Bomber-Bob

I have some reservations about the new holder. High grade books look spectacular in the new holder but lower grade books look terrible as flaws are magnified. They are heavier and sturdier but they take up more space in the box and weigh more for shipping. I don't like the placement or font size of the page quality designation. I think CGC was making a subtle 'statement' that they don't care about it. The biggest con for me is they are very difficult to open up. You also can't use the slipping paper into the sides to remove Newton rings trick. And these new holders could use a home remedy to fix the Newton Rings. In summary, it's a wash at best for me.

Please don't put a signature on that high grade Twin Cities. IMO, it ruins the pedigree.

Couple comments, the CGC 'authorized' people you reference are not CGC employees, they simply have CGC accounts. If you use them you will be at their mercy for status. CGC themselves will not be able to help you with status. The integrity of some of these authorized people have been known to come into question. I suggest you get an account and submit yourself. You mention you are returning to China on August 16. Please realize your submissions will most likely not be completed by then.

Actually, it went up 25% !

I've always noticed Avengers 24 is easily found and in high grade also. I always assumed it was a warehouse find. Not sure where any of this is leading ? Your supplying more questions than answers, LOL !

Yes, and it was noted on the label, cool bonus for the submitter.

I agree that the #2 should be in the Fine range. The upper staple has some rust. It also looks like a readers's crease in the upper part of the spine area.The upper left corner has a chip or ding. There is a chip in the middle of the top edge. Maybe a tear on the right edge ? It will definitely benefit from a clean and press. The point about the flattened spine is an unfortunate part of pressing. I hate that look but you are the first person to mention it in a long while. It can be 'plumped' up if the presser takes the time. Nice book, good luck with the submission.

Do the reds fade before blue ?

The first book in 7.5 looks to have a slight sun fade. It's all about how the book was stored.

In order to get the pedigree designation they need to be uniformly higher grade. You are buying the best of the best, standout examples. Certain pedigrees have certain characteristics. Some are noted for their structural integrity, some for their cover colors, some for their page quality, etc.While some non pedigrees can be as excellent as a Pedigree, most are not. Open up a Mile High and it smells like it just came out of the cedar closet. Open up a Curator and you will be blinded by the snow white pages. If you like and enjoy Domino's pizza, that's fine but I would rather pay more and get something better.

Years ago, the cog in the wheel was sometimes the encapsulation process. They could grade them a lot faster than they could encapsulate them. Is this true anymore ? Did they get more machines ?

Just a comment. When CGC attends a con, they send more than one rep. I believe there is always a grader present so you can discuss your submissions. Just a guess but I would say at least 4 people attend ? Anyway, attending a con means less staff in the office. Less staff in the office means slower TAT's. Since 'everyone' is complaining about TAT's there has to be some give and take on this. What do we want ? I've seen it suggested for CGC to stop attending cons altogether so they can improve TAT's. I don't think that will happen but unless they can start cloning the staff, we can't have everything. Just saying.

Too optimistic ? For me, this is a reader copy at best but CGC is so loose in the lower grades. I don't see any missing pieces,which usually guarantees a 3.0 from CGC.

Okay, now I understand. From your first post, it was ambiguous as to where the fail was, CGC or the LCS. This is all on your LCS. Those first few weeks, while you thought they were in CGC's hands, the LCS was sitting on them, didn't even ship them out. This is not a new story, it seems to happen frequently with LCS submissions. I think that often the LCS wants to take in the largest batch possible to save on shipping. I don't know if the LCS passes along the shipping charges to you, but assuming they do, you may have been better often shipping yourself. Minimally, the LCS should have either explained the plan to you or given you more status alerts. It sounds like you learned your lesson anyway so I won't preach. Let's just root for some good grades with the submission !

I am still confused. What is your shop telling you and what is CGC telling you ? Did the books make it to CGC ? Please explain your situation more clearly, be specific. I've read about so many bad experiences here with submitting via comic shops that I would never even consider it.

I agree, a terrible pic ! Assuming no other back cover or internal problems, I'm going 3.5 .

Though I believe you are spot on with your assessment, I just can't accept the A-Okay with CGC part. Bindery or not, I don't think anyone would be happy owning this as a 9.8 . With all the complaints we hear about CGC being too strict in assigning 9.8's, I look at this book and think otherwise. It is not fair to put these type of fugly, bindery flawed books into the marketplace. Sure, the submitter is happy, but ultimately the buyer gets an inferior product. But with all that said, you are correct, it's really not on the seller.

Though I doubt that the slab was opened and the book switched, from what I can see of the book it is NOT a 9.8 . The corners you show look terrible, the vertex of the spine looks terrible. It may be that all these flaws were 'acceptable' to CGC because they were considered bindery in nature = came off the line like this. It may be that the book sustained damage from moving around inside the slab. In either case, you obviously don't like the book (I don't like the book either). Trust me, you will never look at this book again without feeling bad about it. I would return it and get your money back now. Don't wait.

The book has a lot of problems but it is whole, no pieces missing, and presents well. IMO, 4.5.

I'm not so sure CGC is wrong. It could be a sun fade. While I have no expertise on the subject, I thought this is what happens with sun fade, greens turn to blue, yellows fade to a lighter shade, etc. Some colors fade sooner than others. I think a Back cover pic would help. Also, the whole book, even the reds, look like they have lost their gloss. This to me would indicate a sun fade. Again, I know nothing, really, just saying...

I often do the same thing, especially if it's a bigger book or rare in grade. You'd be surprised at how often the owner has some interesting background on the book.

In theory, CGC is supposed to grade flaws on the vertex of the spine the same as if they were on the cover. It is obvious the wear on your book is not production, only from wear. I can't see the rest of the book but the spine alone should keep it in the low mid grade area.