Lightning55

"As of May 7, 2024, collectors can submit autographed comics for authentication by JSA and grading and encapsulation by CGC in one seamless solution." "Seams" like it's not working...

"I don't want to sound insensitive but.....get rid of them all." That cracked me up!

Excellent in every way. Accurate descriptions, large photos to view comics, entertaining banter, good prices, top notch customer service, superb packaging. What more could you ask for?

Just search eBay for any well known facsimile comic, with CGC in the title. If any appear in the results, you have your answer. Or search the CGC registry by title.

You're not following. That's not what's happening here. They can show that multiple identical lots shipped, so you have a faulty premise and an unjust accusation. The issue is only the identical photos representing lots that can't possibly be 100% identical.

Close to impossible to repeat the same alignment exactly, twice, never mind multiple times. It's the same photos. And that's ok, if you say the photos are just to identify the comics for sale, not the exact copies you will be getting.

Sounds like CGC (or the dealer) switched books in the submission. It's a coin toss. It happens at CGC a lot that similar books in a submission get swapped labels. But it could be the dealer switching it to his advantage from the get-go.

Just like this forum has a blocked list, you could have been placed on some other block list from which people are gathering usernames to block. And not necessarily for some legit reason, could be maliciously to make your life a bit harder. I could report a whole bunch on names here, and people might add them to their lists, vetted or not. If I was a mean-spirited competitor, I could put you on this CGC list, hidden in a bunch of names, to block you from bidding against me on auctions from sellers we both frequent. If that seller grabbed the name and put you on his list.

There is a setting that allows/disallows messages from blocked bidders.

Yup

I don't have recent experience with Unlimited or Walk-Through tiers, and their pricing practices. Maybe someone could give you some examples of what to expect if you have valuable books. Me, not so much. I'm mainly in the shallow end of the pool. I ship every day as a course of business, so I use my own supplies. I bag and board 25 comics to submit. I put groups of 12-13 into padded envelopes, and then those packed envelopes each into 2nd padded envelopes. Each 12-13 group goes into #1097 boxes from USPS (free to order) with lots of peanuts around the borders, more bubble wrap around the sides, and sealed up. Then I put both of those into a box I can get on ebay that is 16x12x8, fit comfortably with more peanuts all around. I put the packing slip in, seal it up, send it via FedEx. Costs about $24 to ship. The method may change depending on quantity and value. Sometimes I will use the large CGC boxes that they come in when you get an order of 25 or so. We call those battleships. I have insurance through CIS https://collectinsure.com/, so I don't buy separate insurance, which can be as much as the freight cost, or possibly even more. CGC is not covering you on the way to them. There's a lot to consider when submitting comics, and it sounds like you are on the right track.

As far as tiers and values, you just have to use your best judgement. If I have a book that is borderline between 2 tiers, I usually pick the lower one. If I'm wrong about the value (i.e. it's worth way more), CGC will change the grading fee, charge me the difference. This is better than paying the higher fee up front, and then finding out you could have used the lower tier. But bear in mind that when you put a Declared Value on the book at say $400, you are only insuring it for $400. If you think it could possibly grade very high and be worth $1600, if something happens to it at any time, CGC is only responsible for the amount you declared, $400. As far as memberships go, I have Elite. I think that fits best for you, if you are going to put in quite a few comics. You are spending an additional $299 for that membership, but you get an immediate $150 credit. Also by getting 10% off on every submission, you can earn back the other $150 in no time. Good luck with your grades!

Looks like I am way behind the rest of the world (again).

Lately the estimates are very close. There was a period of time that it was ridiculous. Estimates are here: https://www.cgccomics.com/submit/services-fees/cgc-grading/ I thought only the kids didn't use punctuation, which is super annoying. I see you did use 3 periods for 9 sentences, one of which needs a question mark. Please increase your punctuation budget.

Wow! Four years later and an ocean away. That's some fine detective work!