Just because I can, doesn't mean I will...

[Quato]

In the topic that got locked, it was implied that somehow the CGC graders have more knowledge about quality evaluation than I do. Just to clarify, I am an inspector for a living. The products I inspect are not measly hundreds of thousands of dollars in value. The products I inspect are valued in the millions of dollars. Some of the products I inspect are the drive train for trains that will carry your loved ones from point "A" to point "B". My friend was also a Southeby's grader. We used to chat for long hours about restoration checks, methods, and schemes within the comics industry.

Just because I know how to look for this crap, I couldn't care less about the nitpicking. It's ephemera. It's paper. I save my "inspecting" for things that really matter. I save my powers of keen observation for things that your loved ones' lives will depend upon. So if a comic book isn't a 9.8, I couldn't care less. I'm going to charge what I want or I'm not selling. I'll pay what I want or I'm not buying. I don't care about price guides or nitpicking grades. I don't care about what other people think the grade is. They either want what I have at my price or they don't. Everything depends upon how much I want something as to how much I pay. This hobby would be a lot more fun if all collectors looked at the hobby that way instead of judging their manhood by the grade on their CGC cases.

Q

[DiceX]

You're correct. Everyone should collect exactly the way you do. Why didn't I think of that? :)

[arexcrooke]

Absolutly correct Dice.
Will people ever figure out to STFU and collect how they like and if someone else doesnt like it to leave it alone and ignore it?

[68 Guns]

A Sotherby grader,eh? Perhaps he could answer if he was the one that graded the Tales To Astonish run from the first two auctions? The one that was sold as an original owner unrestored run? The one with the telltale signs of black magic marker on the inside cover. The one Sotherbys reluctantly allowed me to return and then sold in the second auction as an original owner run that failed to meet reserve the first auction.

[Quato]

A Sotherby grader,eh? Perhaps he could answer if he was the one that graded the Tales To Astonish run from the first two auctions? The one that was sold as an original owner unrestored run? The one with the telltale signs of black magic marker on the inside cover. The one Sotherbys reluctantly allowed me to return and then sold in the second auction as an original owner run that failed to meet reserve the first auction.

I don't know what he graded and I don't care. Isn't it the CGC that claims their graders are only human? If so, quit trying to imply they are above that.
I inspect for a living as I've said. I know quite clearly how human error can enter the equation.

Geppi himself owned restored comics. I seriously doubt he worried about it knowing how rare some of his stuff was.

The only people sweating this stuff are the people who want bragging rights. I don't have anything to prove to anyone. I collect comics, not samples of high grade publishing anomalies that have beaten statistical odds of the handling process.

Q

[malaprop]

As it happens, I am not the least bit anal about grading and condition. My one and only CGC is a 4.0 (Crimes By Women). I am, however, extremely annoying when it comes to spelling. It's Sotheby's, not Southeby's or Sotherby's.

I'm so glad I could make a contribution to this thread.

[Mariner]

A Sotherby grader,eh? Perhaps he could answer if he was the one that graded the Tales To Astonish run from the first two auctions? The one that was sold as an original owner unrestored run? The one with the telltale signs of black magic marker on the inside cover. The one Sotherbys reluctantly allowed me to return and then sold in the second auction as an original owner run that failed to meet reserve the first auction.

Did they note the magic marker and figure it into the grade?

Not really sure "telltale signs" is the right term for this. An obvious noted defect is an obvious noted defect. Otherwise, it's a bit like saying it had "telltale signs" of a missing logo.

Original owners often marked up their books, so it's not necessarily a sign the description was wrong. But if they didn't note the magic marker and you couldn't see it in the listing, and it you would've bid otherwise had you know, then of course they should give your money back.

[68 Guns]

The books were listed as a high grade original owner run,with no mention of the very obvious color touch.I didn't get to see the books as I was unable to get there during the examining period.What bothered me the most was when they relisted the books and said they hadn't reached reserve the first time.
Others can have different feelings about it,but when I pay hundreds of dollars or more for a book,I expect it to be in condition it is advertised in.I buy restored books all the time. In my last group of books from Comic Link was a purple label Green Lama #1.I got it at a very fair price. Had I not known it would get a purple label and had bid fair market value for an unrestored book,I'd be very upset.
I'm not sure what part of that some folks don't get.Its not unrestored=good,restored = bad. Its restored = cheaper,and less marketible.A good half of my clients won't touch a restored book,so that becomes a significant factor.

[SolitaireOne]

It's ephemera. It's paper. I don't care about what other people think the grade is. They either want what I have at my price or they don't. Everything depends upon how much I want something as to how much I pay.

Q
I paraphrased there a bit, but well said, Quato... well said. #professor#

[tiptophimp]

Right on.