Bizarre Refusal to Transfer Ownership 2 2

[Elder of the Universe]

I had a strange situation about a year ago. I won a fairly worthless CGC graded book in an on-line auction held by a very well known comic book retailer. When I went to register the book, it came back as still being owned by someone else. I tried to register it multiple times, but had no luck. After the third or fourth time, I contacted the registry folks about it, and was told the previous owner was refusing to transfer the book because it was "stolen." I had repeated emails with the CGC registry person, and after explaining where I got the book, he asked me to send him proof of my winning the book in an auction. I sent screenshots of my account from the on-line retailer showing the book in my list of purchased items, as well as screenshots of the book in the auction listing, all of which included the registry number. After providing this information, and spending what amounted to hours of my time dealing with a book I won for less than $20, the CGC person never responded, and I have been unable to add this book to my set to this day.

Now, I'm guessing that the previous owner was possibly miffed that their book sold at auction for less than it cost them to grade it, but, after dealing with a CGC representative, providing all the proof I was asked for, all irrefutable by the way, I fail to understand how this company could simply stop dealing with the issue and fail to resolve it.

So, be aware everyone, apparently if you sell a CGC graded book you own, don't like the price you got for it, you can enact your revenge by refusing to transfer ownership and accuse the new owner of "stealing" the book and CGC will simply go with it. I can only assume the CGC rep decided that this worthless book wasn't worth his time either. Good thing under $20 isn't worth the time of law enforcement either, or I could be looking at some serious hard time for this. Or not. Well, no, not even remotely.

Makes a good story for my friends who think "professional" grading is a fiasco on multiple levels though.

[CAHokie]

That is odd.  Is the person that owns it on the registry and saying it was stolen the same person that sold it to you?

[jimbo_7071]

On 4/17/2024 at 2:52 AM, Elder of the Universe said:

I had a strange situation about a year ago. I won a fairly worthless CGC graded book in an on-line auction held by a very well known comic book retailer. When I went to register the book, it came back as still being owned by someone else. I tried to register it multiple times, but had no luck. After the third or fourth time, I contacted the registry folks about it, and was told the previous owner was refusing to transfer the book because it was "stolen." I had repeated emails with the CGC registry person, and after explaining where I got the book, he asked me to send him proof of my winning the book in an auction. I sent screenshots of my account from the on-line retailer showing the book in my list of purchased items, as well as screenshots of the book in the auction listing, all of which included the registry number. After providing this information, and spending what amounted to hours of my time dealing with a book I won for less than $20, the CGC person never responded, and I have been unable to add this book to my set to this day.

Now, I'm guessing that the previous owner was possibly miffed that their book sold at auction for less than it cost them to grade it, but, after dealing with a CGC representative, providing all the proof I was asked for, all irrefutable by the way, I fail to understand how this company could simply stop dealing with the issue and fail to resolve it.

So, be aware everyone, apparently if you sell a CGC graded book you own, don't like the price you got for it, you can enact your revenge by refusing to transfer ownership and accuse the new owner of "stealing" the book and CGC will simply go with it. I can only assume the CGC rep decided that this worthless book wasn't worth his time either. Good thing under $20 isn't worth the time of law enforcement either, or I could be looking at some serious hard time for this. Or not. Well, no, not even remotely.

Makes a good story for my friends who think "professional" grading is a fiasco on multiple levels though.

I wouldn't assume that the owner of the registry set is lying because collectibles are stolen from time to time. The book may have been stolen, pawned off on a comic shop owner, and auctioned off later. What is the book? Do you have any evidence that the registry set owner is the one who consigned it to the auction?

[Iconic1s]

This is really weird!  I had a seller once that refused to transfer a book a couple years ago. There were no allegations or theft or anything like that, they just wanted to be difficult.  They had it in one of their competitive sets so I think they wanted to keep it for the points… I suspect they figured I’d buy it but not register it so they could get the cash and “keep” the book. 

Usually when you try to add it to a set, they get a notification and can then release it.  If they don’t allow the transfer then usually it goes through in a couple days.  I think in my case they denied the transfer…

I ended up explaining all this to the Registry Admins and including a pic of me with the book, and it was immediately transferred.  Very strange they won’t do the same for you!

[MAR1979]

On 4/17/2024 at 10:29 AM, Iconic1s said:

This is really weird!  I had a seller once that refused to transfer a book a couple years ago. There were no allegations or theft or anything like that, they just wanted to be difficult.  They had it in one of their competitive sets so I think they wanted to keep it for the points… I suspect they figured I’d buy it but not register it so they could get the cash and “keep” the book. 

 

I have seen that before and it is truly some next level LOSER stuff

Edited April 17 by MAR1979

[onlyweaknesskryptonite]

@CGC Mike could possibly help or at  least put you in contact with who can get this resolved for you. 

[jstam]

@Elder of the Universe I can assist with this. I'll send you a PM. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.