Kramerica

On 5/13/2024 at 5:55 AM, CGC Mike said:

It really isn't that hard to make 50 legitimate posts.  However, I will not allow a new user to spend 10 minutes posting emojis just to hit 50.  If they are caught, their post count will be reset to 1.

Just hang out in the "Hey Buddy can you spare a grade" forum and give honest opinions on books for a few days. You'll be at 50 in no time.

Also, you can purchase items in the Forum Marketplace and each time you post the  sign you get credit for the post. One of our friendly and courteous sellers will be happy to sell you some cool books AND drain your wallet at the same time 

On 5/5/2024 at 12:02 PM, ADAMANTIUM said:

ya I edited, only one of my LCS send in a bunch of moderns fresh off the rack with no history of sales

ya that is kind of iffy on the face of it, I guess I get why it is an "option" but seems like a lot of work even in housing costs. One LCS by me does it, I guess I should ask them, but weird.

Ya that is where I'm at. I send in low value books, but nothing that doesn't have a history in sales, and definitely not something just random fresh off the stands to be 1st to market. 

I was coming from all those who gave greggy a hard time for not prescreening  so from that frame of reference most of his bronze and copper (and depending on acquisition cost even in Canada shipping) it seemed a reject would be too much of a burn from a prescreen. 1st to market stuff would be hard to catch and release so I'm not "on that level"  

The whole thing is an exhausting waste of time and money $$$. Especially writing about it. Sheesh. I'm done.

On 5/5/2024 at 11:58 AM, JollyComics said:

@ADAMANTIUM

If your book is rejected, you have to pay for the returning mail.  That's why I never use a reject fee.  

Personally I've done it one in a submission of Bronze and Copper age Spidey stuff and put the minimum at 9.4. They all passed and got the grades. I was happy. But I was under the impression that they would send any rejects back with my submission.

On 5/5/2024 at 11:55 AM, ADAMANTIUM said:

In other words, it cost you now the $10 reject and the cost to press to keep it raw, say $25 on its own.

To avoid a $36 cost to press and slab and come away with a slabbed 9.4? 

I must not have dealer issues, but I'd take the slab idk for $36, rather than have thrown $25 down the drain.

@Kramerica I guess I get it, I send in low value stuff, but that means minor minor minor keys and not just a random new book with no history. so idk

Well, you and I might take the book for $25.00 because we actually like it. These are people who have got it in their minds that their going to flip these books for the GPA high at that minute all the time. It's a time consuming gable where most everyone loses.

On 5/5/2024 at 11:52 AM, ADAMANTIUM said:

ya but aren't you paying for pressing before the reject? So instead of a $10 loss it is then the other $15 to press? I guess if your saving the rest of the $17 to actually have a slab at a total of $27 to instead only have $10 reject and $15 to press, I guess somehow it adds up but idk

It adds up to a huge waste of time is what it does. The CGC 9.8 variant market (with a possiible Sig Ser) is a huge sinkhole for time and money unless you can pass on the pressing and 100% you're going to get a 9.8 and then sell before anyone else gets their 9.8 copy up. I watched my ex-Boss try to do this for years with 1:50 and 1:00 variants and signings and special books and whatever was hot (or going to be in a few weeks) and he lost his big time. Nothing like selling a CGC 9.6 modern variant for $20.00.

On 5/5/2024 at 11:29 AM, ADAMANTIUM said:

that never made sense to me 

A modern only on average costs $25 to $27 to grade, an $8 reject is more like $10 when you factor in shipping there and back, and are you telling me a 9.4 slab can't be sold for $15 to $17 to just sell a slab instead of the $10 raw reject? with the $10 cost of a reject and $27 cost of a slab?

C'mon something doesn't add up  

Okay, you have to figure these folks use the Pressing Service as well. Last time I checked if you were a member it cost a total of $34.30 for a modern press & grade and $63.00 for a vintage press and grade.A lot of thesefolks are rushing the newest J Scott Campbell or Todd McFarlane book into grading so they can be first on the market. Once the first one hits the subsequent copies will (probably) go for less as less people "have to have that 9.8 variant.' Within a month things have simmered and people won't even auction their copies any more because they will go for so low. They have to put a BIN on it to minimize the damage done $$$,

On 5/5/2024 at 6:38 AM, Cman429 said:

It’s why I’ve seen dealers on IG submit literally 20 copies of a new “hot” book to CGC. They know 5 will come back 9.8, 5 will be 9.4 and the rest will be 9.6s despite for all practical purposes they all look the same. 

Most of those dealers will use the pre-screening service so that they only get 9.8's. It may cost $8.00 or whatever for a book that doesn't make the prescreen it but it's better than getting a 9.4 or 9.6 and losing money. I'm seeing 9.6's losing money straight up as well. And then having to pay taxes on the sale. It's the whole "Manufactured Collectible" process being used on variants, first apps that never hit and CGC Sig Series books (those are the worst). People just haven't learned and they're going to lose their on these manufactured collectibles. 

On 5/4/2024 at 8:20 PM, WilliamLunt said:

I went down the thought process of, what is the grade without the staple rust. It looks to be in VF/NM territory.

And I agree. That is where I had it. But with both staples rusty and migrating I took off 3 grades.

On 5/4/2024 at 8:20 PM, WilliamLunt said:

I considered that this book could of came back a 7.5 but thought the book had enough eye appeal for a higher grade.

Would I be rather have another 8.0 vs this book if I had a choice? absolutely.

Both of these sentences are key, because they imply that the buyer/seller/new collector knows about the staples. Nowhere are they referenced. If you're holding this book in your hands you're thinking "nice copy, looks nicer than an 8.0." You could be at a store or convention with the book 6 inches from your face and you don't know about it. This is part of my argument: The book isn't close to an 8.0 grade and that's if you even knew about the staples. Although not part of our grading contest, the condition of the staples is a significant piece of information that is omitted from the CGC label.

I really think this is where the "Qualified" designation should be used. I'd argue that the the nature of this book is EXACTLY why the Q designation exists.

So. This contest? Some tough books and a highly controversial one.

From what I understand the graders at CGC are the ones who choose which books are going to be in the contest. If this is true, then they chose the Marvel Super-Heroes Secrets Wars #8 for the latest contest. Maybe they were trying to be tough, sneaky even.

But if I chose this book, I'd be thinking it would generate a wide range of grade estimates and a HUGE discussion. Since the company stance on rusted staples is in direct opposition to the grade given, I'm honestly left thinking "What in the World were they thinking?!?"

Nowhere on the CGC label does it note the presence of HEAVILY rusted staples with migration. I would be very unhappy if I bought this 8.0, cracked it open and found this inside. There are already minor defects present - spine stress, soft corners, misc tiny stuff. I would think it's a very harshly graded book, more like a 9.0 than a 8.0. But after opening it I would think someone has made a BIG mistake. 

Also, if I DIDN'T crack the book and sold it on eBay I might find myself looking at a return and potential negative feedback. Nowhere does it mention heavily rusted staples with migration.

Sorry if this comes across harsh but this is a HUGE miss, a very bad look and a really questionable decision that the grading department chose this book to include in their official grading contest of all places. If this book was purchased on the secondary market and ended up in the wrong hangs it could be a very big storm of negative publicity.

Thoughts?

Gorgeous books RD. I had no idea they used those early Vampi covers on later Creepy's.

Thanks again Mike!

On 5/2/2024 at 8:06 PM, lizards2 said:

I've heard he got implants..., 

On 5/2/2024 at 6:18 PM, crassus said:

always super sexy? 

I just received my latest box of steamy hotness from the Carousel of Love and I am very pleased with the level of service I received.

Seriously, it's tax time, they have cut positions, increased prices. I read an interview with the new Postmaster General Lewis DeJoy and he sounded like a real Joy to deal with. He basically said prices are going to go up, transit times may or may not stink and this is the way it's going to be if you want to continue to have the Postal Service.

On 5/3/2024 at 9:39 AM, CitrusZ28 said:

Sounds like your local postmaster operates with an Iron Fist, or is Ham-Handed.

Or Turkey-Breasted.

On 4/30/2024 at 3:11 PM, Cman429 said:

Grades in just under the wire as per usual. "Don't Fear the Reaper" starting to play on my Siri just as I paste my grades and am about to hit send fills me with even more dread than Mike's cryptic emojis...

Blue Oyster Cult is so, so much more than just that song. "Cities of Flame....with Rock & Roll", "Godzilla", "Veteran of a Thousand Psychic Wars", "Imaginos" (the whole album) are the works of a great band. Explore your mind!

I'm kinda excited. Stan signed my facsimile copy of AF #15 "To Mark, Stan Lee" which is cool in itself. It's in a great place - under Spidey's extended left arm - and I'd love to have it pressed and authenticated and (hopefully) slabbed with a SS label.

On 4/26/2024 at 5:52 PM, AJD said:

Wow, after doing a Hindenburg impersonation in round 1, I think I'll take four bulls and the +2 for my correct grade on that "9.6"

So I guess that will put some air back in your balloon Mr Hindenburg?

Someone used that book a lot. 3.5 if it isn't too sticky to get into a slab.