Cherubim

1 hour ago, William-James88 said:

This isn't a new normal, it's a glitch in CGC's system and they are aware of it. It happens when someone picks the special labels which only come in blue (or yellow with a signature). Some have even been capitalizing on it to legitimize restoration. CGC asks that you contact them and they will rectify it. 

Thanks for the clarification, but it definitely needs to be fixed ASAP. I mean their QC must be absolute if you let a book like this get out the door.  

And yeah right CGC, like a person is actually going to contact you so they can turn the blue label into a much less desired purple. Almost no one will do that. 

1 hour ago, spreads said:

How many ebay auctions clearly list what's on the label?  How many buyers would see that if it wasn't disclosed? 

Yup - exactly. Is comic link and comic connect and heritage going to clearly disclose these trim notes when they auction off these blue label trimmed books? We know most eBay listing titles won’t include that there’s trimming on this blue label. 
 

Now true, people SHOULD look at the book closely before buying, but then why not have all blue and just label the resto, qualification, conservation? It’s because the label type clearly calls out the type of book you’re buying. 
 

frankly, I think all tape and glue should get resto purple label and not blue, but that might just be me. 

2 hours ago, littledoom said:

Someone buying this (especially since it ain't cheap) will read the label and take into considering the trimming.. regardless of the color

The problem is that because this has never been standard CGC practice, it will take many off guard and cause a lot of overpayment. 

It will also mess with the companies that capture graded book sales as a blue label has an accepted meaning and now there are caveats to that meaning. 
 

to be fair, there are already some caveats to blue label - tape and small amounts of glue very commonly get blue label instead of restored or conserved labels; but trimming, to my knowledge, has not commonly been allowed on a blue label book. 

3 hours ago, Lightning55 said:

I hardly think CGC is giving any preference due to a $5 label purchase.  Not a factor.

I don't like the treatment of the grading on this comic for the reason you bring up.  Restoration is usually defined as something added or removed to approve appearance.  Trimming of ANYTHING meets that criteria.  Having supposedly been given a restoration check, this comic should not have passed, given that the label states that they are aware of the restoration.

Trimming is not a condition issue, as a torn page might be.  It is a man made attempt to remove unsightly chipping, probably.  This should be a Purple Label Of Death.

Is this a comic you purchased?  Was the fact that the label said "trimming" disclosed to you?  Did you have photos to review before purchasing?  Or is one you sent in, not knowing it was trimmed, and would have preferred it came back with the PLOD?

It’s not a comic I purchased. A surprised collector posted this in another group and wanted the group’s take. Thought I’d take it to the CGC forums as you guys are much more knowledgeable on this stuff. Wanted to know if this was a one off or a new practice. 
 

I do comic related work that has me look at a LOT of graded CGC books. Trimming has always been purple label so I was totally surprised to see this blue label and was wondering if it was a signal of them changing a practice. 

This is very disturbing to me. Since when does a trimmed book get a CGC Universal Blue grade?  Is this some new ‘benefit’ people get if buying the vanity label (ie the Spidey vanity case here)?

Restoration has a huge impact on value and desirability and to allow avoiding a purple label just for buying the new more expensive case is outrageous. 
 

Thoughts??