phretbored

Previously when I indicated that books were stolen I think that was not quite the correct term. Would embezzlement or misappropriation be more accurate in this situation?

The copy of the submission form that I saved doesn't have any cc info or any payment related info. Reviewing my cc history I don't see any charges processed for Hero Restoration. I would not have written a check it's been years since I have actually written a check. And I don't recall or have any money order receipts or Paypal payments for Hero Restoration. If no upfront payment was made then that's great but it's only one part of this mess. At this point I just want my book returned and no work done or stop the process if any work was actually done. When I submitted my books it was because I wanted the services of someone with experience, skill, focus, attention to detail, with proper communication, etc. Not someone stressed out, overworked, unable to focus, unable to complete, possibly in poor health, possibly hospitalized, with sporadic communication. How can I trust the quality of work and feel comfortable I am getting the level of service for the prices? That is a big reason why I just want my books returned.

I found the info about Hero LLC changes on page 12. Thanks Tnexus for that info. I don't think I was charged for any services up front but I am double checking on that. How did Hero Restoration process payments?

I am trying to find the info about Hero LLC changes. If my books were shipped off at the end of April I want to make sure I have the right info when filing any claims or etc. And I just completed the survey that MattTheDuck and SauceDog are managing.

A few more thoughts: I am wired to be an optimist/glass half full type so I really do want a positive outcome here. My understanding is that Mike does/did have some real talent in the cleaning, pressing, restoration area and it's shame if he cannot use that for good. In some of the emails I sent Mike I even told him I'd be happy to help him if I was in his area. I am not a hateful person but I do look at this situation for what it is not for what I wish it was. I have no sympathy any more it has been exhausted by Mike and if he doesn't get that it's due to his lack of understanding.

Thanks for recommending CFPcomics.com I had someone else recommend them as well I will get in the loop with SauceDog and MattTheDuck

I don't know if he sold my books or not. There could be other reasons sure but to me that is the most logical. He needed money and something of value easy to move showed up. Another reason is because he's deranged and acts in ways that are not exactly sane and for some reason he cannot ship books back. But it makes way more sense to me that he sold them...or maybe pawned them and thinks he can get them back given some time and funds...can you pawn comics IDK? You stated "If I had to guess, I would imagine they are sitting amongst a chaotic cluster of thousands and thousands of other books that Mike has no intention or ability to work on" If I had to guess I would imagine Mike sold some books. Either of us could be right or wrong we don't really know. Regarding stolen books...If the books are never returned even if they were willingly submitted for an advertised service at some point isn't that a form of theft?

Hello all! I got caught up in this HERO RESTORATION mess with some books I submitted sent off in April 2023 and they were acknowledged as received in early May 2023. After reading through the previous locked thread "Hero Restoration Books Not Being Returned" and also reading through this current thread I really feel bad for the other people that have been swindled by Hero Restoration. Unfortunately I didn't see the locked thread until a few months after my books were already submitted. The books I sent in were very clean copies of Amazing Spider-Man 129, Hulk 181, Giant Size X-Men 1, and X-Men 94 (It hurts to type that yes it does.) Pretty much all the books that I have were hand picked via years of collecting and reading and enjoying comics before the internet or Ebay or CGC grading were around. At some point I got out of collecting and just sat on my books for more years but never lost the love for comics. Now I am just starting to get into the grading side of things and so far I have about 25 books that I sent to CGC for grading, The four books I sent to Hero Restoration were the 1st big keys that I submitted to go through the cleaning, pressing, and grading loop. I don't believe that Mike actually worked on my books or that he ever intended to do any work on them. Before I submitted anything I did actually speak to Mike on the phone and he sure played his part well to instill confidence in me but now I know it was only to try and get his hands on my books. After that phone call I also sent a few different follow up emails asking questions about the service. At no time did the email replies indicate things were in a bad way. I truly believe Mike acted in bad faith and clearly knew he was in no position to accept submissions at the time I spoke to him over the phone I truly believe Mike acted in bad faith and clearly knew he was in no position to accept submissions when I sent the follow up emails that he replied to. I don't know if that qualifies as fraud or if it's just unethical but it's dirty and gives insight into Mike's character. Over the course of several months when inquiring about my books I got replies about some work was done but one book needed more time and they would be done in 2 weeks and ship then. Stuff like that every time. There was always some reason for a delay but he could not keep the lies straight so a few times I got replies that didn't fit the story line quite right. Eventually the excuses started changing into health issues. I don't believe his health issues are real or that he was in the hospital for covid...why?...because everything else he says is B S. If someone knows different that he really has health issues and really was in the hospital for covid and can show me proof then ok I am wrong here. Whatever the case I have zero sympathy for Mike at this time. When I realized how bad the situation was with Hero Restoration via reading the threads here I did ask Mike for my books to be returned. The specific request from me was to not do any further work and just send my 4 books back to me. He actually replied that they were OTW. Of course that was another lie. I did get him to reply lie a few more times that my books would be sent out but they were not. It's been about 10 weeks since the first request to have my books returned, I believe Mike sold my books and I asked him to admit to me that he sold my books. Instead of coming clean he sticks to his story that they will be returned. Strange that he can't return them for some reason...oh maybe because they are no longer in his possession i think that is a pretty solid reason why he cannot return them. What Mike has done is theft and fraud and probably some other things that should be included. As I mentioned earlier in this post I am just getting into the grading side of things so I don't have any history here on these forums but I certainly will be spending more time here, It would have been way cooler to jump in under better circumstances but it is what it is. Lastly...Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread and the previous locked thread.

Thanks OP for some great info