Grading shenanigans at CGC? 9 9

[LordRahl]

On 10/19/2024 at 8:04 PM, Domo Arigato said:

I haven't commented on what they should do.  I'm saying this wasn't a mistake.  

Something you do knowingly for 20 years isn't a "mistake".

If they want to correct what you call their "mistake".....then I imagine they'll be accepting all of the CGC 9.8 books back for a free evaluation and upgrade to those books that deserve it.  Just let me know when that happens.

This isn't something they're doing for altruistic reasons to correct a wrong.  They're doing it to make more money.  Period.

 

Who gives a flying rats you know what about what the reason is they are doing this. They are a for profit corporation so yes I would expect that it's a business decision that will help revenue. All I care about is the end result, not the reasons behind it. The end result is favorable and unlike some of the boardies here, like you apparently, I have no delusions about CGC being some sort of altruistic for the betterment of the hobby organization. 

[RockMyAmadeus]

On 10/19/2024 at 7:32 PM, LordRahl said:

This of course is the reason they had a "ceiling" on it at 9.8. Just because it was a good business decision, doesn't make it right.

[LordRahl]

On 10/19/2024 at 8:06 PM, Domo Arigato said:

I think I remember seeing something about that in their early advertisements.

 

Tell me something... when was the last time you chased a 9.9 or 10? For that matter how many 9.8 moderns and coppers do you have in your collection? Are you invested in this discussion or are you here to whine about corporate evil and greed? I get it, capitalism bad. Cool!

[wombat]

Its simply a way to get more resubmissions. Give that glimmer of hope to people with 9.8s. And then just make sure you get x amount of 9.9/10s if they deserve them or not. 

[COI]

On 10/19/2024 at 11:04 PM, LordRahl said:

How's that? They initially made a decision 25 years ago that 9.8 was the ceiling because it's too time consuming and expensive to identify every 9.9 and 10 walking in the door. They've now decided they have the bandwidth to do exactly that. Corporations make these types of decisions all the time. If they continue to perpetuate the mistake of the last 25 years, they screw everyone that has and will submit in the future. If they correct the mistake, they are screwing the people that have submitted 9.9s and 10s in the past that didn't get the appropriate grade but they are now doing right by future submissions. The people, like me, that submitted in the past and didn't get the grade are screwed in either scenario but by fixing the issue going forward at least they aren't screwing me on future submissions. I consider that a win.

Again, it wasn't a mistake initially, it was a strategy, and now they've changed their strategy. 

As with any change, some will benefit, others won't. You stated as much, so I'm not sure why you're disagreeing with me. You see it as a win going forward, others will see the losses looking backwards. It's a difference of perspective, so you answered your own question. You can disagree with those looking backwards, but it shouldn't be hard to understand the frustration.

[LordRahl]

On 10/19/2024 at 8:14 PM, COI said:

Again, it wasn't a mistake initially, it was a strategy, and now they've changed their strategy. 

As with any change, some will benefit, others won't. You stated as much, so I'm not sure why you're disagreeing with me. You see it as a win going forward, others will see the losses looking backwards. It's a difference of perspective, so you answered your own question. You can disagree with those looking backwards, but it shouldn't be hard to understand the frustration.

I do understand the frustration because I share it however it seems that you and others are suggesting they should just continue the sins of the past because... well then there won't be as much butthurt. If that's not what you're suggesting, I apologize, that is what I took from your post.

[Domo Arigato]

On 10/19/2024 at 10:09 PM, LordRahl said:

Who gives a flying rats you know what about what the reason is they are doing this. They are a for profit corporation so yes I would expect that it's a business decision that will help revenue. All I care about is the end result, not the reasons behind it. The end result is favorable and unlike some of the boardies here, like you apparently, I have no delusions about CGC being some sort of altruistic for the betterment of the hobby organization. 

You keep spouting off about how it was a mistake that they are now trying to correct.  I'm saying that's not what they're doing.  And yes.....reasons matter.  Because their "reasoning" is now going to be screwing over two decades worth of loyal customers that trusted them to do what they promised.   

You might not care, because perhaps it's going to help your bottom line going forward.  Newsflash, Sparky.  Everyone isn't like you.  Some people.....(gasp).....are different.  Some people don't submit comics to flip.  Some people searched out the nicest copies they could find to add to their collection.  Then those same people submitted those books to CGC in years past and got hosed.  They care about the CGC graded books already in their collection.  The ones they got screwed on.  They don't give two spits about how people can now submit and flip utra high grade books for more profit.  But, hey.....as long as you and CGC are happy.

 

Edited Sunday at 03:33 AM by Domo Arigato

[COI]

On 10/19/2024 at 11:16 PM, LordRahl said:

I do understand the frustration because I share it however it seems that you and others are suggesting they should just continue the sins of the past because... well then there won't be as much butthurt. If that's not what you're suggesting, I apologize, that is what I took from your post.

My position is that if 9.9s and 10.0s are assigned as a matter of policy and not solely based on the quality of the book, then the designation of the grade is arbitrary. It's arbitrary now with the changed policy, just as it was arbitrary for the last 20 years when they were constraining the 9.9. Doing anything other than grading the book to the best of their ability, in accordance with set standards, is arbitrary. It's not a correction of a mistake, it's a change of strategy.

I agree with you that they're in this for profit, and I'm not surprised or even outraged by any of it. Doesn't mean I'm not going to point out that I think their policies are nonsense. I'm not upset about it because it doesn't affect me, but I find the conversation interesting and so I threw my 2 cents in. 

[Domo Arigato]

On 10/19/2024 at 10:13 PM, LordRahl said:

Tell me something... when was the last time you chased a 9.9 or 10? For that matter how many 9.8 moderns and coppers do you have in your collection? Are you invested in this discussion or are you here to whine about corporate evil and greed? I get it, capitalism bad. Cool!

Can you fit the whole Tootsie Roll in your mouth at once?  

I'm talking about a full-size one.....not those little minis.

 

[aszumilo]

On 10/19/2024 at 7:58 PM, LordRahl said:

The amount of butthurt in this thread over 9.9s is astounding and really kind of funny. Especially funny when you consider that I'm pretty sure most of you don't play in the modern/copper 9.9 space so honestly WTF do you care? 

Maybe we would play in the modern/copper 9.9 space, if they didn't hold back on those grades and graded books what they should be.

[Prince Namor]

Maybe... they decided to do it because... the competition has been doing since Day One and it gave them a small opening in the marketplace.

Sort of like how they now do signature authentication on cards... you KNOW that's eventually going to expand to comics....

It's a business. Sooner or later somebody high up is going to say, "Why are we limiting our earning potential?"

Because that's what it is. 

Not giving a VALUE JUDGEMENT on it, just stating the obvious. 

[LordRahl]

On 10/19/2024 at 8:30 PM, Domo Arigato said:

Can you fit the whole Tootsie Roll in your mouth at once?  

I'm talking about a full-size one.....not those little minis.

 

Asinine remarks like this just highlight why you're still in your mom's basement. Welcome to my ignore list.

[Domo Arigato]

On 10/19/2024 at 10:45 PM, LordRahl said:

Asinine remarks like this just highlight why you're still in your mom's basement. Welcome to my ignore list.

You mean asinine comments like insinuating that anyone who doesn't chase graded 9.9 or 10 books can't have an opinion on this matter?

I'll welcome being added to your ignore list and wear it like a badge of honor. 

And that just shows what you know.  I don't live in my mom's basement.  I live in your mom's attic.

P.S.  Tell her to send up more chicken nuggets. 

 

[wombat]

On 10/19/2024 at 11:39 PM, Prince Namor said:

Sort of like how they now do signature authentication on cards... you KNOW that's eventually going to expand to comics....

Hmmmmmmm

[LordRahl]

On 10/19/2024 at 8:29 PM, COI said:

My position is that if 9.9s and 10.0s are assigned as a matter of policy and not solely based on the quality of the book, then the designation of the grade is arbitrary. It's arbitrary now with the changed policy, just as it was arbitrary for the last 20 years when they were constraining the 9.9. Doing anything other than grading the book to the best of their ability, in accordance with set standards, is arbitrary. It's not a correction of a mistake, it's a change of strategy.

I agree with you that they're in this for profit, and I'm not surprised or even outraged by any of it. Doesn't mean I'm not going to point out that I think their policies are nonsense. I'm not upset about it because it doesn't affect me, but I find the conversation interesting and so I threw my 2 cents in. 

Let me be clear on my position. I absolutely agree with you that they should be grading the book in front of them to the best of their ability. That wasn't happening in the past. My take on it is that it will be happening in the future, not that their grading standards have changed and it will now be easier to get a 9.9 or 10 because they've loosened up the standards. If they have actually loosened their standards and books that are not deserving of a 9.9 or 10 start getting them, I will not be happy with that.

[RockMyAmadeus]

On 10/19/2024 at 9:00 PM, LordRahl said:

If they have actually loosened their standards and books that are not deserving of a 9.9 or 10 start getting them, I will not be happy with that.

[crazyhips]

Plot twist. This was all a concerted effort to revive the CVA sticker, which may soon be acquired by blackrock. Look for a whole host of 9.8 EVA to come to market. 😆

Edited Sunday at 01:59 PM by crazyhips

[Domo Arigato]

On 10/19/2024 at 11:00 PM, LordRahl said:

Let me be clear on my position. I absolutely agree with you that they should be grading the book in front of them to the best of their ability. That wasn't happening in the past. My take on it is that it will be happening in the future, not that their grading standards have changed and it will now be easier to get a 9.9 or 10 because they've loosened up the standards. If they have actually loosened their standards and books that are not deserving of a 9.9 or 10 start getting them, I will not be happy with that.

We can only hope.

Also, I would like to formally request that you take me off of your ignore list.

I feel that I've served my time like a man and think I deserve that much.

Greggy can vouch for me if he's extremely drunk.

Just don't listen to what he says about me when he's not drinking.....he's a filthy liar when he's sober.

 

Edited Sunday at 09:52 AM by Domo Arigato

[Stefan_W]

Setting aside the bickering for a moment, I think we can all agree that the CVA stickers put on some 9.8 books bridged the gap when 9.9s weren't attainable. 

[COI]

On 10/20/2024 at 12:00 AM, LordRahl said:

Let me be clear on my position. I absolutely agree with you that they should be grading the book in front of them to the best of their ability. That wasn't happening in the past. My take on it is that it will be happening in the future, not that their grading standards have changed and it will now be easier to get a 9.9 or 10 because they've loosened up the standards. If they have actually loosened their standards and books that are not deserving of a 9.9 or 10 start getting them, I will not be happy with that.

We're both speculating here, which is fine because there's no other way to talk about this. If you end up being right, then great.

The reason I don't think they're solving the problem is that I don't see how identifying 9.9s has suddenly become more cost effective. It's possible they've figured out some way to do it, but it's just as possible, and I would argue more probable based on incentives, that they're not putting the work in to identify higher quality books; rather, they're just designating a higher number of 9.9s to stimulate the market and encourage resubmissions. 

Again, we're both speculating so I wouldn't die on this hill, but that's my perspective.