This is really irresponsible of CGC. How do you miss that many color breaking spine tics? It’s also going to have an effect on how people grade books. If CGC is consistently going to overgrade books people will think that a book like this deserves the 9.2. If it’s fine I’d be very surprised.
3 Likes
That’s a bit generous for a Modern 9.2.
Those aren’t just minor spine tics; they’re pretty darn pronounced - all of them
3 Likes
Maybe it wasn’t there before grading. Maybe it got damaged at the encapsulation stage. @ToddW, were those spine ticks there prior before sending it to CGC?
2 Likes
It’s just a book I ran across on eBay. I was going to buy it until I looked at it. I’ve seen far to many flaws given the grades. If you went by overstreets grading definitions that book would be much lower in grade.
1 Like
My NM98 I submitted to CBCS has 2 barely visible spine tics and it got a 9.2. That book looks like it may have fingerprints, smudges or color rub all over it as well. It’s a hard find in real high grade given the black cover.
Someday they’ll do a Darkness series and I’ll be setup really well. A sex addicted mafia hitman who can produce whatever his mind can imagine in “demons”. Only works in the dark and if he has sex and impregnates a woman he dies.
2 Likes
A possible speculation… It appears that the last 2-3 years, CGC has been grading tougher for 9.8, but it seems to be more on “KEY” issue aka ASM 300, BA12, NM98 or so on. Other “worthless” modern issue seems to be given easier time when it comes to grading (or simply grades by 1 grader instead of the 3 graders as advertise).
And that is the issue; inconsistency. If there is no parity, then you may as well grade your own books and put a sticky note on it. You can just send me $25 a book for this kind PSA. 
3 Likes
How old a book is shouldn’t even factor in. All books should be graded using the same standards. You can’t relax on grading just because it’s a old book.
3 Likes
My sources tell me that any books post 2000 are graded by the new CGC interns.
2 Likes
I generally do not purchase graded books as I trust myself, my friends, boardies, much more than the grading companies…
I’m paying 2x, 3x, 4x the amount for what again? Nope… not doing it.
1 Like
Blind CGC interns.
3 Likes
I think you have to judge each book individually. You need to look at the book, request additional pics and ask the seller about any flaws. It’s unfortunate but it looks like they’re overwhelmed at CGC and the quality is suffering.
1 Like
Are you joking, or do you actually have a reliable source that has first hand knowledge of what’s happening?
Yes. Do NOT assume it’s graded correctly. Verify visually as best you can before buying.
I typically will buy a modern book in 9.6 grade for the pc, and I’ve returned several cgc books in recent years after getting them in hand and realizing numerous flaws were present that should not have been allowed on a 9.6.
I’ve found myself scanning raw books now since they typically have better pictures than graded books. Not to mention cheaper if they’re floppy. Just gotta check with the seller they ship in Gemini or similar containers.
2 Likes
I often wonder - if we, the consumer, are grading a graded book; why not just grade and purchase a raw book for exponentially less?
I know there will be answers for it; but quite frankly it still makes my head explode
3 Likes
Are you serious? I also heard/ was told by that as a CGC employee, they can’t partake in comic collectible due to conflict of interest, but someone over customer service told me that they collect and grades comic book.
??? Lot of … ???
1 Like
That sounds like a noble intention, yet also like someone working at a car dealership who doesn’t drive.
3 Likes
Seller advertise as 9.0-9.2, buyer decide to grade the book.
Keys are graded more scrutiny versus non-key. So it seems…then again everything is NM. Guess that why grading company exist… Its like everyone complains about the police, then everyone also complain that they wish the police were there when they get robbed… Choices…
Got these back from CGC. Wish they were 9.8s but what can you do. Both were cleaned and pressed before submitting
