I still don?t get it.

I know the gang at the Collectors Society does a bang up job. It must be a huge task trying to keep up with everything going on in the comic book world while making sure the web site stays as up-to-date as possible. This is a great community to be a part of and I enjoy managing my collection while comparing it to all the others in the world. My problem and I?m sure I?m not alone in this, is with the current system used to determine the point value of our books.

The Comics Registry states that its goal is ?to provide a competitive but fun vehicle for both serious and beginning collectors to gain recognition for their sets.? If gaining recognition for our sets is the goal, then much consideration and attention should be given to determining point value. The Comics Registry claims its ?scoring algorithm? takes into account ?each comic book?s scarcity, desirability and value?.

If this is the case, then how in the world, for example, could my Avengers #110 CGC 9.6 (a very rare and expensive book) only get a score of 149 while the Avengers Annual #10 CGC 9.6 I just bought (a very common and inexpensive book) get a score of 250?!? The Comics Registry attempts to explain this by stating their scoring algorithm ?is also designed to enhance and encourage competition in the Registry by reducing extremes in value differences between grades and categories.? So how exactly does assigning a lower point value to a rare/expensive book and a higher point value to a common/inexpensive book encourage competition? That makes absolutely no sense to me. All it does is cheapen the hobby by rewarding collectors who obtain inferior books, while frustrating those who seek to enhance their collections with quality books (as evidenced by the example cited above).

Thankfully, the Registry recognizes this to some degree by stating ?Research is continuing into more advanced methods to provide a ranking system that recognizes the intelligence of the market, while offering a better reflection of relative rarity in higher grades and adjusting for market distortions.? I don?t know about you, but I?m hoping a more accurate, fair and objective scoring system is put into place sooner rather than later, for the benefit of all collectors.

Til next time?

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