Interesting post on undisclosed resto..

[AceVentura]

.. on the CBR forums:

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/archive/index.php/t-76974.html

telerites
08-29-2005, 04:52 PM
I know we've run threads before about the pros/cons of CGC graded comics but I thought I share my recent experience.

I collect mainly Golden Age superhero comics, I am trying to complete a run of National Comics (only those with Uncle Sam covers), a run of America's Best Comics, and a run of Wonder Comics (only those with Grim Reaper covers). Needless to say this has been a lengthy pursuit and with limited funds - a difficult one. I like to buy presentable books (usually mid-grade) and I collect what I like. I finished a run of Leading Comics #1-14 and moved on to the above series.

I buy mainly through auction houses like Ebay, Comiclink, Comic Heaven, Mastronet, and Heritage and occasionally online retailers like Metropolis. I can't with full recollection remember the amount I paid for each of the books I recently sent to CGC but some were costly in the 200-500 hundred dollar range.

Okay enough background - here's what I sent in:

National Comics #2 bought on Ebay as Fine (unrestored)
Wonder Comics #1 bought on Ebay as Fine- (no mention of restoration)
Man O'War Comics #1 - bought on Ebay - don't remember the grade
Avengers (Marvel) #1 bought from Mile High Comics as VG+
Exciting Comics #28 I don't remember from where as Good-
National Comics #18 bought on Ebay as Fine (unrestored)
Boy Comics #7 bought on Ebay as VF (unrestored)
Dynamic Comics #20 bought on Ebay as Fine (unrestored)

Here's what I got back

National Comics #2 Restored 5.0
Wonder Comics #1 Restored 3.0
Man O'War Comics #1 Unrestored 4.0
Avengers (Marvel) #1 Unrestored 5.0
Exciting Comics #28 Unrestored 1.8
National Comics #18 Restored 4.0
Boy Comics #7 Unrestored 6.0
Dynamic Comics #20 Unrestored 5.0

Do I care if some are restored or below the grade they were advertised as? In some ways not. I don't have any intention of selling them and hope to pass them to my son when he is older. It is disheartening to get graded books that were purchased other than as advertised. I don't necessarily think the seller purposely misled me - I don't know if I could tell a restored book from one that is not. It would be ashame if they did so. They are still attractive books. Sure I would prefer them to be unrestored and at least closer to the advertised grade. The Avengers was a victory anyway, at least in a small way.

Why did send these in if I am not going to sell them? Just curious really. This was my second batch to send in. My first was much more successful. I discovered I had the Mile High copy of Catman #13 graded as unrestored 8.5. It was more of a way to see if what I had been buying was what I had been buying.

Do I like CGC? Yes but I still don't understand the high cost (especially a cost based on value - it seems like the grading process should be the same regardless of how much a book cost or when it was made). I doubt if I will send more books in unless I do plan on selling them.

I will be more apprehensive in the future and will most likely look to a graded book first but not entirely. I will still work to complete these runs and then find another series to work on because a much of the fun is the quest itself.

Any other stories out there? Dissappointments? Unexpected positives? Do unrestored comics get an unfair rap?

----------------------

I thought this was interesting. Out of 8 books this buyer purchased on Ebay that he submitted at the same time to CGC, THREE were returned with undisclosed restoration. That's 37.5%.

The thing I thought interesting was that CK wasn't involved in any of these transactions.

[jaeldubyoo]

"...I still don't understand the high cost (especially a cost based on value - it seems like the grading process should be the same regardless of how much a book cost or when it was made)."

I've never understood that, too. I suppose most of the moderns are easier to grade since they should be high grade. I don't see why they don't just have a slightly higher flat fee for older books since it may entail more resto checking. Otherwise there shouldn't be that much of a difference.

[AceVentura]

"...I still don't understand the high cost (especially a cost based on value - it seems like the grading process should be the same regardless of how much a book cost or when it was made)."

I've never understood that, too. I suppose most of the moderns are easier to grade since they should be high grade. I don't see why they don't just have a slightly higher flat fee for older books since it may entail more resto checking. Otherwise there shouldn't be that much of a difference.

That's what I've always objected to. The sliding grading fees based on what's being graded. CGC takes a sizable chunk of any additional profits there are to be made by slabbing and selling CGCed as opposed to raw on expensive books.

[StlComics]

Yup, just try and send them a copy of Action #1 or Tec #27 and see how much it costs... :roll:

[AceVentura]

Yup, just try and send them a copy of Action #1 or Tec #27 and see how much it costs... :roll:

Remember when we discussed the "Vancouver Collection". I'll never forget it. CGC meaningless pedigree politics in action. CGC made more money, realized more of a profit just from GRADING these 250 meaningless Golden age books than the poor schmoes who found the collection and paid CGC God knows how much money to grade them (If I'm not mistaken $50,000 in grading fees was alluded to)

The highlights of this collection that once CGC graded them, CGC was publically touting as "the collection of a lifetime", were books like Venus #1, Tally Ho #1, Uncle Wiggly #2, etc., etc. There wasn't even one major DC, Timely, or Centaur key issue in this collection that looked like it was cherrypicked for anything of any importance.

CGC and the collections' owners were making ridiculous statements like "Geppi offered $750,000 and it was TURNED DOWN". $3000 a book on a CGC graded 250 book collection (of which 200 were crime, war, westerns, and funny animals) given it's own "$50,000 grading fee club pedigree", that no dealer with half a brain would offer $300 per book on!

Week after week, the Ebay opening price on the collection descended. $750,000. $700,000. $650,000. $600,000. $550,000 etc. And Mamanook (Geppi) never stepped in to bid.

:D