The Perfect Grade

[DrWatson]

Let me think on that for a bit.

 

What line of work are in you in, Dav?

[Davenport]

Let me think on that for a bit.

 

What line of work are in you in, Dav?

Graphic design.

 

Btw, I decided on a non-offensive pc term: "profitable graders", as opposed to "professional graders". Profitable graders understand the nature of paper, make a whole lot of money. Professional graders are bound by a system that ignores what profitable graders understand.

 

(and work calls, so... )

[DrWatson]

That's still not PC as there is still a lingering dishonest undertone to the term.

 

I suppose that's the problem I have with the other terms (gaming and players) as well. I understand there are some dishonest individuals. There's dishonesty in everything.

 

To me, someone who resubmits a book for a higher grade, with or without pressing it, and then offers disclosure, either proactively or when asked, is not a dishonest individual and I take offense at the implication whether intentional or not.

[seanfingh]

That's still not PC as there is still a lingering dishonest undertone to the term.

 

I suppose that's the problem I have with the other terms (gaming and players) as well. I understand there are some dishonest individuals. There's dishonesty in everything.

 

To me, someone who resubmits a book for a higher grade, with or without pressing it, and then offers disclosure, either proactively or when asked, is not a dishonest individual and I take offense at the implication whether intentional or not.

 

Then you would hate to hear what I call it. I call it the "Hustle." In the 80's I was a hustler. Hitting all the comic shops in town for the hottest books that just went up in the CVM. It was hard work, but if you hustled you could make goood bread.

 

This is the same deal, just higher stakes. It isn't dishonest, but it is a hustle. I knew in 1989 that those copies of ASM 298, Hulk 330 were worth 20x the 75 cent that they were marked. I bought 'em all and flipped 'em for $5 a piece, leaving the other shops a decent margin as well. Re-sub (or CPR) is the same deal. You have to have the eye and the cash and you can make a good bit of bread on the come.

 

To me it is not dishonest, at all. But it is not like you are out planting trees in vacant lots with your spare time either.

[DrWatson]

That's still not PC as there is still a lingering dishonest undertone to the term.

 

I suppose that's the problem I have with the other terms (gaming and players) as well. I understand there are some dishonest individuals. There's dishonesty in everything.

 

To me, someone who resubmits a book for a higher grade, with or without pressing it, and then offers disclosure, either proactively or when asked, is not a dishonest individual and I take offense at the implication whether intentional or not.

 

Then you would hate to hear what I call it. I call it the "Hustle." In the 80's I was a hustler. Hitting all the comic shops in town for the hottest books that just went up in the CVM. It was hard work, but if you hustled you could make goood bread.

 

This is the same deal, just higher stakes. It isn't dishonest, but it is a hustle. I knew in 1989 that those copies of ASM 298, Hulk 330 were worth 20x the 75 cent that they were marked. I bought 'em all and flipped 'em for $5 a piece, leaving the other shops a decent margin as well. Re-sub (or CPR) is the same deal. You have to have the eye and the cash and you can make a good bit of bread on the come.

 

To me it is not dishonest, at all. But it is not like you are out planting trees in vacant lots with your spare time either.

You're an attorney. "Nuff said.

[seanfingh]

That's still not PC as there is still a lingering dishonest undertone to the term.

 

I suppose that's the problem I have with the other terms (gaming and players) as well. I understand there are some dishonest individuals. There's dishonesty in everything.

 

To me, someone who resubmits a book for a higher grade, with or without pressing it, and then offers disclosure, either proactively or when asked, is not a dishonest individual and I take offense at the implication whether intentional or not.

 

Then you would hate to hear what I call it. I call it the "Hustle." In the 80's I was a hustler. Hitting all the comic shops in town for the hottest books that just went up in the CVM. It was hard work, but if you hustled you could make goood bread.

 

This is the same deal, just higher stakes. It isn't dishonest, but it is a hustle. I knew in 1989 that those copies of ASM 298, Hulk 330 were worth 20x the 75 cent that they were marked. I bought 'em all and flipped 'em for $5 a piece, leaving the other shops a decent margin as well. Re-sub (or CPR) is the same deal. You have to have the eye and the cash and you can make a good bit of bread on the come.

 

To me it is not dishonest, at all. But it is not like you are out planting trees in vacant lots with your spare time either.

You're an attorney. "Nuff said.

 

Indeed. But you appear to have more than a passing knowledge. There is an old legal chestnut that you appear to understand quite well: "When you have the law, argue the law, when you have the facts, argue the facts, when you have neither, simply argue."

[DrWatson]

That's still not PC as there is still a lingering dishonest undertone to the term.

 

I suppose that's the problem I have with the other terms (gaming and players) as well. I understand there are some dishonest individuals. There's dishonesty in everything.

 

To me, someone who resubmits a book for a higher grade, with or without pressing it, and then offers disclosure, either proactively or when asked, is not a dishonest individual and I take offense at the implication whether intentional or not.

 

Then you would hate to hear what I call it. I call it the "Hustle." In the 80's I was a hustler. Hitting all the comic shops in town for the hottest books that just went up in the CVM. It was hard work, but if you hustled you could make goood bread.

 

This is the same deal, just higher stakes. It isn't dishonest, but it is a hustle. I knew in 1989 that those copies of ASM 298, Hulk 330 were worth 20x the 75 cent that they were marked. I bought 'em all and flipped 'em for $5 a piece, leaving the other shops a decent margin as well. Re-sub (or CPR) is the same deal. You have to have the eye and the cash and you can make a good bit of bread on the come.

 

To me it is not dishonest, at all. But it is not like you are out planting trees in vacant lots with your spare time either.

You're an attorney. "Nuff said.

 

Indeed. But you appear to have more than a passing knowledge. There is an old legal chestnut that you appear to understand quite well: "When you have the law, argue the law, when you have the facts, argue the facts, when you have neither, simply argue."

I can do all three.

 

I don't see either as a hustle. The knowledge is there for anyone willing to apply it.

[COI]

That's still not PC as there is still a lingering dishonest undertone to the term.

 

I suppose that's the problem I have with the other terms (gaming and players) as well. I understand there are some dishonest individuals. There's dishonesty in everything.

 

To me, someone who resubmits a book for a higher grade, with or without pressing it, and then offers disclosure, either proactively or when asked, is not a dishonest individual and I take offense at the implication whether intentional or not.

 

Then you would hate to hear what I call it. I call it the "Hustle." In the 80's I was a hustler. Hitting all the comic shops in town for the hottest books that just went up in the CVM. It was hard work, but if you hustled you could make goood bread.

 

This is the same deal, just higher stakes. It isn't dishonest, but it is a hustle. I knew in 1989 that those copies of ASM 298, Hulk 330 were worth 20x the 75 cent that they were marked. I bought 'em all and flipped 'em for $5 a piece, leaving the other shops a decent margin as well. Re-sub (or CPR) is the same deal. You have to have the eye and the cash and you can make a good bit of bread on the come.

 

To me it is not dishonest, at all. But it is not like you are out planting trees in vacant lots with your spare time either.

 

Zactly. "Gaming" or "hustling" has a negative connotation for some, but that's ultimately what pressing, resubbing or flipping comes down to. It is what it is. There's nothing wrong with it, as far as I'm concerned, and these terms don't automatically imply dishonestly.

[DrWatson]

Gaming or hustling implies an unfair advantage of which there isn't one. Anyone can have a book pressed. You wouldn't say that to Donna Reed if she pressed books.

[COI]

Gaming or hustling implies an unfair advantage of which there isn't one.

 

Finding an 'advantage' is both essential and unavoidable if you want to make bread, whether we're talking about comic books, lemonade or investment banking. Whether or not that advantage is 'unfair' depends on your perspective.

[kc120us]

That's still not PC as there is still a lingering dishonest undertone to the term.

 

I suppose that's the problem I have with the other terms (gaming and players) as well. I understand there are some dishonest individuals. There's dishonesty in everything.

 

To me, someone who resubmits a book for a higher grade, with or without pressing it, and then offers disclosure, either proactively or when asked, is not a dishonest individual and I take offense at the implication whether intentional or not.

 

Then you would hate to hear what I call it. I call it the "Hustle." In the 80's I was a hustler. Hitting all the comic shops in town for the hottest books that just went up in the CVM. It was hard work, but if you hustled you could make goood bread.

 

This is the same deal, just higher stakes. It isn't dishonest, but it is a hustle. I knew in 1989 that those copies of ASM 298, Hulk 330 were worth 20x the 75 cent that they were marked. I bought 'em all and flipped 'em for $5 a piece, leaving the other shops a decent margin as well. Re-sub (or CPR) is the same deal. You have to have the eye and the cash and you can make a good bit of bread on the come.

 

To me it is not dishonest, at all. But it is not like you are out planting trees in vacant lots with your spare time either.

 

Zactly. "Gaming" or "hustling" has a negative connotation for some, but that's ultimately what pressing, resubbing or flipping comes down to. It is what it is. There's nothing wrong with it, as far as I'm concerned, and these terms don't automatically imply dishonestly.

 

So you are saying that every collector who takes books from their collection, presses them, and puts them back in their collection is a hustler? I know collectors who do just that. Or every collector who thinks that he/she received a bum grade and resubmits is a player? Or how about if a collector buys a book, holds onto it for 10 years in which it subsequently goes up in value, and then sells it for a profit. Is he a player too? I

 

'm sorry but that kind of blanket statement is inaccurate. Yes, there are people who look for books soley to press them, resubmit and flip. But they are only part of the collecting world. What about all the people who go to Con's and buy stacks of raw books and slab them? No pressing is involved. Are they gamers as well?

[seanfingh]

That's still not PC as there is still a lingering dishonest undertone to the term.

 

I suppose that's the problem I have with the other terms (gaming and players) as well. I understand there are some dishonest individuals. There's dishonesty in everything.

 

To me, someone who resubmits a book for a higher grade, with or without pressing it, and then offers disclosure, either proactively or when asked, is not a dishonest individual and I take offense at the implication whether intentional or not.

 

Then you would hate to hear what I call it. I call it the "Hustle." In the 80's I was a hustler. Hitting all the comic shops in town for the hottest books that just went up in the CVM. It was hard work, but if you hustled you could make goood bread.

 

This is the same deal, just higher stakes. It isn't dishonest, but it is a hustle. I knew in 1989 that those copies of ASM 298, Hulk 330 were worth 20x the 75 cent that they were marked. I bought 'em all and flipped 'em for $5 a piece, leaving the other shops a decent margin as well. Re-sub (or CPR) is the same deal. You have to have the eye and the cash and you can make a good bit of bread on the come.

 

To me it is not dishonest, at all. But it is not like you are out planting trees in vacant lots with your spare time either.

 

Zactly. "Gaming" or "hustling" has a negative connotation for some, but that's ultimately what pressing, resubbing or flipping comes down to. It is what it is. There's nothing wrong with it, as far as I'm concerned, and these terms don't automatically imply dishonestly.

 

So you are saying that every collector who takes books from their collection, presses them, and puts them back in their collection is a hustler? I know collectors who do just that. Or every collector who thinks that he/she received a bum grade and resubmits is a player? Or how about if a collector buys a book, holds onto it for 10 years in which it subsequently goes up in value, and then sells it for a profit. Is he a player too? I

 

'm sorry but that kind of blanket statement is inaccurate. Yes, there are people who look for books soley to press them, resubmit and flip. But they are only part of the collecting world. What about all the people who go to Con's and buy stacks of raw books and slab them? No pressing is involved. Are they gamers as well?

 

Since I am in this thread, Casey, I am going to give you my answer. Everything you have mentioned above, to me is hustling. As I said earlier, there is no negative to me in using that term. In fact, I normally use the term to indicate that someone is working hard at whatever they do, and doing whatever it takes to succeed.

 

Every one of your above mentioned scenarios requires me to: (1) Hone my grading skills; (2) Understand which books are more valuable graded than raw, and at what grade levels; (3) be able to go through the stock of people who are in the business of selling comic books to find slabbing or press and slab candidates; (4) know a lot about both the raw and slabbed segment of the market; (5) get to where the books are before the rest of these vultures.

 

That is a lot of time, talent and treasure invested in the process of doing what we are discussing. In my mind, the guy that is doing that is a hustler. He probably loves comics. He certainly loves the hustle, or he would be spending his time making his money another, easier, way. No pejorative to me, at all, in being a hustler. I wish I had the time to be as good at it as i used to be.

 

 

[kc120us]

That's still not PC as there is still a lingering dishonest undertone to the term.

 

I suppose that's the problem I have with the other terms (gaming and players) as well. I understand there are some dishonest individuals. There's dishonesty in everything.

 

To me, someone who resubmits a book for a higher grade, with or without pressing it, and then offers disclosure, either proactively or when asked, is not a dishonest individual and I take offense at the implication whether intentional or not.

 

Then you would hate to hear what I call it. I call it the "Hustle." In the 80's I was a hustler. Hitting all the comic shops in town for the hottest books that just went up in the CVM. It was hard work, but if you hustled you could make goood bread.

 

This is the same deal, just higher stakes. It isn't dishonest, but it is a hustle. I knew in 1989 that those copies of ASM 298, Hulk 330 were worth 20x the 75 cent that they were marked. I bought 'em all and flipped 'em for $5 a piece, leaving the other shops a decent margin as well. Re-sub (or CPR) is the same deal. You have to have the eye and the cash and you can make a good bit of bread on the come.

 

To me it is not dishonest, at all. But it is not like you are out planting trees in vacant lots with your spare time either.

 

Zactly. "Gaming" or "hustling" has a negative connotation for some, but that's ultimately what pressing, resubbing or flipping comes down to. It is what it is. There's nothing wrong with it, as far as I'm concerned, and these terms don't automatically imply dishonestly.

 

So you are saying that every collector who takes books from their collection, presses them, and puts them back in their collection is a hustler? I know collectors who do just that. Or every collector who thinks that he/she received a bum grade and resubmits is a player? Or how about if a collector buys a book, holds onto it for 10 years in which it subsequently goes up in value, and then sells it for a profit. Is he a player too? I

 

'm sorry but that kind of blanket statement is inaccurate. Yes, there are people who look for books soley to press them, resubmit and flip. But they are only part of the collecting world. What about all the people who go to Con's and buy stacks of raw books and slab them? No pressing is involved. Are they gamers as well?

 

Since I am in this thread, Casey, I am going to give you my answer. Everything you have mentioned above, to me is hustling. As I said earlier, there is no negative to me in using that term. In fact, I normally use the term to indicate that someone is working hard at whatever they do, and doing whatever it takes to succeed.

 

Every one of your above mentioned scenarios requires me to: (1) Hone my grading skills; (2) Understand which books are more valuable graded than raw, and at what grade levels; (3) be able to go through the stock of people who are in the business of selling comic books to find slabbing or press and slab candidates; (4) know a lot about both the raw and slabbed segment of the market; (5) get to where the books are before the rest of these vultures.

 

That is a lot of time, talent and treasure invested in the process of doing what we are discussing. In my mind, the guy that is doing that is a hustler. He probably loves comics. He certainly loves the hustle, or he would be spending his time making his money another, easier, way. No pejorative to me, at all, in being a hustler. I wish I had the time to be as good at it as i used to be.

 

 

Well said, Sean. Unforunately, the word hustle does carry a somewhat negative connotation even if it is not intended. It's weird how the language works. If I told someone that you really hustle in your work, that puts you in a good light. But if I said you are hustler, that makes you look deceptive.

[COI]

Howdy, Casey.

 

In a discussion like this, when we're talking about subjective terms and speculating on motives, everyone is going to have a different perspective. That being said, I'm all too happy to clarify my position.

 

Or how about if a collector buys a book, holds onto it for 10 years in which it subsequently goes up in value, and then sells it for a profit. Is he a player too?

 

This is why I specifically said flipping, pressing or resubbing. A collector may buy a book and sell it years later for a profit; that doesn't necessarily mean that he had any intention of making money off of that book when he bought it. Any original owner SA collection that surfaces, for example, was likey put together and preserved for reasons other than profit, at least initially. The fact that said collector stands to make a killing doesn't make him a "gamer" or "hustler"; he was just in the right place at the right time for his hobby to become a source of capital gain.

 

So you are saying that every collector who takes books from their collection, presses them, and puts them back in their collection is a hustler?I know collectors who do just that. Or every collector who thinks that he/she received a bum grade and resubmits is a player?

 

There is no reason to press or resub a book other than profit, or to elevate the status of your collection, regardless of whether or not you sell that book, or your collection, next year or 10 years from now. Therefore, the only logical reason to press or resub a book is to receive a higher grade on the label; and the reason you want that higher grade is because it increases both the value and status of your collection. And there's nothing wrong with that, from my perspective, just call a spade a spade.

 

I want to stress that "gaming" to increase the value or grade of books in your collection has no direct correlation to your love of the hobby, or lack thereof. I do believe that there are collectors such as yourself who wouldn't be striving to put together the best possible collection they could, if they didn't genuinely love the books, just as I believe there are speculators, flippers and dealers who are "gaming" strictly for profit. But the fact is, pressing, resubbing or flipping is about availing oneself of opportunites that have become inherent in the high grade segment of the hobby. There's nothing else to it.

[hockey&comicsguy]

That's still not PC as there is still a lingering dishonest undertone to the term.

 

I suppose that's the problem I have with the other terms (gaming and players) as well. I understand there are some dishonest individuals. There's dishonesty in everything.

 

To me, someone who resubmits a book for a higher grade, with or without pressing it, and then offers disclosure, either proactively or when asked, is not a dishonest individual and I take offense at the implication whether intentional or not.

 

Then you would hate to hear what I call it. I call it the "Hustle." In the 80's I was a hustler. Hitting all the comic shops in town for the hottest books that just went up in the CVM. It was hard work, but if you hustled you could make goood bread.

 

This is the same deal, just higher stakes. It isn't dishonest, but it is a hustle. I knew in 1989 that those copies of ASM 298, Hulk 330 were worth 20x the 75 cent that they were marked. I bought 'em all and flipped 'em for $5 a piece, leaving the other shops a decent margin as well. Re-sub (or CPR) is the same deal. You have to have the eye and the cash and you can make a good bit of bread on the come.

 

To me it is not dishonest, at all. But it is not like you are out planting trees in vacant lots with your spare time either.

 

Zactly. "Gaming" or "hustling" has a negative connotation for some, but that's ultimately what pressing, resubbing or flipping comes down to. It is what it is. There's nothing wrong with it, as far as I'm concerned, and these terms don't automatically imply dishonestly.

 

So you are saying that every collector who takes books from their collection, presses them, and puts them back in their collection is a hustler? I know collectors who do just that. Or every collector who thinks that he/she received a bum grade and resubmits is a player? Or how about if a collector buys a book, holds onto it for 10 years in which it subsequently goes up in value, and then sells it for a profit. Is he a player too? I

 

'm sorry but that kind of blanket statement is inaccurate. Yes, there are people who look for books soley to press them, resubmit and flip. But they are only part of the collecting world. What about all the people who go to Con's and buy stacks of raw books and slab them? No pressing is involved. Are they gamers as well?

 

 

Does this seem redundant to anyone else? I mean really, who thinks that those are the people we are talking about.

 

I know the way he phrased it makes it a blanket statement if taken literally. But come on, a little common sense. Who cares about the people who are buying books for personal collections and there's no pressing or flipping involved? Seriously, what bearing do those people have at all on the conversation?

[hockey&comicsguy]

 

This is why I specifically said flipping, pressing or resubbing.

 

 

 

Ding, ding, ding

 

 

I understood you completely.

[DrWatson]

That's still not PC as there is still a lingering dishonest undertone to the term.

 

I suppose that's the problem I have with the other terms (gaming and players) as well. I understand there are some dishonest individuals. There's dishonesty in everything.

 

To me, someone who resubmits a book for a higher grade, with or without pressing it, and then offers disclosure, either proactively or when asked, is not a dishonest individual and I take offense at the implication whether intentional or not.

 

Then you would hate to hear what I call it. I call it the "Hustle." In the 80's I was a hustler. Hitting all the comic shops in town for the hottest books that just went up in the CVM. It was hard work, but if you hustled you could make goood bread.

 

This is the same deal, just higher stakes. It isn't dishonest, but it is a hustle. I knew in 1989 that those copies of ASM 298, Hulk 330 were worth 20x the 75 cent that they were marked. I bought 'em all and flipped 'em for $5 a piece, leaving the other shops a decent margin as well. Re-sub (or CPR) is the same deal. You have to have the eye and the cash and you can make a good bit of bread on the come.

 

To me it is not dishonest, at all. But it is not like you are out planting trees in vacant lots with your spare time either.

 

Zactly. "Gaming" or "hustling" has a negative connotation for some, but that's ultimately what pressing, resubbing or flipping comes down to. It is what it is. There's nothing wrong with it, as far as I'm concerned, and these terms don't automatically imply dishonestly.

 

So you are saying that every collector who takes books from their collection, presses them, and puts them back in their collection is a hustler? I know collectors who do just that. Or every collector who thinks that he/she received a bum grade and resubmits is a player? Or how about if a collector buys a book, holds onto it for 10 years in which it subsequently goes up in value, and then sells it for a profit. Is he a player too? I

 

'm sorry but that kind of blanket statement is inaccurate. Yes, there are people who look for books soley to press them, resubmit and flip. But they are only part of the collecting world. What about all the people who go to Con's and buy stacks of raw books and slab them? No pressing is involved. Are they gamers as well?

 

Since I am in this thread, Casey, I am going to give you my answer. Everything you have mentioned above, to me is hustling. As I said earlier, there is no negative to me in using that term. In fact, I normally use the term to indicate that someone is working hard at whatever they do, and doing whatever it takes to succeed.

 

Every one of your above mentioned scenarios requires me to: (1) Hone my grading skills; (2) Understand which books are more valuable graded than raw, and at what grade levels; (3) be able to go through the stock of people who are in the business of selling comic books to find slabbing or press and slab candidates; (4) know a lot about both the raw and slabbed segment of the market; (5) get to where the books are before the rest of these vultures.

 

That is a lot of time, talent and treasure invested in the process of doing what we are discussing. In my mind, the guy that is doing that is a hustler. He probably loves comics. He certainly loves the hustle, or he would be spending his time making his money another, easier, way. No pejorative to me, at all, in being a hustler. I wish I had the time to be as good at it as i used to be.

 

Why couldn't I have gotten an answer like that, Buckeye Legal Troll?

[seanfingh]

That's still not PC as there is still a lingering dishonest undertone to the term.

 

I suppose that's the problem I have with the other terms (gaming and players) as well. I understand there are some dishonest individuals. There's dishonesty in everything.

 

To me, someone who resubmits a book for a higher grade, with or without pressing it, and then offers disclosure, either proactively or when asked, is not a dishonest individual and I take offense at the implication whether intentional or not.

 

Then you would hate to hear what I call it. I call it the "Hustle." In the 80's I was a hustler. Hitting all the comic shops in town for the hottest books that just went up in the CVM. It was hard work, but if you hustled you could make goood bread.

 

This is the same deal, just higher stakes. It isn't dishonest, but it is a hustle. I knew in 1989 that those copies of ASM 298, Hulk 330 were worth 20x the 75 cent that they were marked. I bought 'em all and flipped 'em for $5 a piece, leaving the other shops a decent margin as well. Re-sub (or CPR) is the same deal. You have to have the eye and the cash and you can make a good bit of bread on the come.

 

To me it is not dishonest, at all. But it is not like you are out planting trees in vacant lots with your spare time either.

 

Zactly. "Gaming" or "hustling" has a negative connotation for some, but that's ultimately what pressing, resubbing or flipping comes down to. It is what it is. There's nothing wrong with it, as far as I'm concerned, and these terms don't automatically imply dishonestly.

 

So you are saying that every collector who takes books from their collection, presses them, and puts them back in their collection is a hustler? I know collectors who do just that. Or every collector who thinks that he/she received a bum grade and resubmits is a player? Or how about if a collector buys a book, holds onto it for 10 years in which it subsequently goes up in value, and then sells it for a profit. Is he a player too? I

 

'm sorry but that kind of blanket statement is inaccurate. Yes, there are people who look for books soley to press them, resubmit and flip. But they are only part of the collecting world. What about all the people who go to Con's and buy stacks of raw books and slab them? No pressing is involved. Are they gamers as well?

 

Since I am in this thread, Casey, I am going to give you my answer. Everything you have mentioned above, to me is hustling. As I said earlier, there is no negative to me in using that term. In fact, I normally use the term to indicate that someone is working hard at whatever they do, and doing whatever it takes to succeed.

 

Every one of your above mentioned scenarios requires me to: (1) Hone my grading skills; (2) Understand which books are more valuable graded than raw, and at what grade levels; (3) be able to go through the stock of people who are in the business of selling comic books to find slabbing or press and slab candidates; (4) know a lot about both the raw and slabbed segment of the market; (5) get to where the books are before the rest of these vultures.

 

That is a lot of time, talent and treasure invested in the process of doing what we are discussing. In my mind, the guy that is doing that is a hustler. He probably loves comics. He certainly loves the hustle, or he would be spending his time making his money another, easier, way. No pejorative to me, at all, in being a hustler. I wish I had the time to be as good at it as i used to be.

 

Why couldn't I have gotten an answer like that, Buckeye Legal Troll?

 

Shhhhhh, Jim, the adults are talking now.

[DrWatson]

That's still not PC as there is still a lingering dishonest undertone to the term.

 

I suppose that's the problem I have with the other terms (gaming and players) as well. I understand there are some dishonest individuals. There's dishonesty in everything.

 

To me, someone who resubmits a book for a higher grade, with or without pressing it, and then offers disclosure, either proactively or when asked, is not a dishonest individual and I take offense at the implication whether intentional or not.

 

Then you would hate to hear what I call it. I call it the "Hustle." In the 80's I was a hustler. Hitting all the comic shops in town for the hottest books that just went up in the CVM. It was hard work, but if you hustled you could make goood bread.

 

This is the same deal, just higher stakes. It isn't dishonest, but it is a hustle. I knew in 1989 that those copies of ASM 298, Hulk 330 were worth 20x the 75 cent that they were marked. I bought 'em all and flipped 'em for $5 a piece, leaving the other shops a decent margin as well. Re-sub (or CPR) is the same deal. You have to have the eye and the cash and you can make a good bit of bread on the come.

 

To me it is not dishonest, at all. But it is not like you are out planting trees in vacant lots with your spare time either.

 

Zactly. "Gaming" or "hustling" has a negative connotation for some, but that's ultimately what pressing, resubbing or flipping comes down to. It is what it is. There's nothing wrong with it, as far as I'm concerned, and these terms don't automatically imply dishonestly.

 

So you are saying that every collector who takes books from their collection, presses them, and puts them back in their collection is a hustler? I know collectors who do just that. Or every collector who thinks that he/she received a bum grade and resubmits is a player? Or how about if a collector buys a book, holds onto it for 10 years in which it subsequently goes up in value, and then sells it for a profit. Is he a player too? I

 

'm sorry but that kind of blanket statement is inaccurate. Yes, there are people who look for books soley to press them, resubmit and flip. But they are only part of the collecting world. What about all the people who go to Con's and buy stacks of raw books and slab them? No pressing is involved. Are they gamers as well?

 

Since I am in this thread, Casey, I am going to give you my answer. Everything you have mentioned above, to me is hustling. As I said earlier, there is no negative to me in using that term. In fact, I normally use the term to indicate that someone is working hard at whatever they do, and doing whatever it takes to succeed.

 

Every one of your above mentioned scenarios requires me to: (1) Hone my grading skills; (2) Understand which books are more valuable graded than raw, and at what grade levels; (3) be able to go through the stock of people who are in the business of selling comic books to find slabbing or press and slab candidates; (4) know a lot about both the raw and slabbed segment of the market; (5) get to where the books are before the rest of these vultures.

 

That is a lot of time, talent and treasure invested in the process of doing what we are discussing. In my mind, the guy that is doing that is a hustler. He probably loves comics. He certainly loves the hustle, or he would be spending his time making his money another, easier, way. No pejorative to me, at all, in being a hustler. I wish I had the time to be as good at it as i used to be.

 

Why couldn't I have gotten an answer like that, Buckeye Legal Troll?

 

Shhhhhh, Jim, the adults are talking now.

And you're trying to listen?

[seanfingh]