blazingbob

Tim McGraw is a comic dealer?

Did they send a private jet to fly you to the auctions to?

Not according to GPA fantatics

Again, my response would be that there are plenty of customers pressing books. Just because you "shouldn't" doesn't mean it isn't done. Whenever grading companies and money are involved there will be attempts at improving the item being submitted.

I hate auction houses, they take collections that used to go to dealers. I either learn to compete or move on to another business.

CGC is the same business model as grading coins and baseball cards. Nothing new. For the mentally challenged I will state that having a CGC graded book is like having a debit card. It is already graded, it can have a value that can be calculated since you've removed the grading debate and it essentially becomes a dollar/cents transaction.

Disagreeing with a business model is one thing, stating CGC sucks with no facts is another.

If I grade a book a 9.2 and it is pressed into a 9.8 I still graded it a 9.2. Pressing removes defects, I learn and if I make the decision to press I do it. Do you want to be right or out of business?

My response would be are you referring to PGX? Why would CGC do that?

1). Didn't trust CGC? I'd ask why. 2). There aren't a lot of shows where I would go and pull single digit spidey's from boxes. Unless he was referring to wall books. Technically the customer should be blaming "sellers" for not knowing how to grade or disclosing restoration on why single digit spidey's are now being graded all the time.

The reason that there are those that hate CGC is the fact that nobody has every been formally trained how to grade. There is NO grading college, no self appointed expert or group that teaches from written standards. You may quote the Overstreet grading guides but frankly after two attempts and lousy photography the standard "Grading is subjective" continues to be used almost 45 years since I started (1973). Whenever I get into grading arguments I ask who taught the person how to grade. It isn't meant as an insult, it is actually an insight on how they learned and what they learned. Each teacher has his/her own perk list of likes/dislikes. They determine that this defect means that the book will grade no higher then this versus what the standard may be. CGC has some very strict criteria on certain defects and is very lax on others. CGC is looser on Golden age then silver even though the books may exhibit the same defect. I also feel that every seller has his/her "comfort grade", they grade that grade very well, others they have a hard time with. Anybody with proprietary grading standards just wants to keep grading a mystery. Pricing a book and having you guess the grade is a way to avoid grading arguments. Purposely under grading is a way to avoid returns. It has nothing to do with you being a hard grader. If you don't have good light or squint when you are looking at books you might want to consider grading glasses. Put the ego aside and admit that your eyesight is no longer what it was. I've heard it said and frankly I agree, one of the harder grades to grade is a FN. Since no company has published standards we continue to fight over grades given. Grading contests, dealer grading lists, etc. As with any other business/hobby you should continue to learn as you go on. I've learned a few grading tips and share them when asked. It is amazing what happens to your grading ability when you are looking at books from a different perspective. If a LCS hates CGC it reinforces the fact that CGC does not always do a good job with the first time submitter/dealer. I have said to them before that not everyone walks up to a grading company and submits books. Sometimes you have to go to them and convince them that the books they have priced at this would sell for more when graded. Sometimes you have to be blunt and tell a seller that they are missing defects. At least you are taking a little time before and saving yourself a lot of disgruntled customers when they get books back they are a lot lower then they expect.

This logic works on unique super high grade examples of keys. The auction houses are sometimes very good at setting a new market because as some believe they are bidding in a "free market bidding environment" where the bidder assumes there are " multiple buyers". The auction houses are also very good at setting some good low numbers to. How did the Avengers #4 9.2 ($8100) do in the last auction? Showcase #4 7.0 ($37.200)? Set any new records on these where the seller left money on the table? Does the same logic apply to 9.2 copies, I doubt it. Put down the pom pom's.

Unfortunately GPA doesn't show scans of the book so ugly copies influence the market just as much as good copies can. Wouldn't that be useful to a subscriber if that were done? Imagine being able to look at the book yourself and make the determination if the price makes sense versus guessing. Probably would save a lot of "GPA versus asking price" arguments if the two parties involved were both comparing the copy for sale versus the copy that the data is reported on. The more data that both parties bring to the negotiating table the better. I'll even GIVE George the revenue incentive to doing this. Charge a premium ($1-$2) month) for this type of "additional" data. George, please make the check out to Highgradecomics.com for the idea.

I'll take the AS #17 9.0

For those who need to know Hi Bob: It doesn't add up to $200,000.00 yet because I haven't had time to put together the list of the runs of Actiion Comics, Superman Comics, the World's Finest Comics and the All Flash Comics! The original total came to $117,000 (the Timelys plus the lst appearance issues) plus another $27,000 for the slabbed books. The list of "slabbed" books primarily included books bought from the auction houses (some of them were not slabbed, but that is not what I'm talking about. For example, there were several unslabbed World's finest books listed, but that is just a fraction of the World's Finest Comics which include World's Fair 1940, WF No 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10 and so forth all the way up to issue 110. (Also I didn't keep all the books in one place so I have to be careful not to include books that weren't stolen). But the current total is $147,000 plus the Golden Age unslabbed books that I am putting together. So when I put together the update of the Superman, Action and World's Finest comics, All Flash and miscellaneous comics , the total will be well over $200K. The problem is that most of the books in storage were never slabbed but they were extensive runs which were purchased over the last 30 years. Some of the Supermans were bought during the Sotheby/s/Christies era! That's how long I've owned some of these books.

Honestly guys, I am doing the best I can with what I'm being sent. Joe hasn't finalized the list, he sends what he can and I'm posting it.

Updated list has been added to the Original post

If I happen to list books while at a show there are customers who will request pics. Now while the phone will take a nice pic I'm not exactly sure how professional a website full of pics with backdrops of box tops would look. Or my desk. For consistent scans I would go for the scanner, if you are not posting a lot of books then a phone could work for you.

I'm assuming Waterbury, CT since that is where Joe lives

I am not sure if he has. I am posting this to help him out. We haven't talked yet so I'm not sure what steps he has taken yet. The faster this is out there the better and the boards have always been the first place I start with when stuff like this happens.

I am posting this for a long time customer of mine who I'm not sure posts on the CGC boards Just got this email from him. I have not posted the scans he sent me yet but wanted to get this out there. If anybody is offered any of these I can put you in touch with Joe. Thank you, Bob Hi Bob: I just learned that my "secure" storage area is not as secure as I thought. There's over 200K in stolen comics. I'm working on a list of what's been stolen. I've attached scans of my Marvel lst appearances front, back and splash pages. None of them are high grade and all of them have readily identifiable markings. Any help you can give me will be appreciated. . There is a large number of unslabbed books from the Golden age: 1) Superman Comics No.4 - 70 incomplete run 2) Action Comics Nos. 14, 16, 18, up to 107 (incomplete run)P 3) World's Finest No. 2, 4, 6, 7 9, 10 up to 70 (incomplete run) 4) All Flash Partial run including Nos. 30, 31, 32 5) Captain Marvel No. 4, No.14 cgc 7.0, No. 100 cgc 6.5 (Diamond Run Copy. Whiz No. 22 5.5 cgc 6) Parital run of Strange Tales all slabbed 9.4 & 9.6 (S.T. No. 154 cgc 9.6) 7) Captain America Nos. 10, 13, 14 all CGC 8.0 & No. 16 VG+ with loose centerfold and later issues 8) Daring Comics Nos. 10 cgc 2.5, 11, 12 9) about 10 issues of Marvel Mystery Comics 10) Boxes of high grade Silver, Bronze and Copper Age cgc slabbed comics, 9.4, 9.6 & 9.8 Again, I've attached scans of the No. 1 Marvels from my collection. None of them are high grade and all of them are readily identifiable. See the attached. Let me know. Joe Latino 7/28/19 - Updated list of books stolen TITLE ISSUE CONDITION GRADE CGC estimated value Action Comics 22 FR/GD $600.00 Heritage Action Comics 138 VF 8 PGX Tom Fagan $1,000 Diamond Run Action Comics 173 VG+ 4.5 cgc $350 Heritage Action Comcs 216 VF+ 7.5 cgc $300.00 Heritage Action comics 277 VF+ 8.5 cgc $400.00 Heritage Action Comics 314 VF/NM 9 cbcs $100.00 Comiclink Adventure Comics 102 FN $400.00 Ebay Adventure Comics 165 FN- 5.5 CGC Mannerino $250.00 Ebay Adventure Comics 240 FN+ 6.5 CGC $350.00 COMICLINK Avengers 7 VF 8 cgc $350.00 Avengers 8 FN+ 8 cgc Nick Cage cop $750.00 Heritage Avengers 12 VF 8 cgc $350.00 Avengers 15 VF 8 cgc $300.00 Heritage Avengers 16 VF 8 cgc $450.00 Comiclink Avengers 19 VF/NM 9 cgc Tom Fagan $300.00 Diamond Run Avengers 35 VF/NM 9 CGC Fantucchio $200.00 COMICLINK Avengers 100 NM- 9.2 CGC $200.00 Avengers 141 NM 9.4 cgcb $100.00 Heritage Avengers 171 NM 9.4 cgc $100.00 Comiclink Avengers Director's Cut Finch 500 NM+ 9.6 CGC Sign Series $200.00 comiclink Captain America Vol 4 1 NM/MT 9.8 $200.00 COMICLINK Daredevil 8 VF/NM 9 cgc $300.00 Comiclink Daredevil 48 NM+ 9.6 cgc Fantucchio $400.00 Comiclink Detective Comics 435 NM+ 9.6 cgc $250.00 Comiclink Doctor Strange 5 NM 9.4 cgc $200.00 Comiclink Doctor Strange 7 NM+ 9.6 cgc $200.00 Comiclink Doctor Strange 22 NM+ 9.6 cgc $100.00 Comiclink Doctor Strange 35 NM 9.4 cgc $50.00 Comiclink Fantastic Four 9 VG/FN 5 cgc $350.00 Heritage Fantastic Four 10 FN+ 6.5 cgc $450.00 NJ dealer Fantastic Four 39 VF+ 8.5 cgc Mark Austin $300.00 Comiclink Fantastic Four 59 NM 9.4 CGC $350.00 Comiclink Fantastic Four 69 NM 9.4 CGC $300.00 Comiclink Fantastic Four 72 VF/NM 9 CGD $400.00 Comiclink The Flash 118 VF 8 cgc $700.00 Heritage The Flash 144 NM 9.4 cgc Mohawk Vall $500.00 Heritage Flash ComIcs 52 VG+ 4.5 $250.00 COMICLINK Green Lantern 2nd series 8 VF 8 cgc $400.00 Heritage Green Lantern 2nd series 20 VF/NM 9 cgc Tom Fagan $400.00 Diamond Run Green Lantern 2nd series 34 VF 8 cgc Fantucchio $150.00 Comiclink Green Lantern 2nd series 40 VF- 7.5 cgc $350.00 Comiclink IRON MAN 85 NM+ 9.6 CGC $150.00 COMICLINK IRON MAN 94 NM+ 9.6 CGC Marvel Art R $150.00 COMICLINK IRON MAN 241 NM+ 9.6 cgc $50.00 COMICLINK JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY 79 FN 6 PGX Hall of Fame $150.00 COMICLINK MYSTERY IN SPACE 55 VF- 7 CGC $350.00 COMICLINK MYSTERY IN SPACE 66 VF 8 CGC $350.00 EBAY MYSTERY IN SPACE 79 VF+ 8.5 CGC $300.00 COMICLINK MYSTERY IN SPACE 84 vf 8 cgc $100.00 comiclink More Fun Comics 15 G 3 cgc Jon Berk $1,000.00 metropolis 2014 Strange Tales 64 FN 6 CGC $250.00 comiclink Strange Tales 82 VG 4 cgc Westport Coll $150.00 comiclink Strange Tales 95 FN- 5.5 cgc Westport Coll $200.00 comiclink Strange Tales 86 FN 6 cgbs $175.00 Comiclink Strange Tales 90 vf/fn 5 CGC $175.00 Comiclink Strange Tales 93 vf/fn 4.5 cgc $150.00 Comiclink Strange Tales 122 VF- 7.5 pgx $150.00 Comiclink Strange Tales 124 VF+ 8.5 CGC Fantucchio $200.00 Comiclink Strange Tales 132 NM- 9.2 CGC $400.00 Comiclink Strange Tales 136 NM- 9.2 CGC $250.00 Comiclink Strange Tales 154 NM+ 9.6 cgc $1,000.00 metropolis 2014 Strange Tales 156 NM 9.4 cgc MA copy $300.00 metropolis 2014 Strange Tales 162 NM- 9.2 cgc $175.00 Comiclink Strange Tales 168 NM 9.4 cgc $300.00 metropolis 2014 Strange Tales 170 NM 9.4 cgc $300.00 Heritage Strange Tales 173 NM 9.4 cgc $300.00 Comiclink Strange Tales (DR. STRANGE) 174 NM 9.4 cgc $300.00 Comiclink Strange Tales (DR. STRANGE) 176 NM 9.4 cgc $300.00 Comiclink Sgt. Furry & the Howl Com 13 VF+ 8.5 cgc $500.00 Heritage Superman 76 VG 4 cbcs $800.00 Comiclink sUPERMAN 106 VG/FN 5 CGC $200.00 Comiclnk Superman 114 VG+ $200.00 Heritage SUPERMAN 138 FN 6 CGC $150.00 COMICLINK Superman Time Capsulte nn VF/NM 9 CGC #1B $300.00 Comiclink Tales to Astonish 3 FN- 5.5 CGC $600.00 Comiclink Tales to Astonish 30 FN- 5.5 cgc $200.00 Comiclink Tales to Astonish 33 FN- 5.5 cgc $200.00 Comiclink Tales to Astonish 39 FN+ 6.5 cgc $200.00 Heritage Tales of the Unexpected 48 VF 8 cbcs $100.00 Comiclink Tales of the Unexpected 68 VF+ 8.5 cgc $200.00 heritage Tales of Suspense 80 NM 9.4 cgc Fantucchio $600.00 Comiclink Tales of Suspense 95 VF/NM 9 CGC Fantucchio $250.00 Comiclink Tales of Suspense 27 FN- 5 cgc $175.00 Comiclink Tales of Suspense 73 NM 9.4 cgc $400.00 Comiclink Thor 181 NM+ 9.6 cgc $250.00 Heritage Web of Spider-Man 1 NM/MT 9.8 cgc $200.00 Comiclink WORLD'S FINEST 26 VG/FN 5 CGC removed shll $250.00 HERITAGE WORLD'S FINEST 32 VG $150.00 HERITAGE WORLD'S FINEST 38 VG+ $175.00 HERITAGE WORLD'S FINEST 46 FN/VF $250.00 HERITAGE sub-total $27,675.00 TITLE ISSUE CONDITION GRADE CGC etimated value CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS 10 VF 8 stolen 10,000.00 CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS 13 VF 8 stolen 10,000.00 CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS 14 VF 8 stolen 10,000.00 CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS 16 VG/FN loose ctrfold stolen 5,000.00 CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS 53 VG T.F. bc tear stolen 1,000.00 CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS 63 G T.F. pcs out cvr stolen $500.00 CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS 66 FN/VF T.F. puncture? stolen $750.00 CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS 67 VF T.F. 8 stolen $1,500.00 CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS 70 G/VG T.F. heavy wear stolen $400.00 CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS 72 FN/VF T.F. 6.5 stolen $1,500.00 CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS 76 G T.F. staples stolen $400.00 DARING COMICS 10 G+ 2.5 stolen $500.00 DARING COMICS 11 FN stolen $750.00 DARING COMICS 12 FN stolen $750.00 HUMAN TORCH 15 FN MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS 29 VG SOLD MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS 47 VG- stolen $400.00 Comiclink MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS 48 G/VG stolen $400.00 MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS 51 G/VG stolen $550.00 MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS 65 G/VG STOLEN $350.00 Heritage MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS Sub Total 44,750.00

I had a great Torpedo Con as well as San Diego. Tired after 10 days of hard work but just to let people know John is working at making the show even better.

My website doesn't turn off while I am at a show. If customers are not buying at the convention there are others that are shopping online. I don't agree that good stuff is taken and reprised, good stuff may be bought and sold to customers that I know need the books.

I just finished doing the LA/SD show. I have to say I wish you 1Cool would stop thinking for me. I do a lot of business with other dealers, many of those big dog early bird buyers. I have had relationships with many of them for over 20 years. However there are lot of Wannabe's that never buy booths and frankly are a bit aggressive when it comes to pre-show buying. There are others who are a bit whiny about not getting first shot. When you don't buy a booth and are buying to resell you are cash flow positive while I am cash flow negative because I've paid to be there, you HAVEN"T. As far as you not getting a dealer badge I frankly have to say you really need to learn about building relationships with the dealers you want to compete against. There is no point giving you a badge because I am NOT IN BUSINESS TO MAKE YOU MONEY. If I get you in frankly you would get a lot more deals by bringing something to the table, split some deals with the guy who got you in. The same goes for the guy whose business model is to upgrade books. You get first shot by either spending a lot of money, taking shots on books or partnering with the guy you are upgrading books on. If you think that guy is happy to see you upgrade books on his dime over and over again you are sadly mistaken.

I was looking at this copy - http://www.comiclink.com/itemdetail.asp?back=%2Fsearch_adv.asp%3Fall%3Dy%26TITLE%3Dtales%2Bof%2Bsuspense%26TITLEOPT%3DALL%26ISSUE%3D57%26Condition%3D%26ConditionTo%3D%26CensusRank%3D%26SearchPageQuality%3D%26Pedigree%3D%26PRICEF%3D%26PRICET%3D%26DESCRIPTION%3D%26DESCRIPTIONOPT%3DALL%26SearchRemarks%3D%26SearchCGC%3D%26EXCLUDE%3D%26CATEGORIES%3D-1%26WCATEGORIES%3D-1%26SORT%3DCATEG%26_where_forsale%3Dy%26_where_auctions%3Dy%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26where_forsale%3Dy&id=1243647 It doesn't state Curator on the label.