DBoy

And the mystery begins of what will it be. It's been a while since I posted up on the boards and just have been reading here from time to time due to my move from the big city to the burbs. I have been reading the latest posts and I am too excited and looking forward to CBCS as becoming a competitor to the comic grading and certification market. We all need to consider this and that is that we must understand that we need to differentiate the difference between our love and drive and nostalgic hold over our collections and the individual books and the memories of how we acquired them and about the story behind where we obtained them. Basically the who, where, when, why and how and of course how much. That's all good and well but when it comes down to the nitty gritty we are all just customers to the machine and the machine is CGC and soon to be CBCS. They are here to grade our books not for the love of the hobby but to make a dollar and a cent. I remember speaking to an employee at the CGC booth a few years ago, I don't remember her name nor do I really care but I asked her if she worked for CGC because she liked comics and she said not really. Now I'm not saying that every employee at CGC doesn't like comics but what I'm driving at is that it comes down to being just a job for most and that is how we need to look at it. I'm sure we all would like our books back in a timely manner but enough is enough. CGC tried to improve its turnaround times to a quicker return and somewhat has but like any corporation it will never cut into its profits to appease the public and why should they? They have no real competition. Now with CBCS on the scene we are all hoping they will be our savior so to speak in getting our books back faster and with cheaper prices to lure us away from CGC's strangle hold over the market. This won't change anything on CGC's end quite as soon as we all think it will or put a scare into them at least not just yet. CGC has piles and piles of books just waiting to be graded so it's going to take a while for them to actually see the slowdown in submissions and when or if that happens that's when things will start to change on their end. Probably it will start in layoffs of graders who were recently added to keep up with the increase of submissions then probably faster turnaround times then some sort of discount or removal of fees such as the $5 handling fee or the direct submission fee. It all depends on what CGC's financial advisor tells them to do but don't expect to see these changes as soon as you think. These will take a while so just hang tight and see what the market dictates because we the consumers hold the key to the success or demise of these companies because without us they can't make it and we all need to remember that. As for eBay being a factor that remains to be seen on how people bid and compare it to prices for CBCS books and CGC books. Hopefully they will balance each other out well. Thanks for reading and enjoy the weekend. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

The Results are in....... So as you know from my previous post that I submitted my ASM #129 CGC graded 8.5 at the 2013 NYCC for pressing and grading. I cannot begin to even tell you about how excited I was about reading that it was on its way back to me from CGC and as you all know I didn't peek at the grade on line and exercised heavy and I mean really heavy restraint from peeking at the grade so the suspense was killing me! I almost felt like starting to smoke Marlboros again after quitting 8 years ago. So the UPS Delivery man came to the door and handed it over to me and I ran inside the house and put the box on the dining room table and sliced open the box with my trusty exacto knife. At that point I held my breath and closed my eyes and reached in the box and slowly took it out and opened my eyes and to my surprise it was the best surprise I've had in a long time. I screamed YEAH BABY WOOOOOOOO! The book jumped from an 8.5 to 9.4! This was so great, not just for me but for the value of the book as well. It was totally worth the investment. I would say my blind faith in CCS pressing paid off greatly. So until next time fellow readers and collectors I bid you all a farewell till next time and thanks for reading. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

It's on it's way back! Back in October at the NYCC I was debating on giving in my already CGC graded ASM #129 8.5 for pressing. On the last day of the show I decided to go for it, knowing well that the grade may not change but I had faith in CCS and their secret methods of pressing. So here we are 5 months later and I see in the the invoice it's the key word every CGC submitter loves to see and that is seeing it say shipped/safe. Now since I've waited this long for it I think I'm just going to patiently wait till the box comes to my house as I carefully open it and really have a pleasant surprise, hopefully. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed till then. Thanks for reading. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Sorry XXXPHOENIX but it just wasn't in your destiny to hold the lead. So I decided to check on my 6 book modern submission in which I submitted back in February and to my surprise I saw not only graded but shipped safe! Could this really be? On so now my heart is beating faster with great expectations and they were! They were all graded 9.8! I'm more excited than ever especially for on particular book which is going to be the prize trophy of this set and my collection from Marvel vs DC. The Marvel versus DC preview book that came with a ballot card inside. I now have the only 9.8 copy of this book based on my own submission to CGC which also puts me back in the the 1st place spot for the marvel vs DC registry set, sorry XXXPHOENIX but I couldn't let hold the lead for too long but I just gave you a taste for a bit of what it's like to be on top... j/k but you did give me a good run for my money. Thanks for reading and good luck to everyone in your competitive sets. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Where could he be in the land of W.W Philly? It's like playing where's Waldo in seeing if you can spot amongst the crowded wizard world floor the ever elusive Tnerb. But yet as I arrived to the city of brotherly love I was greeted with friendly smiles and an issue of The Walking Dead #1 (Reprint) but new cover which was cool but omg how can this be? I'm not into zombie or horror books, just isn't my style, I move to the beat of my own drummer an not the crowds. So I stroll in to the show with my list in hand ready to wheel and deal to finish my Amazing Spider-man complete run in which I only need 6 more books to do. In walking around the the show I stopped at various booths with my list in hand and notice a gem of a book that I already owned in 9.0 but this one was a 9.8 so I went on my trusty iPhone and went to the Cgc census to see how many are in this grade and the survey says......Just 13 have achieved this grade so I know it's rare, oh I'm sorry I forget to mention it was a Giant Size Spider-Man #4 featuring the 3rd app of the Punisher. So I wind up acquiring the book with a little haggling and walk away a happy camper. So now I'm walking around the con looking for Tnerb seeing if I can spot him near the Cgc booth while I submit my walking dead #1 for memories of the show but no luck in finding him. I really would have like to talk to him about some signature possibilities and grading standards. Oh well maybe next time I'll get to catch the elusive Tnerb..... To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

The thrill is gone. I guess this all began last year right before CGC announced it's price increases for grading and everyone rushed in their orders to avoid the price increase which subsequently overloaded their work load which doesn't look like there is a bottom to the wait time it just seems like the wait just isn't worth it for me anymore, aside from Marvel totally screwing up their numbering system yet again where I just threw up my hands and said enough is enough. My money and my time is worth a lot to me and I'm not going to be subjected to waiting for a submission that used to take on average 20 business days to a quarter of a year if not more unless you shell out for the fast track services but it can get very expensive as you all may know. So the thrill of the wait is slowly dying and even though I still love comics and growing up with my spider-man and DareDevils and Batman in the 80's I think I'm just going to hang up the gloves and just concentrate on getting those last 8 issues of Amazing spiderman I need to finish the run from #1 to #700. I have 5 modern books still only verified since December and I just don't even care anymore when I get them back because the thrill is just gone. It's sad to have to say it but at this point I'm not sure I can even go back. I think just purchasing books graded might be a better alternative than just submitting on my own. I'm not going to write on how or what Cgc should do to improve their services because we've all heard it before and it's like preaching to the Quire but all in all it's a business like another and that's how they run it not for the love of preserving our beloved books but to make a dollar and a cent in the comics industry. I spoke to a CGC employee at the NYCC this past year and asked her if she works for CGC because she likes comics and he reply was "no" so right then and there I started to pull away emotionally from this hobby. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

My ASM#1 is back!!! After my last journal on how dissapointed I was with my submission at NYCC, I'm feeling better knowing that my ASM#1 is back quickly and safely in my hands. I am not really surprised with the grade I predicted a 3.0 or 3.5 and thats what I got a Solid 3.0 with off-white pages. Thanks to all my Journal Pals for worrying for me and your concern. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

My ASM#1 is back!!! After my last journal on how dissapointed I was with my submission at NYCC, I'm feeling better knowing that my ASM#1 is back quickly and safely in my hands. I am not really surprised with the grade I predicted a 3.0 or 3.5 and thats what I got a Solid 3.0 with off-white pages. Thanks to all my Journal Pals for worrying for me and your concern. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Is it me or are the female employees of CGC not very personable? Ok so I'm out and about at the 2012 NYCC with big expectations of the show being bigger and better than the year before and it was. I had my 4 day Pro Pass and a pocket full of cash and my list of books I needed to finish my Amazing Spider-man run. I decided to Hold off on submitting my Amazing Spder-man#1 Vol.1 until sunday the last day. I arrived at the show on thursday and strolled around the show soaking in the vibe and the good feelings I get everytime I go. I made my way first over to the Marvel Booth and picked up a couple of their 2012 NYCC show exclusives and then over to the DC stand for theirs now that I purchased my exclusives from both companies I walked over to the CGC Booth and had a few questions and nice conversation with Sawn Cafferty, one of the graders for CGC. I then came back on Sunday with my Amazing Spider-man #1 complete with printed invoice ready to go. I made it as simple as possible and walk over to the CGC booth but did not see Sawn there instead two female CGC employees. I walked over to the table and stood right infront of her and put my back pack on the table and took out my Amazing Spider-man#1 with its CGC invoice and placed it down on the table infront of her and I didnt even get a hello or can I help you but more of an irrated attitude like why are you here bothing me with your order. So I just said I have only 1 book to submit for grading, pretty simple right? So she looks over the invoice and says ok we have it. No thank you nothing polite whatsoever. I just walked away away shaking my head hoping this person isn't a grader.This female really gave off a bad vibe at the show To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Here is your proof in the matter. Matter of Schmell 2006 NY Slip Op 00326 [27 AD3d 24] January 19, 2006 Per Curiam, J. Appellate Division, First Department Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431. As corrected through Wednesday, August, 23, 2006 [*1] In the Matter of Douglas P. Schmell (Admitted as Douglas Paul Schmell), an Attorney, Respondent. Departmental Disciplinary Committee for the First Judicial Department, Petitioner. First Department, January 19, 2006 APPEARANCES OF COUNSEL Thomas J. Cahill, Chief Counsel, Departmental Disciplinary Committee, New York City (Jun Hwa Lee of counsel), for petitioner. Benjamin Brotman & Associates, PC. (Michael A. Gentile of counsel), for respondent. {**27 AD3d at 25} OPINION OF THE COURT Per Curiam. Respondent Douglas P. Schmell was admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York by the Second Judicial Department on December 4, 1988, under the name Douglas Paul Schmell. At all times pertinent to this proceeding, respondent maintained an office for the practice of law within the First Judicial Department. The Departmental Disciplinary Committee served respondent with a notice and statement of 48 charges alleging he violated the Code of Professional Responsibility. Charges 1 through 3 involve respondent's representation of an elderly client and his mishandling and intentional conversion of her settlement money in violation of Code of Professional Responsibility DR 1-102 (a) (4) and DR 9-102 (a) and © (4) (22 NYCRR 1200.3, 1200. 46). Charges 4 through 25 concern respondent's handling of funds belonging to 22 other clients, including allegations that he failed to maintain their funds intact and permitting his escrow account to fall below the amount of money due each of them in violation of DR 9-102 (a). Charges 26 through 41 concern allegations that respondent commingled his personal funds with client funds in his escrow account in violation of DR 9-102 (a) and (b) (1). Charges 42 and 43 allege respondent failed to properly maintain required bookkeeping records in violation of DR 9-102 (d) (1) and (2). Charges 44 and 45 allege he failed to file retainer and closing statements with the Office of Court Administration in connection with clients' personal injury matters involving contingency fees as required by 22 NYCRR 603.7 and in violation of DR 1-102 (a) (5). Charges 46 and 47 allege respondent assisted his clients in evading various liens, and child support and alimony payments in violation of DR 1-102 (a) (4) and (7). Lastly, Charge 48 alleges{**27 AD3d at 26} that by engaging in the above misconduct respondent engaged in conduct that adversely reflected on his fitness to practice law in violation of DR 1-102 (a) (7). A hearing was held before a referee at which respondent testified. At the conclusion, the referee sustained all of the charges, which respondent no longer contests. Thereafter, the referee held a mitigation hearing at which respondent did not testify nor did he offer any character letters. Rather, his father, an attorney, testified that respondent's reputation among judges was as an "honest and fair" attorney, that respondent had many minority clients, and took cases when other attorneys would not, achieving good results. In his report, the referee set forth his findings of fact and conclusions of law, and agreed with the Committee that disbarment was appropriate, citing the intentional conversion of funds of an elderly client to whom settlement proceeds were finally disbursed after almost two years and only after the client's niece threatened to report respondent to the "bar association"; a pattern of misappropriating escrow funds of 22 other clients; multiple instances of commingling personal funds with client funds; and lack of mitigation. After hearing oral argument, by report, the Hearing Panel confirmed the referee's report, but recommended a three-year suspension instead of disbarment. The Panel found respondent "sympathetic and contrite" and believed at least some of his actions were the result of his "inexperience in, and ignorance of the rules regarding, escrow accounts." The Committee now seeks an order pursuant to 22 NYCRR 603.4 (d) and 605.15 (e) confirming the findings of facts and conclusions of law of the referee and Hearing Panel and, due to the differing sanction recommendations, asks this Court to impose whatever sanction it deems just and proper. By cross motion, respondent seeks an order disaffirming the Hearing Panel's determination insofar as it recommended a three-year suspension and asks this Court to impose a public censure or short suspension. In support of a lesser sanction of censure or a short [*2]suspension, respondent points to his admission of "aberrational" wrongdoing; his cooperation with the Committee from the beginning; his candor and contrition concerning his isolated misconduct; the absence of any pecuniary loss suffered by a client due to his "inept bookkeeping"; his admittedly delayed payment to his elderly client was made with interest; his deep regret regarding his conduct; and his otherwise unblemished record.{**27 AD3d at 27} Since respondent's intentional conversion of client funds, misappropriation, and other misconduct are undisputed, the only issue is whether a sanction other than disbarment is warranted. This Court considers it well settled, virtually without exception and absent extreme mitigating circumstances, that attorneys such as respondent who have intentionally converted client funds have committed serious professional conduct which warrants the sanction of disbarment (see Matter of Blumstein, 22 AD3d 163 [2005]; Matter of McCann, 3 AD3d 5 [2003]; Matter of Birnbaum, 308 AD2d 180 [2003]) regardless of any intent to restore the funds or the actual restoration of funds (see Matter of Nitti, 268 AD2d 41 [2000]). We reject the Hearing Panel's conclusion that a three-year suspension is warranted because respondent's misconduct was partially due to inexperience in, and ignorance of, escrow account rules. That rationale is unacceptable as justification for respondent's misconduct after 16 years as a practicing attorney (see Matter of Britton, 232 AD2d 17 [1997] [attorney disbarred who was only admitted four years at time of misconduct and did not understand the proper use of an escrow account]). Moreover, respondent's misconduct was not an isolated incident as evidenced by the 48 sustained charges of misconduct ranging from conversion to commingling of personal funds with funds of 22 other clients to assisting clients to evade liens. Respondent himself did not offer any mitigating circumstances at the hearing before the referee. The evidence on which he relies to support his motion for a lesser sanction does not include the type of unusual or uniquely compelling circumstances which would persuade us to mitigate the sanction of disbarment. Accordingly, the Committee's petition should be granted to the extent of confirming the findings of fact and conclusions of law made by the referee and Hearing Panel. The Hearing Panel's recommendation that this Court impose a three-year suspension should be disaffirmed, and respondent should be disbarred. Respondent's cross To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

I can't believe this!!! In reading of the postings and advertisement about the biggest CGC grand Auction going on at heritage auctions it really makes me wonder about where collecting has gone to. Did you know that seller of this supposed fine collection Doug Schmell was a former attorney who was disbarred from practicing law because he was stealing his clients money and using their money to purchase these high grade comics? Have you also noticed that he is selling everything except his Amazing Spiderman collection because he knows that's where the real consistent value is. Why I'm so angry is because the books he is auctioning off where acquired dishonestly and this jerk is going to make off with possibly millions in money from which he had taken dishonestly for his clients. Go figure. Well this is just me venting. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Its good to be back on Top. Well as you can see I have retaken the top spot in the HULK resgistry awards this year after a short lasting fall into 2nd place no thanks to Beachcomber, and for 3 other sets and let me say it feels good to be back on top and I will try to continue to maintain the top set especially HULK being one of my favorites. I hope everyone else did well so enjoy your certifcates when CGC mails them out. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

How many days does it take to get to the shipped/safe from CGC? Let's find out. It's been 60 business days since my submission was received on January 3rd 2012 and no sign of any progress. Well considering CGC uses their safety net statement of "estimated turn around time" being ridiculously over stated and used by them making us think we are and don't see the real picture of what's going on here. Now a 1/4 of the year has gone by and it's only 2 silver age books just sitting there being over looked. How many more days should I be patient for CGC? Everyone has a threshold. Just remember folks we hold the power when it comes to anyone's type of business here in America and we hold that power with out wallets and purses. If we don't buy they don't eat so with that said we should cut back on submissions for a while to get our point across that we control the prices and speed of grading not them. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

What if these two guys went at it? Ok so I was playing Batman: Arkam city last night on my PS3 with my son and a thought ran through my mind as to which D.C Villain would match up well in a fight with a marvel villain of similar abilities and two characters came to mind that pose similar traits and those two would be ClayFace (D.C) & Sandman (marvel). I have put together my own winner already but I would like to get an outside tally from other members and see how it tallies up by this Monday. So cast your vote ASAP!

In light of the the new fees I am done with getting my books graded by CGC. I just sent in 20 moderns and 5 silver age books before the price increase and I must say it was sad knowing that I won't continue sending in my Hulk's in any more to be graded by CGC due to the price increase and $5 bullcrap fee. In my opinion I think at this point I will just either pay PGX for my grading or just look for graded books online. It doesn't make sense for me paying an extra $5 for a three book modern submission. Perhaps CGC will reconsider adding the extra fee and retain their customers or will they have to see the decrease in submissions first to know that they have to pull back on the fee. Just my 2 cents.

Here's another nugget of information. I was just looking through the PGX website and pricing what it would cost to have my books graded and I was very happy with the outcome on behalf of PGX I say thank you for being so reasonable with your costs and not having a membership fee. So as of Dec 31 my footsteps will be heading to PGX along with my hard earned money. I also compared the slabbing of both Fee G Fee and PGX and the slabbing looks to be a bit better with PGX so on that note I wonder if you can hear the Fee G Fee door closing behind me as I walk in the PGX world.

Thanks for the memories. I totally agree with what Lee K wrote about in his journal about the $5 handling fee. It's an insult and an outrage to charge that when thats part of CGC's business in the first place is to handle our books with care, next they will tell us there is a $2.50 surcharge for rubber gloves when handling each book as well. Ive decided that enough is enough and the greed of every company including comic grading has gone too far. Also the turn around time is ridiculously too long and it makes me wonder what the hell am I paying these High prices for grading and that doesn't even include my shipping costs to and from CGC. Its time I look elsewhere for getting my books graded such as PGX who.grade their books faster with no membership fee, which I won't be renewing in 2012.

What to do? What to do? I was just wondering if the turn around time of any age of books be it via modern, silver or golden age is slower when it is submitted for free at a comic con at the CGC booth rather than mailing it in on your own. I was wondering if anyone else has noticed this as well. I'm sure we do get some satisfaction or piece of mind when we submit our books in person knowing that they were in good hands rather than sending them off at our own expense and hoping they get to Florida in a timely manner and undamaged or lost especially when sending in a high value book(s). So on that thought I feel that the turn around time is increased due to that act hat we want to save a few bucks on shipping because I feel CGC doesn't put show submitted books on the grading table until waaaaay after all the books that were mailed in have been graded. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.