 'PRINT' button. 

Hello.

I might just be blind, but I couldn't find anywhere to download my packing slip (just print). I don't have a printer so I had to print it at a FedEx Print-And-Go location.

I wasn't emailed a copy of the packing slip and there wasn't an option to request that. And if I bring up the print window, there isn't an option to save the file either (on PC).

It wasn't until I logged in with my phone that I got a little icon to save the file to that device, and then I was able to browse the internal files inside of my phone and attach the .pdf to an email so I could finally forward it to Print-And-Go.

If it's there on PC, it isn't very intuitive, and I can't find it.  "Print" and "Cancel", that's it.

Maybe CGC can add a button to 'Download' the packing slip instead of just print? Thanks.

On 4/15/2022 at 5:51 PM, Monstertruck97 said:

They are a VERY successful company and I am pretty sure they don't need your suggestions.

EVERY successful company listens to their customers.

On 4/15/2022 at 5:51 PM, Monstertruck97 said:

They don't need to set up at shows because business is simply that good

This would be one of the poorest excuses a company could demonstrate to their shareholders.

On 4/15/2022 at 5:51 PM, Monstertruck97 said:

Reason, not enough submissions to make it worth their while

Not true. As stated by revat: There MIGHT be a line to drop off books, ok PROBABLY.  And it might be a long one.

On 4/15/2022 at 5:51 PM, Monstertruck97 said:

You are truly in a minority in your thinking.

They are a VERY successful company and I am pretty sure they don't need your suggestions.

They don't need to set up at shows because business is simply that good and proof comes in how long it takes to get my submissions back. 

They set up at my backyard Con six years ago (with on-site) once (and it's much bigger than Washington) and only once.

Reason, not enough submissions to make it worth their while and I am not at all upset that they aren't setting up and I am still going to hit up closest Cons around me.

 

 

Good for you my friend.

On 4/14/2022 at 9:47 AM, revat said:

So you proposing a CGC booth in Washington reads to me as "Lets send staff across country in a pandemic to collect MORE books, but do nothing to speed up processing or grading.  In fact, it will probably slow things down. "

Even if I had only been talking about 'collecting MORE books', with no 'ON-SITE GRADING', then CGC could just hire any $15 an hour employee to simply collect those books. So, if that's what you thought I meant, why would CGC fly a staffer all the way from Florida if they don't even need a professional to grade something? Who does that? Probably no one running a successful business.

I suppose, if you add a 'witness' for signing events, that MAY require a Florida staffer at a booth. Yet CGC still does SS events (mostly in Florida, but also in Texas and California).

Anyhow, I was (pretty obviously) not referring to a CGC booth that only collects books to send off to Florida like every other submission - that makes almost no sense (except to save on one way shipping, minus entry fee, if you're already attending the convention).

On 4/14/2022 at 9:47 AM, revat said:

But Washington? now? 

Why not? What's stopping them? America is open for business.

On 3/29/2022 at 4:57 PM, revat said:

i don't follow your logic?

In a world where cgc is ultra-behind on grading, we need 5-10 staff at headquarters in Florida to fly across (in a pandemic) the country taking days away the office to make it EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO SUBMIT EVEN MORE BOOKS more easily.

 

Providing these services isn't logical?  This you???

On 10/1/2019 at 4:17 PM, revat said:

There MIGHT be a line to drop off books, ok PROBABLY.  And it might be a long one.

Pro's: 

1.  Don't have to package or pay for shipping to CGC in Florida (although technically you could drop at a con for non-onsite grading).

2.  Less handling and transpo means less chance of damage

3.  Get your comic back way faster, and don't have to pay for return shipping or insurance (or worry about damage from shipping)

4.  You can argue about newton rings on the SPOT.

And here is an example of a user who's not happy that on-site grading went away at their location:

On 10/3/2019 at 11:17 AM, Icculus308win said:

....the on-site grading at Chicago - used to be a wonderful thing 😔

And this one, where they also plan a convention based on available CGC services:

On 11/25/2019 at 3:41 PM, BronzeBruce13 said:

For some of us, knowing sooner than later about an On-Site Events is key in planning our cons for the year.

I think you get where I'm going with this...

It would be logical to add more CGC booths at shows: customers are happy, CGC gets a win. How they accomplish that is purely logistics that they can afford to put together with as much demand as they have generated. ANY business would be jealous.

Whether they have to "fly someone across country" or not is a business decision they can sort out on their end. It ain't my problem. I'm just a consumer.

Hopefully that clarifies my logic.

That said, I can see where you're coming from. You believe they can only employ a few graders, and they aren't able to figure out how to get qualified people to shows without compromising the limited staffing in Florida. But I believe they have enough demand and money to figure that part out - and they should. That's where we differ.

That said, I do have other examples that ARE considered an error, for having NO ink of one color. They get a qualified grade from CGC stating "Manufactured without (insert) ink on cover".

This is what led me to ask this question. TY

On 2/21/2022 at 5:50 AM, theCapraAegagrus said:

Are any of them actually errors?

No. I did get an answer on a different thread and I forgot this thread existed.

*The ink just (almost) ran out and it's very common I guess.

Although it is rare to have a copy with nearly, or no ink of one color, it doesn't make it monetarily more valuable. But I'm still going to have them graded and displayed as a set for my own pleasure.

ty

On 4/6/2022 at 6:08 PM, Lazyboy said:

You mean other than anyone who has even the slightest clue how things work?

Yep. I'm a normal consumer who enjoys ease of access, extended services, and savings. I don't really need to know about the inner working of a company I'm not invested in. I'm here for the service they provide, not a logistics conference.

On 3/29/2022 at 4:57 PM, revat said:

i don't follow your logic?

In a world where cgc is ultra-behind on grading, we need 5-10 staff at headquarters in Florida to fly across (in a pandemic) the country taking days away the office to make it EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO SUBMIT EVEN MORE BOOKS more easily.

Who said the staff that works in Florida is the same staff that works in Washington State? Maybe they have staff in Washington, or maybe they have a dedicated staff for Cons. Either way, CGC grading services are a major part of attending a comic convention for many people.

Providing CGC services at Comic Conventions has helped CGC promote brand recognition and gain new customers; It's a valuable part of their business. Especially when facing new competition in the marketplace.

Cutting CGC booths from conventions only adds to customer frustrations while CGC is facing heavy delays, QC issues, and price hikes.

The reason I won't be attending the Washington State Comic Con? No CGC booth. And when there is a CGC booth, the lines are HUGE. <-- That's profit for any business. And any smart business would hire more people to fill those roles.

More booth =  more con attendees = more happy customers = more brand recognition = more profit = WIN!

"Logic"

P.S. That book (TMNT #4 2nd Print 'Nintendo Cover' CGC 9.8) is worth $5,000, while a 9.6 is only worth about $1,200. So, somebody got a huge bonus!

**The seller (on eBay) did call attention to the 'problem areas' within the listing, and set the price at only $4,000 - knowing that the slab was given too high of a grade. Yet it's barely worth 25% of that listing price. 

GOOD GAWD!  Who graded this thing?!

There's only 13 of these 9.8's on census and the value (heavily based on rarity) drops as more get added due to poor grading! Way to drag the rest down, CGC.

I have 2 of these ready for submission that should get a 9.8, so this makes me sad when I see a 9.0-9.2 in there taking up a reserved spot for elite books. GET THE HELL OUT OF THAT SLAB!

This is why you send precious books to a professional and cough up the extra money to have it cleaned and pressed properly. Too many people are watching YouTube videos on how to 'clean' a comic book with improper methods. Everyone thinks they're a pro after watching a video.

Luckily, after more people destroy these old books, our precious copies get more and more rare =P

On 3/10/2022 at 7:11 AM, Pancakes! said:

?

https://www.cgccomics.com/submit/services-fees/cgc-grading/

"Certain grading tiers are currently experiencing significant delays."

What they mean is: As long as the Modern and Economy tiers are overloaded, people are willing to pay extra for Fast Track! 

Maybe it's some kind of color-lift from the comic sliding around in the inner well during shipping. But hopefully it's just an imperfect inner-well that shouldn't have been used - and the marks are on the outside. 

I don't see 'CGC Booth' on the floor plan for the Washington state summer con. I'm disappointed.

At a time when CGC is a year out for returning slabs, they need to be adding MORE booths at shows.