CGC has fallin off a cliff since Blackrockstone acquisition18623
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Nystalgik private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I am never using the CGC service again in my life. CGC was hosting a signing event for The last ronin #1 where i could get all the signatures of the ppl involved with the book, not only did i have to resubmit the book due to errors in the labeling, it took them almost an entire year to grade this book and ship it back to me and I only live a few miles away from the CGC facilities in Sarasota FL. They won't allow me to drop books off, pick up books and they even charge me the same price for shipping as they did when I lived in WA state... I was selected to go to their first annusl "CGC Grading Academy" in Tampa where I got a crash course in grading from the senior graders and tbh it wasn't very technical. Sure they inspect the books meticulously for any flaws but how they grade them is what suprised me. One caveat is "a common manufacturerd defect" where if the defect is known for that particular issue they won't even knock the grade, another is how many points they knock off from a 10 to get to their final grade and this is the part that gave me red flags about the process. I walked away from that event with the impression that for them at least, it's more of a "feel" than it is anything technical. I get that they probably go through thousands of books in a given month and they might see the same defects and have trained eyes to look for various defects but at the same time there is just way too much room for biased opinion or judgement which looks more like snake oil than a science on a product/service we value so highly. At the end of the day we really are just paying for some guys opinion that we don't see or know. They don't wear gloves even when handling books which shocked me. If you submit a book chances are they are more likely to cause a defect from the way they handle books than you are submitting them. I'd carefully take pictures of every book you submit front and back before submitting. I went out for a few drinks with everyone after the event and the graders act like they're rockstars or something and have a disingenuous aire about them that at least, rubbed me the wrong way, i didn't see them trying to talk to the various groups there and seemed to have their own clique that did not seem inviting whatsoever. Not sure what the point of the gathering was in the first place if you're not going to engage with the very people you invited. CGC is not the same company it used to be, it's gone way way down hill since Blackrock *edit* Blackstone the same company that owns Mr Flinstones mortgage I think *edit* bought them out. CBCS and even PGX which I've used both is better imo without the issues and headaches. *edit* Thanks for the replies frens, I am venting and I know my opinions are controversial but I feel if I don't say anything and call them out on some things I think are b.s idk, maybe it will inspire others who have had negative experiences with this company to do the same. There are very high quality competitors out there in the grading and collectibles biz and they need to know we do have other options. |
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 Collector
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Josh7945 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I was at the academy as well. I didn’t get the same impression that you did about them feeling like they were rockstars. I thought they were very approachable and had some great conversations with the graders. I understand why they don’t wear gloves. Being able to “feel” the book helps with the grading process. Does anyone know if they wear gloves at CBCS? That does suck about the shipping though. They should definitely have a drop off / pickup option. |
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 Where's his Bat-package?
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Byrdibyrd private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @Nystalgik I've never had an explanation of what happened at the 'grading academy.' That was helpful. I'm sorry the event didn't come off in a positive way for you. I'm very surprised about the shipping and lack of drop-off option! I'm on the west coast, so I'd be jealous of your drop-off option if you had it. It makes no sense not to have it, though. How does it hurt them to offer a no-cost option for people who are in the area to handcarry books to their facility? I don't get it. |
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comicsforme private msg quote post Address this user | |
| No gloves????🥺Even I were gloves when I go through my collection. | ||
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HAmistoso private msg quote post Address this user | |
| The new owner(s) would be Blackstone and Jay-Z: https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/jayz-blackstone-collectibles-acquisition-buy-stock-roc-nation-ccg-nba-2021-7 |
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GanaSoth private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Blackrock? I was bout to burn all my CGC comic slabs... But its Blackstone... *Sigh of Relief* | ||
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 I've spent years perfecting my brand of assholery.
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DrWatson private msg quote post Address this user | |
| It has been my experience that never is a shorter time span than most expect it to be. | ||
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HAmistoso private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by GanaSoth Care to explain...? |
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 I'm waiting.... (tapping fingers).Splotches is gettin old! |
Nuffsaid111 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| If it weren't for the stupid amount of money people pay for my books + a stupid opinion + 2 pieces of plastic; I would get nothing graded by ANYONE. A big fat zero. |
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Collector
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GanaSoth private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by WMorse When ya know you know... All I can say. |
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HAmistoso private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by GanaSoth So that's a no. HAHAHA!!! |
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Where's his Bat-package?
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Byrdibyrd private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @Nystalgik I submitted some books for the Last Ronin signing, too. Guess what? They lost one! They even tried to claim they never got it, but I have the tracking number for the parcel (Eastman signature only, so a different invoice from my other submissions for that signing) and their own tracking system showed it arriving at their facility. Too bad for them; they had to re-imburse my loss. Too bad for me; I don't have my book anymore!  |
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HAmistoso private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Byrdibyrd  |
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I've spent years perfecting my brand of assholery.
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DrWatson private msg quote post Address this user | |
| The cgc still has Sarasota book drop off, but it is my understanding that it is for dealers only. | ||
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HAmistoso private msg quote post Address this user | |
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Collector
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Nystalgik private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Idk I'm starting lean towards digital collectibles at this point. Physical ones just take up too much space and just end up being a ton of clutter at the end of the day, then if you wanna flip you gotta deal with shipping and listing platforms. Now we have company's like whatsapp that not only want to monetize our own collectibles but our time as well. I think in the next 10-20 years digital collectibles might overthrow physical, at least they might have utility outside of an at home flex in the future metaverse. |
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 I'm not a plagiarist. I'm also not illiterate.
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drmccoy74 private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by NystalgikThis is a comic book collecting community. People have been collecting for a great many years and care about the hobby and enjoy it. Why so negative? I'm living today and not so much 10-20 years from now. Enjoy your life. I'm sorry your upset about the comic book hobby. |
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 " . "
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Davethebrave private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Nystalgik This is decent satire. |
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Collector
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Nystalgik private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @drmccoy74 it's a hobby for some yes, but that's an overgeneralized blanket statement for a 36 billion dollar undustry. It's big biz fren. It's all good to enjoy the hobby you love but to silence people's opionions negative or positive is a not only a dick move, it's also totaltarian.. If you are going to ignore red flags in an industry or hobby you know and love then you're only contributing to the problem instead of looking to improve. Changes only come when it puts a dent in the bottom line, profits. I'm not advocating my opinion or experience is the same for all. It was these frustrations adding up overtime where I felt the need to express or share my sentiment with others. If you don't agree or like what I share that's fine, you're entitled to you're own opinions, but to tell me how I should feel or act is another issue on its own. |
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I'm not a plagiarist. I'm also not illiterate.
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drmccoy74 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Look man I was being respectful to you. Go read your e books and stop crying | ||
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Collector
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Nystalgik private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @drmccoy74 how are you being "respectful" to me? Also snapping back a "quit crying" Statement, real respectful and mature. You sir win. Gratz. | ||
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 If the viagra is working you should be well over a 9.8.
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xkonk private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I don't know if it's CBCS policy but I remember Borock saying he didn't wear gloves. Like @Josh7945 said, feeling the paper is part of the grading process. | ||
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 would be nice to have a snugger fit.
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Sigur_Ros private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Nystalgik Your mistake was ever thinking otherwise. Quote: Originally Posted by Nystalgik When you find out CBCS doesn't wear gloves are you going to leave them too? |
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Broker1 private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by GanaSoth I would be right behind you... |
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 The Fifth Golden Girl
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sborock private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Graders do not use gloves at CGC or CBCS when grading. | ||
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 I don't want to brag, but cashiers are always checking me out.
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power_struggle55 private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by sborock personally never thought of it prior. I just think the grader just knows how to handle a comic |
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The Fifth Golden Girl
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sborock private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by power_struggle55 Exactly! Of course, they grade with VERY clean hands.... |
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Where's his Bat-package?
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Byrdibyrd private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by sborock Clean, DRY hands and an understanding of how to handle the comic is what's needed. This would be a reason why it takes a non-trivial amount of time for a new grader to train to the point where they're permitted to handle the comics. |
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 I'll probably wake up constipated.
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Pre_Coder private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Nystalgik If your physical collectibles end up being a ton of clutter, then stop collecting clutter. Go for the good stuff. |
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 I have not set up at a con since 2029.
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PolarisNuclearSS2020 private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by sborock Of course. Wearing gloves reduces sensitivity in one's fingerprints, as well as just the nature of any kind of gloves...the various kinds of thin plastic medical gloves to thin cotton gloves...get in the way of carefully handling book, turning pages et al. One thing I don't get is how graders can somehow not leave fingerprints on certain books, that act as fingerprint magnets, no matter how clean their hands are, it's impossible not to have some amount of oil on skin glands. Books.like The Dqrk Knight Returns come to mind. Another book, would he the paper stock of a Hulk #1 Atomic Comics variant....it has odd cover paper stock and the BC is all ted...I rarely see that book without fingerprints or similar smudges on the BC. |
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