Tafkap

On 4/1/2022 at 11:37 PM, Microchip said:

Even on the Canadian edition, there's essentially a constantly available copy to buy in any and all grades.

Though I've got to say, this result was extremely impressive.

 

I truly don't understand 9.9s.  If it was just about perfection a lot of these brand spankin' new comics would be grading 9.9 or 10's instead of 9.8's.  It just seems like a random thing they give to comics that would otherwise be graded 9.8s'. 

It seems like the market has dropped off a cliff for me.  I've got a lot of Thor 338's and 339's.  Sold all my 23 copies of 337 too early. 

The 338's and 339's move with the 337's.  

338 9.8's that were selling for over $300 months ago are now selling for $200.

339 9,8's that I was getting $225 for and now getting a litttle over a $110 or so.

Where' that "Love and Thunder" trailer to heat things up a lttle?    

Dear CGC Representative,

I recently received a batch of 80 comics that came back to me with brand new damage in the rear left corner.

Before that I received a batch of 40 comics that came back to me with damage in the rear right corner.

I submitted both through my local comic book shop who is a CGC representative.

The first batch of 40 CGC agreed to press and regrade which they eventually did.

 With the most recent batch of 80 books I was informed that they are going to do absolutely nothing.

I am beyond devastated.

These books were mostly 9.6 and 9.8's.

They came back as 8.5's and 9.2's etc.

I figure, I'm out anywhere between j$10,000 to maybe $15,000.

Nobody is taking any responsibility.

Won't somebody at CGC help me??

Thanks!

On 3/27/2022 at 5:18 PM, CGC Mike said:

So, without pictures, it would be hard to say when the damage happened.  If the grades match the defects, it sounds like the damage occurred prior to grading, and most likely during the shipping process to CGC.

The reason I believe it happened during shipping is, the OP is saying all of the damage on the books is all on the same corner.  

The grades certainly do match the defects.   Yes, this is my 2nd batch to come back with new defects in the corner.  It seems pretty hard to believe.  It really doesn't even seem conceivable considering they were sent out 3 months apart.  I think, conservatively, I lost between $10,000 and $15,000 because of the negligence.  

On 3/27/2022 at 5:24 PM, ADAMANTIUM said:

I understand now. I used to use the LCS. I too thought it was fun, but didnt know the pitfalls, and I'm glad I got my own account before that learning curve ever hit.

So I AM speaking from some experience, as limited as it may appear

 

Yeah I learned that lesson a little two late as my last TWO shipments have been damaged in shipping.  CGC did repress and regrade the first batch but now they say they're not going to do it.  I feel it may be the LCS owner's fault, but again, what could I possibly prove?  This has already played out over the last 3 months until now where I'm at the point where I just have to sell what I got or spend more money to get them repressed and regraded.  

On 3/27/2022 at 5:30 PM, Readcomix said:

I think the question for OP is whether the grades are fair and reflective of the books as is, or are you saying (which is how I read it) that the books in your opinion are effectively overgraded as they have damage that wasn't there when you submitted them? It reads to me like you're worried someone will buy, receive book in "X" grade, then look at it through the slab and disagree with the labeled grade. Am I following?

No.  The grades are reflective of the condition they're in.  But they all have terrible grades because of the defect created before they reached the grading room.  I just want people to know that the grade can be improved.  However, I have updated my listings to simply say that they are unpressed.  BTW, they all should've been 9.6's and 9.8's; instead I have garbage: 8.5's, 9.0, 9.2's, 9.4's etc. 

On 3/27/2022 at 4:58 PM, ADAMANTIUM said:

Well then if you're even the slightest thinking after grading, then list the defects, I was confused by your original statement.

I'd say you have a chance to have cgc press and regrade since they're your books but.....

You did it through the LCS, so they'll have to take care of it, which they may not be able to convince cgc.

I know it sounds challenging but subbing under your own account is always the best idea. If possible 

No there is ZERO chance it happened after grading.

On 3/27/2022 at 5:02 PM, ADAMANTIUM said:

But if they all have the same problem and you can convince cgc that it happened under their watch, with before hand pic....

Then cgc would do something about it, but I've heard rumored that you would have to send pics before grading @CGC Mike? I think that makes sense.

Dont want to miss inform, but regardless, selling will be difficult. Best to list defects, since you're unsure if it happened after grading.

Its schroders cat. At least they weren't pressed, so you can say not pressed.

But had they been pressed you may have known it happened after pressing, the dings.

Ok

I'm going to stop speculating 

I entrusted them to my LCS owner who did not take pictures.  He says it's CGC's fault.  CGC says it's the LCS owner's fault for not packing properly.  

On 3/27/2022 at 4:50 PM, ADAMANTIUM said:

It could have been the LCS didnt ship correctly, or postal mishandle? Then it could have happened at cgc?

As long as it didnt happen after grading etc

It could've happend at any point between me entrusing them to the LCS owner and them going into the grading room.  I don't know how I could prove where it happened.  

On 3/27/2022 at 4:45 PM, ADAMANTIUM said:

If they're in slabs, no need to list defects, unless they happened in the case.

If the label looks the correct grade, but they haven't been pressed? Between cgc and LCS, and not at all?

It's cool to state in listing that " they have not been pressed"

Some people prefer unpressed books

@Tafkap

Good idea.  Thanks!

On 3/27/2022 at 4:45 PM, kav said:

well I would call it a bend.

Thanks

On 3/27/2022 at 4:34 PM, kav said:

I would just list the defects and leave it at that.

Something like, "the only defect I see is crunch in the rear right corner?"

Long story short, just got back 80 comics from CGC; the vast majority have a dent in the rear corner; no color break, could easily be pressed out.  

The defect was created 100% before the comics were graded; somewhere between my LCS and the grading room.

Neither CGC nor my LCS owner is taking any responsibility so basically my choices are to sell them as is, or spend more money and wait 8 months or so to get them back.

So all the embarassing dreck goes on Ebay...

Now, do I include information about the defect and mention how they could press them out and 99% chance get a better grade?

Or could it be simply opening a can of worms with little to no upside?

For example, some unscrupulous folks might buy one of them and demand a refund and say the dent was created after the comic was graded?

Leave well enough alone or include info about the defect?  

Whatcha' all think???

Ever been in the same situation?

Thanks! 

BTW, I'm comicbooksplus on Ebay!  Check out the dreck!   

On 3/22/2022 at 7:42 PM, KCOComics said:

I had a similar situation a few years ago. 

I submitted my books through my LCS. One book had old tape on the cover that was pulled off. CGC claimed they got it that way, the shop claimed they just packed and shipped it. 

No one took any responsibility and I was left with a damaged book.  Honestly I was mostly disappointed because the book had survived nearly 70 years in pretty nice shape and under my watch, in an effort to preserve it, it got damaged. 

 

The lesson for me was, don't use a third party. It just muddies the water and leaves you on the hook. 

(The first picture was taken the day before I submitted it to CGC). 

No more 3rd  party, damn right.  My books sat in plastic bags unopened, some for almost 40 freaking years, so I can relate.  I was sooooo careful with them just to have the premier company in the industry destroy them!  Or maybe poor shipping by the LCS owner.  And it happened 2 times in a row with submissions that were 3 months apart!  Just unbelievable.  

On 3/22/2022 at 5:38 PM, sonicyouth1 said:

Thanks for sharing your story. There may not be much you can do given the circumstances surrounding the process. I don’t mean to be a downer or negative  but there is no way to know for sure how they were damaged. 
All cgc staff handles comics very well in my experience. And most lgs that grade for patrons or customers also handle comics well.

I suggest calling customer service and explaining  your situation. I can’t promise any magic fixes but someone could at least help you resolve the matter and have some finality.

Careful packaging and handling are very important. With an order that large I recommend making the submission yourself!

Creating a submission is easier than ever. Online tutorials and cgc staff will always be there to help ensure the process goes smoothly. 
By giving your books to a third party it increases the chances of damage during handling as another user posted.

good luck!

 

Thanks

On 3/22/2022 at 3:59 PM, Lightning55 said:

Adding the LCS to the equation definitely puts you in a subordinate position.  The LCS as a pass-through is probably not making a ton of money, just wants to get it in and out, get paid.  Not their comics, so packing for shipment to CGC could be lax.  When things go South, not getting paid for the extra work or hassle (that they probably caused in the first place), so not motivated to help much.  They can tell you that they called, spent hours on the phone, couldn't get to the right person, no one answered their call, no one answered their email, etc.  You have to take their word for it.  CGC could be placing the blame squarely on the LCS, and you would have no way of knowing.  The LCS isn't going to reveal that.

It's bad enough that there are a lot of cooks in the kitchen already with a direct submission, handling your books - shipping carrier getting them to CGC, person opening the box at CGC (oops, I dropped it, hope no one saw that), person at intake logging in your submission, page count checker, over to CCS, over to Grading where 2 graders are flipping through, encapsulation hit squad, QC (maybe), CGC shipper boxing up the order (maybe same butter-fingered guy who opened it), shipping carrier bumping its way back to you.  Add the LCS, and the fact that you are now not "CGC's customer", and you are in a weak position when something goes wrong.  And things frequently go wrong.

If you can sell the comics and recoup all or most of your costs, I would think that is the best path forward.  Take the money, get a CGC account, and try again with a new group of comics.  Otherwise, all you will see from CGC and the LCS is finger pointing.

Good advice.  Thanks. 

Update:  Just spoke to my LCS owner.  He tells me now CGC will definitely NOT  press and reholder the damaged books.  I'll try to deal with CGC myself.  This is so, so, so, so not right!!!!!!

On 3/22/2022 at 1:04 PM, The Velcronomicon said:

Exactly. How do we know the LCS isn't responsible for the damage to the books in the first place? "Crunch in the corner" sounds like a poor shipping problem to me.

It may be his fault.  I don't know what I could prove. 

On 3/22/2022 at 12:59 PM, comicquant said:

Definitely not your fault but this is the primary reason I have my own membership and never submit through a LCS.  Its not worth the headache if something goes awry.  I would go get your books from the LCS as well as the order information and try to call CGC and manage this yourself.  There could be an issue with them helping since they were submitted through your LCS.  They may consider the order private information.  There have been an endless number of LCS submission nightmares and many times the LCS doesn't get around to doing what they said there were going to do.  CGC's customer service has become so poor over the last couple of years.  A common pattern around here is never hearing back from them so maybe your LCS is telling the truth.  Either way, I would go get your books.

Thanks

I've written before about how my last two shipments to CGC both came back with new defects, crunch in the corner.

The first batch of 40 that I submitted ONE YEAR AGO just recently came back after they pressed and regraded them.

Then...a batch of 80 books that I submitted last June also came back with new "corner crunch."  It's self-evident that the damage in both cases happened before they were graded.   

The batch of 80 books have been sitting, just sitting, in the store of my local comic shop owner as he supposedly argues with CGC about fixing them; his story is he needs to talk to a supervisor and can't.  So they sit.  And now they require photos to prove they did the damage.  

2 1/2 months now this batch of 80 has been just sitting in his store.

I don't know what to do anymore.

I contact him every couple weeks and it's always the same story.

Meanwhile, the value of the books is tanking.

I really don't know what to do anymore?

Anyone else having similar issues?

Help!!!!!

P.S. The books aren't here so I have no photos to include.   

On 1/19/2022 at 12:33 PM, The Meta said:

Yeah, you've been here complaining since day one. 

I want some data, that includes you and other people. 

Nobody cares if you'll submit again, least of all CGC

Wow you're an incredibly rude person.  

On 1/19/2022 at 10:54 AM, The Meta said:

Interested in finding out the percentage of "crunched" corners have come from LCS and not direct shipping

Yes.  I would like some resolution or answer. 

Or I may never submit again.  

On 1/18/2022 at 11:52 AM, Lightning55 said:

Good thing you didn't do a Grade PreScreen for 9.8.  At $8 per reject it would have cost you $640. 

But I suppose getting 80 comics graded with lower-than-anticipated grades is costly, too.  That's a mess.

Very very costly.  On my last batch CGC agreed to press and regrade all the comics.  They were sent in.  When they came back only about half of them were even opened; I verified this by checking the grading date.  This happened two times already.

It's funny that you have such great business with CGC because I have had the absolute worst experience with them.

On 1/17/2022 at 7:51 PM, JollyComics said:

What did you use the delivery service?  USPS, UPS or FedEx?

I don't know what service he used.  

On 1/17/2022 at 7:12 PM, Lightning55 said:

You'll only hear about the problems, like you are having, not the ones that fly through just fine.  I just got 400 back this past month with no significant issues. 

How many thousands per month are going out the CGC door?  Could be a thousand a day, who knows, maybe more.  If a few dealers are shipping in poorly, the damages will be concentrated to their submitters, not widespread. 

If there were complaints of 1000 problems a month, that might only represent 3%.  Still too much, but if your comics are damaged pre-grading, not sure it's on CGC.  I see some complaints, but a drop in the ocean of total comics graded.  If it's YOUR stuff, that's all that seems to matter, but they have more than 1 customer.

If the cases come to you cracked, chipped, scratched, etc., that's on CGC.  If your books are graded 9.6-9.8 and have damaged corners, that came after grading and is either on CGC or the carrier.

The comics were absolutely damaged pre-grading; out of 80 books that were pressed and screened by me, not a single 9.8; only 3 9.6's. 

But, ALSO, they came back with 3 cracked cases.