Donald Jack

On 9/28/2022 at 11:57 PM, StillOnly25Cents said:

return shipping should now be covered by the credit since changes in June

https://www.cgccomics.com/news/article/10271/member-credit-update/

I haven't used any membership credit since the new policy, so I wasn't sure how it actually works in real time.  That is GREAT to know.  Thanks for the follow-up!

DJ

Greetings!  I have always gotten billed shortly after my comic books were received and added to the Submission Page (or CGC's inventory).  Normally well before the grading.

As for the credit, in my experience, it's applied to what is billed.  For example, if my grading cost total is $300 with shipping of $35, I usually see only the charge for $185 ($335 - $150 credit)  Keeping in mind that the credit does not apply to shipping, so my grading charges would have to be at least $150 to take full advantage of it on the submission.  If not, it's left over for the next submission.

Hope that helps!

DJ

By definition it would be (Webster: "consisting of, including, or involving more than one.")

Edit:  This was originally in response to a comment that asked if "multiple" was now referring to just two [graders reviewing a comic book].

On 8/23/2022 at 1:14 PM, KirbyTown said:

2.3.2 Opened Envelope

Any envelope or package that appears to have been opened and resealed, or otherwise improperly prepared, may not be registered.

2.3.3 Sealing

...Packages must be sealed with mucilage or glue or with plain paper or cloth tape.

Excellent find!  Yeah, that's good to know.  I remember the clerk postmark stamping all the seams on my package...perhaps the paper tape was an update sometime after the days I did it (probably early 2000s if I recall).

It made me chuckle when I saw you mention the insurance claim as my mind went right to this scenario:

Clerk: "Sorry, we can't honor your claim of lost package because you packed it using plastic tape in a beat up Funko Pop shipping box.

Me: "Reeeeeeallllllly?  And how are you able to ascertain this lack of adherence to standards?"

Clerk: "Um....I really don't want to answer that question."

On 8/22/2022 at 9:03 PM, KirbyTown said:

USPS Registered Mail is basically insurance with an extra layer of protection and it will cover up to $25,000. The way it's supposed to work is that there's a chain of custody via signature every time the package changes hands, and when not in transit the package stays under lock and key.

The post office will only accept your shipping box if it is completely blank except for the addresses, which need to be written directly on the box, no stickers or labels. The box has to be taped with paper tape and all edges should be sealed. You can seal with plastic tape first, but that tape must be completely covered by the paper tape for your final seal.

I think they upped the coverage to $50,000 now (they made a lot of insurance changes about 3 months ago).

I don't know if the blank box/paper tape is a hard and fast rule.  I've sent Registered Mail before and have never used paper tape.  Maybe that's for a specific type service using registered mail (like combine certified and register...not sure, just an example).  I was on the USPS.com site earlier and they just give a vague description of what registered mail is and the cost, but not how to pack the items or restrictions like that.  Thanks for the heads up though...

On 8/16/2022 at 8:10 AM, CMatthews said:

Hello again,

I apologize for my delayed response. My verification team has confirmed that this would be decided on a case-by-case basis and we would need to know which books you are looking to submit to be able to confirm for sure. 

Thanks so much!  I'll gather them and reach out by email to see if images can be used to make a determination or if it would be better to send one in.  Thanks again!

DJ

On 8/15/2022 at 8:26 AM, Steamed Hams said:

The Walking Dead.

Thanks...I know CGC grades these books, and I was just looking for confirmation on the policy regarding black and white comic books.  I'm not sure if The Walking Dead comic books are an exception to a rule/policy, or if I just didn't understand the original policy as I read it a few years ago.

DJ

On 8/11/2022 at 10:16 AM, CMatthews said:

Hello!

This is an excellent question! I am confirming with our internal team to see if we can accept black and white comics and I will let you know as soon as possible. Thank you!

Greetings...I was wondering if you found any updates on whether or not I would be able to submit Black and White comic books for grading and encapsulating.  Thanks!!

DJ

Thanks...I just wanted to make sure I got some official details as I only remember reading "black and white pages" and nothing specific past that.  I'd hate to send in a bunch and have them returned (at my cost) as not eligible.

Thanks for your feedback!

DJ

Sounds great...thanks so much!

DJ

Greetings!  I wanted to ask this question in open forum in case anyone else has a similar question.  I thought I had read in years past that CGC did not grade black and white comic books as they can't be certified as authentic (and not counterfeit)...I was looking today and couldn't find that detail.  Is that still the case or can these type of comic books be submitted?

 I have a number of Indie comic books that are color covers, but all black and white pages inside.  The collector value is practically zero, but to me they are extremely valuable and I'd like to have then graded and encapsulated (if possible).

Thanks in advance for any information you have!

DJ

But roughly only 293 business days...

If it helps, I have never had any issues with FedEx or UPS shipping to P.O. boxes as long as I used the actual Post Office physical address as the street address, city, and zip, and the PO box as the second address line:  John Doe, 123 Main Street, PO Box 3344, Anywhere ST 11223  Tracking ends when FedEx or UPS delivers to the Post Office, so there is no actual knowing when it's placed in the PO box (or the slip to pick up the package).  I've been doing this for 8 years and have never had any issues of a lost package, or refusal from FedEx or UPS to deliver (or take my packages as I ship this way to PO Boxes with those services as well).  They just need a physical address to take it to.

I think Jittererer means the sticker is inside the plastic case.  I've not really paid attention to that on mine, but I think CGC currently has the top sticker on the inside and on older cases, it was on the outside.

I'm not sure if eBay tracks that like for buyer (non-paying event), but you should be able to leave feedback.  I know when a case is closed due to non-paying, feedback can't be left, but if the payment was just refunded, maybe you still can.

As far as trends, I can honestly say, I've been using eBay since 2006 and I've never had that happen, specifically in recent times.

Sorry to hear about the situation as I can imagine it has to be frustrating (not to mention other opportunities you may have passed up for these two).

DJ

Cool...I would expect you'd see a status change any day now (keep in mind the holiday season CGC may have reduced hours of business), but it never hurts to call CGC.  At best you know they have the books...that's always a plus.

Keep us posted on your situation!

DJ

It really depends on a lot of factors.  If you sent in for a CCS pressing as well, then your books will sit at "Received" for quite some time (about 16-18 weeks).  After CCS pressing they will sit at "Received" until they move forward in the queue for grading.  If you didn't send in for CCS pressing, then you could see a change any day now.  It will also depend on the tier you signed up for.  I only have experience with the modern tier (except for some pressing in the Value tier, and I mentioned pressing above) and the longest my books sat in "Received" without pressing was 36 calendar days.  So it just depends on how busy they are.

I can not stress enough how important patience is in this process.  As long a time as I've waited for some of these, they always move forward in the process eventually.  You can always call or write to CGC with questions and while they normally can't give you day-by-day estimates, they can give you a rough )weeks) estimate on workload based on how you submitted.

Hope that helps and welcome to the boards!

DJ

23 hours ago, 1950's war comics said:

the same thing is going on in the coin hobby... people are trying to buy and sell brand new graded 2019 coins

I saw this earlier this year with circulated, ungraded 2019 W quarters.  eBay had them for upwards of $150 each (going for around $15 now).  Granted they are limited to two million each issue, but $150 right out of the gate?  I found four of the first issue in my change in February and thought that the market must have been flooded and minting numbers were incorrect, but I've since found none of any issue, so who knows.

Something arrived...and now the agonizing wait until Christmas Day!!!

Sent mine out early last week...expecting it to be delivered this week...

45 minutes ago, awakeintheashes said:

Thanks. Believe me, I communicated that to every person I spoke with at eBay. I was told this is not a widespread issue. I was also told this policy was put into place because disputes between buyers and sellers were taking up to 9 months to resolve.

But, as you said, this policy just encourages more people to abuse it.

It's interesting that the eBay representative mention it's not a widespread issue.  This similar situation happened to a friend of concerning a Tom-Tom GPS he sold on eBay.  The buyer claimed it was broken and wanted to return it, however, all he did was stick a tracking number label on a small letter envelope and eBay stated that the tracking proved he sent it back.  My friend was able to use the weight of the item he sent versus what was returned.  Ebay originally provided a refund to the buyer and then sided with my friend and gave him his money back as well.  In this case the item was only $62, and I assumed it was below the threshold of care (a term I use for when credit card companies will refund a buyers money and not seek reimbursement from the merchant as the cost to do so outweighs the refund).

What is also interesting is during the discussion my friend was told "This happens all the time, usually for larger dollar amounts."

It is so awesome that you got your money back...WELL deserved.  Also sad that eBay is still enabling this type of behavior (I assume in their position of he said/he said, they could end up on the wrong end of a lawsuit from one side and probably figured it was financially prudent to keep out of that).  I hope the police stepping in make a significant difference...gotta change it one buyer at a time.

Sounds like fun!  Please count me in (PM) sent.

17 hours ago, JollyComics said:

Did you use Mylars before you shipped your books?

No, these were in standard comic book bag and boards.

19 hours ago, Krismusic said:

it doesn't hurt to talk to someone at CGC and explain the situation.

And you are right...I will probably call.  I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced the lower grade books with no graders notes.  The damage was a little something extra (that I was not aware of on the send).  Definitely justifies the grade though.