To Clean And Press Or Not?

[RobHW]

This might be a newbie question but should I have comics sent to CGC for grading include the clean and press option? My comics are from the early to mid 70's and have not been graded. But I bought most of them from the drug store and treated them with care so mostly they look nice - what we called excellent to mint back in those days. But I see that a tiny bump in grade makes a big difference.

[IndySportsCards]

It's really a case by case issue. If they're high dollar books and you're in no hurry, let CGC press 'em if you see any page bend, dents, bumps, crinkles.. it does make a HUGE difference in value with your graded books.

[rainmaker]

what are the key books you have? from there we can help determine if its worth the time. pressing a giant size xmen that may be a 7.0 and turning into an 8.5 is well worth it. To be fair there unless its a bump to 9.6 or 9.8 most books from the 70s aren't really worth the time and costs.

[RobHW]

Conan the Barbarian 1 through 50. Thor 130 through 165. Nova 1 and 2. Silver Surfer 1 through 18.

[bleh]

conan #1, nova #1, ss #1, ss #3, and ss#4 would be candidates to grade for me. if you had pictures, it would help too. i generally don't press/dry clean books if the defects are greater than the non-defects.

defects: rusty staple, color breaking ticks and/or folds, tears, rounded corners, stains
non-defects: anything non-color breaking like a light fold, spine roll, coffee mug imprint ()

also, send me a PM if you want to sell that ss #4. it's my favorite cover of all time

[blackbears86]

It's really hard to answer your question without pics.

What bleh mentioned above are good recommendations, but others could also be worth it like Conan #4 and #24, and some of the other Silver surfer issues.

It all depends on the defect of each specific book.

[jduds]

Wasn't/isn't there someone on here that does cleaning and pressing along with submitting? I've got a few I'm getting ready to send off and was wondering if I should just use CGCs services or use one of the outside guys.

[bleh]

Originally Posted by jduds

Wasn't/isn't there someone on here that does cleaning and pressing along with submitting? I've got a few I'm getting ready to send off and was wondering if I should just use CGCs services or use one of the outside guys.

CGC's turnaround time is terrible right now, CCS (pressing services) included!

[jduds]

Originally Posted by bleh

CGC's turnaround time is terrible right now, CCS (pressing services) included!

Nothing I am submitting needs to be turned around quickly, but how long are they delayed? If they are meeting their stated delayed times on their website that's nothing compared to cards. I've been surprised at CBCS prices realized on Ebay recently and have been wondering about them, but all my books are in CGC holders and I remember there was some reason I didn't trust CBCS, but don't recall what it was. It might've just been that they used to sell horribly.

[IndySportsCards]

Originally Posted by jduds

Nothing I am submitting needs to be turned around quickly, but how long are they delayed? If they are meeting their stated delayed times on their website that's nothing compared to cards. I've been surprised at CBCS prices realized on Ebay recently and have been wondering about them, but all my books are in CGC holders and I remember there was some reason I didn't trust CBCS, but don't recall what it was. It might've just been that they used to sell horribly.

They're backed up on everything, from receiving orders, to checking orders in, to pressing, to pre-screening them, to shipping them. I don't think they really understood what the effects of both taking all con-signings in house, as well as opening up to card grading would do to their existing business.

They do however get things done but just takes much longer now. They won't give you actual times either, just "estimates" that constantly change and there is no real accountability other than you'll eventually get your stuff back.

It's always been that way with CGC but in the past turnaround times were not this bad. It's also not surprising to hear that a buddy who submitted comics 3 weeks ago already got his back. They make mistakes in how/who/which orders they grade, and it's not necessarily 1st in, 1st out either. I've just learned to deal with it and be patient as I believe CGC is the PSA of comics in regards to resale value, so the wait is worth it.

[jduds]

Originally Posted by IndySportsCards

They're backed up on everything, from receiving orders, to checking orders in, to pressing, to pre-screening them, to shipping them. I don't think they really understood what the effects of both taking all con-signings in house, as well as opening up to card grading would do to their existing business.

They do however get things done but just takes much longer now. They won't give you actual times either, just "estimates" that constantly change and there is no real accountability other than you'll eventually get your stuff back.

It's always been that way with CGC but in the past turnaround times were not this bad. It's also not surprising to hear that a buddy who submitted comics 3 weeks ago already got his back. They make mistakes in how/who/which orders they grade, and it's not necessarily 1st in, 1st out either. I've just learned to deal with it and be patient as I believe CGC is the PSA of comics in regards to resale value, so the wait is worth it.

That's kind of what I figured. CBCS looks backed up as well and I'd prefer CGC. Most of what I want to submit are PC books that I'm not worried about how long it takes or books that I think will continue to go up in value so a delay should work in my favor anyways,