Okay guys explain how CGC works and how much it costs.

Burt-Reynolds · 01-21-2013, 07:53 PM

i haven't collected comics since the early mid 2k's. books are just too expensive to buy, especially considering the fact that they are worth less than half of cover a week later. i loved reading and the art, and still keep up a little on the internet.

thinking about getting back in the game though, particularly with silver and bronze age stuff. i want to buy high grade raw books to get graded myself, some to flip and some to keep. so i'm looking for a primer to get back in the game. anyone got some good advice or websites to point me to?

i looked at cgc's website and see the price levels, is it really that expensive to grade books? is there discounts or group submissions i should look for? can you get them slabbed same day at conventions and shows? i'm thinking about going to sdcc this summer is it cheaper to do it there? so many questions i know, lol.

kyleg40 · 01-21-2013, 07:55 PM

I would love to help, but I can't figure out their cost. I send mine to indy to get graded, evidently you can grab em at a convention and pay them there..And on the 6th thursday of every month its free?

Burt-Reynolds · 01-21-2013, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyleg40

I would love to help, but I can't figure out their cost. I send mine to indy to get graded, evidently you can grab em at a convention and pay them there..And on the 6th thursday of every month its free?

yeah they're pricing level is a little confusing based on the website. not sure why they make it look so complicated.

kyleg40 · 01-21-2013, 08:03 PM

Or maybe its just us..I got so confused on Desert Winds site. I called em about getting graded and signed and cost. It should just be a flat rate. I know Indy said they are just now getting to comics sent last Sept..He does Quick turnaround..I would ask Indy

Burt-Reynolds · 01-21-2013, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyleg40

Or maybe its just us..I got so confused on Desert Winds site. I called em about getting graded and signed and cost. It should just be a flat rate. I know Indy said they are just now getting to comics sent last Sept..He does Quick turnaround..I would ask Indy

k, hopefully he will post in this thread and shed a little light.

John91C · 01-21-2013, 09:11 PM

it's not that complicated...

This page shows you the different levels you can join:

Join CGC / Collectors Society

If you submit submit 10-12 books/year it's cheaper to do the premium level because you get 4 free submissions.

As far as costs regarding grading comics: the comic you grade has to fall into a certain category: modern tier (1980-present) costs $18/comic + shipping fees (both ways) + insurance fees (both ways). Add $10/comic if you want modern fast track (graded in 10 business days).

There are other tiers depending on how much your comic is worth and how fast you want them graded.

I usually wait until my local comic convention that way I can just drop in comics and avoid my shipping/insurance cost and only have to pay for grading and return shipping/insurance.

IndySportsCards · 01-21-2013, 09:33 PM

Pretty much what John said. I have a membership which I renew yearly, which costs me roughly $200 a year, forget the exact amount, but it's around there.

When I send in books for guys here, I can do that because I am a member and am allowed to submit books through my account. I charge what it costs per book, shipping/insurance and source material when I do a group grading for the guys here, or if someone wants to send in a modern post-1981 book on Fast Track (Which is roughly 3-4 weeks turnaround total time) @50 a book, or $40 a book for their slower service which is running 4-5 months. Books older than 1981, or above $300 in value costs more to grade because CGC charges more for insurance on those books. My last Walking Dead #19 ended up costing nearly $60 in fees alone to grade as it came in a 9.8.

So basically if you have a high dollar book that grades high, CGC costs even more than the standard $28 fee, they double it, at least they did with that book. I fear my Spider-Man #300 I have in with them might cost me a little more should it grade high.

John91C · 01-21-2013, 09:43 PM

I always thought the "value" of the comic was determined at a "pre-graded" value.

Also at conventions you don't have to have a cgc account to turn in comics to get graded. The advantage of being a cgc member means you can track your submission and you get a slight discount.

IndySportsCards · 01-21-2013, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John91C

I always thought the "value" of the comic was determined at a "pre-graded" value.

Also at conventions you don't have to have a cgc account to turn in comics to get graded. The advantage of being a cgc member means you can track your submission and you get a slight discount.

I think it's supposed to be John, but I had never sent in a book that graded that high, so I overlooked that and they back-billed me the difference. I think I prefer it that way.

Burt-Reynolds · 01-21-2013, 10:03 PM

thanks for the responses. i am looking at grading mostly silver and bronze age books as that is what i'm most interested in collecting and flipping. so i'm guessing if i go this route i can be expecting to pay 50 bucks or more per book for grading right? so in the case of grading older books you need to make absolutely sure on the conditioning right? i don't want anything worse than 8's on my slabs, it seems like anything less and you actually lose money on grading these books depending what you paid raw. am i somewhat on base here with this thought?

IndySportsCards · 01-21-2013, 10:41 PM

You are correct, and that's why you see high-grade stuff go for such crazy prices.

Scottie · 01-22-2013, 07:27 AM

Is there anyone on these forums with experience of sending to CGC from the UK?

I live in Scotland and there is no option locally to get grading done so I was thinking of becoming a member myself but I would need to be 100% sure on all my submissions with the cost of postage as well as grading process itself.

Most of my stuff is modern too so hoping that turnarounds wouldn't take too long to get from UK>USA>UK.

IndySportsCards · 01-22-2013, 09:30 AM

I can look into shipping info and get back to you as to what it would cost. It's gonna cost a bit more shipping back to you though, but shouldn't be too horrible. Australia is horrible, England/UK/Scotland area not so bad

chalado · 01-22-2013, 10:21 AM

I think the best option would be to find a bunch of people in your area who want to submit. I know a couple people in Australia who do that. It helps with the shipping costs.

Optiflex · 09-05-2014, 11:37 PM

A quick look at Ebay's previous sales shows a high amount of a certain grade of a hot comic that supposedly there's only 20 known copies of rated at 9.9, I think there might be a few fakes running around? When a comic from this era starts going for 6- $8000 I'm thinking the counterfeiters start licking their chops!

If this ever gets exposed...the bottom falls right out on this.

longisland · 09-06-2014, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optiflex

A quick look at Ebay's previous sales shows a high amount of a certain grade of a hot comic that supposedly there's only 20 known copies of rated at 9.9, I think there might be a few fakes running around? When a comic from this era starts going for 6- $8000 I'm thinking the counterfeiters start licking their chops!

If this ever gets exposed...the bottom falls right out on this.

Hi! Welcome to the boards!

Can you be more specific about the book you are discussing?

Carrbeaz · 09-06-2014, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longisland

Hi! Welcome to the boards!

Can you be more specific about the book you are discussing?

New Mutants 98

Gibberish · 09-06-2014, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optiflex

A quick look at Ebay's previous sales shows a high amount of a certain grade of a hot comic that supposedly there's only 20 known copies of rated at 9.9, I think there might be a few fakes running around? When a comic from this era starts going for 6- $8000 I'm thinking the counterfeiters start licking their chops!

If this ever gets exposed...the bottom falls right out on this.

It's because grades can be assigned based on financial output by the customer.
People call it a "Red herring" but there are far too many examples out there of 9.8-9.9 that are 9.4-9.6.
The book you mentioned......how bad would things get for you, before you would stoop to "Harmless" duplicity ? Because that would be how the person whom slabbed it would view it. "Subjective" negates criminal activity

Without going and spending a few hours searching for examples, I will pluck 1 and wait for the "Everyone makes mistakes" remarks or "Things get over looked" or"It may have happened when being slabbed and they didn't want to say a thing"

An excuse could cover a book here and there,but it's fairly common.
It is no different than the sports card grading issues. A guy spending $20k on grading gets a lot of leeway. Reasoning cash is king and grading is "Subjective"

This was on their forums a while back.

Reflect that the difference between a 9.8 and a 9.9 WD #1 is literally THOUSANDS....Several thousands

It is all about the money. Most of you slab...for the value. They slab, for the money. It is a market that is driven, mostly, by people trying to make a buck......and it is self regulated,"Subjective" and therefore there is no corruption on a legal stand point...just a "Subjective" issue.

Slabbing is a persons choice. I think it is silly, but that is my choice as well.

rw0926 · 01-11-2015, 06:47 AM

So much good info for a beginner in this thread.

01-21-2013, 09:11 PM	#6
John91C Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Deep in the Heart of TEXAS! Posts: 5,657 joyoo	it's not that complicated... This page shows you the different levels you can join: Join CGC / Collectors Society If you submit submit 10-12 books/year it's cheaper to do the premium level because you get 4 free submissions. As far as costs regarding grading comics: the comic you grade has to fall into a certain category: modern tier (1980-present) costs $18/comic + shipping fees (both ways) + insurance fees (both ways). Add $10/comic if you want modern fast track (graded in 10 business days). There are other tiers depending on how much your comic is worth and how fast you want them graded. I usually wait until my local comic convention that way I can just drop in comics and avoid my shipping/insurance cost and only have to pay for grading and return shipping/insurance. __________________ Photobucket (not always up to date): http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t199/John91C/

01-21-2013, 09:33 PM	#7
IndySportsCards Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: EO 13848 Posts: 42,013 braco0 IndySportsCards	Pretty much what John said. I have a membership which I renew yearly, which costs me roughly $200 a year, forget the exact amount, but it's around there. When I send in books for guys here, I can do that because I am a member and am allowed to submit books through my account. I charge what it costs per book, shipping/insurance and source material when I do a group grading for the guys here, or if someone wants to send in a modern post-1981 book on Fast Track (Which is roughly 3-4 weeks turnaround total time) @50 a book, or $40 a book for their slower service which is running 4-5 months. Books older than 1981, or above $300 in value costs more to grade because CGC charges more for insurance on those books. My last Walking Dead #19 ended up costing nearly $60 in fees alone to grade as it came in a 9.8. So basically if you have a high dollar book that grades high, CGC costs even more than the standard $28 fee, they double it, at least they did with that book. I fear my Spider-Man #300 I have in with them might cost me a little more should it grade high. __________________ Most people would rather be in the majority, than be right.

01-21-2013, 09:43 PM	#8
John91C Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Deep in the Heart of TEXAS! Posts: 5,657 joyoo	I always thought the "value" of the comic was determined at a "pre-graded" value. Also at conventions you don't have to have a cgc account to turn in comics to get graded. The advantage of being a cgc member means you can track your submission and you get a slight discount. __________________ Photobucket (not always up to date): http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t199/John91C/

01-21-2013, 10:41 PM	#11
IndySportsCards Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: EO 13848 Posts: 42,013 braco0 IndySportsCards	You are correct, and that's why you see high-grade stuff go for such crazy prices. __________________ Most people would rather be in the majority, than be right.

01-22-2013, 09:30 AM	#13
IndySportsCards Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: EO 13848 Posts: 42,013 braco0 IndySportsCards	I can look into shipping info and get back to you as to what it would cost. It's gonna cost a bit more shipping back to you though, but shouldn't be too horrible. Australia is horrible, England/UK/Scotland area not so bad __________________ Most people would rather be in the majority, than be right.

01-21-2013, 07:53 PM	#1
Burt-Reynolds Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 5,390	Okay guys explain how CGC works and how much it costs. i haven't collected comics since the early mid 2k's. books are just too expensive to buy, especially considering the fact that they are worth less than half of cover a week later. i loved reading and the art, and still keep up a little on the internet. thinking about getting back in the game though, particularly with silver and bronze age stuff. i want to buy high grade raw books to get graded myself, some to flip and some to keep. so i'm looking for a primer to get back in the game. anyone got some good advice or websites to point me to? i looked at cgc's website and see the price levels, is it really that expensive to grade books? is there discounts or group submissions i should look for? can you get them slabbed same day at conventions and shows? i'm thinking about going to sdcc this summer is it cheaper to do it there? so many questions i know, lol.

01-21-2013, 07:55 PM	#2
kyleg40 Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Huffman, Texas Posts: 4,291	I would love to help, but I can't figure out their cost. I send mine to indy to get graded, evidently you can grab em at a convention and pay them there..And on the 6th thursday of every month its free?

01-21-2013, 08:03 PM	#4
kyleg40 Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Huffman, Texas Posts: 4,291	Or maybe its just us..I got so confused on Desert Winds site. I called em about getting graded and signed and cost. It should just be a flat rate. I know Indy said they are just now getting to comics sent last Sept..He does Quick turnaround..I would ask Indy

01-21-2013, 10:03 PM	#10
Burt-Reynolds Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 5,390	thanks for the responses. i am looking at grading mostly silver and bronze age books as that is what i'm most interested in collecting and flipping. so i'm guessing if i go this route i can be expecting to pay 50 bucks or more per book for grading right? so in the case of grading older books you need to make absolutely sure on the conditioning right? i don't want anything worse than 8's on my slabs, it seems like anything less and you actually lose money on grading these books depending what you paid raw. am i somewhat on base here with this thought?

01-22-2013, 07:27 AM	#12
Scottie Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland, UK Posts: 543	Is there anyone on these forums with experience of sending to CGC from the UK? I live in Scotland and there is no option locally to get grading done so I was thinking of becoming a member myself but I would need to be 100% sure on all my submissions with the cost of postage as well as grading process itself. Most of my stuff is modern too so hoping that turnarounds wouldn't take too long to get from UK>USA>UK.

01-22-2013, 10:21 AM	#14
chalado Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,432	I think the best option would be to find a bunch of people in your area who want to submit. I know a couple people in Australia who do that. It helps with the shipping costs.

09-05-2014, 11:37 PM	#15
Optiflex Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 1	A quick look at Ebay's previous sales shows a high amount of a certain grade of a hot comic that supposedly there's only 20 known copies of rated at 9.9, I think there might be a few fakes running around? When a comic from this era starts going for 6- $8000 I'm thinking the counterfeiters start licking their chops! If this ever gets exposed...the bottom falls right out on this.

01-11-2015, 06:47 AM	#19
rw0926 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Burlington, Canada Posts: 1,766 rwica.mhp5rp2rk	So much good info for a beginner in this thread.