Kronius

I recently pulled my comic collection out of climate-controlled storage. I was planning to submit my ASM 300 for pressing/grading, but as I was reviewing it for any hidden defects, I noticed that the inside pages appear to have some ink transfer from one side to the other and also maybe some ink smearing? None of my other books, some of which are even older, have this issue, so I'm not sure why this happened to this particular book. See pictures below.

I don't see anything in the CGC grading scale where anything like this is specifically mentioned, so I don't know what effect this will have on the actual grade? I'm trying to decide whether this book is worth submitting for grading. Other than this one issue, the book is in really good shape. I was hoping to get a 9.2+ before I noticed this.

On 5/2/2022 at 6:27 AM, theCapraAegagrus said:

IMO, no.

Yeah, I think it was getting a little irrationally exuberant about potential treasures in my collection. I'm going to slow it down and only send a few with really good potential this first time around and take it from there.

On 4/30/2022 at 6:05 PM, ExNihilo said:

It won't affect the grade, but it may impact the resale value as collectors will likely assign a small premium to more perfectly centered books.

That said I'd think twice about spending the money submitting a book that's available for $20-$30 raw.  Heck, I saw someone on Reddit the other day post a copy they bought for $14.

Yeah it’s on the borderline of what I was thinking of sending in. I’ll probably stick to books worth $50+ on this first submission.

I can always submit the cheaper ones later with a 9.8 pre screening.

On 4/30/2022 at 4:48 PM, Heavyheavyheavy said:

Oh no, that's not a defect (per se), that's just a miswrap. Super common, but usually on older books. Go look at 20 different ASM #129s and you'll see 20 different miswraps. It only keeps a book out of 9.9 and 10 because it's aesthetics not physical damage and does not affect the grade further. This usually affects those who are anal retentive or have fake comic book OCD the most 

As a former baseball card collector also, to me this is the comic book equivalent of an off center card. The centering of a card is a huge factor in its grade and only minor centering imperfections are allowed in the top grades, though admittedly they do allow some off centering so it’s a question of degree just like anything else.

On 4/30/2022 at 4:31 PM, Heavyheavyheavy said:

What's the defect?

The staples and the fold are in the wrong place?

On 4/30/2022 at 2:50 PM, Kronius said:

Maybe its worth using using these three 361s to test out my local presser that I mentioned in my other post (4-6 week turnaround). Then it's only $15 extra to add fast track for the grading which cuts another 60 days off the turnaround.

Going that route would make the total time from pressing to grading 8-10 weeks.

Of course if I do this, I'm completely ignoring the original advice I received, which seemed reasonable, to not try to time the market....

On 4/30/2022 at 3:25 PM, Heavyheavyheavy said:

Just to make sure, it's the regular grading fee PLUS $15 for FT so the cheapest it would be is $39 per comic.

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

Yes, I was not clear. I was comparing it to my original post where I was considering paying for fast track for both CCS pressing and CGC grading which would be a total of $30 per book just for the fast track, plus all the other fees and shipping charges.

I edited my post to make it clearer.

I assumed this book would have no chance of getting a grade over 9.0, but after doing some research I am seeing even some 9.8's with similar binding defects. I am sort of blown away by it, because I would never buy a 9.8 with a defect like this.

Here is the book:

On 4/30/2022 at 2:23 PM, MAR1979 said:

...

To @Kronius this will probably means all 3 in 9.6 may become a break-even scenario. if you get one or more 9.4's you may be in the red add a 9.2 or lower into the mix and its "game over".  I know it's not what you want to read, but ability to make a profit on your pressing and grading expenditure may have passed for what might possibly be years.

...

Maybe its worth using using these three 361s to test out my local presser that I mentioned in my other post (4-6 week turnaround). Then it's only $15 extra to add fast track for the grading which cuts another 60 days off the turnaround.

Going that route would make the total time from pressing to grading 8-10 weeks.

On 4/30/2022 at 1:07 PM, rjpb said:

I'd investigate other pressers, preferably one local to you if there is one. You should be able to find one who measures turnaround time in weeks not months. 

Good idea. I did some googling and Richard Guzman from gocollect.com recommends Strictly Comix in Houston, Texas, which is near me. I don't see any posts about that place on these boards, though. And the post just said "I hear many good things about" ... no first hand experience. It's tough to go with a place without hearing directly from customers with first hand experience, even if the wait time will be much shorter.

On 4/30/2022 at 12:19 PM, Ryan. said:

But he said they were unread.

I’m the original owner since 1992.

On 4/30/2022 at 11:03 AM, MAR1979 said:

IMHO

- ASM361 was a hot ASM "de jour" in 2020-2021.

…

Unless you are experienced in self-grading and are reasonably sure you will receive 9.8's, from a fiscal aspect may be best to forgo pressing and grading. If you have personal connection to these books and are looking to keep them for nostalgia then by all mean do press and grade.

…

Top 2 All-Time CGC Census Population Marvel Books! The 9.8 and 9.6 #'sand Average Grade score of 361 are staggeringly high and growing every new census posting. Demand however is not.

…

 

Thank you for the very thoughtful post.

It kills me that I missed the 2020-2021 hype.

I definitely do not trust my grading skills. I talked to my local comic shop that I trust. They said even a skilled grader has trouble predicting 9.6 vs 9.8. They also said if it’s worth grading then they recommend pressing it because it does not add much to the cost but it can potentially make a huge difference in value if that is what gets you a 9.8.

If I don’t pay for fast pass then I can submit those three with other books to spread out the shipping cost. Then the cost per book is only about $50 which even if I get a 9.6 is probably enough to make some profit. 9.6s are currently selling for $250-350 on eBay. Even if that is cut in half by the time I get them back, that’s still a profit for me. Now, if I got a 9.4 there may not be a profit in it and maybe a loss.

I had seen the 9.8 and 9.6 population for 361 previously, and it is nuts but not surprising I guess, considering everyone (including myself) was hoping it would be the next ASM 300. There are also a LOT of 9.8s on eBay right now. They seem to sell for about $600 currently.

I have 3 copies of ASM 361 that I am looking to have pressed and graded and my intent is to sell them. Two of them have never even been read so I am hoping for 9.8s (or better??? :-) ) I am concerned about the hype from the movie last year dying down and the value dropping while my books are waiting in a queue.

i have been out of the comic collecting business for 25 years so I am hoping you all can help me out with how the price is likely to fluctuate.

I am trying to decide whether to send them to Joey/CFP for pressing, who currently has an 8 month wait, or go with CCS and pay for fast track, which would be a 3-4 month wait. Then you need to add the grading times to that also.

I am not sure if an extra 4 months is unlikely to make a difference or whether it could drop in value 50% in that time.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!!!

On 4/15/2022 at 6:50 PM, james_c said:

That is when I got the message that I can get a Pre-Screen refund but the damage could have been done in shipping so it sounds like the blame is being shifted to USPS. 

..

Does anyone have any experience in dealing with situation and is there anyway to protect myself when submitting books in the future?  (other than hoping someone doesn't manhandle my books)

I have no experience submitting to CGC (yet-my first time is coming soon). But I do have experience dealing with USPS…

USPS will never pay anything if you can’t prove the shipping box was damaged—-the shipping box that CGC threw away long ago. Without the “damaged” (or undamaged?) shipping box, there is no way for USPS to know if the damage was caused by mishandling by them or improper packaging by you (or mishandling by CGC).

Look at it from CGC’s perspective—anyone could submit an already damaged comic to them and claim it was damaged by CGC. The problem is the individual employee that (likely) dropped your book is probably much better off saying nothing than fessing up. You’d think they’d have cameras covering every square inch of the place to prevent theft, but who knows. That would also require someone spending a lot of time reviewing video tape just so CGC could lose more money?

This seems to be the nightmare scenario that everyone is afraid of. You’d be better off if they lost your book because then they’d have to pay you.

The only way to protect yourself better next time would be to take super detailed photos before submitting. Even then, if they don’t admit fault and blame the post office, your only recourse would be to sue, which wouldn’t be worth it unless it was a super high value comic.

On 4/19/2022 at 6:25 AM, theCapraAegagrus said:

Shouldn't CGC be getting an insurance payout from USPS? They should be making you whole with that + the pre-screen refund. I'm not sure if that covers all damages, but that seems like best-case scenario from my POV on this case.

Other than insurance that covers in-transit damages?

If the purported damage happened on its way to CGC, then James, as the shipper, would be the one to file the claim.

On 4/28/2022 at 2:21 PM, lostboys said:

I dont use any tape of any kind...ever.

I dont want someone at CGC getting frustrated while opening my package or snagging my comic on the tape as its being removed from the bag.

I put the comic in a Ultra Pro bag with a few extra boards...NO TAPE

 

Good point about the tape. I hate it when people think by putting all this tape on something they're making it super protected. All they're doing is increasing the risk that I will damage it when I try to open it!!!

Do you use Silver Age bags or Modern Age bags for Modern Age comics, or do you think it doesn't make a difference? My concern is with just one board, the comics do slide around inside the bag.

I will try adding additional boards and seeing what effect that has.

I am looking to submit comics for grading for the first time, and I am nervous about the packaging / mailing process, and I would like some advice.

I would just use the CGC submission kit, but they are on backorder. I saw CGC's youtube video that explains how to submit yourself using cardboard, painters tape, bubble wrap, and a USPS medium flat rate box (side-loading, 13 5/8″ x 11 7/8″ x 3 3/8″). My plan is to go that route since it seems to be the CGC recommended alternative to their kits.

However, I have a few questions that I am hoping the community can help me with:

1. Do the sleeves / backing boards matter? I bought silver age sleeves (ultra-pro) and boards (vintage) because I thought the modern age sleeves and boards were too small and wouldn't protect the corners well enough. However, since the books will be taped to a slab of cardboard, the cardboard will be protecting the book from damage to the edges if the corners of the shipping box get bashed in. Therefore, the primary risk to the comic appears to be sliding around inside the sleeve. So, I am wondering whether a modern age sleeve would actually be better for that? Or, I understand people usually use multiple boards inside the sleeve. Will that prevent the book from sliding around inside the sleeve during shipping?

2. I have about 10-15 books that I want to submit for grading. Does anyone know for sure if that many comics will fit in that box along with all the other packaging material you need? On the youtube video, they only pack 6 comics in the box and it looks like there's room left over for more, but it's hard to tell.

3. I have some books that I would like to expedite and others not. Can you submit some expedited and not expedited in the same shipment, or do I need to split those up into two different shipments?

THANKS!!!!