Badger

On 2/18/2024 at 12:16 AM, ttfitz said:

[all emphasis mine]

"Mass production, also known as flow production or continuous production, is the production of substantial amounts of standardized products in a constant flow, including and especially on assembly lines." - Wikipedia

"Mass production is the manufacturing of large quantities of standardized products, often using assembly lines or automation technology. Mass production facilitates the efficient production of a large number of similar products." Investopedia

"Mass production, application of the principles of specialization, division of labour, and standardization of parts to the manufacture of goods. Such manufacturing processes attain high rates of output at low unit cost, with lower costs expected as volume rises. Mass production methods are based on two general principles: (1) the division and specialization of human labour and (2) the use of tools, machinery, and other equipment, usually automated, in the production of standard, interchangeable parts and products." Britannica

"mass production noun: production of goods in considerable quantities usually by machinery" Merriam-Webster

When they start putting out slabs without certification numbers then maybe they fit the definition of "mass production." Otherwise it's not even close.

Mass production means "without serial numbers" is the definition you are touting? I'll give you a minute to think that through.

How many serialized Ford Mustangs are mass produced each year? Roughly 50,000. Does CGC produce more serialized slabbed comics? Yes. As to your focusing on division and specialization of human labor, well, in this case, it is the graders that are separated from the restoration expert, which is separated, from QA, and then packaging and shipping. Mustangs are largely built by robot. Does this mean they are no longer mass produced? Of course not. If the doors were still attached by a human, who had to attach a minimum of 40 doors a day, would that suddenly become custom craftmanship? No. it would not.

Mass production is an assembly of parts into a finished product using specialization of labor and tools.  Lamborghini, where they can produce a few cars a month, is custom craftmanship. CGC is mass production and that is why the head scratching production errors occur. How can a comic be sealed into a case wall without anyone noticing? Mass Production. This is not a bunch of people lovingly examining your most prized collectible. This is a bunch of labor focused on turning out as much product, sealed and graded comic books, as possible.

Seriously, it would be impossible for CGC to churn out as many slabs as they do in a year if they were not using principles of mass production. How is this even an argument?

My only book from the Estate sale.

Here is my copy. Ended up grading as a 6.5 Universal.

On 2/15/2024 at 10:05 AM, szav said:

Step one- publicly announce that they will subject themselves to external independent audit of their quality processes, security vulnerabilities, etc by a reputable organization.  Commit to making changes and further future such audits.

Step Two - take much needed steps to vastly increase the difficulty of counterfeiting their product.  Think the sorts of things you see on currency.  Embedded into the plastic mold magnetic strips or colorful wispy threads, hard if not impossible to replicate, and easy to visually verify unique features on each individual slab.

They should invest in meeting ISO 9001:2015 standards along with yet another case redesign. If they can state that they are audited yearly and meet  ISO 9001:2015 standards AND that they have implemented new fraud protections it would give them a new lease on life. It would give the collector community a solid date they can reference as in, "This book was encapsulated before June,2024 so I know it could have been swapped. This book was encapsulated after 2024 so, with CGC's process and case changes, I feel comfortable believing that the product is as represented."

On 2/12/2024 at 10:58 AM, makis said:

My second golden age book, is a nice Lou Fine art.

A low grade Fantastic Comics 5.

I think one of the best sci fi covers. 

 

You have excellent taste in comics! Welcome and I'm looking forward to seeing more of your collection. I'm 55 years old and we have people here from 18 and into their late 80s. If you don't mind sharing, how old are you? GA collectors tend towards the older ages if only due to the cost of GA. It's easier to afford later in life it seems. but for most, never easy! 

Here are a few representative books of my favorites

Happy to get this!

derailing to riding the rail