What I gained from the pressing thread

[JiveTurkeyMoFo]

Jim,

 

My "official" policy (below) in my opinion is a pretty fair position and quite a bit of a compromise.

 

It states my position on pressing.

It states that I have or have had books that have been pressed..

It states that I will willingly provide disclosure.

It states that I have the customers best interest in mind.

It states that if you are unaware, that education is out there.

 

It also leaves one small bit of responsibility to the buyer. If that is to much effort for someone to put forth, then IMO the issue is greater than disclosure. In which case, it is probably just as well for me that we do not do business.

 

I believe you are making a mistake. For what ever reason, if you refuse to do business with people that don't see eye to eye to you on a subjective issue, it could possibly be more of a loss to you. Stuborness, and refusal to put much less effort in to asking then it takes to post in all of these pressing threads, may eliminate an opportunity to obtain something you may desire. But we all know books come and go, so I'm sure you won't suffer in any way.

 

Really, if my policy isn't good enough, if a buyer can't appreciate what I am offering in policy and product, if a buyer can't take some initiative and responsibility, then I doubt that I will miss thier business.

 

 

Official Policy on Pressed Books:

 

I am pro-pressing. To me it is the same end result as simply placing the book in optimal storage conditions, thus improving the book’s state of preservation and technical grade. No different then storing the book in less than favorable conditions which result in defects that lessen the state of preservation.

 

I press comics that I think can benefit from the process, and have achieved some nice results. As a result, some of my inventory has been pressed. I do not ask other sellers about pressing when I buy books from them, so I only know the history of books in which I have pressed or had pressed. There is also the possibility that if I have multiples of a comic, such as a modern, that I will loose track of which books have been pressed.

 

It is my opinion that pressing is an accepted practice with in the hobby and a very noninvasive procedure when done correctly. It is also my opinion that selling CGC graded blue label comics without proactive disclosure is the current accepted standard in the hobby. However, it is not my intention or desire to sell anyone a book which they may consider undesirable, but I do think people should take responsibility for themselves. If you have a desire for any reason to know if a book has been pressed, please ask before buying.

 

I understand that everyone may not be aware of pressing and what it is. There is an abundance of easily accessible information out there on the subject.

 

Mike, how dare you interject some sense and reason in an otherwise perfectly good pressing thread?

 

 

[Pirate]

Nope, the policy of buy somewhere else because my books might be pressed isn't good enough. Now sellers are expected to adapt and change they way they buy, catagorize, track, and even submit books. All to cater to the needs of a few, and it is only few giving Steve a problem with his policy.

 

Er...all I said was it could be easily done if you wanted to.

 

Can't remember me demanding it, nor expecting it.

 

Or maybe I'm having trouble reading what I wrote.

You are right. You onlly gave an example of how it could be done. I'm sure there are many ways.

 

In order for SB to have any other policy, he would have to adopt and put the effort in to one system or the other. He dosen't want to do that. I've seen his stuff, I could understand why. So really he is doing the best possible thing, by saying it the way he has. I can't speak for Steve, maybe that isn't why he has his policy. Some dealers can't even be bothered to price thier inventory, some can't be bothered with back cover scans. If you don't like it don't buy.

 

That's Steve....you'd decided to adopt his policy as well after saying multiple times on this Forum you WOULD disclose.

 

Why would you flip like that? And you can can the problem buyers angle as I haven't seen you identify an anti-presser as giving you a problem in the past. Is it a fear of actually upfront identifying which ones are pressed?

 

I'm not being glib here and looking for a serious answer. Your flipping to a non-disclosure disclosure is more troubling than Steve. At least he has been consistent from the start...

 

Jim

 

Jim,

 

I have no issue with Steve's policy and understand the logic behind it, although I'm sure there is some intentional "snarkiness" there.

 

Now, let's get something straight. I never adopted his policy. In a previous pressing thread, I stated that I could considering adopting his policy. I have not.

 

My policy has always been the same:

The market as a whole doesn't demand proactive disclosure, therfore I don't find it necessary when selling CGC graded comic books. If a person wants to know, they should ask.

 

For the record, I have always disclosed when asked. I always will disclosed when asked. Most times I have disclosed with out being asked, although that is not my position on the subject.

 

In my last two sales threads I have been asked three times by only two people if a book was pressed. One, because they didn't want to press it again, the other two questions were inquiring because I bought the book from them and they wanted to know if they undergraded the book. In those two sales threads, I proactively disclosed every pressed book as pressed before the deal closed. No deals were broken. I even sold a top census book to a known presser. Surely he realizes that he can go pick one off of the 9.2/9.4 tree and magicly manufacture his own rather than pay top dollar.

 

I have always been for disclosure and my stance has not changed. I haven't "flipped" mess except comic books, and I don't fear mess except for something bad happening to my family. The last thing I fear is identifying pressed books in my possesion because they might sell for less. This is not the way I make a living. If my pretty books don't sell, I'll keep them.

 

Jim, I am "troubled" that you post inaccurate information about people. There are people out there that may not know me, or have ever read any of my posts, and may not know where I stand. I don't like that they can read your innacurate spewage and possobly draw the wrong conclusion about me.

 

You don't need to be "troubled" over something that never happened.

 

This is my policy:

(Pretty much, what my policy has always been, but spelled out for everyone.)

 

I am pro-pressing. To me it is the same end result as simply placing the book in optimal storage conditions, thus improving the book’s state of preservation and technical grade. No different then storing the book in less than favorable conditions which result in defects that lessen the state of preservation.

 

I press comics that I think can benefit from the process, and have achieved some nice results. As a result, some of my inventory has been pressed. I do not ask other sellers about pressing when I buy books from them, so I only know the history of books in which I have pressed or had pressed. There is also the possibility that if I have multiples of a comic, such as a modern, that I will loose track of which books have been pressed.

 

It is my opinion that pressing is an accepted practice with in the hobby and a very noninvasive procedure when done correctly. It is also my opinion that selling CGC graded blue label comics without proactive disclosure is the current accepted standard in the hobby. However, it is not my intention or desire to sell anyone a book which they may consider undesirable, but I do think people should take responsibility for themselves. If you have a desire for any reason to know if a book has been pressed, please ask before buying.

 

I understand that everyone may not be aware of pressing and what it is. There is an abundance of easily accessible information out there on the subject.

 

 

 

 

 

You don't have to explain yourself Mike, some people are just looking for fights because they have nothing else to do.

[kc120us]

Jim,

 

My "official" policy (below) in my opinion is a pretty fair position and quite a bit of a compromise.

 

It states my position on pressing.

It states that I have or have had books that have been pressed..

It states that I will willingly provide disclosure.

It states that I have the customers best interest in mind.

It states that if you are unaware, that education is out there.

 

It also leaves one small bit of responsibility to the buyer. If that is to much effort for someone to put forth, then IMO the issue is greater than disclosure. In which case, it is probably just as well for me that we do not do business.

 

I believe you are making a mistake. For what ever reason, if you refuse to do business with people that don't see eye to eye to you on a subjective issue, it could possibly be more of a loss to you. Stuborness, and refusal to put much less effort in to asking then it takes to post in all of these pressing threads, may eliminate an opportunity to obtain something you may desire. But we all know books come and go, so I'm sure you won't suffer in any way.

 

Really, if my policy isn't good enough, if a buyer can't appreciate what I am offering in policy and product, if a buyer can't take some initiative and responsibility, then I doubt that I will miss thier business.

 

 

Official Policy on Pressed Books:

 

I am pro-pressing. To me it is the same end result as simply placing the book in optimal storage conditions, thus improving the book’s state of preservation and technical grade. No different then storing the book in less than favorable conditions which result in defects that lessen the state of preservation.

 

I press comics that I think can benefit from the process, and have achieved some nice results. As a result, some of my inventory has been pressed. I do not ask other sellers about pressing when I buy books from them, so I only know the history of books in which I have pressed or had pressed. There is also the possibility that if I have multiples of a comic, such as a modern, that I will loose track of which books have been pressed.

 

It is my opinion that pressing is an accepted practice with in the hobby and a very noninvasive procedure when done correctly. It is also my opinion that selling CGC graded blue label comics without proactive disclosure is the current accepted standard in the hobby. However, it is not my intention or desire to sell anyone a book which they may consider undesirable, but I do think people should take responsibility for themselves. If you have a desire for any reason to know if a book has been pressed, please ask before buying.

 

I understand that everyone may not be aware of pressing and what it is. There is an abundance of easily accessible information out there on the subject.

 

OMG, Well said, Mike. Well said. No one in this thread has stated it better. (thumbs u

[arexcrooke]

Sorry Arex. From your posts on the subject, I assumed you had adopted that policy.

 

 

My mistake.

 

You can scold me in Chicago next year......

[MCMiles]

 

Mike, how dare you interject some sense and reason in an otherwise perfectly good pressing thread?

 

 

I tried to interject something else, but it just came out like this:

 

 

All the best,

 

 

 

[Davenport]

Why does a select group of collectors expect the rest of the comic collecting world to cater to them? I just don't understand that. You don't like pressing, ask about it. It can't really be that hard. I have disdain for date stamps, I ask.. why can't you?

 

(thumbs u

Asking only works if there's someone to ask. Do major auction/consignment sites like ComicLink even allow disclosure, even if a seller is willing?

 

Anyway, I'm really curious about the 99.99% of The Hobby that always knew "everybody does it" and "nobody cares". And why .01% of collectors were fed such nonsense. Curious about the history.

 

Below is a scan of the OS definition of "Restoration" from 2004 (34th edition, last one I purchased). Four years, not very long ago.

 

OS's definition must've caused an outrage since it includes "pressing out wrinkles". Did thousands of letters pour into Gemstone from the 99% demanding a correction? Surely a mistake of that magnitude would've caused their phones to ring off the wall.

 

Does anyone remember when the mess hit the fan over a goof like that? Must've caused some major fireworks. Was there ever any explaination given on how such a foul-up could be printed and re-printed for so many years?

 

What year was it finally corrected?

 

 

[Cimm]

Below is a scan of the OS definition of "Restoration" from 2004 (34th edition, last one I purchased). Four years, not very long ago.

 

OS's definition must've caused an outrage since it includes "pressing out wrinkles". Did thousands of letters pour into Gemstone from the 99% demanding a correction? Surely a mistake of that magnitude would've caused their phones to ring off the wall.

 

Does anyone remember when the mess hit the fan over a goof like that? Must've caused some major fireworks. Was there ever any explaination given on how such a foul-up could be printed and re-printed for so many years?

 

What year was it finally corrected?

 

 

 

Overstreet is not the source to quote on these boards

 

We don't use their pricing (we use GPA)

We don't use their grading standards (we attempt to decipher CGC's)

 

[Davenport]

Below is a scan of the OS definition of "Restoration" from 2004 (34th edition, last one I purchased). Four years, not very long ago.

 

OS's definition must've caused an outrage since it includes "pressing out wrinkles". Did thousands of letters pour into Gemstone from the 99% demanding a correction? Surely a mistake of that magnitude would've caused their phones to ring off the wall.

 

Does anyone remember when the mess hit the fan over a goof like that? Must've caused some major fireworks. Was there ever any explaination given on how such a foul-up could be printed and re-printed for so many years?

 

What year was it finally corrected?

 

 

 

Overstreet is not the source to quote on these boards

 

We don't use their pricing (we use GPA)

We don't use their grading standards (we attempt to decipher CGC's)

(thumbs u

 

I believed. I believed Bob was looking out for me.

[MR.COMICBOOK]

Here is what Matt charges on his website

 

Pressing Fees

Cheap compared to the profit some are making.

[drbanner]

Where is this alleged "the pressing thread", as in singular, the one and only?

 

That ship has sailed...that tat's done run dry...it's not even funny to post funny images in pressing threads anymore.

[batman_fan]

I think a lot of people here have missed the point of me asking Steve about a particular book. Steve Posted an X-men 94 in a for sell thread. I read his pressing crud, but no where in it did he say don't ask me if a book is pressed, I will refuse to disclose. I was interested in the X-men so I asked what I thought was a legitimate question. Steve refused to answer (his purgative) and proceeded to ridicule (his purgative). So all the pro-pressers thats have been saying "just ask, is that so hard" The answer is YES! I get Steve's point, he does not want to disclose any work done to books he is selling, buyer needs to accept his books could have been worked on, deal with it. Again, his purgative. Also note, I asked the one time, haven't since.

[jimm94]

I think you meant to say prerogative.

 

A purgative is: adj. Tending to cleanse or purge, especially causing evacuation of the bowels.

 

Then again, maybe not.

 

How are things in the Bay Area? I heard you've got a bit of an indian summer going?

[batman_fan]

I think you meant to say prerogative.

 

A purgative is: adj. Tending to cleanse or purge, especially causing evacuation of the bowels.

 

Then again, maybe not.

 

How are things in the Bay Area? I heard you've got a bit of an indian summer going?

 

Weather is real nice, almost hot! Business wise, lots of layoffs. I had to let five contractors know we wouldn't be extending their contracts. Are you coming out for Wondercon.

[jimm94]

I hear you. There have been a lot of layoffs in my company too, but I've been able to avoid them thus far. Brutal.

 

I'm definitely hoping to come out, although I won't know for sure until January.

[MrBedrock]

Nick, i think waiting for global acceptance of proactive disclosure is a waste of time. You have the knowledge and the power, all you have to do is use it. Ask. And from my personal experience you do use it. I feel the true crux of the matter is not forcing those who are aware of pressing but refuse to proactively disclose to change their ways but, instead, it is to educate those who are not aware of pressing. And that is also the easier battle to win. These threads do that in a small way. I hope you also discuss it with all of your clients. You might not like to hear this, but Matt Nelson, by advertising his services, does more to advance the awareness of pressing than those who are against it. Obviously he does not advance it in the way some here would want it advanced but he does put it out there.

 

That is the true direction we should be moving. Edcuating the collector and return the power to them.

(thumbs u

[MrBedrock]

Arex,

 

The ability to keep track of who did what to which is simple. I've got 850 books of my own, and they are logged with all manner of detail, including when they were bought, how much for, whether they are a Pedigree, whether they have date stamps, etc, etc, etc, :blahblah:

 

Now, for my business (coming to an interweb near you in 2009!), I have even more detail logged. Basically, a simple piece of software...take your pick between dozens and dozens...can keep track of every imaginable bit of information that you wish to keep.

 

The thing is, the more books you have in your business stock, the more serious you are about it, the more detail you need...so what's one additional field?

I have 500,000 books in stock. An additional field of data would be a nightmare.

[Flaming_Telepath]

Arex,

 

The ability to keep track of who did what to which is simple. I've got 850 books of my own, and they are logged with all manner of detail, including when they were bought, how much for, whether they are a Pedigree, whether they have date stamps, etc, etc, etc, :blahblah:

 

Now, for my business (coming to an interweb near you in 2009!), I have even more detail logged. Basically, a simple piece of software...take your pick between dozens and dozens...can keep track of every imaginable bit of information that you wish to keep.

 

The thing is, the more books you have in your business stock, the more serious you are about it, the more detail you need...so what's one additional field?

I have 500,000 books in stock. An additional field of data would be a nightmare.

 

It would if you intended going back through all 500,000.

 

As something you could start with all new stock...nah. Easy. (thumbs u

[DrWatson]

Did I miss a pressing thread? Damn.

[MR.COMICBOOK]

So in laymans term for a rookie like me. Do not spend exhorbitant amount of money for a 9.6 instead get a 9.2 or 9.4,take it out of 9.2 holder then go get it pressed and send it back and thier I got a 9.6 at a much cheaper price or am I missing something here? It can`t be that easy.

[joeypost]

So in laymans term for a rookie like me. Do not spend exhorbitant amount of money for a 9.6 instead get a 9.2 or 9.4,take it out of 9.2 holder then go get it pressed and send it back and thier I got a 9.6 at a much cheaper price or am I missing something here? It can`t be that easy.

 

It's not. It does happen but it is the exception to the rule, not the norm.