After spending a year looking at other UA-camrs who focus on cgc graded books I can still confirm that this guy is the best at cleaning and pressing books bringing them back to that day one fresh off the print condition AMAZING WORK!!
A good idea could be to have some of your own graders notes when you check the grades so you don't have to try and remember what the flaws were that could hold the grade down.
If you ask me, the book should not be counted anything with the additional insert tattoos cards or anything. The book was not produced with tattoos they were at the book was written and then sent to press and tattoos at it. I would love to see that as itdifferent type of a notice other than that green label
A lot of the newsstand copies of ASM 238 were manufactured without Tattooz. My copy, which I bought in a brand new, sealed Marvel Multi-Mags 3 pack in 1982, did not have the insert at all.
ITS ALL A GAMBLE NOW DAYS WITH CGC.....MY NEXT SET OF BOOKS ARE GOING TO CBCS.. JUST TO CHANGE THINGS UP A LITTLE... YOU MY FRIEND ARE ONE OF THE BEST ON YT NOW DAYS.. THANKS FOR ALL THE CONTENT.. HAPPY TIMES YOU GET 5 STARS FROM ME FOR SURE..
Great as always! I do pray that someday you'll fall in love with bronze age horror! 😂 I'd just love to see good works you could perform in that genre! Although getting your hands on quality raw books might be difficult! Have a great weekend!
got a 9.4 on a book with one staple pulled through the cover. so apparently staple pulls are not graded as harshly as other defects. i was very surprised though. it did at least make the notes. also i have multiple FF #252s none of which ever had tattoos and i bought them new
Jim, I just picked up an Avengers 223 at auction after watching this video the other day. It's a CBCS 8.5 signed by Ed Hannigan. I think I got a pretty good deal or right at FMV for $36. After shipping and tax it set be back right at $45.20. Buy the comic not the grade right? It was just a good opportunity I felt. Raw copies around the same condition were going for about what you paid for yours and higher.
I sent in a #238 with a significant staple tear like that, worse even. Has the tattooz in it though, got a 9.2. Had several other defects and with a major staple tear I figured it would be capped at about an 8.0. Guess not. Have sent in three #238's now, all have gotten generous grades, but I am also super conservative on my grading.
That's a good question. I do spend a ridiculous amount of time cleaning and pressing these books, so that they can put their best foot forward to graders... not sure if that's why it seems that way, but who knows. Overall, I think there are more loose larrys than their are harsh harrys. I'd say 40% I get a "normal" grader, 40% a loose one, and 20% a conservative one.
Submissions like these just show that cgc does not know how to grade which is why I stopped submitting and even tho people talk crap about cbcs at least their grades are more accurate for the book I'm buying
Congrats!!! Nothing surprises me with CGC. I look at books constantly and can't figure out how they are coming up with their grades. I just won a 9.6 book on eBay. I've looked it over big time and can't figure out how it got better than a 9.2. CGC is a scam!!! Raw books are the only way to go unless you're buying a mega blue chip key.
@@Comicbookyoutubersrock Yep, most people think they know what a grade should be but have no clue what they are looking at. Especially when a book is encased, how would anyone know if there's any defect within the interior pages without cracking the case open? My opinion of this video is that Jim is ultra conservative with his scoring, way more than most people obviously judging by how he perceives slight color fades and small staple offsets. His scoring of a 9.4 book is what most would consider a 9.8 which is why he receives so many higher scores coming back from CGC. Good on him for being honest though.
@@VileCountry I think your confusing honesty for just a lack of real experience. Anyone can pretend to be a good grader, and as far as I can tell he’s wrong more often than not, on both sides of the spectrum. When the grades come back low, he’s surprised, when they come back higher, he’s surprised. At some point you have to stop assuming this bum knows what he’s talking about and is just inept at grading.
Thanks for the kind words! Grading isn't hard if you are systematic and careful with it. Some people just glance over a book and give a grade. You really have to scrutinize the comic closely at all angles and hit each area of it in turn. Check out my grading tool, it's a bit conservative but pretty much in the ball park 90% of the time. If it says 9.2, you'll probably get 9.0 to 9.4, for example. I'll get back to the streets now 😂
@@ImproveCollectingComics Your grading tool 🤣. Thats a hilarious one. You’re wrong literally every time. If that’s a barometer for good grading, then you need to change your name to “can’t grade for shit comic collecting”. If you spent as much time actually learning how to grade as you did bashing CGC, you might be decent. Luckily for you, you have a company to send your books to get professionally graded as you do all the time, despite constantly whining about the results.
It means it’s a Certified label, they grade the book even if it’s missing inserts, glasses or sometimes even if it has signatures not witnessed by CGC. Kinda BS but they give it a green label instead…. They are about to solve the signature part of the problem but green labels almost always mean a 20 to 30 percent loss on the book overall…
The good thing is that they post high def photos of the books on the certs now.. so it's easy to see what you are getting.. no more guessing games with potato camera photos online anymore.
Jim your nit-picking! Agree or don’t agree it is irrelevant. Your assumptions are validated if the book doesn’t sale. Then the market agrees with you then CGC is wrong at that point.
Another instance of you boasting about slabs that arguably shouldn't be graded 9.8, yet they received that grade nonetheless. It's concerning to see these items potentially being sold with inaccurate grading. This highlights the ongoing issues with CGC grading. Your actions contribute to the challenges collectors face.
first .. he wasn't boasting . second as he said "they're the experts" .. whats he supposed to do ? send it back and ask for a lower grade ? CGC is the problem . His actions are only contributing to the exposure of their poor grading , making collectors MORE AWARE .. It's not adding any challenge except that you should buy the book , not the grade .
There is a range of grading and it has some subjectivity to it. Some guys are looser, some are tighter. But you are right, the grading companies can definitely improve. There needs to be more transparency, more grader's notes, etc. I am an ultra conservative grader myself, but I am trying to adjust to match what CGC and others are doing.. it's just difficult for me. I would say, overall, they are pretty consistent. Typically, they are about 1 grade level higher than me... but almost never anything crazy, and I am sure to highlight it when it happens. The craziest one ever is a 9.2 I received on an ASM 328 that had a big chip out of the front cover. I still have that book and will never sell it. I just show it to people as a conversation piece.
I never get tired of Jim's humble shock whenever he gets a higher than expected grade
After spending a year looking at other UA-camrs who focus on cgc graded books I can still confirm that this guy is the best at cleaning and pressing books bringing them back to that day one fresh off the print condition AMAZING WORK!!
Wow, thanks!
The grading gods were in your favour! I wouldn't have thought that the ASM 238 would be a 9.8... I like how honest you are.
Stunned by the 9.8!
I don't think a book that is incomplete, even if it's a coupon or removable ad, deserves a 9.8 for any reason whatsoever.
sir you are a magician love what u do and i dont even collect comic books
I appreciate that :)
I don't trust cgc or their graders anymore. Your content shows me I have every right to question their business.
Well done.
I had a Web of 32. It also had that splotchy blue area. I think it was just a printer error.
THE DARK LARRY RETURNS!!!
Your reactions are hilarious.
A good idea could be to have some of your own graders notes when you check the grades so you don't have to try and remember what the flaws were that could hold the grade down.
I actually have a notes section on the spreadsheet, and am getting better about notes.. but I still skip that step too often. I'll try to do better.
If you ask me, the book should not be counted anything with the additional insert tattoos cards or anything. The book was not produced with tattoos they were at the book was written and then sent to press and tattoos at it. I would love to see that as itdifferent type of a notice other than that green label
A lot of the newsstand copies of ASM 238 were manufactured without Tattooz. My copy, which I bought in a brand new, sealed Marvel Multi-Mags 3 pack in 1982, did not have the insert at all.
Good to know! Then maybe they should just note it but give a blue label
web 32 is definitely a printer error, I have gotten this book in 9.8 before
Get a FF #252 with tattoos and put them in the Asm #238. Make sure to put the staple back in the way it came out.
My submission coming back Monday. I think loose Larry has hit again. My grades are much higher than what I expected when I used the grader tool.
Great to hear!
I just grabbed an Avengers 223 for the first time a couple weeks ago. Its not perfect but, still a high grade. Good price and happy to have it.
When it comes to you cleaning and pressing the comics, I think they’re getting a 9.8everything single time. Great submission.!
Thats last one is a keeper for sure.
The Legend continues.......
Congratulations. Wow another great one
CGC grades keys harder than just any regular "ASM" comic. See...Secret Wars got knocked lower to 9.6...
CBCS Rogue Grader in the house!
ITS ALL A GAMBLE NOW DAYS WITH CGC.....MY NEXT SET OF BOOKS ARE GOING TO CBCS.. JUST TO CHANGE THINGS UP A LITTLE... YOU MY FRIEND ARE ONE OF THE BEST ON YT NOW DAYS.. THANKS FOR ALL THE CONTENT.. HAPPY TIMES YOU GET 5 STARS FROM ME FOR SURE..
I agree tartuffethespry, especially with the X-men book Jim did for a friend. Thought I’d have to call 911! Love the content.
I just got an Omega Men 3 back in a 9.8 that had insane color rub on the back. I think we both got Loose Larry, that guy has to be drinking on the job
Avengers 196 also have spots of inks missing. Same with Wolverine 3 by Miller.
Great as always! I do pray that someday you'll fall in love with bronze age horror! 😂
I'd just love to see good works you could perform in that genre! Although getting your hands on quality raw books might be difficult!
Have a great weekend!
I love those old horror books, but I am most comfortable working on coppers. I'll look for some of those, any particular titles that you suggest?
Nice books, some ideas to add to my collection
I want your grader!
got a 9.4 on a book with one staple pulled through the cover. so apparently staple pulls are not graded as harshly as other defects. i was very surprised though. it did at least make the notes. also i have multiple FF #252s none of which ever had tattoos and i bought them new
Jim, I just picked up an Avengers 223 at auction after watching this video the other day. It's a CBCS 8.5 signed by Ed Hannigan. I think I got a pretty good deal or right at FMV for $36. After shipping and tax it set be back right at $45.20. Buy the comic not the grade right? It was just a good opportunity I felt. Raw copies around the same condition were going for about what you paid for yours and higher.
Sounds like a good deal for sure!
I sent in a #238 with a significant staple tear like that, worse even. Has the tattooz in it though, got a 9.2. Had several other defects and with a major staple tear I figured it would be capped at about an 8.0. Guess not. Have sent in three #238's now, all have gotten generous grades, but I am also super conservative on my grading.
congrats on the grades. i forgot to write that. let me know when you send. i'll send mine with yours now
Just uploaded a video showing results from my first cgc Submission!
I'll check it out!
How do you get these loose grader man. It pisses me off when these books pass and I get super strict graders that fail my books
It’s luck of the draw 😂😂😂😂
That's a good question. I do spend a ridiculous amount of time cleaning and pressing these books, so that they can put their best foot forward to graders... not sure if that's why it seems that way, but who knows. Overall, I think there are more loose larrys than their are harsh harrys. I'd say 40% I get a "normal" grader, 40% a loose one, and 20% a conservative one.
Does anyone else think they are now giving higher grades generally to start giving more 9.9s and 10s?
NEVER BUY 9.9-10 grades. No difference to a 9.6-9.8
I hope not
Submissions like these just show that cgc does not know how to grade which is why I stopped submitting and even tho people talk crap about cbcs at least their grades are more accurate for the book I'm buying
Congrats!!! Nothing surprises me with CGC. I look at books constantly and can't figure out how they are coming up with their grades. I just won a 9.6 book on eBay. I've looked it over big time and can't figure out how it got better than a 9.2. CGC is a scam!!! Raw books are the only way to go unless you're buying a mega blue chip key.
You can’t figure out grades because you don’t know how to grade. It has nothing to do with CGC.
@@Comicbookyoutubersrock Yep, most people think they know what a grade should be but have no clue what they are looking at. Especially when a book is encased, how would anyone know if there's any defect within the interior pages without cracking the case open?
My opinion of this video is that Jim is ultra conservative with his scoring, way more than most people obviously judging by how he perceives slight color fades and small staple offsets. His scoring of a 9.4 book is what most would consider a 9.8 which is why he receives so many higher scores coming back from CGC. Good on him for being honest though.
@@VileCountry I think your confusing honesty for just a lack of real experience. Anyone can pretend to be a good grader, and as far as I can tell he’s wrong more often than not, on both sides of the spectrum. When the grades come back low, he’s surprised, when they come back higher, he’s surprised. At some point you have to stop assuming this bum knows what he’s talking about and is just inept at grading.
Thanks for the kind words! Grading isn't hard if you are systematic and careful with it. Some people just glance over a book and give a grade. You really have to scrutinize the comic closely at all angles and hit each area of it in turn. Check out my grading tool, it's a bit conservative but pretty much in the ball park 90% of the time. If it says 9.2, you'll probably get 9.0 to 9.4, for example. I'll get back to the streets now 😂
@@ImproveCollectingComics Your grading tool 🤣. Thats a hilarious one. You’re wrong literally every time. If that’s a barometer for good grading, then you need to change your name to “can’t grade for shit comic collecting”. If you spent as much time actually learning how to grade as you did bashing CGC, you might be decent. Luckily for you, you have a company to send your books to get professionally graded as you do all the time, despite constantly whining about the results.
What. The. Fuck. Green label 9.8?!?!??!? I have two of these one with and one without. So weird!
I don’t know why there would be color fade on the back
Good point, so maybe it is a production thing
What does the green label mean.
It means it’s a Certified label, they grade the book even if it’s missing inserts, glasses or sometimes even if it has signatures not witnessed by CGC. Kinda BS but they give it a green label instead…. They are about to solve the signature part of the problem but green labels almost always mean a 20 to 30 percent loss on the book overall…
I don't believe color fading is taken into account much. I have seen books with a lot of color fading and still get grades into the 9.0s.
@improve-collecting comics, what is the grading tool that you use to help estimate the grades of your comics that you often reference in your videos?
It's one I created, I put a link in the description of my videos
Will you sell the books at a 9.8 value if you clearly don’t agree with the grade?
I typically price them below FMV and provide excellent pictures so they can buy the book and not the grade. I also have a very generous return policy.
Its really hard for me to trust any high graded book graded in the past couple of years. This is a prime example of why
The good thing is that they post high def photos of the books on the certs now.. so it's easy to see what you are getting.. no more guessing games with potato camera photos online anymore.
"upside"
Jim your nit-picking! Agree or don’t agree it is irrelevant. Your assumptions are validated if the book doesn’t sale. Then the market agrees with you then CGC is wrong at that point.
Wow that's a good point...
Buy a cheap book with the tattoos and use your expertise to "stick" them into the book. I hear gorilla glue comes in a clear color...
you dont need glue
Only works if the sleeve isn't missing
Another instance of you boasting about slabs that arguably shouldn't be graded 9.8, yet they received that grade nonetheless. It's concerning to see these items potentially being sold with inaccurate grading. This highlights the ongoing issues with CGC grading. Your actions contribute to the challenges collectors face.
first .. he wasn't boasting . second as he said "they're the experts" .. whats he supposed to do ? send it back and ask for a lower grade ? CGC is the problem . His actions are only contributing to the exposure of their poor grading , making collectors MORE AWARE .. It's not adding any challenge except that you should buy the book , not the grade .
@@RobertWeir What you said. 👍
There is a range of grading and it has some subjectivity to it. Some guys are looser, some are tighter. But you are right, the grading companies can definitely improve. There needs to be more transparency, more grader's notes, etc. I am an ultra conservative grader myself, but I am trying to adjust to match what CGC and others are doing.. it's just difficult for me. I would say, overall, they are pretty consistent. Typically, they are about 1 grade level higher than me... but almost never anything crazy, and I am sure to highlight it when it happens. The craziest one ever is a 9.2 I received on an ASM 328 that had a big chip out of the front cover. I still have that book and will never sell it. I just show it to people as a conversation piece.