Skippeydoo

On 4/19/2024 at 4:37 PM, GACollectibles said:

Part of the equation we don't know is cost of Authenticated product will be, so we'll have to wait and see

Bottom line is I think it still would be better as a separate product/label from Yellow Label Signature Series.

I can agree with that!

On 4/19/2024 at 1:01 PM, seanfingh said:

I want to respond to this, and I will try to be 100% non-snarky, which will be a challenge for me.  First and foremost, I understand that everyone wants to get their books put together for the best price possible, because stuff is just expensive. But for the presence of the facilitators at shows without witnesses, however, there would be no SS.  Those facilitators have travel expenses, booth fees, wages for their agents and all the other expenses involved in being there.  If they can't charge for their attendance and their service, then, again, there is no SS.  So if you don't want to pay their fees, then don't. If you want to negotiate a bulk discount, go for it.  But it is not fair to say they should eat all those expenses just so you can get your SS books done without "disgusting" "cash grab" fees.

There was a second post that involved this topic, and I don't think his issue was with the fees, I feel like his issue was with the fact that he was given no advance warning of, or discussion of, the facilitator terms. The person waited til they got their books signed, then got to the CGC table and slapped him with the $25 per book fee. I can understand the frustration in that situation, as I am sure he wouldn't have spent to get 7 books witnessed if he had known the cost upfront. Which, dealing with many different facilitator's, the more reputable ones will explain terms to you before, not after it's too late to change your mind. In that other discussion I gave him a range that the ones I have dealt with charged, so he would have an idea of the cost in advance. And encouraged him to talk to them and get the terms in advance. That seemed to be all he wanted was, a general idea, so he'd have a better idea in advance of what sigs he could and couldn't afford if he wanted them witnessed as well. And I can understand the frustration as I have also had some poor dealings with facilitators who made you submit under their account so they could add mystery fees to the pre discussed charges. But, that has been few and far between, and a high percentage of the ones I've used I have no issue giving a little kickback to for their time and service.  

On 4/19/2024 at 4:17 PM, GACollectibles said:

I posted this in the other General thread, now with an edited first statement:

* I think combining a Verified & Signature Series label for comics would dilute the CGC Signature Series brand, one that has been championed as the only all-witnessed product, and valued for this by collectors.

*I feel this may have an adverse affect on the SS process in general.  (Previously mentioned in someone else's post) One potential aspect is related to the creators who are charging more for SS signatures, a customer now can pay the lower (non-SS) signing price and then go and submit the book for Verified status. Shenanigans galore. There won't be a need for the facilitator, bottom line might mean that creator signature prices go up across the board to counter this tactic which of course affects the true raw signed book collectors wallet.

* Possible use of JSA for CGC application? Limit the authentication to creators/celebrities, etc to those that have passed away prior to the inception of the Signature Series program, and give it a completely different label.  Easy peasy, with less/little/no detrimental effects on the SS program as it is.

I would assume, like the other guys that have a verified signature program, that there would be a higher charge for verifying sigs. I believe that witnessed you pay $5 a sig, and verified you pay $25 a sig. So, in the long run you really wouldn't save by going the not pay the creator for a witnessed sig route. The few times I have taken advantage with the competition was when I went to an event there wasn't a witness at, or if I bought a book off a creators website that came autographed. I can't speak for everyone, but I know that personally, if I'm paying around the same cost either way, I'd rather the creator get the extra money then CGC. 

On 4/18/2024 at 9:49 AM, ADAMANTIUM said:

 

And anyone else I missed, they checked back with the list of facilitators. This is for Fan Expo Dallas in June 2024. @TSwift25 @MultiSig Mike

I know comicsketchart.com has a website, or I've used them before. They make good on "mistakes" within reason.

Best of luck!

I have had dealings with all of the ones listed except ComicTraders, and have had good experiences with them all. 

Not a problem, I am going by what I have experienced. The few I've dealt with at shows, it's typically been $15 per book, up to two sigs, and if you are getting more then two sigs witnessed on the same book, it's usually $5 for each additional sig. So, kind of give you an idea and heads up. It will vary some, but as long as you have your own CGC account to submit it on, that is around what you would be looking at usually. Glad I could help some! Main thing is that the good facilitator's will go over the costs with you before going with you to get the sig, they won't do what was done to you before where you get the sigs and then they drop the that'' be $25 each on you. So, if they don't volunteer that info up front, question them before you use them. 

On 4/17/2024 at 1:25 PM, K.C.3 said:

Thanks too, Mike for trying.

 

i hope CGC understands…the general consumer needs to understand price point for these events in order to plan.  

To be hit with hidden signature witness fees at an event after traveling there and budgeting to be there, it’s really lousy.

I think too, CGC should be explicit in stating, “we will be at the event but will not have witnesses;  authorized facilitators for CGC will be present for a charge of “$x.xx” per book/signature.

That way, general Joe people like me with a life and responsibilities can make educated decisions on how to plan/what I’ll be able to afford.

Facilitator's fees typically vary between the different facilitator's. So, unfortunately until the facilitator's attending are known there is not a solid way to answer it. Only way to know for sure would be to ask the facilitator's themselves. But, most do usually charge a $10-15 fee for "witnessing" per book. 

On 4/15/2024 at 8:51 PM, KenobiJ said:

Good news: My books arrived!

Great news: I love the remarques, especially the Spider-Man!

Bad news: CGC slabbed them with blue labels .....?!?!?

Good news: CGC customer service was all over it. They will, of course, fix them at no charge. But now they have to be mailed, again. Bummer. 

I'm stunned that these could slip through the pre-shipping review process. But mess happens. I'm sure it'll all work out. 

 

I've had the picture taken with a blue label, but then they caught it and changed it to yellow before sending it to me. That is something fairly big to miss! But, you got to see them in person first and those are beautiful remarks you will look forward to getting back once they correct it!

On 4/15/2024 at 12:28 PM, Mayor006 said:

I've seen a lot of artists do this. Take a look back and you can find Mark Brooks examples on Spider-Gwen for sure. It looks like they paint a splotch and then go over it with the art work.

I have a remark from Joe Rubenstein, on X-Factor 6, where he did a square of silver paint and then did the remark on top of the silver box. So, there are for sure multiple artists who use a similar process. Only difference between the Rubenstein one I have and this Art Adams one, is that the Art Adams one, it was done to where you could still see the cover art partially thru the white paint. The one I got from Rubenstein you do not. But they are both awesome!!

On 4/11/2024 at 11:02 PM, melanrus said:

May not be your Longshot #1 book, but the GREATEST MOJO Remarque sketch.  Hollleeee !  

I agree. Grade was much lower then I thought it should be when I sent it, but I can't complain at all about the remark I got back!! So, can't complain too much!

On 4/11/2024 at 2:22 PM, Kamenliter said:

Sorry to hear that. It does sound unusual as the majority of everything I've sen have been 9.8's. 

Would love to see a pic of the Mojo. 

I got mine back yesterday. And I am very happy with the remark itself. But the grade was much lower then it should've been based upon the condition when it was sent to them. I got it pressed before shipping and condition wise should've been in the 9's. But it came back as an 8. So, either it got beat up in the extra unadvertised travel, or the copy I got back wasn't the one I sent in. Oh well, I did get a pretty amazing Mojo remark on Longshot #1. And hopefully with a press when I eventually add Ann Nocenti it will move back up grade wise. But this experience will definitely makes me more hesitant to send them anything with actual real value for the "In House" signings. 

On 4/4/2024 at 11:24 AM, MultiSig Mike said:

https://galaxycon.com/pages/galaxycon-raleigh-guests#creators

Might be same weekend as SDCC.

Typically One Stop Comic Shop works with Galaxy Con. As far as I know they are usually at most if not all of their shows as the on site CGC facilitator, and they also usually take mail in submissions as well. I have sent in stuff to them for a few previous GalaxyCon signings. If they are there, if you scroll down to the bottom of the guest list page, they normally have them listed along with an authenticator. 

I mean, if you have a book where one name was witnessed and another name was not, they do the yellow/green label that is pretty much yellow label with a green stripe to differentiate. Feel like for verified they could do a yellow label with a red stripe, so it's obvious that it's not a total witness signed book. And if its just verified then do a full red label. 

On 3/19/2024 at 12:03 PM, seanfingh said:

Image United and the Glossy Secret Invasion blanks were universally panned, but you would have to try and find those. Most everything that has been done from 2013 or 2014 on have been pretty good.

True, the last cover I had that got a complaint was an X-Men blank from 2010. The person I got to sketch on it normally does water colors for the colors. And he had to leave it mostly pencil and ink because he had trouble with the paint taking forever to dry on the cover. 

That is definitely odd to have an order shipped together split up. Normally only times they split up an order is if some books are getting pressed and others aren't, or if you are getting one of the special labels on some but not all. And Melanrus, I honestly don't know how they get the books to the artist and in what order, but I can say for sure it's not in the order they received them. For the last McFarlane signing, my books got to them a month and a half to two months before the deadline, and my books got signed in the third and final wave. And in the forums, there were people who said their books got to CGC either the day before, or the day of the deadline, and they were in wave 1. So, they got their books back months before I got mine, when mine got to CGC close to 2 months sooner. Not complaining, as I have gotten over it by now. Just sharing. 

On 3/16/2024 at 2:30 PM, Sean- said:

I asked in the Noob thread a few days ago, but maybe more seasoned collectors don’t look at that anymore.

Is there a broadly trusted online vendor for NM+ condition raw blank comics for SS use?
 

Are there particular blanks you’ve gotten negative feedback about from artists?  I’ve heard some are not great for sketching.

I haven't gotten many blanks graded. But the lowest I got on one was a 9.6. And I have ordered some from multiple different places online. So, not sure there is one better then the other to buy from. The only ones I've had complaints from artists on are, on rare occasions, some have almost a glossy sheen on it that makes it particularly hard to work with if they are being colored. But, the only one or two I've had that issue on, they felt it and said it could be an issue. I personally couldn't tell be feel what the issue was. But artists definitely can. By the way. I have gotten probably in the 40-50 range of sketches on blanks, and only got a complaint about the cover like twice. So, definitely its rare.

I must be in that 100 left to return then. Cause I've had no movement on mine either. One day it will move. 

On 3/4/2024 at 1:22 PM, Tony G 1000 said:

I measured each cover and then used a pencil and ruler to very lightly make the lines for the squares.  I let each artist choose which square they wanted to draw in as well.

Thanks! Glad I asked cause that totally makes sense, but I hadn't thought of doing it in pencil! It's not til October, but I typically go to an comic creator driven con in Memphis in September or October. And am definitely going to try this. Haven't decided what I'd want to do, but leaning towards Fantastic Four or X-Men. Thanks again!

On 3/2/2024 at 11:08 PM, Tony G 1000 said:

 

 

Thanks guys, I take that as a big compliment!  Can’t wait to see what you both come up with!

I just have one quick question on it if you don't mind. Did you draw the squares for each artist to draw in before giving it to them? Or did you just tell them the plan and they kept in their space?

On 3/2/2024 at 9:07 PM, RayJr said:

This is awesome, you have definitely given me ideas with your posts my friend. Thank you 

I agree! Definitely inspired me also for the next con I go to!

On 3/1/2024 at 7:40 PM, Tony G 1000 said:

And here is my Batman jam piece, also from Terrificon last year.  Same as the Spidey cover, artist’s choice, no duplicates.  Artists on this one, top to bottom, left to right:

Don Kramer, Val Semeiks, Rick Leonardi

Tom Raney, Jerry Ordway, Russ Braun

Jim Calafiore, Scott Hanna

I tried to get as many different artists between the two books as I could.  I’m very happy with how they both came out.

This is amazing also!

On 3/1/2024 at 10:35 AM, Tony G 1000 said:

Spider-Man jam piece, from Terrificon last year.  I left the character choice up to the artist, I just specified no duplicates.  Here are the artists on this one, from left to right, top to bottom:

Randy Emberlin, Joe St Pierre, Jimmy Palmiotti

Keith Champagne, Tom Nguyen, Rick Leonardi          
Scott Hanna, Keith Williams, Tom Raney 

This is a great way to do a sketch cover!! I love it!

On 2/29/2024 at 11:21 AM, Maboc said:

Both mine were shipped today! They look amazing, and I am super happy with them!

Mine went from GEI to completed today. So, they definitely graded fast once they entered grading. Yours look great! I was very happy with mine also!

On 2/29/2024 at 2:50 PM, Door County Greek said:

QQ.. First time I am submitting books for a signing.. What is the actual turn around time for the books? I submitted books late Jan 2024 for a Bill Morrison signing that according to the news, books needed to be submitted by Friday Feb, 16th 2024. When does the clock start for an actual turnaround? I also submitted books for the Wolverine 50th anniversary where books need to be submitted by April 19th 2024.. I am thinking some time end of summer is when I would see these back.. Thx!!

The clock starts after the signing happens. They posted about the Morrison signing happening, on the CGC facebook page, like 5 days ago. So, the clock starts after that.