Twisted_Road

I'm not going to comment on the type of cleaning, def not dry cleaning...but, yes, it was a mixed method, with liquid and some something else. I suspect, as well as others, that the covers looked too "clean" and the interiors were yellow. It came back as a "professional restoration." I don't want to go any future here about the process used in that case in public and it wasn't my book and I don't trust it.

And, for the sake of argument, perhaps that is okay...for now and forever. I'm more on the side of coin cleaners (def different material).I have nothing against proper pressing and proper dry cleaning. 

That is exactly where I am...

I know about books and care about books.

Coin collectors seem to want signs of use and age (unless, say a "modern" coin).

You can "clean" a coin with "chemicals", an ultrasonic cleaner, you name it...but the coin collecting community and grading companies seem to be against it (if the coin is "too clean" or has signs of swirl marks, due to rubbing; said as a newbie). 

It seems to me, based on my limited information, that coin cleaning is judged more stricter than cleaning comics (not talking about acceptable dry cleaning). I don't clean books and I don't mind a dirty book. Perhaps, it is just odd to me that coin cleaning seems easier, yet is unacceptable.  Sure, two different markets and both have different materials, but it seems to me that the coin market is harsher against any cleaning vs the comic market. 

Yes. they used something....not saying what...to whiten the covers, but the interior pages were yellow.

Just want a friendly debate.

Comic cleaning seems acceptable (by CGC and others, to a degree).

Coin cleaning seems unacceptable from what I read (in the last 6 mo after inheriting a collection).

Am I incorrect in assuming that the two markets disagree on the practice of cleaning? 

I'm thinking that there is a point where too much cleaning is too much; with comics too white, perhaps, with coins, too clean, perhaps. But, the line in the sand isn't complete clear to me as a newbie. I've seen comics cleaned and received a restored label, likely because they cleaned the cover and not the interior pages; yet they probably did and resubmitted.

I am biased, but it seems to me that if you make things look more presentable, they can be more worthy (Vs. if you take too much filth off of something, it isn't as valuable; and cleaning is restoration), as long as you don't do anything that hinders the value long term (e.g., a deficit to the paper or coin that will or may occur long-term; but I don't think we're there yet).

I'm guessing the answer is "the process" and the "process" is subjective.

Thoughts?

Gotta handful of these after I placed an order for mostly ASM #1 (McFarlane) variants back in the day. Back then, I couldn't get variants from my LCS. I had to order by mail with a check and they'd send me monopoly money in return.

Gonna press it and get it slabbed (kidding). 

Not sure how many people remember them. 

I think it is important to not be biased and to see both the bear and bull argument in order to not be blind to what might happen.

Part of the bear argument is that VIX traditional reaches at least 40 in a bear market and we haven't done that yet. The USA federal govt wants to lower inflation. In order to do that, there needs to be more unemployment, a real estate market dump, and lower spending; we are not close to that yet (some of these issues are due to the "free money" that was given out during COVID). US debt, both the country and by the citizens are at extremely high levels. Furthermore, concerns about the global economy (banks as well as energy) suggest that other countries that we depend on might be on the brink of collapse. Furthermore, supply chain issues continue and the US dollar is too strong (bad for trade).

Part bull case is that the technical on the overall future and BTC market looks prime for a bounce (using key Fibonacci levels) and the cost of oil has gone down lately. The futures market is repeated holding some key support levels by a thread. In addition, short sellers in the stock market are at a high level and that could cause a squeeze to move the market back up. Finally, small cap stocks have done relatively well. Perhaps some money is moving away from high PE ratio large cap stocks and into low PE small cap stocks, while there is a lot of money waiting on the sidelines to "buy the dip."

I am missing many thoughts both ways and I am confident that there are others here that are better versed in macroeconomics than me. By no means am I an expert as I my only expertise is that i watched the movie "The Big Short" (okay kidding there). Everyone's situation is different, but knowledge can give you a slight edge and help tailor your decisions to your situation. 

If you want an edge on the market, whether it be a minimal or moderate edge, consider looking into the VIX  on on the stock market (a measure of volatility). The higher the VIX goes, the lower the overall market, including comics (the same goes with the US dollar [DXY]). Warren Buffett said "Be Fearful When Others Are Greedy and Greedy When Others Are Fearful" and VIX taps into his thesis.

Didn't see this posted and I know this is tangential to the collecting field.  However, I recognize that shipping is a part of collecting for buyers and sellers.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/07/politics/us-postal-service-price-hikes/index.html

Feel like SFG is the new, we will charge you and you might get your books in 100 days.

I got my hopes up last night when I saw that my Magazine submission received 8/9/21 was in the Grading/Encapsulation/Imaging phase. Then I read the recent posts here and can back to reality.

Which was published first, the Empire Strikes Back Magazine or STAR WARS: The EMPIRE STRIKES BACK [5/1980] Marvel Illustrated Book? They both have a similar cover.  TIA? 

I appreciate the advice. Will try going to my local post office.

Doesn't seem like the buyer is patient, but, at the same time, I understand their situation. 

I could use some advice.

I sold a $150 slab on Dec. 6th, 2020 and it shipped on Dec 8th (Priority with insurance), but it hasn't moved since Dec. 11. On Dec 14th, the tracking number  was updated and the status mentions that it was delayed, but in transit (I never tracked it, just assumed it was delivered).

Buyer submitted a claim on 12/23 asking for a refund. I contacted USPS within hours to  request additional info on missing mail. I also responded to the buyer's claim stating that I am investigating the situation with USPS.

I have over 1k positive feedback on ebay, no negs. I can take the loss if necessary (let's face it, nobody wants to lose money though).

Best case scenario is that it was lost in the mail or delivered tomorrow.

What would other sellers do in this situation? I guess I have been lucky and never had any problems like this before. 

On 10/9/2020 at 3:55 PM, Twisted_Road said:

Slow Value received 7/31 

SFG 10/9

Graded/QC 10/19. Hoping it gets shipped today. 

Slow Value received 7/31 

SFG 10/9

25 Modern Pre-screen (slow) received 9/4

Grading/QT 10/6

39 minutes ago, Gaard said:

Your math is wrong.

You're right. I'm at 33. Used a business day program and read the wrong output. My bad. 

Nevermind. I made a mistake reading the output for the business day calculator when I was in a rush. Thanks for those who chimed in and pointed out my error.

On 9/3/2020 at 7:37 PM, Shockmaster said:

Please keep me updated on the progress of your submission. I have a 3 book Value submission that was received on 8/28.

I still have a Value sub sitting at received on 7/31/20. I'll post again when it is SFG or graded. 

Modern pre-screen with CCS service received 5/21/20

CCS billed 6/19/20

Received at CGC on 7/23/20

Scheduled for Grading (i think it updated to SFG no 8/14)

Shipped Safe 9/1

On 7/24/2020 at 9:30 AM, Twisted_Road said:

Modern pre-screen with CCS service received 5/21/20

CCS billed 6/19/20

Received at CGC on 7/23/20

The above is now Scheduled for Grading (i think it updated to SFG no 8/14)

I also have a Value sub CCS service received 5/21/20

CCS billed 6/19/20

Received at CGC 7/31

Modern pre-screen with CCS service received 5/21/20

CCS billed 6/19/20

Received at CGC on 7/23/20

Modern pre-screen

Received 5/21/20 

Shipped today (6/17)

4 hours ago, Ryan. said:

CGC received my package (teehee) 3 days ago and hasn't logged it into the system yet. I think that's the longest I've ever waited for them to log that in. I wonder if they're seeing a sudden increase in submissions.

Mine were received on the same day and were entered into the system this afternoon.

4 hours ago, Aweandlorder said:

Was sold on ebay

Many thanks. Wanted to see the key comments, but forgot I could get that from the Census, where it says: