Tec-Tac-Toe

I am not certain if it was corrected or if it was when it was done. My guess is that the error occurred at the label stage. That is, the grader noted it was a replica but the label "maker" failed to "make it so" when producing the label.

This comic book must have been graded on April 1.

I typed this comment on August 7, 202 .... ... ... 1.

That poor CGC Horse never had a chance.

At my grammar school their title was Custodian. They were all good people, especially a gentleman named Pat who, unfortunately, likely passed long ago.

As is obvious to all (or most), and to state the very obvious (and has been stated on these boards countless times), some folks who can afford to spend relatively unlimited funds on comic books do so and some do not. Some folks who can't afford to do so, do so by perhaps using a credit card, while some of the latter stay strictly within their budget. Arguably, the lower or higher the relative price of issue X, compared to it previous costs, makes a difference to both groups: they can purchase more or fewer books, but likely less so to the first.

Typical FedEx. I have a scheduled delivery today, August 21, ahead of schedule as it was originally scheduled for delivery on August 23. If FedEx actually delivers today and not notify me of a delay, to the 23 if not later, I'll be surprised. As I've written in the past, it is seems that FedEx basically loves letting me know: "Delivery delayed. ... ... ... No one home. Sort of. . ... ... ... Etc., etc. ... ... ... Hahahaha... Sucker!"

And here CGC has not graded a single comic book that I have submitted a 9.9, let alone a 10, despite submitting some gorgeous flawless pristine etc., books. However, I own two 9.9, of 30, and one 10, of 9, that are not those grades, I imagine like other board members. Based on what I recall, as I have not looked at them in years, on a very good day they may each be 9.6. Thankfully, I purchased them on the relatively cheap at least a decade ago and I did so because I like the covers. If I ever sell them I'll do so at a 9.2 price. If CGC ever decides to grade comics books I submit 9.9 and/or 10, I'll likely pass out.

I'll have to pay attention to that as I, like I imagine you, avoid bidding on CC auction items with the buyer's premium. That CC started to do such is one of the main reasons I very rarely bid in its (edit) actions auctions (Action Auctions. I'll copyright that. ).

Indeed. I don't presently sell any comic books but I will also be very unlikely to purchase from CC for the reason you mention. For the books I bid on, I found cheaper BIN for almost all of them since they are common. However, for me the BIN are still too high.

As I have often reported on these boards, in my area, except for one driver that is unfortunately no longer assigned to my route from what I have seen, FedEx is horrendous. As I previously noted, my last shipment from CGC was left at the house next door with folks who recently purchased the home. When they notified me and I collected the box they informed me that no one by the name that was used to sign for the delivery resided there. Clearly, the driver that delivered the box signed for it. I complained to FedEx and they followed-up with me and I complained some more. Since my complaint the FedEx deliveries have been fine (no CGC boxes) with the driver ringing the door bell and waiting to hand the package to me or one of my family members. Being wholly cynical about FedEx, I don't believe this improved service will last and sooner rather than later they will ignore any future complaints I may make.

I have collected Golden Age raw low- to mid-grade copies, give or take 3.5 to 7.5, for around 20 years. I may purchase three, four, or five issues a year. From around 1970, as a kid, to around 2000 I collected the highest grade raw copies I could afford but prices started to get relatively very high, not that for me they were not already high, so I adapted. I have only purchased a few CGC graded GA comic books over the years. One is 9.4 purchased slabbed, one 7.5, purchased raw, the others are between 6.0 to 7.0 all purchased slabbed. Perhaps raw GA is an option for you. Of course, depending on the book and especially grade even raw GA is relatively very expensive with some issues even at, for example, 1.5 being for me extremely expensive.

I collect from GA to MA. Of course, I also collect N, HO, and O scales locomotive, rail cars, buildings, power supplies (some are quite rare, and a few dangerous-electrocution ) etc., etc and have a layout in each scale; I collect and assemble plastic model kits in various scales (planes, ships, cars, science fiction, all of the military armor, etc.); I still have my baseball cards that date from the late 1960s to 1980 (I have not collected them since); I enjoy woodworking (something else I learned from my father); I love gardening (I got that from my paternal grandmother); I love surf fishing (from my father); etc. It is amazing I get to spend so much time with my family, run my business, sleep, move around the house, etc., because, clearly, as I have previously noted, I have far far too many hobbies. I do all these "on the cheap" as much as possible which, if you look often, you will find closeouts, sales, two-for-one, and on.

I like this cover.

That stinks. Hopefully RRC will be able to get the comic book back.

I also recall, for example, folks at Sunshine Comics and A&M Comics, both in Miami, FL, buying A S-M 300 by the proverbial truckload and 301 and on at lower numbers but still relatively huge amounts. Do those folks still have those copies? If they do, will they ever grade them and, if they do, what grade may they be? If any of them are like me, you, etc., these comic books were carefully stored since purchase and many (what may be considered many) are bound to be very high grade. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? Oops, wrong forum. How many graded 9.8 or higher copies of A S-M 300 does it take for prices to "tank?" What is/will be considered a tanking price for it? Will it ever, per se, tank?

Some folks still "believe" that the moon landings were faked. Comic book prices have always fluctuated. Yes, even prior to graded comic books as many board members know. When there is a steady or rare steep increase in prices that is what it is. When there is steady or rare steep decrease in prices that is what it is. Price outliers can always be found for either instance, but that merely is the exception that proves the rule for the prevailing trend. Of course, this is applicable to things that are important.

To repeat, I, like many, have always looked for good deals/prices on the comic books, raw and CGC graded, I want. For the last few years, since around 2018, I have primarily purchased CGC graded run fillers since I had purchased all the CGC graded major and minor keys that I wanted relatively long ago. During 2021-2022 I mostly, if not solely, I'll have to check my records, purchased CGC graded books via auctions, always underbidding and winning a few run fillers and some minor keys. In 2023 I have purchased (won) perhaps two CGC graded run fillers at prices I like. If I decide to sell, it will not be for several years and should make a profit on all, perhaps including run fillers. If no profit is to be had, that is fine since like most board members the goal is to look for and find, hopefully purchase, and enjoy the comic book.

I, like many, hope that prices continue a downward trend and I, at least, hope for 2020 prices (even lower) as most folks will still make a healthy profit. For those that paid 2021-2022 prices, if prices keep going down that will stink but, like most things, things change and they may still be fine in a few years.

Fantastic, especially since the seller sounds like a good person.

Ha! Thankfully, the dealer was about 6 feet behind his table. Regardless, one could still smell him. A nice gentleman that I recall but, apparently, (edit) adverse (the Miami-con was adverse to success as it was held in a different venue every year that I went. At some point I lost track of it. I don't know if it became the Florida Supercon) to regular bathing.

I would not want to be friends with some of the dealers I met at cons during the 1980s and 1990s because, well, some were, I'll write, slightly less than Mr. Clean. In fact, I recall one dealer at the, was it called at that time, Miami-Con, asking me, his exact words, "How can you get close to that guy?" I responded that I could hold my breath for long periods of time. I actually breathed through my mouth as much as I could. Granted, those dealers very likely did not want to be my friends, probably thinking "This is the biggest nerd in here!"