blazingbob

Golf clap

Damn, sorry about that. I haven't played Bingo in awhile

That's what I say when I walk by your booth.

This is all well and good but I am a Grader, I am not the Presser. People value my grading on my ability to grade what the book is now. They are not paying me for what it could become. Just because I give an opinion on what "might" come out doesn't make it true. In addition are all "pressers" the same? Does the "What it might become grade" come with a disclosure statement? What If I state that a book is upgradeable, the person trusts my judgment and the presser pops the staple or damages the book?

First off Grading is what is in front of you now, not what the book can become. That is referred to as a proscreen by a person who does pressing. I don't care what can come out, that "What it can be" is only confirmed when it is done by the presser and in a holder or when the book is done and is regraded raw. Anybody who is selling books on a "Wanna/outta-be" grade needs to question their selling motive. If you want to sell "Wanna/outta be" grades then spend the money and get it pressed. 1. Undetectable pressable/cleanable vs non-pressable/non-cleanable defects. one of the interesting things in the Overstreet grading guide is that there are multiple representations of defects that are pressable/cleanable but only allowed in lower grades but not upper grades. one example might be large or book length bends (not creases) that can be completely pressed out, multiple non-color break shallow bends and finger bends that don't break color all over the book but with sharp corners, perfect spine, and edges, or mild to moderate soiling all over the front or back covers that is dry cleanable. Should those continue to be graded at the same level as they are now or considered for elevation in grade considering that FN/VF or VF book could soon be a VF/NM or NM+ with a good thorough clean and press?

Well then be marvelous and come up with something that works. Is there a Hall of Shame for Overstreet advisors? Overstreet Advisor Dispute system in place if a transaction doesn't go as planned moderated by Diamond? Lawsuits filed listed under their names? Bounced check count? Been in business since? For some I'd love a last seen date

Imagine a world where there was the ability to "Rate" the overstreet advisor's. You want the notoriety that comes with being one, well guess what Diamond will now take feedback on how well you are performing as one that is public record. Naturally schmear campaigns will be removed but how about some honest feedback on who is deserving and who is not. Why are the CGC boards the "Feedback forums" of public sellers/auction houses and the place where you have to go to find out something?

Are you going to sign up for Dylan's grading course? He is an overstreet advisor.

I'm sure it is likely more profitable to deceive customers. But when you come from a place of deceit and short term profit you are sacrificing longer term profit for short term gain. All it takes is for one or more to take notice and your reputation is compromised. It is very hard to go from a loose grader, crook to a tight grader/honest seller who is fair. There are a lot of readers on these boards. Dylan doesn't even know how much money he has lost because these customers won't ever shop with him. And if he says that he can use the auction houses to sell his stuff he cost himself 10% or more versus me who doesn't need them.

I've said this before. People should be paid to train others how to grade. If you (and I don't mean Shadroch) can't fathom paying to learn how to grade or to get better at something I don't know what to say.

I am not forgiving of bad grading on ebay and frankly this is where Overstreet and the hobby have badly failed over 30+ years. NO FORMAL GRADING training available. You learn by your interpretation of badly created grading guides, lousy photography. If you are lucky enough to have the courage to ask help from others or learn from a good grader consider yourself fortunate. Most jobs, most businesses require some kind of training before you get hired or put in some kind of influence. Setting up at shows, hanging a sign off your display rack and putting out some boxes does not reflect that you KNOW ANYTHING. TOO much acceptance of GRADING IS SUBJECTIVE. No, it is not. Defects are defects. Again, get taught what they are and learn how to grade from somebody who knows how to do it and you will be successful in this business. NO REQUIREMENTS EXCEPT for a referral to become an Overstreet advisor. No meetings of these advisors, No business direction from these advisors. Market reports are mostly HYPE. Overstreet advisors should and I stress should go above and beyond to show business integrity or you get removed. The business aspect of the collectibles hobby is one where the goal is to grow the business for ALL, not line the pockets of a FEW. The more people that get ripped for short term profit the smaller the buyer pool becomes. An editor's job is not to censor but to show some guidance on what Overstreet advisor reports are reflective of the hobby or pure BS.

Sellers have been fair and that is all I ask.

Per PM will take the Weird Mysteries #4

I know that this is not a "WTB" thread. If there is someone who wants to PM me if they are looking to buy a 9.4 and have a offer I can always run it by the consignor. Please do NOT use that listing price as a reference on your offer.

This was a consignor listed book, I did not own it. Consignor pulled the book. Clearly there is a "Frantic need" for pricing information since no sooner was it gone I got emails asking where did it go and what did it sell for.

I'll take the GSX #1 9.6

Per PM will also take the Det #298

Per PM I will take the Det #31

I'm very sorry to wake up and read this news. I knew Bob was very sick and not doing well. Bob was a customer I knew over 20 years. I've sold him a lot of books and he was a regular at chicago shows for years. We had a strange relationship because he had a "odd" sense of humor since we were both older guys. Bob's favorite quote when we saw each other was "How's the flow". Without getting into specifics I always thought that was an odd greeting but again it is just a different sense of humor. For those who didn't know him lets just say that he will be missed. If you are only a keyboard collector and eventually a show comes up maybe get out in the world and get to know some dealers/other collector's. Leave a legacy or memory that people will remember versus just an obituary.

Again, as I stated you probably would not be getting any adjustments if you had your own UPS account instead of having CGC billing you for shipping. Or FEDEX if you prefer.

Per PM will take the #15 (#3) 9.0 also

For disclosure purposes. I have a UPS account. When I have my books shipped back to me they are charging my UPS account on file so I may not be the right person to comment on this. If there were any adjustments to my account they would have been generated by UPS adjusting a dimension of package fee or CGC underweighing the package. I do not have any CGC generated UPS adjustments to billing statements. That being said one recommendation from me is to get your own UPS account. Not that hard to do. Eliminates CGC estimated shipping costs, adjustments etc. If you have Collector's insurance your shipments from CGC are covered under your own insurance. One advantage to having it.

I'll take the #13, #17

Being that I have a UPS I think it is very easy to reverse engineer what you should be paying for a package. I normally ship UPS ground, I cover the insurance. I know the box dimensions and the general weight of the boxes as they come in. Should be easy to figure out if they are in the ballpark or not.

I'll take JIM #125 9.0, Thor #128 9.2