First step into a new world

[dlagewaa]

Fighting an uphill battle against procedures and protocols.

 

Right. So I have this attic and in that attic is my comics collection. Has been there since 1981 when we moved to this place. And I have reached the point that asks 'what to do with this stuff?'. My kids never had any interest. They still have not. So I decide to say goodbye to my 'collection'. First step is eBay. Here I learn about other sites and very quickly it becomes clear that part of what I have is worth more than I expected (and my expectations were low, because the 2,500 Dutch comics I have would not clear more than 5,000 U$ - I'll rather burn them).

 

What also becomes very very clear is that grade is extremely important. So I am now facing this difficult question. Should I have my books graded? That is an important question, because it concerns over 500 items. That is a lot of money, grading wise.

 

I start comparing my books with books shown on the internet and decide that in many cases my copy looks (much) better. But comparing the real thing with a picture a a computer display is comparing apples with oranges.

 

So I have taken the plunge. I have randomly selected 15 magazines and submitted them for grading. My parcel disappears in the void. Because the Fedex, UPS, TNT, DHL may boast their tracking systems. In reality those tracking systems are .

 

Finally I receive confirmation that the parcel has been delivered to CGC. But it does not appear on the site for almost 2 weeks. I contact CGC and learn that they cannot read the CC number and that they have sent an e-mail to the address where the books should be sent to after grading. Which seems a bit silly, because why contact the receiver if you have the shipper's address?

 

Additionally I ask CGC whether it would not be much more efficient by using the tried and trusted SWIFT network. That would allow me to have money in their account within 24 hours. CGC responds that their method of payment has been devised because there maybe discrepancies between the amount calculated on the submitting form/invoice and the actual cost. That is an answer, but in my eyes not a really valid one. In this day and age. How difficult is it to accept the shipment, check the calculation and then send the client (member) an e-mail with a hotlink to a payment form as in almost every website where payments are in order?

 

Anyway. Roughly a month has passed since I shipped the books and since last Friday (October 31) now my invoice status is verified. Can't wait to see results.

 

See more journals by dlagewaa

[seanfingh]

CGC responds that their method of payment has been devised because there maybe discrepancies between the amount calculated on the submitting form/invoice and the actual cost. That is an answer, but in my eyes not a really valid one. In this day and age.

 

The reason is because their pricing is tiered upon FMV. If you submit an Avengers #1 as an Econ, it would have to be a complete beater to qualify. If it ends up being a 9.4 there will be an FMV upcharge for that. Which you will gladly pay because you are now the owner of a 60-70k book. That is what they are talking about as far as the sliding scale pricing is concerned.

[dlagewaa]

This an answer but it is beside the point.

 

Using an online form I submit a number of books to CGC. I have no clue as to the actual value of these items, so I do the the natural thing and go for the affordable option. Based upon this I ad my credit card number and signature to allow CGC to collect money from the CC company.

 

However, if my shipment arrives at CGC more knowledgeable people will spot my mistake(s) and change the submission form/invoice accordingly. In that case they will also change the amount that they will charge to the credit card company.

 

The operative word here is online. If I create an submission form/invoice on line, common sense dictates that the information I have entered is stored. So, when my shipment arrives CGC can check the online list against content of the parcel, make their adjustment(s). In any reasonably intelligent online service these changes (or acceptance of the data originally entered) would cause sending an e-mail to the shipper informing him (or her) about the charges made and inviting him to make the payment using Paypal, Verisign or - in my case - SWIFT. Confirmation of payment would then signal the start of the grading process.

 

The advantage of my approach is that as owner of possibly valuable items I know from moment to moment what's going on. In the current procedure I would not know what happened until the credit card company would send their statement. There is another concern. I shipped 15 books. I received confirmation of the delivery of my shipment from TNT. As to whether the shipment had been indeed received I had no clue and I only found out that the shipment had arrived when I inquired about it. Between those two moments anything could have happened leaving me empty handed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[seanfingh]

This an answer but it is beside the point.

 

 

Welcome to the Boards. Keep ignoring the realities and trying to jam through your own agenda items. I hope it works out for you. You'll fit in here great. (thumbs u