The only way grading companies can survive is if the community trusts that grading company. Is there a company out there that can be trusted? I don't think so. prove me wrong.
That's the best and most accurate quote I've ever heard. "When there's money to be made there's gonna be fuckery about " someone should encapsulate this quote
First time watching you sir. Ive been collecting off and on 50 years. Recently had a comic graded for first time. Dont believe i will be doing it again
1st off thank you for your honest perspective as a shop owner and not being scared of speaking the truth, many will dislike what you say, but I, for one, respect you 💯 for saying it how it is. You are extremely correct with the artificial pricing of comics and grading companies creating it. It's a great video, thanks again
Sorry but pricing of graded stuff on the market is decided entirely by the market not the grading companies. They use it to sell their services but all the BS surrounding third party grading is all on collectors. Even collectors that should know better feed the beast. It's mostly about money and recognition and not about the content of the books.
I'm an OG myself and my comic jones led to to buy multiples of just about every book I have. I remember buying off the spinning comic rack at the Myrtle and Broadway stop of the J elevated train in Brooklyn when I was a kid in the 1960's. My childhood letter to the editor can be found in ASM #50, left page, bottom left. Stan called me Joey! While CGC started around 2000, I had not slabbed any of my books until last year. I wanted to protect and preserve some of my best books and that's what I did. I have only 44 slabbed books and they all have duplicates, triplicates, etc. For me it was never about money. Today, there is a spec market that has been insane since the boom during the pandemic. Now prices are being corrected as the market finds it's level and spec sellers are taking a bath much to my amusement. When I look at the plethora of new books that are nothing more than cover art by relatively unknow artists, I wonder how they became worth anything to begin with as there is no rarity to them. Back in the day Mothers across America would throw out dog eared comics. I also wondered if anyone was still actually reading these books. Still, the hobby continues and that is a good thing. The missing thing for me with new books is the aroma (the smell!) that Silver age books take on due to the materials used and the age that is upon them. I say, to each their own as long as the hobby is robust. Lastly, I say Make Mine Marvel...uh, Silver age, that is. Best to all.
@@ChristopherSmithNYC - i started collecting in 1978 and it was the SMELL of those books that kept me coming back. My first issue was a Hulk 151 still on the rack after some 5 years which i got in 1978 at 20 cents while the others were at 35 cents. It is that smell that brings me back to a past that i dearly miss which is why i have also been reluctant like you to slab my books. I will buy slabbed books but have never submitted any for slabbing Other than a PGX Monster of Frankenstein #2 in 9.8 that i absolutely knew was a 9.8.
Finally someone said what I've always believed. CGC is a scam, and their prices are ridiculous. Ive been a collertor/reader since 1978 and the whole idea is to have, hold, and be able to read the book not stare at it in a case. Well said.
I bought tons of comics in the 80s, I was addicted to the stories. I sold 98% of my old comics like an idiot when I was young. I can't afford to buy every single issue I want, so now I buy the omnibus of my favorite series or character. I miss the old ads, but I love the old stories. Graded comics are useless to me. Great video!
If not an Omnibus, Marvel's Epic Collection is a great project, too. I wish I had money to get the entire Epic library to complement my old single-issue collection.
ABSOLUTELY outstanding video. I owned a comic store in the 1990's and 2000's. I ran my shop and priced books just about the same way you describe you run yours. I did a tremendous business overall with Very satisfied customers. I can remember when just the IDEA of a grading service was proposed. It was a letter in an Overstreet update back in the 90's indicating how great it would be to have a Grading Service. I still remember this because I thought "This is NOT a good idea". My reputation was based on how accurate my grading and pricing was.... NOT on how some company graded my books. Also I could foresee how once Big Money was involved there would be...like in Any business...corruption and scammers. I REALLY loved the business while I was in it, but now I'm almost glad to be out of it. Best of luck to you, my Friend......
Great thing about grading is it only cost around 30 dollars to have the trust of the market, extra protection and the ability to insure your investments. I do agree that grading books that are worth less than a certain amount . If you do have your books graded you can always buy a reader copy or crack it and regrade in the future. More options are better than less.
Yeah hard to trust. I always ask questions at the LCS and the answer changes when I have something he wants. Can’t seem to get straight answers. They’re at a point where it’s all about paying that expensive overhead.
what a voice of sanity, thank you. i've never seen the channel or heard of the shop, but your genuine care for the hobby and fans (/customers) made me just google your shop, I'm down in NYC and going to find time for a little road trip to come give you some business. good man.
100% FACTS. CGC is one of the worst things that entered the hobby. To the point they are trying to decide which book is a first appearance, etc. But these new jack guys today still gonna do what they do. They live and die by CGC
You're so old school and I'm here for it. Everything you said about collecting is what made it fun. Encapsulation suffocates the hobby. I do like grading as a price setter and since it's subjective, it leaves the door open to negotiating. Encapsulation should only be used for the highest of grades of the rarest of comics. Or just to protect your personal favorites that are priceless to yourself.
Readers not Speculators! Great line. Bravo man! I'm 50 years old and haven't seen a comic in over 30 years. But I have had an itch to find a comic store and go thru their bins like when I was a teen. I like watching these videos because they give me an idea of what is going on in comics today. Keep up good work. Subscribed and liked.
I very much prefer display cases that companies like Comic Capsule or Gator Guard make. You can store the book in the 'slab' for display/protection, but you can always open it and read the book. Plus, they're much cheaper.
I'm going to try Comic Capsule for my favourite old books. Slabs are a waste of money, & we can't even see the interior art; which is ridiculous if you think logically about why we are collecting in the 1st place. It's all just become about making money now. &, "investing".
I totally agree, I buy EC books graded on eBay (just so I know they are complete and unrestored) but I crack them out as soon as I receive them. What’s the point in having the book if I can’t read it, or look at the fantastic art of the panels? I bag them in Mylar with acrylic clear backing boards, they are just as protected as the would be in the cgc case and I get to enjoy them whenever I want.
Unfortunately, I believe there’s a lot of favoritism occurring at CGC, there are an underhanded company the way they do a business and recently they were exposed and that’s the first layer of deception. I’m sure there’s multiple layers over there. They need to be unraveled.
Aloha sir! First off this is a great video! I get it, if your only in the hobby to make money, chase 9.8 grades, appreciate covers only, and conserve but never read the books then grade it. I myself never liked slabs and never will. I keep all my books raw and for me reading, appreciating the art and story is priceless. Nothing like the pure nostalgia of old school raw books.
Just found your channel and joined you.. When u said a comic should be seen and read you got me..I'd never incase my comics in plastic if you cant feel read smell the comic I think it's a real shame.... I couldnt stop my eyes wandering around your shelves behind you.... 19 comic boxes and still collecting.... English fan joining you here...🙂
@@HavenForHeroes I like the way you dont ignore us...watched 4 of your videos learnt so much mate....I agree so much with your opinion on cgc i love comics luke you the art the passion that goes into them criminal to lock them away... I'd love a shop like yours near me...I'd be in there all day......thanks for noticing me even though ur vid is old... Greetings from England...🙂🤞
Comics are for reading first. Read better comics is my new mantra. Grading is absolutely a money-maker for those who understand and work that process. I had a guy at a con tell me the act of sealing the comic damages the pages (made of paper which is made from wood -older newsprint - which needs air flow to remain fresh and supple). If you're not happy with what mainstream publishers are printing, seek out self-published and "true" indie titles. Great job, Emmet! Thanks for telling the truth about this medium we love. And what's that shirt you're wearing?
Very glad I found your channel. I totally agree with your assessment of CGC and grading. I collect comics, and have for 50 plus years, because I love to read them and appreciate the artwork. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining that my Hulk 181 and my Giant Size X-men 1 are worth a lot of money. I'm glad they are, but to me, they'd be priceless regardless of what they're worth to anyone else because I LOVE them and have owned them for over 50 years and kept them in great condition. Sometimes I wonder what it is some folks are collecting: comics or plastic cases with a comic inside and a number on the top. By all means, to each their own, but for me, comics have their greatest value in the joy I get from them when reading the stories and collecting the runs of characters I love; not hanging on a wall locked away in plastic cases. My hat's off to CGC, however. They created a market for their product and a fervor amongst many collectors to use it and make them (CGC) rich. For me, the true value of comics will always be in the stories and the great characters in them. 'Nuff said.
Absolute wisdom - comics are for reading and enjoying. The art and the stories are the beating heart of the actual reading community! Speculation is for money markets.
Good video! You bring up a lot of very good points. I got back into collecting last July and I liked getting graded copies of books I had as a teenager but I’ve really gone back towards raw copies recently. So much more fun to actually be able to read and smell them.
I really think you should only get gradebooks when you're getting rid of them if they're big enough to go to auction and then choose your grading company that has integrity and not just cuz it's the hottest thing on the shelf
The only point that I will agree with you on is the conflict of interest with CGC having an in house pressing and cleaning service, I have never thought that was a good look. I will disagree on everything else. I am old enough to have been collecting before CGC was around and remember the wild wild west that the comic collecting hobby was. There was (and still is) many comic book dealers that like to oversell their books and give you a condition of books based on what they think it is. No matter what having a disinterested third party is always a plus. Are grading companies perfect, no, do they still have room to improve their services and slabs, yes. But the collecting hobby as a whole is better off today that it used to be. However, you are totally on point about all the people that are sending in the most random books without even doing a basic inspection of it to determine if it will even be worth it to send it to get graded. But that's not on CGC that is on us as the consumer to make those determinations.
CGC is not a disinterested 3rd party. They are very interested in continue to propagate the market with their product. The latest Heritage auction with clearly over-graded Silver/Gold keys is a prime example.
I'm a 56 year old collector who's been collecting since I was 7, being in and out of the hobby through out my collecting times. I feel I'm able to comment intelligently on your video. I want to say I respect your opions, however, don't agree with them. I have always will and always collected what I enjoy I have also considered myself an "ambassador" for the comic book community by educating people about comics, the history, slabbing, pressing, cleaning, grading etc. Encouraging them to read, get into the hobby and enjoy it how they want to. Money wasn't ever part of my collection until I've changed my spending habits and wanted to have the hobby pay for it's self, and started to sell (both raw & slabbed). I've also learned to grade, press & clean comics. You say you "don't care" about the slabbed Star Wars, yet you got it graded, and tried to sell it. It didn't sell and you seem abit bitter about that. Seems like you do care. There have been times when I didn't "get the grade" I thought it was, so I looked it over and decided if there was something I missed or if I could improve it by futher pressing it. You critizied the Walking Dead slabbed comics that you got in a collection, you didn't have to buy them, you could have said "no". Why critize the person getting it slabbed especially on a RU-vid video? It's what they wanted to do. Maybe they didn't know it was a reprint. They weren't educated, and if they were, ok it's what they wanted to get slabbed. I have no doubt that I have comics in my slabbed collection that people would wonder" WTF and why are those slabbed?" You stated that comics are for reading, holding etc, which I agree, however, there are now trade paperbacks, and Omnibuses. I have lots of trades of my favorite story lines in comic so I don't have keep rereading my single issues. This a bad thing in your opinion? The FMV (Fair Market Value) is taken by companies looking at auctions houses, eBay, mulitple outlets that sell comics, and looking at current trends in the market, and average them all out and that's how it's figured out. You went to talk about grading...you do realize that CGC has come out with a very comprehensive book about what they look for and how they assess grades for comics. You're old enough to know that CGC didn't come up with gradeing, that was done by the folks that wrote The Overstreet Guide. Having a comic graded or knowing how to grade a comic is essential in today's hobby, whether you like it out not. Are there some over priced, yep, so don't buy them. You know being a seller, that the market is down, so putting up a book up for auction is a risk. I'm not surprised the comics "underperformed" because I've had comics auctioned and they underporformed too and I wasn't happy. However, that's the risk I took. So if you go with an auction house that right off states that they will charge 4% of FMV, then you're going with the wrong auction house. I'd never put a book up for auction based on FVM for someone to charge that to me. I'd go with an auction house that charged me after the selling price. Or put it up yourself. The "oil" that you stated wasn't even "oil". It was when CGC started going with a new case and "Newton Rings" were created due to the two types of plastics being used were too tight on eachother. The "rings" never effected the comic and there were no liquid "oil" substance on the comics. Of all the slabbed comics I have, I have never seen or had any with "micro cracking". Also, CGC/CBCS/ECG has never claimed their cases were indistructable, they will break/crack if they're dropped or mishandled. However, I'd personally would rather drop a comic that's slabbed than a raw comic. I'm pretty sure the slabbed comic would sustain less damage. I apologize for making this post so long, however, what I had to say took alot of space. I'm a reader, buyer, seller, slabber, cleaner, presser, and collector in this amazing hobby. I'm always ready and wanting to be a postitive ambassador for this amazing, fun, and growing hobby/community and never have judgements of what or how people collect.
I appreciate your thoughtful criticism. Exactly what we need in the industry. You make a lot of great points. The 4% I was talking about was not from the auction house. It's 4% is what you pay on a book over a thousand two CGC and have a problem with that because they don't know what the value is until the book sells. When they're taking a percentage of the value that they have created there can be a lot of subjectivity that should not be in the grading process. A lot of people have a lot invested in graded books and I know that this would be very controversial, but as a purist that's where I'm at. All the books that are graded including that Star Wars book was sent out by the auction house, not by myself. Sometimes you have to pay a bill. Thanks again for watching. I hope to hear more from you.
Both of you have good points I appreciated that you both expressed your thoughts and feelings on multiple subjects with intelligence and class. This is what makes our hobby great.
And thank you for doing this. I've been collecting since the early 1970's and I can testify that collecting comics has drastically changed and grading has not always been for the betterment of the hobby. I don't dislike slabbing but it has created many things that I don't like. But we adapt with the times. One thing I can say is that slabbing is not the main focus of my collecting but buying and collecting raw comics and always reading them has been a rewarding experience for me. Graded comics are cool, especially preserving my older books but appreciating the wonderful stories and beautiful sequential art is the most rewarding.
I agree with your assessment of the graded comics market. I’ve been collecting since the mid 1970’s, mostly silver and bronze age. I have my books bagged, boarded and stored in collector boxes. About a year ago, I decided to do a ‘test’ slab on one of my newer books, Batman 428. I bought the book new when it originally came out in 1988, bagged and boarded it. I sent it in to CGC for grading, I believe that the fee was about $40 total. (that included shipping) I got it back several weeks later, they graded it at 8.5, no explanation as to why it received this grade. I was surprised to get an 8.5 on a book that has been stored since new. About a month later, I decided to sell it and got $36 for it. The bottom line is the most important part of having a book that is not slabbed, is the enjoyment of opening it up and READING it. (…and enjoying the artwork) I pull out my folding table, put down a towel and carefully read the book.
Thank you for sharing your comic experience. This business is not sustainable once all the vintage gold and silver books have been graded. All's left is the modern and the the values of those have been headed south. Welcome to our community
100% agree. You are a breath of sanity. Before the scandals, I could see a lot of problems with the grading racket, one alone being human subjectivity between graders. You will find those who still believe in the grade & slab still believe because they’ve invested too deeply and don’t want to see themselves as suckers.and are convincing themselves the scandals are isolated. The best way to sell is in person as with any other object or item I may have, where it can be looked at and touched. In light of the Internet, I can appreciate why someone would see there is a need for some kind of universal grading but the current approach ain’t it and seriously flawed.
Your quote at 15:27 is the damn truth! Most hobbies lose the fun factor with the introduction of big money processes and speculators looking for a quick and big money grab! Great video!
Your wisdom and understanding of the true scam of grading companies is so refreshing. Great insight, wish some younger members of the community understood these things. Great video.
I do agree with you on most points, but , I do like the protection for my big books, I can read a reprint / facsimile at my leisure. That being said, yes the grader and the grading ability is totally subjective and does leave some doubts in my mind plus it has gotten much more expensive than when it started, you are right about the garbage books that have been graded, it’s ruined the initial idea of encapsulating to protect a big book
I get where he’s coming from he has a good point but it also brought new people some good and some bad into the industry and it’s helped a lot of the good ones be able to survive in the industry. He right 100% we need more readers. Someone who’s actually into comics needs to start one that’s a happy medium
Another question: Encasing a book inside of a good waterproof plastic holder to protect it is a pretty good idea, IMHO. Is there currently a way for a private individual to do this to his own books? The best I've ever seen is acid-free backing boards and mylar. Unfortunately, the mylar isn't waterproof and in high humidity situations, the books can still get hurt. Suggestions?
I don't believe CGC advertises the holder as waterproof. It is not UV proof either. And if you watched one of my other videos you can see when it's dropped they shatter. The guarantee is not for protection. It is for the grade and once the plastic holder has been compromised, the grade is no longer valid. Thank you for bringing up these topics being part of the conversation. Welcome to our community
@@HavenForHeroes Thanks. No UV protection is significant. They do seem to be waterproof though. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6uSY5mXxSlk.html
Grading modern books is fine…but the only reason I’d grade a modern book personally is 1. If it has key significance 2. Has the potential for a 9.8 grade….and that’s it. I see no point in spending money to grade a non key of miles morales Spiderman to only receive a 9.2 grade.
Cgc is definitely good for the business when it comes to Golden Age comics and some silver age especially if you're worried about restoration, expensive gold and silver age books and before grading comics you were at the discretion of all sellers of what condition is it considered near mint mint very good very fine and so on so then cgc is healthy for the the comic collecting Community but yeah grading all these new books that are 5 years old and to get a 9.8 is ridiculous but the hate I see that you say about cgc and all grading companies is way overboard as I see many sellers way over grade dare books back in the day I've been collecting for almost 40 years myself and would take advantage of collectors that weren't we're not experts at grading and trusting it's better to have a third party to verify the grade especially if you're ordering through the mail when I saw back in 2000 this service offered I was like this is awesome now I don't have to worry if I want to hear my book and I buy from some seller a raw copy and it's not near mint so yeah there's a place for cgc they're not the gods of comics but they do have a place just like raw copies have a place in the community
Some good points and I've had a lot of pushback. I'm going to make a follow-up video explaining some more of what I'm looking for from a grading company
Honestly i could tear your reasoning apart and be 100% right. On the other hand I can defend almost everything you said as well. If you wanna be a collector you have to deal with all bad and good. AS far as signatures go a signed comic with no authentication such as grading is a damaged comic cause unless i saw it signed it isn't real unless there's proof. So i am 100% behind getting comics signed and graded as a way to assure myself and other buyers that its authentic. Other than that i only like graded comics i want to display it makes me personally feel better it being encased in that armor.
Amen brother... I don't buy slabs for many of the same reasons you stated and I only slab books I intend to sell. It's amazing to me what people will pay for a slabbed book. I recently sold a book that I paid 5.00 for not even a YEAR ago for 315.00 on ebay because it got a 9.8 when I sent it to CGC. That's bonkers to me.
Yep, the only reason to use them is if we're turning and burning. Congrats on a nice sale! Appreciate you being part of the community and welcome aboard
I read comics, but I like collecting both graded and ungraded as well. I'm just scared of damaging older comics by accident when I'm reading them so sometimes I'm hesitant depending on what it is.
I dont disagree, but I still get keys graded or buy graded. Not because I trust CGC, but because I trust that that graded keys will be easier for my family to identify and get fair market prices for when that time comes. The thought of someone getting a raw nm batman 251 or vf giant size xmen 1 in a cheap lot auction after I pass because they were in a short box with raw walking dead reprints makes me nauseous.
Totally agree! So many people look at me like I am insane when I say that I think grading comics is stupid, but lately I am finding a lot more people who agree with me.
@@HavenForHeroes thank you. I found your channel because this video was recommended to me. Now I am going to go back and watch some of your other content.
Coming from someone that is new to collecting, i personally really enjoy graded books just from the visual aspect of it. they sort of become a conversation piece in a room and something that is easily display. i im not much for the grade if its a 9.8 or a 9.4 the differnce is so small that i dont really care going for the highest grades i rather have the book at a low grade than no book at all. as well so many of this books well key editions at least are so old in age that i just feel scared to open up and read so them being protected when tho i cant read them no more is still a win for me as i can just go online and read the book anywhere.
I'm very glad you're enjoying the hobby. Collect the way you want to collect. There's really nothing wrong with it but maybe try some of the other services other than just CGC
As the market grows demand will grow for graded products. It is a more official way to negotiate rather than just eyeballing and willing and dealing, although it is fun to make a deal with an individual those times are coming to an end.
I don't mind grading because it should probably be done for something soooo old or something very valuable. Might as well preserve it as much as possible. If you're good at handling your books then don't bother, but if you want to keep it in the best shape and won't ever open it again then totally go for it and grade it. They look good on walls. Most comic shops and sellers hated the idea of grading companies entering the market because it ruined their job of grading themselves and haggling the prices. As for the nerds who defy it, well... grading has been here well before the companies as well. It really just depends if you want it graded or not.
Wish I'd known all this before I had a book signed and graded at a con a couple years back. I only did the one so at least the rest of my collection is still readable. I prefer getting comic book frames...I can hang up and display my favorite covers and take it down to read any time I want. Lesson learned
The new thing out called comic capsule. I haven't used them yet but I've heard good things. I really think people should display their books with honor. Thank you for joining the conversation. Welcome to the community.
This is an important video. I’ve been collecting for over 20 years and any collector know that this is what happens when greed and tech are introduced into the hobby. ❤ thanks for posting and being so passionate
You're right it is art, and the cover is typically the masterpiece of that art and how people recognize the book. I line my office walls with it so even though I don't own a comic shop it sure feels like I'm in one. I like the grading process and its very enjoyable for a great deal of the community. I do like to sneak a peek at the actual frame that a character may make his first appearance, but I know people that have your perspective, but I like that grading exists and I hope it continues to grow.
You should enjoy the hobby the way you like to enjoy the hobby. My opinion is just my opinion. It's whether what the CGC is doing is right or wrong. I bet your office looks awesome! Thanks for being part of that discussion
Most comics are online so you can always read them there. I see the use for grading only to determine the condition of the book that everyone can agree on. I do like the magnetic cases and plan to put some in those. I have said all grading companies should switch to AI grading just so there is no emotional judgement
When I got into comic books it wasn't about money. It was about collecting the artwork. The cool stories, the cool thing. S somehow everything got crazy and comics became just another piece of money. I never got into comic books because of money. I enjoy comic books reading them the artwork. I appreciate the people that made the comic books they are to street the artwork. How long hours they had to put in to make that comic book and all of the works to put it appreciate art. And this content was very educational.Very smart, very cool and I agree.What you actually said about the whole thing.Appreciate glathers, more guys like you in the business.Thank you for great content
Thank you very much for the very humbling compliment. I'm going to spend a lot of time trying to bring the community back together. Welcome to the community
I understand grading a card like a Michael Jordan rookie. But don’t understand grading comics like you said now you can’t even read it. You can see the cover that’s it.
The fact that you can crack the slabs and resubmit them and get very different grades for each submission is pretty damning. The 4% of fair market value is a scam too, there should be a cap to cover insurance. And how they categorize restoration, what is and isn’t is dubious.
I only get books graded these days if they're signed at conventions, and that's because I'm after their "witnessed signature" program. Only that. When it's graded with their witnessed signature label nobody questions the authenticity of the signature/s. But for unsigned books, don't.
Understandable. But now that they've purchased JSA, that's no longer an issue. Your preference is completely understandable. We appreciate you joining the conversation and telling us your comic journey. Welcome aboard
Sent an X-Men 94 that I bought off a spin-rack in Prospect, KY to CGC to be graded. They sent it back saying that it had been altered or repaired with no explanation as to how they came to this conclusion
I agree with everything that you’re saying but I have 40 and 50 year-old books I’m not sell them for $20 so they can make 1000 I have paid bills with that book when I need it so I had to grade it to make the money because it will not sell to a better price
been collecting comics since the late 70's, and when CGC came out, i couldnt stand it. thank you for talking about something i have been yelling for years. what gets me is when you see a brand new book thats been slabbed!??!?!?!??!!?!/
I love your "create readers" mentality. It is great to see people still caring for comic books as much as you do. I got a second channel dedicated to animations. My dream is to have my animations inspire viewers to pick up comics and start reading. I hope we both achieve our goals, at least with one person every now and then. Subscribed. 💚
Thanks. I feel like going to a local comic book shop and talking to the owner, like I used to do years ago. It's a very nice vibe. My channel is called The Icecypher Animation. www.youtube.com/@TheIcecypherAnimation Ice for Bobby Drake and Cypher for Doug Ramsey. I think my main audience is people who has read and enjoyed Marvel comics from the 70s and 80s, but I want to reach people who haven't so they may feel like starting.
There is no upper limit charge on the unlimited. Wouldn't that make the graders lean toward the 9.8 if the book is between a 9.6 and a 9.8 to make more money for cgc.
You 100% right. I believe that grading books should only be to preserve a book. However there are other ways to do that by buying the capsules yourself. I feel that the value of a book has many factors like first appearance, artist, writer, and nostalgia. Keep up the great work
I will do my best since I don't grade comics. Not 100% but I believe that if there's a problem with your holder when you received it, you can send it back to be put in a new holder. Like chipping, scratched and such. Some people send the folks back and pay to be reholdered into the new holders cuz they like them better or want limited labels added. I hope that answers your question. Hope the rest of the community can help out. Thanks for asking. You're welcome to the community.
@@HavenForHeroes Thanks for that - and for your video. I guess i was under the impression that there was something 'scandalous' about this. But that doesn't seem top be the case.
After watching all this that I completely agree with I subscribed. I agree the whole market is in shambles as far as CGC and CGC flippers. And these “ community “ channels that can’t say CGC enough
Man, I enjoyed this. I have been saying for years that the FMV “sliding scale” price for grading higher end books is a massive scam (and a conflict of interest). Thanks. I just hope more people listen.
Great episode! 👏 👏 👏 You make an excellent point! 💯 True story... I cracked open my Hulk 181 graded at 8.6 I think (it was 30yrs. ago). I just wanted to read the story and enjoy the art. It was worth it! That was my one and only graded book. No grades books for me. Subscribed 👍🏼
After purchasing, and winning a number of graded comics below the average sales market, I decided to play it safe and invest in Comic Capsules. For a fraction of the price, I can protect, display, admire, and if necessary, read the book. They help in keeping books more preserved, until I decide to sell, or trade the book. They can be stacked, hung on a wall, or placed on a standing display. A big bonus, is that they are UV resistant, whereas graded slabs are not. Plus grading is highly subjective. One grading companies 9.8, might be another's 9.4, a 9.2 could be a 8.5, and so on. My books are worth what someone is willing to pay, not what a company isn't willing to give.
Fantastic observations. I am in total agreement of the comic capsules. Plus, when you're actually ready, if you do feel you need to grade the comic, you can use whatever or whoever is the market leader at the time. I believe you're seeing cgc slipping. Thanks for joining the conversation and welcome to our community
Most books should not be graded. Stick with keys, or if you personally want to preserve the book. I knew my Dr. Strange #1 would come back as a low grade, but I did it because it is a piece of my youth.
My point exactly. The only thing is to have a company as big as cgc. You need to grade a lot of books to pay the bills. Especially when your overlords or vanguard and Black Rock!. Thanks for joining the conversation and welcome aboard
ive been collecting, reading, buying, selling comics since 1983. the market has changed and you have to change, adapt, innovate with it. isnt there any way you can benefit from grading in a positive manner for the community? its certainly worth it to protect high value/rare books like AF #15, Action #1, etc. you sound set in your ways and unwilling to accept changes within the industry. thats my take. thanks
Thanks for joining the conversation it's cool to disagree. They don't guarantee protection only the grade. I can make a load of money if I grade. My feeling is that it's exploiting the hobby, not helping it. Welcome to the conversation and the community. You're in for the drawing.
NICE VIDEO BUD....Here is my philosophy on Grading Comics. I have a very large collection and my Kids and Grandkids are not guaranteed to take up my collection. Who knows if they will show any interest in any of my collections. However, you mention "MONEY $$$$" around them and it's like God smacked them in the head and their ears perk right up. I grade my comics and make sure they KNOW not to start a garage/yard sale and sell them for pennies on the dollar. There's no haggling over a comics grade if it's graded. Also like the gentleman in the video said, auction houses will not sell your comics if they are not graded.
I am really close to you age I, I am with you and agree brother. I have been collecting since the 70's and feel the grading is just wrong. My Silver Age books are precious, the art, the advertising and story cannot be appreciated in a slab!
Ya, I definitely see your point. All these collectors wanting a 9.8 on comics that basically came out two weeks ago. Not everything needs to be incased in plastic slabs, well that’s just my opinion!
This was a terrific, cold hard reality check about the current state of comics. Thoughtful, rational, common sense commentary by a dealer that seems to sincerely care about the field and history. So many good silver and bronze age books essentially taken out of the market place, just to be slabbed. Making collecting harder and more expensive. They are killing the field.
I agree you have a handful of people deciding what graded your book is awarded which makes no sense to me. Also these grading companies have way too many grading points. I can’t tell the difference between a 6.5 and a 7.5 which can have a profound affect on the value of the book. Should they also reduce grading fees if you don’t get the desired grade? That would at least be fair to reimburse the fee costs if you did get the grade you thought it was. Thanks for sharing your view on this matter btw. 👍
5:18 - "Outside of comics, these are people that are making money on the collecting of comics. They don't create comics. They don't invest in comics." - Sure, but you could say the same thing about companies that manufacture and sell bags, boards and boxes. And to be fair, CGC (and CBCS) should NOT be investing in comics; that would create a conflict of interest.
I too remember when cgc started. Ive hated them since day one. Worst yet, now we have slabbed, action figures, video games, vhs, and now records! All of these things I want to touch, read, play and watch. “Oh no it’s degrading by your touch”! Who cares! I want the connection with people of the past or my own nostalgia by holding them. I won’t touch anything slabbed.
Great insights sir. That being said, I only do graded if it’s a comic I want for my collection. I’ve learned the hard way, speculating on CGC is like playing the ponies - maybe the odds are even worse. You have gained a subscriber🙏🏻
My dad has handed me down old comics that he has kept in sleeves since 1978, would comic book stores buy my old comics at a fair price, rather than getting them grading and then selling them? what is the best way to sell my old comics?
To be 100% honest, if you have any major keys, let's say a hulk 181. I would take that to an auction house. Have them send it to be cleaned, pressed and graded. They seem to get a bump because of how much business they do with the grading companies. If you have basic runs some you know $100 $200 books, something that an auction house wouldn't take. You definitely can get a fair price from a fair comic shop. Find one that gives a free appraisal and get an idea of what your collection is worth. They probably will make you an offer and if you believe it's fair then you take it. But like doctors sometimes you need a second opinion. Don't allow someone to cherry pick your collection because they're paying a higher price for the few books they're taking because it will be much harder to move the rest of your collection. If you're with in a reasonable distance from New York, I would do a free appraisal for you.
For book preservation(I have some first issues from my favorite artist that has passed away) what would you suggest is the best way to keep the book? I don't care about grading or selling them, I want to persevere the memory of the artist.
Use archival paper. Backings and mylar bags then if you want to hang them up they have UV protected drop-in hard plastics. Can't remember the name of them but I think I'm going to do a review.
Good points, thank you! I have a small group of slabs, for two main reasons: to memorialize my childhood/young adult books, or to sell. Love the "when there's money to be made..." quote! 😆
For years I’ve thought about having my comics graded, but the price-points always discouraged me. It’s very different from grading sports cards through BGS or PSA. Magazines are meant to be read.
Hafa Adai(Guam Aloha)! WOW! This is one of the Best Videos I have ever seen about our Comics and comic book industry! I want to Personally Thank You for your Candor and Honesty. I would Be Honored to Support Your Comic Business in the near future. Where is your store located? “Enjoy The Chase!” IslandJ
Thank you so much! That's an amazing compliment. Our store is in Port Jervis, New York, 60 mi above New York City on the Delaware River. Welcome to the community!
I have a few cgc because i got them cheaper than a raw and got them to hang on my wall of stories ive already read but ive never understood people buying a book that came out last week for 5$ they slab it for 9.8 and now its worth 150$ like wtf yeah it should be a 9.8 its 5 days old and you can get it at your LCS for cover price
Would you have gotten more money for the FF #48 that was a 7.5 (graded)or your OWN grade of 5.5? I doubt you're going to get more money for an ungraded comic. I bet if your ungraded comic went up against that 8.0, you would have gotten far less than what you eventually got.
