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Is Pressing Just Table Stakes Now?11007

I'm good with splotches. Nuffsaid111 private msg quote post Address this user
Buy Raw High Grade in person, Get it pressed, get an artist to scrawl thick black sharpie across the cover, and put the whole kaboodle in a piece of plastic with a number and a yellow label.
sell and make 10 - 15x the amount the comic should be worth.

I love hobby trends and capitalism.
Post 26 IP   flag post
Suck it up, buttercup!! KatKomics private msg quote post Address this user
@Nuffsaid111 say nothing of the prices differences between 9.6 and 9.8...is often multiples higher...crazy
Post 27 IP   flag post
Masculinity takes a holiday. EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by KatKomics
@Nuffsaid111 say nothing of the prices differences between 9.6 and 9.8...is often multiples higher...crazy


My theory is that this will change. As I posted in another thread, I believe the market hasn't yet adjusted to the reality that 9.8 moderns are not rare. We are still operating on the mental conditioning we recieved in the pre-pressing days. I personally don't buy above 9.6 anymore unless the price difference makes sense.
Post 28 IP   flag post
I'm good with splotches. Nuffsaid111 private msg quote post Address this user
There will always be people that are fascinated and fixated with numbers. 9.8 vs 9.6. 4.5 stars movie rating vs. 4.6 stars.
Restaurant ratings that differ by 0.1.

Folks take subjective numbers that someone else tells them the number based on their opinion - and then attach such a ridiculous value more just because "it's the best number". It's not just comics.

We're not even talking measured values like 405 horsepower vs 400 horsepower. These are silly too but it's all about being the highest; the best; etc... Everyone wants the highest numbers for anything. Doesn't matter if they're statistically insignificant or someone's opinion. They want the highest!

I personally find it sad, but I hope it continues. And continue I believe it shall. People just can't get past "the highest/best number" syndrome in their heads. It's like a psychological block that prevents even the smartest from thinking clearly what they're really doing.
Post 29 IP   flag post
Thank you sir. May I have another? Siggy private msg quote post Address this user
I think pressing is restoration.
I couldn't care less because it is a very mild form of it. Like a cold.
Just like Hulk 180 vs 181-Admitting 180 is the 1st app, I don't fret over pressing having the designation of restoration because I don't think there's a reason to.
*great big shrug*
Post 30 IP   flag post


Masculinity takes a holiday. EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuffsaid111
We're not even talking measured values like 405 horsepower vs 400 horsepower. These are silly too but it's all about being the highest; the best; etc... Everyone wants the highest numbers for anything. Doesn't matter if they're statistically insignificant or someone's opinion. They want the highest!


It's very true that once people become passionate about something they find it hard to compromise and easy to rationalize extra expense. Running shoes, golf clubs, road bikes, Lululemon pants, I guess we also want to be seen as among the Elite in whatever our pursuit is. I once consulted with a small company that made a $1,500 office chair. I told them to find a beautiful leather and make a $2,500 version...the same people who are paying $1,500 will pay $2,500 for something nicer. It grew their revenues by about 25%. I told them to raise the price to $2,900, it didn't miss a beat.
Post 31 IP   flag post
Collector doog private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by EbaySeller
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuffsaid111
We're not even talking measured values like 405 horsepower vs 400 horsepower. These are silly too but it's all about being the highest; the best; etc... Everyone wants the highest numbers for anything. Doesn't matter if they're statistically insignificant or someone's opinion. They want the highest!


It's very true that once people become passionate about something they find it hard to compromise and easy to rationalize extra expense. Running shoes, golf clubs, road bikes, Lululemon pants, I guess we also want to be seen as among the Elite in whatever our pursuit is. I once consulted with a small company that made a $1,500 office chair. I told them to find a beautiful leather and make a $2,500 version...the same people who are paying $1,500 will pay $2,500 for something nicer. It grew their revenues by about 25%. I told them to raise the price to $2,900, it didn't miss a beat.

True, why is Tesla the only electric car that sells well? Cachet! It’s the cool thing.
I consider pressing restoration but not repair, a fine distinction. Cleaning too
Post 32 IP   flag post
It's like the Roach Motel for comic collectors. chester15 private msg quote post Address this user
Speaking of pressing, I am looking to get some Bronze and Modern Age comics pressed. I'd like to use an independent, smaller operator, to limit the turn time. Any suggestions of folks that you have had good luck with?
Post 33 IP   flag post
Masculinity takes a holiday. EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user
@chester15 I've used only one presser, used 3 or 4 times, prices are good, turnaround time is good and I'm happy with the results. I'm going to give him another 10 books this weekend.
Post 34 IP   flag post
Collector Arak private msg quote post Address this user
I <3 you guys ( some of you I even like )
It is my hallucination that this is like sitting down with a bunch of brothers at dinner ( only had the one sister ) or like Studly said , discussing theology or politics . Having said that , I would like to toss my 2 cents in, stating that I in no way expect or want to change anyone's mind. I strictly want to contribute as a member of the community.

I loved poor,fair,good,fine,mint
I hate being told 9.765889 3/4

I loved when I was young getting Jimmy Wynn to sign my bat, and Roger Stauback to sign my football or the occasional author to sign the blank inside of a book.

Most of y'all know I love Elektra but I wouldn't let Frank Miller scratch in black market my comics if he paid me $100 dollars.. not picking on Frank.. that goes for ANY

I loved reading the forum and looking at the free additional art in the back of a lot of comics.
Even though I have unknowingly done this with auction lots a few times, For the life of me , I don't understand why people will buy 30 comics just cause they have a different cover, perpetuating the variant practice. Of course I forgive the completion-ist and obsessive compulsive and I am angry at the industry for taking advantage of them.

There !! like me , hate me , whatever.. thats my honest opinion
Post 35 IP   flag post
Collector Watcher private msg quote post Address this user
it reminds me of the people that drive 10 miles to get gas for 3.36 when it's 3.41 next to their house. It's not logical, most people are not logical. When half the population is below average intelligence, all they need is to be told what to like and bam! it's the newest trend. I wish I had the discipline and patience to take advantage of it, but I do not, so I sit and complain about it

the 9.8 vs 9.6 thing is mind boggling, especially when there is zero consistency. If you sat down at a table with 20 graders and popped 10 9.8's and 10 9.6's beforehand, I'd bet money they'd come back opposite grades over and over...but like it was said above, 9.8's can demand 3 or 4 times a 9.6 even though the books are identical and some 9.6's are better

oh well...it is what it is...back to pricing all my 9.6's
Post 36 IP   flag post
Collector KeepItClunky private msg quote post Address this user
It almost doesn't matter if one thinks pressing is resto or not at this point. If you're going to sub books without pressing first you're really putting yourself at a disadvantage when it comes to grading.
Post 37 IP   flag post
Suck it up, buttercup!! KatKomics private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by KeepItClunky
It almost doesn't matter if one thinks pressing is resto or not at this point. If you're going to sub books without pressing first you're really putting yourself at a disadvantage when it comes to grading.


I can usually tell what books need a press and which ones don't.

I try not to include more than 4 that I'm not sure about and go for press screen...that way the press screen costs are less than a separate order...
Post 38 IP   flag post
Collector Watcher private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by KeepItClunky
It almost doesn't matter if one thinks pressing is resto or not at this point. If you're going to sub books without pressing first you're really putting yourself at a disadvantage when it comes to grading.


I absolutely agree....I cant imagine the money I lost by being stubborn...my entire collection was submitted over 2 years without pressing and that included 8.0 and 9.0 181's, 8.5 asm50, 9.2 asm 21, multiple golden age books, asm 4 7.5 ...I think Im more ignorant than stubborn.
Post 39 IP   flag post
Have I told you about the time I dropped off 3,000 comics at SDCC? Scifinator private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by dielinfinite
I’m not as anal about grades since I mostly grade books for witnessed signatures so I rarely press books. It helps that I also don’t sell too many books. So far I’m satisfied with the grades my books have gotten.

I do press if it’s something special for my collection (currently have a Robocop vs Terminator signed by Miller, Simonson, and Peter Weller in pressing that I’m hoping to land Schwarzenegger on this year).


While I do like CBCS's slabs and feel very comfortable with their ability to protect our collections, I am not confident that they will hold up to Schwarzenegger landing on your R v T after it is pressed and slabbed. Just sayin...

Seriously though, that would be pretty cool to have all of those Autos. Congrats to you if you "land" it.
Post 40 IP   flag post
Collector Watcher private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by dielinfinite
I’m not as anal about grades since I mostly grade books for witnessed signatures so I rarely press books. It helps that I also don’t sell too many books. So far I’m satisfied with the grades my books have gotten.

I do press if it’s something special for my collection (currently have a Robocop vs Terminator signed by Miller, Simonson, and Peter Weller in pressing that I’m hoping to land Schwarzenegger on this year).


Im lookin to get Arnold as well...where and when is he showing up somewhere? just want to meet the guy too and I dont think stopping by his house would go over well
Post 41 IP   flag post
Have I told you about the time I dropped off 3,000 comics at SDCC? Scifinator private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by CatCovers
Is pressing now something you virtually have to do? At least for post-Silver Age books?

A couple of times recently (last year or so), I've submitted some books without pressing. Obviously, I examine books carefully before sending them in. In a few cases, I noticed a slight indentation in the back cover when the book is held at just the right angle to the light. Indentation is probably too strong a word - call it instead a trivial variation from the mean on the cover. Certainly no color breaking, invisible if it's not held just right, etc. Obviously, these could be pressed out, but I considered the imperfection too minor to worry about. In each case, I ended up with a 9.6 instead of a 9.8 book, though I will argue to the grave that such a tiny half-flaw falls well within the range of what's acceptable for 9.8.

Of course these books are CA and Modern - we all know older books are graded more forgivingly.

But it leaves me wondering, since CBCS and CGC both have in-house pressing, if they're coming down harder on pressable imperfections like this to "encourage" us to use pressing services on all submissions. Or am I just a little cranky?


Great topic @CatCovers. I personally don't get the sense that CBCS nor even CGC is penalizing grades to "encourage" pressing services. Maybe I am wrong, but I don't see the economics in as being especially lucrative at the price levels currently charged. I really get the sense of it being more of a value add service to drive more to the grading wagon. Frankly, I probably would not have given my entire collection over to CBCS had they not had the "one stop shop", so to speak, of press and grade.

Additionally I also did not press everything. I went through all of my Marvels, and separated out what I thought would benefit from a press and what wouldn't. Hence, I have over 1000 Unpressed but graded comics (and no, most of them being are not listed. Only 100% of my Marvel & DC are listed as time is limited).

@Nuffsaid111 has a pretty good point on grade/horsepower psyche. Admittedly, my grail is a 9.8 Silver Surfer Vol 1. And if/when I get one, I will feel that "the highest/best number" syndrome". While that may not be my motivation for most of the pressing of a good number of my collection, it did play a part on a few items, sure.

The other point being brought up by some, that being the restoration aspect, is interesting. I think yes, it is restoration...."From a certain point of view" (sorry, my moniker does imply I am a SciFi fan). For me I feel it is an acceptable form in the vein of @Studley_Dudley "ironing my slacks" comparison. That said, I also get where some feel the opposite.

Bottom line for me, I don't feel compelled by CBCS to press but am appreciative that they offer the service and will use it in some cases.
Post 42 IP   flag post
Collector Drogio private msg quote post Address this user
The easy solution would be to not penalize grades for defects that are consider minor enough they would be removed by pressing or dry cleaning.

Isn’t that was press screening is doing, basically?
Post 43 IP   flag post
If the viagra is working you should be well over a 9.8. xkonk private msg quote post Address this user
Isn't that what the CGC Qualified grade is for? If the book didn't have this problem, it would be this grade.
Post 44 IP   flag post
I'll probably wake up constipated. Pre_Coder private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by xkonk
Isn't that what the CGC Qualified grade is for? If the book didn't have this problem, it would be this grade.


Makes sense
Post 45 IP   flag post
The apple sauce and pudding were the best part... Bronte private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drogio
The easy solution would be to not penalize grades for defects that are consider minor enough they would be removed by pressing or dry cleaning.

Isn’t that was press screening is doing, basically?



But the thing is, unless the defect is actually removed there are no guarantees.

For example, I sent in a Batman book for press screen. While it was deemed pressable, I got back the book regraded as the same grade as when submitted. (It was orinally CBCS graded book, so their notes were available prior to making the call.)
Post 46 IP   flag post
It's like the Roach Motel for comic collectors. chester15 private msg quote post Address this user
@EbaySeller
Thanks for the lead. I'll check them out.

I haven't landed on a solid opinion of whether pressing is restoration, quasi-restoration, or just comic maintenance. It has been said that it is ok, to "make the comic look better" by removing certain small defects. If I collected coins, and the coins in the collection were starting to tarnish, I could "make them look better" by cleaning or polishing. THAT would completely ruin their value.

Seems like a double standard.
Post 47 IP   flag post
Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock Tedsaid private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by CatCovers
A couple of times recently (last year or so), I've submitted some books without pressing. Obviously, I examine books carefully before sending them in. In a few cases, I noticed a slight indentation in the back cover when the book is held at just the right angle to the light. Indentation is probably too strong a word - call it instead a trivial variation from the mean on the cover. Certainly no color breaking, invisible if it's not held just right, etc. Obviously, these could be pressed out, but I considered the imperfection too minor to worry about. In each case, I ended up with a 9.6 instead of a 9.8 book, though I will argue to the grave that such a tiny half-flaw falls well within the range of what's acceptable for 9.8.

I've seen this happen so many times. It really annoys me, how these trivial things are blown up in importance.

I have been thinking - and this is mostly CGC I'm talking about here - that the graders seem to take offense, that I didn't have easily pressable defects pressed out. They are offended by some shallow bend or something, and knock a grade or two off.

I don't think they do it consciously, but I've definitely seen some things that should not be important count more than they should.

The one that really bugs me is the overhang bend. You know when the cover extends just past the interior pages? And putting the comic in a bag and board causes the edges to curve slightly towards the interior? I have NEVER considered that a flaw ... nowhere close to one! It's not a crease; hell, it's barely a bend. If anything, it shows the book has been protected and looked after.

Yet, now I've got a handful of 9.4's and 9.6's, that should be 9.6's and 9.8's, downgraded because of an easily fixable "flaw."

Yeah, I do think the graders get offended by those. So now I pretty much send all my older books in for pressing first.
Post 48 IP   flag post
Have I told you about the time I dropped off 3,000 comics at SDCC? Scifinator private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by chester15
@EbaySeller
Thanks for the lead. I'll check them out.

I haven't landed on a solid opinion of whether pressing is restoration, quasi-restoration, or just comic maintenance. It has been said that it is ok, to "make the comic look better" by removing certain small defects. If I collected coins, and the coins in the collection were starting to tarnish, I could "make them look better" by cleaning or polishing. THAT would completely ruin their value.

Seems like a double standard.


Another analogy would be the 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang we all have in our garages. If we wash/wax/polish it, we are not only protecting from further deterioration, but in a sense we are restoring to its original luster which is obviously an acceptable practice. Should we repaint it, rebuild the engine, or reupholster the seats, we are engaging in restoration that otherwise diminishes the value compared to a like condition mustang that is all original.
Post 49 IP   flag post
I'm good with splotches. Nuffsaid111 private msg quote post Address this user
I just play the game within the rules that CBCS and CGC create. They create the rules and we must abide else we get hit with a number loss or label color hit. That means $$$ losses. Pressing is resto.... but not if the companies dont think so. If tomorrow both agreed adding pieces to a cover is not restored, then it's not. If edge overhangs are bends because the 3rd parties say so, then they're bends. Rules are not made holistically via our opinions. I no longer care which is why I unload all my slabbed books. I just learn the rules and play into the fantasy and tow the line. I cant fight city hall anymore and won't. Play the game, Know the rules we dont create and everyone in the know will do just fine financially.
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Masculinity takes a holiday. EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user
I think people might be saying this same thing, But it sounds like there would be a demand for graders differentiating between temporary (pressable) flaws and permanent flaws. Kind of like, if in addition to the official grade, the grader notes could give a "max potential" grade...which assumes all fixable flaws were properly fixed. Probably will never happen, but dang, I'd pay extra for notes like that.
Post 51 IP   flag post
Collector Arak private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bronte
For example, I sent in a Batman book for press screen. While it was deemed pressable, I got back the book regraded as the same grade as when submitted. (It was orinally CBCS graded book, so their notes were available prior to making the call.)


Well that's just wrong !
Post 52 IP   flag post
The apple sauce and pudding were the best part... Bronte private msg quote post Address this user
Yeah. Not happy about it either. But other books have been successful, I figure one out of more than a dozen successful presses is just bad luck. As long as it isnt a common recurring problem....
Post 53 IP   flag post
Collector Arak private msg quote post Address this user
@Bronte
Props to you my ninja and mad respect !!!! that is just a 10/10 attitude right there.

If you change your mind I will be in the back alley with the chains and baseball bats *wink*
Post 54 IP   flag post
The apple sauce and pudding were the best part... Bronte private msg quote post Address this user
@Arak
Good to know you got my back.
=)
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