Bomber-Bob

The marketplace rarely awards market scarcity alone. Otherwise, my NM Treasure Chest comics would be worth a fortune ! All the Wonder Woman from this era are very scarce.

+1 on both points. I really hope the tanning is more the result of the scanner settings than how the book looks in hand. This may be a case where the technical grade is 9.4 but the eye appeal is an 8.0. I cringe when I see that browning edge.

Definitely rusty staples. I really would like to see CGC mention rusty staples on the label, like tape. It's not always visible on a scan and so easy to miss.

It's actually a pretty nice book. You really should post this in the PGM thread but I'm thinking 4.0, either way. There's enough heavy duty creases that flattening the book won't help.

Great pics Hep ! Nice stereo and vinyl . A Blackhawks Jersey ?

Oh, wow beautiful copy!! Yes, outstanding copy. Perfectly centered and White pages, looks very fresh. IMO, a tightly graded 9.2, like this, is the best value for your money. Congrats.

Yeah, it's a bummer. 10% is a significant drag. Indeed it is Now I will look at it as I'm paying personally, an extra 10% for the great scans and stats and facts Curse you Illinois! At least our state needs the money, you can't argue with that. Since the tax revenue does not add anything to Heritage's coffers, I am disappointed that they are charging this tax. They are strictly going with the advice of their accountants who are probably taking the easiest, safest route of the tax interpretation. Just because they hold an occasional auction within the borders of Illinois, why would that result in all online purchases outside of the auction being taxed. They quoted me some 6 year old court decision, which has since been successfully challenged already. Anyway, not my call, it's just disappointing as I do like Heritage's auctions.

I'm not so sure anymore. As F_T once said, he regrades his own books and gets all the same grades. Generally, me too. So I'm not sure why the inconsistency. I will concur that the SAME person can be consistent, however, we are dealing with different graders. Though, in theory, these graders are using a 'standard' set of parameters, I think the standards are still open to the interpretation of the individual graders. Not radically, but just enough to cause +1/-1 situation. Maybe CGC should lock in their graders to long term contracts for consistency, like they do in sports.

I only have a couple CBCS slabs and they seemed appropriately graded. However, assuming your statement is true and CBCS is loose, it would behoove them to tighten up. I may be wrong but it seems like CGC is grading all the Moderns and SS books. The real competition between CGC and CBCS is in the Vintage books. Whoever grades the tightest will prevail in that niche.

I agree. Perhaps the early Overstreet Price guides had it right when they had only three categories, something like Good, Fine, and Near Mint. No human being is capable of fine tuning to the level the grading companies are attempting without error. It wouldn't be so bad if buyers were not paying the huge difference in price between these 'grades'.

Not really, though I feel your pain. I take no consolation from the misfortune of others. 30% Ouch. This is a moving target for you = someday it may be in your favor.

Did you notice you are now paying sales tax on not only the purchase price but also the BP and the shipping. The 20% BP has now turned into a 30% BP. I thought, at least in Illinois, that you do not pay sales tax on 'service'. They told me I am wrong. I was not aware of this. Granted I have not bought or won any books for a spell with any grand value. Now I will get out the calculator on my next win or purchase. HA doesn't have an office in Illinois but they do conduct an auction here, hence we are now charged a sales tax. The effect is compounded by the fact that the tax is on the grand total which includes the BP and shipping. They did discuss it with me but they are following the advice of the accountants. I used to love the Sunday night auctions, picking up some cool books at a reasonable price but I now have to pass. The good times are over. How much is the sales tax? Is it enough that you can't just include it in your bidding strategy and still win some books? I don't think I'd have to write Heritage off if they started charging MA state tax. 5% wouldn't make that much of a difference. I just looked at my invoice and they charged 8.25 % sales tax. As mentioned they applied the tax to the grand total, inclusive of BP and shipping, compounding the effect of the tax to roughly 10 %. Sure, I can include this in my bidding but what's the chances of a win when you are competing against buyers that are not paying the sales tax. I'm in a 10% hole out of the gate. The BP is an even playing field but the sales tax is not.

Did you notice you are now paying sales tax on not only the purchase price but also the BP and the shipping. The 20% BP has now turned into a 30% BP. I thought, at least in Illinois, that you do not pay sales tax on 'service'. They told me I am wrong. I was not aware of this. Granted I have not bought or won any books for a spell with any grand value. Now I will get out the calculator on my next win or purchase. HA doesn't have an office in Illinois but they do conduct an auction here, hence we are now charged a sales tax. The effect is compounded by the fact that the tax is on the grand total which includes the BP and shipping. They did discuss it with me but they are following the advice of the accountants. I used to love the Sunday night auctions, picking up some cool books at a reasonable price but I now have to pass. The good times are over.

Can you name the founder of CGC and also name the founder of CBCS? I always got the impression Borock didn't actually grade that much with CGC, at least he didn't enjoy it as much as the other aspects of the business. I have no idea how much he is grading with the new company, however, I don't think your comment means the two companies are on par, grading wise.

Did you notice you are now paying sales tax on not only the purchase price but also the BP and the shipping. The 20% BP has now turned into a 30% BP. I thought, at least in Illinois, that you do not pay sales tax on 'service'. They told me I am wrong.

I am speechless. Unopened packs !

Great looking copy. Love it. Congrats !!!!

I remember spending the princely sum of 1500.00 on raw Oaklands from Vinnie's collectibles when they brought them to a Chicago Motor City convention. I still have 15 in slabs and a few raws lying around. Here is the list of the 15 slabbed. Secret Hearts 127 8.0 OW/W Oakland Beatles Cameo Secret Hearts 128 9.6 OW/W Oakland Only Graded Hawkman 24 9.6 OW/W Oakland Tied for Highest Hawkman 27 9.6 White Oakland Batman 222 9.0 White Oakland Wonder Woman 186 9.4 OW/W Oakland Wonder Woman 188 9.4 White Oakland Adventure 387 9.8** White Oakland Adventure 400 9.6 White Oakland Showcase 71 9.6 OW/W Oakland Green Lantern 62 9.4 White Oakland Green Lantern 63 9.4 WHite Oakland Green Lantern 64 9.6 WHite OAkland Green Lantern 65 9.4 White Oakland Green Lantern 67 9.4 OW/W Oakland They can all be seen @ http://www.myslabbedcomics.com/GalleryDetail.asp?GCat=516

I disagree, a stated blanket Return Policy would have helped you with this transaction.

I asked for a grade and a Return Policy from a seller. You scoffed publicly about it. Now you make a bad transaction and come crying to the Boards for support. Donkey, I'm not throwing a tantrum, I'm simply calling you out. You like to demean others while trying to appear you have the higher ground. I'm calling it as I see it. Practice what you preach. 'If you want a guarantee, buy a graded book'. Accept the fact that you messed up. It happens.

I can't help feeling the irony here as just last week you blasted me for asking about return policy and pics on the Boards. Note your comment 'If you want guarantees then buy graded books.' And you made this purchase in hand ? I don't believe in rules for all. That does not mean I don't hold buyers or sellers to standards. 'I don't believe in rules for all. That does not mean I don't hold buyers or sellers to standards.' What exactly are you stating here ? It seems like you are saying the rules only apply when it happens to you. Again, your comment, 'If you want guarantees then buy graded books'. And as soon as something happens to you, you come crying to the Boards. You can't have it both ways Donkey. Stand by your statements and deal with it.

I can't help feeling the irony here as just last week you blasted me for asking about return policy and pics on the Boards. Note your comment 'If you want guarantees then buy graded books.' And you made this purchase in hand ?

Your book is incredible. Outstanding eye appeal !!!

At times, that's no guarantee either Sorry, nothing is perfect. More rules will make it perfect I'm sure some actually believe that. Just a few simple rules, followed to a T, what a wonderful Hundred Acre Wood this would be. Good statement. I would like to add , just a few simple rules, followed to a T, by everyone. I'm still amazed that the majority sentiment here seemed to think certain sellers don't need to follow the rules. I think the Boards disappoint me the most when discussions turn into popularity contests. Oh well.

Yes, you will not get a tight seal on a reslab. I would say do not bother. BTW, you do not need a membership for a reslab, you can do it yourself.