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Why Do You Slab or Buy Slabbed Books?7312

Ima gonna steal this and look for some occasion to use it! IronMan private msg quote post Address this user
3 & 4

I like the way books look when encapsulated - and I like how well they are protected.
Post 26 IP   flag post
Collector doog private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpiderTim
Quote:
Originally Posted by doog
I buy raw almost exclusively and slab for the fun of seeing how good my skills are. Some go in my retirement fund boxes, 15 or so will be on the walls of my nursing home, for awhile, anyway. I also do 3 sometimes 5 sometimes. And I will slab my losers, helps get the stink out of the house.


So no pressing before slabbing?

Part of the skills package is pressing, I find it fun, only do it for me though
Post 27 IP   flag post
Collector JustABitEvil private msg quote post Address this user
For my personal collection its mostly for signature witness/verification.

If Im buying a book online I will try to get the slab because if I cant inspect it myself I like that I can get a reliable idea of the books actual condition.
Post 28 IP   flag post
past performance is no guarantee of future actions. KatKomics private msg quote post Address this user
Primarily 5 and 6..maybe someday 1

I have books that I got signed before any grading companies existed and send in for verification once in a while and less and less I get witnessed books.

I have been bitten once or twice with colour touch and for anything above about $100 it is nice to have had it "cleared" already.


I almost never sell/trade my books but maybe someday I will....
Post 29 IP   flag post
COLLECTOR Foghorn_Sam private msg quote post Address this user
I'm a "all the above" person. There are just too many positives to a slabbed book now. The only downsides are you can't actually read it and it takes up more space-has more weight, but in most cases you can get a reasonably priced mid or lower grade reader copy to pair with your nice slabbed copy.
Post 30 IP   flag post


Collector Paulbg2000 private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by GAC
Whats your motivation for slabbing or buying slabbed books?

1- Selling/Resale value purposes?
2- Desire for accurate grades?
3- Preservation/Archival reasons?
4- Cosmetic reasons?
5- Signature Witnessed/Verification?
6- Restoration/Trimmed Check?
7- All of the above?
8- None of the above?


I guess #3-5...I don't really plan on selling anything I've submitted..at least not in the near future.

Being fairly new to this game, with my first two orders still being in CBCS possession and a third order going in next month these are the reasons to date that I've submitted books.

Books I've had since childhood that I could go out and buy a new version fairly cheaply for grading, but I want to preserve the memories associated with the books. I know for a fact I submitted a book that has a $20 value at a 9.4, but mine will probably be an 8.0...It's a memorably cover from my childhood, but those ticks and rough corners have memories attached to them (I want to preserve those ticks and corners..if that makes sense! LOL)...it'll never be sold for profit in any way at all and probably only means something to me. I imagine someday someone will say "Why the hell did this get graded?"...that person probably wouldn't understand the motivation.

Signature verification, these are for the personal collection...I plan on only submitting one book per autograph unless it's from one of the Star Wars runs and then I'll probably do multiples signatures of different books. These are for the Personal Collection...so I don't really need more than one (unless it's someone I REALLY like).

Books I wanted as a kid and couldn't stretch my allowance far enough to buy...I'm searching out decent copies for collection and for grading...(G.I. Joe, certain X-Books, Spider-Man, Lots of Hobgoblin stuff)

Variants...if I like the cover a lot I'll submit it. Again, usually Star Wars or Marvel stuff...I've been treading lightly with variants because while the value is by demand on these, I know the demand drops the later the book is out so I better like the cover!!!

When you look at book value and cost associated with grading some of the books above don't make sense financially, but that's not why I'm doing it...all that aside if I scoop up a book that Purchase Price + Grading Costs = Less than Current Market Value then it goes in automatically (this has happened a few times), those books may get sold one day...
Post 31 IP   flag post
Collector mrelowe private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by GAC
Whats your motivation for slabbing or buying slabbed books?

1- Selling/Resale value purposes?
2- Desire for accurate grades?
3- Preservation/Archival reasons?
4- Cosmetic reasons?
5- Signature Witnessed/Verification?
6- Restoration/Trimmed Check?
7- All of the above?
8- None of the above?


2 - Grading is subjective and there can be a wide range of opinions about what constitutes a grade. I know that there are guidelines that you can follow, but so much of the grading is experience. You may have a slab that you disagree with the grade on, but for the most part a third party grade is absolute. You can depend on it (depending on company). There is a degree of confidence that a slab provides that isn't there in a raw book.

3 - If I have a 9.8 or a 5.5 in a slab, it is always going to stay in that condition. It is like freezing the book in time. There isn't a fear that the book will interact with the environment and suffer from the effects of time. We all take care of our raw books, but the atmosphere, moisture, and acidity of storage materials could eventually affect the condition.

5 - Unless you witnessed the signature yourself, you can't be truly sure that it is authentic in a raw condition. COA's are worthless. The only way to be certain that the signature is authentic is through verification or witness services. Even in the event that you did witness a signature yourself, if you eventually end up selling the book, the buyer doesn't have the same confidence that they would with a slab.

9 - because they are freaking awesome and I am an addict.
Post 32 IP   flag post
Collector antoniofett private msg quote post Address this user
3 4 &5
Post 33 IP   flag post
I'm waiting.... (tapping fingers).
Splotches is gettin old!
Nuffsaid111 private msg quote post Address this user
I find #2 intriguing. I am in mechanical engineering and am fascinated in my business by Marketing, Program Management, and other departments who use the word "accuracy" to be definitive and absolute without data or even when they have conflicting data! They just toss around "accuracy" in sentences as if it is a reality because it is inferred in the sentence. I am just expected to believe it. For those that picked #2 I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on:

1. the perceived differences between very old CGC cases and newer ones. Why would age matter? Isn't a 9.2 in 2005 a 9.2 in 2018? If not, how can 9.2 for your book be considered an "accurate" grade?

2. Cracking cases and getting different grades 2nd time around without doing anything to the comic. How can round 1 be "accurate"? Or maybe it's round #2 that's "accurate". Or is your own subjectivity more "accurate" than round 1 and round 2?

3. the need to still "buy the comic" not the slab that pervades the slabbing community. Why not buy the grade if all (example) 9.6 comics are exactly what they are stated as being.... 9.6. Is it because we all really know... wink wink .... "well that's not really the situation necessarily that it is a 9.6, unless I think it too".

4. Perceived differences in grading BETWEEN the companies. Isn't a 9.4 the same regardless of company? If not, how can a 9.4 in one company be assumed to be accurate if it would be graded as 9.2 by another after regrade? And Is 0.2 delta truly discernible? Is 0.4? I know we're lead to believe it; but I've seen enough evidence to question it.

5. Differences in age. Why are Silver /Bronze allowed more leeway in grading than Moderns? (Rhetorical - I know the answer). It may be appropriate and justified, but is it "accurate"?


I do not understand the tremendous $$$ premium on already slabbed books for accuracy based on one or more of the points made above.

I'm quite happy to hear those that drink the accuracy kool-aid; and I guess it's one of the major reasons for some paying premiums on my books I've sold for wonderful profit. However, I would not and could not select #2 as a reason.
Sorry, but accuracy and subjectivity do not belong in the same sentence except on opposite ends of the spectrum.
Post 34 IP   flag post
Collector SpiderTim private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuffsaid111
I find #2 intriguing. I am in mechanical engineering and am fascinated in my business by Marketing, Program Management, and other departments who use the word "accuracy" to be definitive and absolute without data or even when they have conflicting data! They just toss around "accuracy" in sentences as if it is a reality because it is inferred in the sentence. I am just expected to believe it. For those that picked #2 I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on:

1. the perceived differences between very old CGC cases and newer ones. Why would age matter? Isn't a 9.2 in 2005 a 9.2 in 2018? If not, how can 9.2 for your book be considered an "accurate" grade?

2. Cracking cases and getting different grades 2nd time around without doing anything to the comic. How can round 1 be "accurate"? Or maybe it's round #2 that's "accurate". Or is your own subjectivity more "accurate" than round 1 and round 2?

3. the need to still "buy the comic" not the slab that pervades the slabbing community. Why not buy the grade if all (example) 9.6 comics are exactly what they are stated as being.... 9.6. Is it because we all really know... wink wink .... "well that's not really the situation necessarily that it is a 9.6, unless I think it too".

4. Perceived differences in grading BETWEEN the companies. Isn't a 9.4 the same regardless of company? If not, how can a 9.4 in one company be assumed to be accurate if it would be graded as 9.2 by another after regrade? And Is 0.2 delta truly discernible? Is 0.4? I know we're lead to believe it; but I've seen enough evidence to question it.

5. Differences in age. Why are Silver /Bronze allowed more leeway in grading than Moderns? (Rhetorical - I know the answer). It may be appropriate and justified, but is it "accurate"?


I do not understand the tremendous $$$ premium on already slabbed books for accuracy based on one or more of the points made above.

I'm quite happy to hear those that drink the accuracy kool-aid; and I guess it's one of the major reasons for some paying premiums on my books I've sold for wonderful profit. However, I would not and could not select #2 as a reason.
Sorry, but accuracy and subjectivity do not belong in the same sentence except on opposite ends of the spectrum.


You do make valid points! I am also an engineer but the civil kind and find that the grading subjectivity of CBCS aligns more properly with my perception of grade and how it is determined but both companies might differ in grading standards as neither has ever divulged what their standards are.

Whatever the answer is I would rather purchase a high value comic within a slab as the option of trusting the grade a seller gives has proved to be bad buys as once sent for grading they have always come in lower than stated in auctions.
Post 35 IP   flag post
I'm waiting.... (tapping fingers).
Splotches is gettin old!
Nuffsaid111 private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpiderTim
You do make valid points! I am also an engineer but the civil kind and find that the grading subjectivity of CBCS aligns more properly with my perception of grade and how it is determined but both companies might differ in grading standards as neither has ever divulged what their standards are.


Wouldn't it be nice (I know, I know... it'd never happen) if grades were given a range. Example 8.5 - 9.0.

Yea yea... the industry would go bananas and pissed off and etc etc etc. But it'd be the right thing to do and would allow for "Tolerances" in subjectivity. Even piece parts that have dimensions that a manufacturer is to build to, have tolerances. And that's with Measuring equipment!!
Post 36 IP   flag post
Collector doog private msg quote post Address this user
The few I have cracked and resubmitted got the exact same grade, across companies. I won’t bother anymore
Post 37 IP   flag post
Collector SpiderTim private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuffsaid111
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpiderTim
You do make valid points! I am also an engineer but the civil kind and find that the grading subjectivity of CBCS aligns more properly with my perception of grade and how it is determined but both companies might differ in grading standards as neither has ever divulged what their standards are.


Wouldn't it be nice (I know, I know... it'd never happen) if grades were given a range. Example 8.5 - 9.0.

Yea yea... the industry would go bananas and pissed off and etc etc etc. But it'd be the right thing to do and would allow for "Tolerances" in subjectivity. Even piece parts that have dimensions that a manufacturer is to build to, have tolerances. And that's with Measuring equipment!!


I would just say have the industry revert to previous standards which were NM, VF, F, VG, G, F, P, I
Post 38 IP   flag post
I'm waiting.... (tapping fingers).
Splotches is gettin old!
Nuffsaid111 private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by doog
The few I have cracked and resubmitted got the exact same grade, across companies. I won’t bother anymore


And others (like myself) have not.
That's a problem ... a big one
Post 39 IP   flag post
Collector X51 private msg quote post Address this user
Typically, I would get slabbed to make the selling process easier and cleaner.

If I slab for myself, it has to obviously be a comic that I never want to open again.
It's either a nice copy and I have a lower grade duplicate, or it's one that has nothing interesting in it.
Post 40 IP   flag post
Collector doog private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuffsaid111
Quote:
Originally Posted by doog
The few I have cracked and resubmitted got the exact same grade, across companies. I won’t bother anymore


And others (like myself) have not.
That's a problem ... a big one

Well, getting a crappier grade would indeed, suck
Post 41 IP   flag post
Collector Doc_Cop private msg quote post Address this user
Let us not forget only a slabbed graded book can easily be insured (past victim of Hurricane Sandy). I prefer buying raw keys (Always ask seller for additional photos if unsure of condition)and if I feel 8.0 or higher will get slabbed. Good discussion. Nuff said ...
Post 42 IP   flag post
I bought a meat grinder on amazon for $60 and it's changed my life. kaptainmyke private msg quote post Address this user
I slabbed my keys for protection and my wife knows if a book is graded to pay extra attention when attempting to sell it over the rest of the drek.
Post 43 IP   flag post
Collector KYoung_1974 private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuffsaid111
The market has gone to slabbed books as the best possible way to make ridiculous profit so that's why I slab my comics. What other hobby/profession can you purchase something for $5, do something to that purchase for $30 and then sell for $100 (as a typical example).


@Nuffsaid111, I've been curious about this, on a book that the guide says is $50 are you routinely getting the cost of encapsulation over the $50 in your sales?

I ask because I've seen others on here say they don't usually slab unless the value of the book is over $100-150 as there's no upside. I would assume they are not getting the cost of grading/slabbing in their sale price. I'd like to hear your experience as I have a few $40-50 keys that I would like to sell. But have been hesitant to take the hit of selling them raw.
Post 44 IP   flag post
Collector Darkseid_of_town private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by michaelekrupp
The main reason I buy slabbed books is for the restoration check. The other reason is that when the time comes to sell (which may be never) I don’t want there to be any haggling about the grade.


A slab is not any guaranatee of the grade...and many well versed collectors can distinguish a badly graded slabbed book from one that is more accurate...that aside from and nevermind that CGC posts no definitive grading standards they follow which means their grades vs another companies could be arbitrary. While in general a slabbed graded book is suggestive of a fairly accurate idea where the book is...it is by no means the final word, nor should it be.
For lack of better words, buy the book, not the slab.
Post 45 IP   flag post
Collector michaelekrupp private msg quote post Address this user
Good point. The two slabs I did sell were because I thought the grade was weak. Still, there is some security in third party grading. Much less chance of a dealer trying to tell you your NM comic is actually a restored FN plus.
Post 46 IP   flag post
Collector Darkseid_of_town private msg quote post Address this user
Slabs are a nice step in the proper direction ....I remember a LCS that is now defunct however the operator would always sale price books by CVM and purchase by Overstreet annual....once Overstreet began publishing a quarterly update, we busted the guy using an older copy stapled inside the cover of a new edition. Nowdays collectors are more well informed, use graded slabs and they have a far better idea what they are buying and selling.....
Post 47 IP   flag post
Collector SpiderTim private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Darkseid_of_town
Slabs are a nice step in the proper direction ....I remember a LCS that is now defunct however the operator would always sale price books by CVM and purchase by Overstreet annual....once Overstreet began publishing a quarterly update, we busted the guy using an older copy stapled inside the cover of a new edition. Nowdays collectors are more well informed, use graded slabs and they have a far better idea what they are buying and selling.....


So by doing that you are accepting that you were ripping him off?
Post 48 IP   flag post
Collector KYoung_1974 private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpiderTim
Quote:
Originally Posted by Darkseid_of_town
Slabs are a nice step in the proper direction ....I remember a LCS that is now defunct however the operator would always sale price books by CVM and purchase by Overstreet annual....once Overstreet began publishing a quarterly update, we busted the guy using an older copy stapled inside the cover of a new edition. Nowdays collectors are more well informed, use graded slabs and they have a far better idea what they are buying and selling.....


So by doing that you are accepting that you were ripping him off?


Maybe I read it wrong, but I think he was saying the LCS owner was the one using the older guide and ripping folks off.
Post 49 IP   flag post
Collector SpiderTim private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by KYoung_1974
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpiderTim
Quote:
Originally Posted by Darkseid_of_town
Slabs are a nice step in the proper direction ....I remember a LCS that is now defunct however the operator would always sale price books by CVM and purchase by Overstreet annual....once Overstreet began publishing a quarterly update, we busted the guy using an older copy stapled inside the cover of a new edition. Nowdays collectors are more well informed, use graded slabs and they have a far better idea what they are buying and selling.....


So by doing that you are accepting that you were ripping him off?


Maybe I read it wrong, but I think he was saying the LCS owner was the one using the older guide and ripping folks off.


My bad @Darkseid_of_town , sorry I read it wrong too early in the morning!
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