Got my first batch of graded comics!!!

[willybaum]

Really happy but ....

 

Wow, anticipation can be stressful.

 

One of my favorite sets to collect is the DC Bicentennial comics of 1976. 33 issues that were adorned with a red, white and blue banner at the top. I managed to pick up 21 issues through auctions, losing some along the way, but I haven't been able to secure one for a while.

 

So, I thought, let's do what everyone else is doing and submit comics for grading! I bought four high-grade (NM) raw copies from four different vendors on eBay (ratings and feedback were the most important criteria for selecting the dealers).

 

I received them and packed them off to have CGC'd and crossed my fingers. Hopefully, all of them would come back at least 9.0 and at least with white or off-white to white pages.

 

Waiting for the comics to be graded was a nail-biting experience. Literally checked my invoice status several times every day until it reported shipped. BUT ... I decided to wait for the package to see the grades. I even filed away the email with the scanned images without looking at it.

 

Finally, I received the books today and was pleasantly surprised. One 9.0, two 9.4 and one 9.6! Yay! And two had white pages although one was only off-white and not off-white to white.

 

So I went back to the email with the scans and .... bummers. The scanned images, for which I paid $20, were so puny (478x750 pixels) and one had a huge glare on the image. And no back cover images. I do have a scanner but I can't fit the whole slab, just cutting off the bottom part of the comic.

 

To sum it up: pleasantly surprised with the grading results from raw comics bought off eBay but not entirely thrilled with the paid scanned images.

 

FYI, the four comics only cost a little over $70 (not including shipping) so this was definitely a labor of love. Guess I'll skimp on the imaging next time.

 

See more journals by willybaum

[meshuggah]

Congrats on your first shipment and WTTB

[Garlanda]

Those look great! What's the note on the Blackhawk? Is that a File Copy?

 

I'd never paid for the scanned images, thanks for the report.

[cpannell]

Nice books, nice grades.

 

It's always a thrill to get books back from the grading process, though your first time is always the best time.

 

Thanks for your report.

 

(thumbs u

[willybaum]

Aloha and Mahalo to everyone for your commments!

 

Garlanda, the Blackhawk 247 was a Massachusetts Pedigree. At least, that's what it said on the bag when I received it.

 

Good news, I did receive higher-res images after sending a polite email (at least I hope it sounded polite) to CGC. They did mention that they don't normally send high-res images so I have to wonder: why offer the service and charge for it if the customer doesn't get a quality product? Especially since the end-result, a scanned image, is completely useless to CGC and they don't offer it to anyone else. It certainly doesn't cost them anything more to send high-res images instead of a very low-res one.

 

My suggestion: offer scanned images on a pricing tier for different sizes. Also, offer the image for sale to new registered owners of a comic if it has been scanned. It's a win-win for CGC: more money for the same scan.

 

In any case, I'm happy with the results of the grading and know better about the imaging service.

[bagofleas]

I really like that Blackhawk. It's not a series I collect, but it's always cool to get a Pedigreed copy of a book in such good condition!

 

Congrats on those grades!

[Vikingreed]

Nice books, and WTTB!

[Comix4Sale]

That is a very cool set of books to collect. Congrats on your first submissions... But be careful... It's addicting.

 

Btw, I always wait until the books arrive to see the grades. For me it's like Christmas any day of the year they are delivered.

 

James

[Cascaders27]

Getting those first books back is always an expirience. If you submit books in the future now that you know what the wait times really are I bet you'll find it a little eaiser

 

I didn't know they did 33 books with that title banner. Turns out I own one!

[Hellmouth]

I'll never forget my first. Three 9.8 Walking Dead variants that were sold to me as 9.4's. Congrats and welcome to your new addiction!

[Silver Collector]

Hi WillyHawaii,

Very nice books! Thanks for sharing. I can never wait for my books to get back before I peek at the grades. Too stressful .

 

Mike

[surfer99]

I commend you for waiting and congrats in the grades. Thanks for writing. Look forward to your next journal!