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Grading Help Needed

Grading - Opinion or Bet?15814

Maybe they just like me better. Nah, that's not it. BPaxson002 private msg quote post Address this user
Now I've been buying and selling books since the 80s, so I know a bit about grading. However, I dropped out right about the time Professional grading came to be. I can't tell you how many arguments I've been in, both as a buyer and a seller, over grading. I'm sure the rest of you on these boards have done the same.

So my question is: When you send a given book in, are you making a bet thinking the book is going to be a given grade or are you really seeking someone's opinion on what shape the book is in.

The reason I am asking is the amount of complaints I see about books being "misgraded". To me, saying a graded book is lower than what one expected is you made a bet and lost.
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The apple sauce and pudding were the best part... Bronte private msg quote post Address this user
Personally, I am paying for the opinion since I can't trust my own.
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I live in RI and Rhode Islanders eat chili with beans. esaravo private msg quote post Address this user
I am paying to see if a professional agrees with my opinion regarding the evaluation of the condition of a book.
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" . " Davethebrave private msg quote post Address this user
A bet is when you place $ down (or something of value) in anticipation of an uncertain outcome. One outcome among multiple.

You can have something graded for a third party opinion but that is all it is, an opinion.

You can disagree with an opinion and not “lose” anything.
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Maybe they just like me better. Nah, that's not it. BPaxson002 private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Davethebrave
A bet is when you place $ down (or something of value) in anticipation of an uncertain outcome. One outcome among multiple.

You can have something graded for a third party opinion but that is all it is, an opinion.

You can disagree with an opinion and not “lose” anything.


The money you bet is the the cost of paying to have it graded. Pressing is hedging your bet.
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If the viagra is working you should be well over a 9.8. xkonk private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by BPaxson002
The money you bet is the the cost of paying to have it graded. Pressing is hedging your bet.


But who are you betting with/against? Yourself? I've never disagreed with someone over the grade of a book and sent it to be graded as a final arbitration, if that's the question. People could do that but I imagine it can't be a whole lot.

I get books graded for an expert's opinion on the grade, which in turn makes it easier for me or someone else to do something with the book later on. There are also some benefits to the slabbing itself, like protection and display value. But for me it's mostly the first part.
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" . " Davethebrave private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by BPaxson002
Quote:
Originally Posted by Davethebrave
A bet is when you place $ down (or something of value) in anticipation of an uncertain outcome. One outcome among multiple.

You can have something graded for a third party opinion but that is all it is, an opinion.

You can disagree with an opinion and not “lose” anything.


The money you bet is the the cost of paying to have it graded. Pressing is hedging your bet.


I don’t understand how the cost of a service is a bet. I receive something of value even if I disagree with the opinion.

Grading includes an opinion, the security of encapsulation and verification / authentication (if not original owner). It also gives others a third party validation if you choose to sell.

Now, if I am buying to flip and my purchase price is predicated on a certain minimum outcome, sure that may be a bet. But that isn’t related to having a different opinion on a grade.

See, I can hold a strong opinion based on a set of facts and still value other opinions even if I disagree with them. The value I place on those opinions may be higher or lower depending on source, rationale, etc, but disagreeing doesn’t make those opinions worthless. I would pay a company like CBCS or CGC for an opinion because I value their opinion highly enough to pay for it. It also doesn’t mean I value their opinion to the exclusion of all else, so I of course retain the right to disagree. The facts that a) people can often predict the grades they will receive and b) the same book in different submissions may receive different grades from reputable companies, suggest that sometimes disagreement is warranted.

So even if I disagree with a grade I would not feel like I “lost” my money.
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Maybe they just like me better. Nah, that's not it. BPaxson002 private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by xkonk
Quote:
Originally Posted by BPaxson002
The money you bet is the the cost of paying to have it graded. Pressing is hedging your bet.


But who are you betting with/against? Yourself? I've never disagreed with someone over the grade of a book and sent it to be graded as a final arbitration, if that's the question. People could do that but I imagine it can't be a whole lot.

I get books graded for an expert's opinion on the grade, which in turn makes it easier for me or someone else to do something with the book later on. There are also some benefits to the slabbing itself, like protection and display value. But for me it's mostly the first part.


Of course the bet is with yourself. When you buy a raw book, you are looking at it and saying "this is X.X grade". Now for some reason or another, you decide to send it in to be graded.

That leads to the original question: Are you looking for conformation of your own opinion or are you betting on getting a better grade, and thus improving your investment?
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Captain Accident the420bandito private msg quote post Address this user
Here is a bet I remember someone did with a book.

They had a graded Avengers #4 in 9.2 They sent it in for a press and regrade and it came back 9.0. Bet = lost.
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If the viagra is working you should be well over a 9.8. xkonk private msg quote post Address this user
Then no. I never bet myself; I always lose.
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" . " Davethebrave private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by the420bandito
Here is a bet I remember someone did with a book.

They had a graded Avengers #4 in 9.2 They sent it in for a press and regrade and it came back 9.0. Bet = lost.


Pressing also has risks. Regrading always has risks.

OP is confusing the concept of “bet” with something else - same with the concept of a “hedge” unless we are talking about the shorter, more rotund cousin of trees.
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Collector lawguy1977 private msg quote post Address this user
Not sure if it's a bet, but I always estimate a grade on my books before sending them in. I think it's fun to do it and see where my opinion falls in line with the actual grade.

Of course, I always hope they come out better than what I estimated, but if I'm planning to flip the book, I definitely consider a lower grade coming back in order to determine if it's worth the cost of slabbing it.
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Maybe they just like me better. Nah, that's not it. BPaxson002 private msg quote post Address this user
quote=Davethebrave]Quote:
Originally Posted by the420bandito
Here is a bet I remember someone did with a book.

They had a graded Avengers #4 in 9.2 They sent it in for a press and regrade and it came back 9.0. Bet = lost.


Pressing also has risks. Regrading always has risks.

OP is confusing the concept of “bet” with something else - same with the concept of a “hedge” unless we are talking about the shorter, more rotund cousin of trees.

It is a philosophical question. Perhaps that is what is confusing you.
y
People looking to buy a raw book for x amount want to sell it for x+y (y being the profit) The bet (placing money at risk in hopes of a greater return) by getting it graded at a higher level than they bought it for (Example: Captain Sleezebag #1 listed at 9.0 and thinking it will get graded at a 9.2 or 9.4)

Or

Are you simply looking to get a conformation that Captain Sleeze Bag will get a 9.0

The hedging is having it pressed to ensure it gets a higher than a 9.0
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I'm good with splotches. Nuffsaid111 private msg quote post Address this user
I send my books in simply to sell them.
Once I have decided to grade them, I no longer want them.

The market seems to love graded books; particularly Moderns. I don't get it. I really don't get Moderns. I've never gotten it. And I Don't care anymore because they're sold for ridiculous amounts of $$$ and in someone else's hands while I have the ridiculous amount of green.

I'm now waiting for graded bridges to become a thing
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