Oh... the looks on your face. You did a much better job of keeping your sh*t together than I would have been able to. Glad you saved this for a live reveal. The expressions say more than words. Sorry to see this man. Really feel for you.
As a newer (after a 30 year break) collector, and only beginning to think about getting some books graded. It's stories like these (and all the others I've seen on youtube) that make me truly question the point of sending anything to CGC, ever.
Same boat (25 year hiatus, just jumped back in a year ago). Problem being, I read up on the same problems with CGC. So, I sent my first two submissions to CBCS and I'm now at 7 months and nada. Just a bad time to get into slabbing....
Thanks for posting this video. I’m pissed for you. I don’t know if many people would post themselves getting kicked in the gonads repeatedly by CGC like this and so hats off for showing how incredibly incompetent CGC has become. Grading is subjective and is one thing but those other errors are inexcusable. If Blackstone could just see how bad the Company they purchased has become you can only hope they would cut some heads and clean house in order to protect their investment before it totally falls apart. Anyway, hope your karma turns around in the next batch you get back.
CGC has been weird with their grading. I cracked a 9.2 and had it pressed as the grader notes only showed pressable defects. That book came back at 8.5 with still pressable defects in the notes. I agree with you, the pressers are asleep or CGC graders are eating mushrooms.
That’s a brutal unpacking. Really disappointed in CGC. Here’s my 2 cents: many of you guys still support them by sending those books to them. I recently tried some CBCS slabs and slab itself is really solid, book description is always actually with all details and on point and the price is not that big as blank no description modern CGCs. The only flaw is probably top logo with grade, but I bet you can live with that. Stop supporting the company you don’t like with your hard earned money - that’s how competition works. Thank you for blind unpacking.
@@MintHunterComics they are indeed decent. My bet is many will switch to CBCS for many reasons: either it’s time, money or look of the slab itself. Or the market itself will force them to, then we’ll probably see some changes to such giant as CGS. You are truly a brave and modern collector that doesn’t fear to discover new stuff - wow! Waiting for your CBCS slabs unpacking soon enough, I hope ;)
@@PORECHKA Kinda what happened with Diamond, where companies got sick of using them, Diamond didn't change, so companies went elsewhere. I'm at the point where I have no problem buying something already slabbed, but really don't want to get any of my books slabbed because of stuff like this (plus, as I've said before they screwed up the label on my X-Men #1 graded a 4.5 and put a Spider-man label on it, then tried to say it was my fault, as if I don't know the difference...after that just didn't trust them anymore).
I've been with CBCS for years...but he even called the 100 "not a 9.8 but most likely in the 9s" in the vid from 11 months ago...assuming it's the exact same trio of Xmen...guess it could be a different exaxt trio..heh. sounds like he was just getting more mad with the grades and started slighting the pressers to me... I actually don't like CGC.. but this collector's hope for 9.8s seems a bit unrealistic.. even for CGC who is much looser with grades.
Maaaaaan, they did you dirty on some of those. Sorry dude, that sucks. I just had a similar thing happen with two books I just got back. Also, I literally laughed out loud when you said “awwwww” 😂 here’s to hoping the next submission is better!🍻
I know you like to use CCS for your pressing, but they really don’t know what they’re doing and I’ve heard way more horror stories than positives from them. Definitely go through some of the incredible pressers that are out there!!!
This is what happen when CGC hold on to them books for over 12 months.. Last mins grading there with all 9.6 and below... Man u have lot of patient there... Me probably throw everything across the room..!!! 🤣
Wonder if sitting around in a warehouse for a year (temp/humidity) affects the books while they're waiting for processing. Also, everything is "subjective" when it comes to grading. Btw, your thumbnail is awesome....
I stopped using CCS grading a long time ago as I takes forever to get your books back from them with the service. I’’m glad you got a least one 9.8 but man that was rough. I would call and complain about the 9.0 books that were slabbed, you will probably receive some credit for that stuff
This was brutal. 😣 I’m sorry brotha. At least you kept your cool and you got some great books slabbed! That Green Lantern 9.8 felt good. Thanks for sharing with us. Hoping that next weeks books are nothing but 9.8s. 🤘🏼🥵
Those were brutal grades. I had some books pressed by CCS, including a Swamp Thing #37 that they nearly popped the staple out. Last time for that, I do my own pressing now.
I had a similar unboxing. It was upsetting. Then I went to Instagram and saw a CGC post with Scott Campbell and the CGC employees displaying over 50 9.9 graded books. So mad 😡
This is making me lose faith in CGC. I sent my first order to them in November of last year and have since sent 3 more for the signature series. Hopefully I won't be disappointed. I also sent 2 to CBCS to compare turn around times and quality. If CBCS offered custom labels they may see more of my money.
I'm actually think this is the fault of CCS - not even so much CGC. CGC sometimes grades very harshly - it just comes with the territory, but most of these books clearly weren't pressed when I asked CCS to do them.
Signature Series books come back fairly quickly. That's why regular submissions take so long. 🤣 I sent two books into CBCS for signature verification back in November and took 9 days door to door. I have plenty of books at CGC right now. My motto is, just send em and forget about em.
Signature series are automatically expedited. I did the three jokers one, and it was shipped back to me one month after that last signature was put on the books.
Might need a new press service. I sent a 8.5 xmen 101 encapsulated for Claremont signing last year. Had cgc press it and they clipped the corner and it came back a 6.5!
With the amount of product you are feeding them i cant believe they are not making sure things are absolutely on point with what your requests are! You handled that well live on camera. Id be going bananas!
Again, with this video, you highlight another issue I have that I thought I'd never see talked about or even slabbed: ASM 187. Great story, and I absolutely love the page where Electro destroys the power station. Great job, and keep those post it notes in check.
I don't know how to stayed calm through all that! I was mad just watching it! That sucks man :(. Getting worried about the books I'm waiting on... I had already considered trying CBCS out, maybe it's time I finally give them a shot. I was already frustrated with CGC's archaic billing practices that are inexcusably bad for any modern company.
@@MintHunterComics Sadly I have one submission in for 5 matrix comics that should range from maybe 9.0 to 9.6+. I want to say I submitted them maybe 1-2 weeks before seeing one of your older videos saying not to do that, LOL. Luckily 2 of them are for gifts to friends I saw the movie with when it came out back in 1999 so grade doesn't matter that much and I planned on keeping one for my collection. However, I planned on selling 2 of them to cover some of the cost of grading them and other stuff and this definitely has me worried :(.
Watching the frustration build little by little as the video progresses was absolute comedy. Hats off to you man. Hopefully the next submission goes better, but these type of videos are always entertaining as well.
I know this video is almost a year old now, but man... if ever there was a video recapping some of the major issues of CGC during the pandemic years this was it!!!
I was considering sending in my MS5 CGC 8.5 to get pressed and re-graded, but not anymore. The notes show that there are definitely some pressable defects, but I'm not going to take any chances at the moment.
yeah with a book like that, better off to wait and see if things settle down later. Plus right now, you have no idea who is pressing your books....I mean, they did announce they hired a bunch of new employees, but the question remains....did they train them properly??
Seems like it’s a good idea to either start pressing your own books or finding a 3rd party presser if their pressing services are jacking up your books. Real sorry you didn’t get the grades you where looking for on a lot of the books.
Love the custom labels... wish we had some Spawn, Ninja Turtles and DC labels as well. My thing now with the time and how lazy CGC is getting. I have just been buying 9.0s-9.6 already graded. Selling raw copies for around the price of a 8.5-9.0. With the 3-6 month wait time + 30-40 for press/grade/shipping. Just cheaper to get it already graded.
Last week I finally received a book back that was at CGC since October 2020. It’s a silver age key that was signed as part of their signature series and was also pressed by CCS. It was submitted already encapsulated by CGC and it actually got a grade bump down when I got it back.
Wow... they screwed up big time, one of many reasons why I don't want to send my books to get graded. They shoot up and cost and they mess up people's books.
I’m wondering how 1)all these new graders that were hired will get skilled up 2)all the new employees that are pressing at CCS will get skilled up and stop sinking your staples 3) since this submission is so old the quick press CCS had to have been done and many of the imperfections most likely came back
*holy moley my brother... you rock dude... just gotta ask... how did you age your photo of yourself so convincingly... it really looks like it could be a real photo of you in 30 years... I couldn't stop staring at it for a few minutes in amazement... your video brings out why I probably will never use any of these grading services... it appears to have grown into one big scam to screw up the whole comic collecting industry... I will just stay RAW with my books...don't care for the slabs anyhow... mylar bags are fine by me... and as always... once corporate gets a hold of ANYTHING... they ruin it forever... and this looks like no exception here... but anyhoo... gotta say... you are one of the BEST comic info channels on the web... appreciate all you do for us fans brother... God Bless...*
@@MintHunterComics *well hot damn dude... it looks soooo legit...you should use it in other places... lol... just keep doing what you do... we LOVE it*
Just discovered this channel as I have been collecting the complete Knightfall saga over the last year. This video made me angry. I have a buddy who deals with mainly Beckett as he get a lot of cards graded. Considering this video (I am so pissed for you and surprised you didn’t curse more!) I will be moving my entire TMNT grading process to CBCS. I’ve had all 62 of the original run for 20 years and bc of watching your videos, I’m cancelling my CGC membership and doing CBCS on all gradings. Thanks and keep up the good work! You help first time submitters like myself learn so much!
Felt super bad for you bro. Love your videos, knowledge of comics and passion as a collector. Hated seeing you get the grades you got, especially after a 14 month wait. That’s absolutely ridiculous.
Holy cow! What an F up!! Their pressing service owes you a refund, their label service owes you a refund, their pre-screen service owes you a refund, they need to re-slab the Newton rings, etc., etc. Those high school dropouts they're hiring are incompetent!! Is the pre-screening done before or after those books are cleaned and pressed? Perhaps they were 9.2s or higher BEFORE pressing but 9.0s afterwards. Is CCS really that bad??!! Glad I've never had them press/clean anything! And how about those blank graders notes! Now that they're free they're not bothering to even do them! UNACCEPTABLE! Sheesh, YOU know what a 9.8 is! I don't think THEY do anymore!
Unfortunately, the thought has crossed my mind.😡 Supposedly they film each book being graded…at least I think I read that somewhere. I’ve heard horror stories from others getting their books pressed by CCS. I’m gonna have to find another third party to press my books and then submit to CBCS.
That was like a 14 month long gut punch, ouch. I seem to recall reading about pressings only being good for so long, perhaps some of your stuff was pressed but then just sat for grading. Course that doesn't explain the pre-screen screw up. I sent stuff off for the Perez signing and asked for pressing too, I may feel a bit paranoid right now. :)
Pressings will fade over time, but some of these books flat out (pun intended) were NOT pressed. no graders notes doesn't help me but I can what they did and what they didn't. Some books in here actually fell victim to lazy pressing and it hurt the grade. woof
I'm guessing they tossed in that one non-custom label just so you'd have one 9.8 in the box. Fingers crossed the next box is all 9.8's and one 9.4 lol.
@@MintHunterComics true. Still, very hard to watch. Whoever got the custom label duty that day was quite harsh. Makes me nervous for the dozen I have sitting there.
Maybe CGC could consider offering pay rates higher than $15/hr for their new employees. Also, the fact that you could only find evidence of POOR pressing on the books is really disappointing and concerning, but perhaps you dodged a bullet if they didn't actually touch some of them.
Your reactions are priceless! CAN YOU SAY EGS? I almost thing i would trust them more to stick by Overstreet grading guidelines than the 'grading NOTELESS' CGC folks that are overworked and understaffed. I REFUSE to send any books to CGC after seeing this!
I feel the more there are graded of a comic the tougher it seems to get a high grade. I also think if you get a newer modern comic in before anyone else, you'd get a higher grade. Also, James, you need to invest in a heat t-shirt press, watch youtube videos, practice on $1 bin books and press your own books! I promise the press will pay for itself with the first major book you press and send in. Plus it's so awesome the instant you can see the "dings" you've pressed out. If I can press them you can too!! Great video and my heartache for all your 9.4's and the non-press pressing that happened.
After this one video, you’ve jumped up there with ComicTom, RegieCollects, and Swaglehaus for my favorite comic channels. Those books deserve to be higher but I love the content regardless man!
I just sent 10 books in, all Modern and pressed myself, to GCG with no prescreen. I am now wondering if I should have sent them into CBCS. If CGC is gate keeping the 9.8, I might as well pay the CBCS tax(lower value when sold) to get the higher grade??
I gotta be honest, I'm pretty disappointed wit CGC and CCS after this video. I know and trust your judgement when it comes to the grades of your books, and the 14 month turnaround time? I'm going with CBCS. This was eye opening. Props to you for keeping your composure, if I knew comics like you do, I would have been fuming. Hopefully they figure out whatever they have going on over there. Great video!
Dude, James…that thumbnail is next level. Kinda scary. I thought it was your dad or grandpa on it, then I realized what you did to us with the editing/Photoshoppery…I think? Still puzzled about it tho…
Damn, my man. That's a harsh ruling from the CGC gods. I've got some books there myself that are 11 months in now. I wonder how much damage and/or "unpressing" of pressed flaws happened while they sit in a pile for a year? I will also say...I believe any grade, and I mean ANY F'ING GRADE below a 9.8 should have grader's notes. Even if it's an obvious "fuzzy corner" or something clear, I don't care. GRADER'S NOTES SHOULD BE REQUIRED.
Wow crazy wait. Sorry they didn't turn out as good as you had hoped. I'm on the verge of doing my first submission of about 10 books, including an ASM 361 for Mark Bagley signing next month. I was able to find a somewhat local presser about an hour away, dropping my books off tomorrow. The in house presser turn around time is too much. I'm almost considering springing for fast track, which seems to have turn around times more like regular times were over a year ago.
I’m finding that CGC has slowly gotten stricter on books that have higher pop counts. I could be wrong and just paranoid but I feel that I was getting 9.8s much easier a few years ago on modern keys, like the ones you got there than I am now.
And some people reporting that they getting 9.8’s with multiple visible color breaks spine ticks. There was a TH-cam video someone showing a 9.8 recently graded that had major spine ticks. I think CGC is scrambling to get their turnaround times under control and hiring inexperienced people. Basically it’s a crapshoot who will be grading your book. Nightmare!
First off, the Old Man Mint Hunter graphic you put together for this video is a 9.8 contender for sure. Truly a thing of beauty. And, unfortunately, I feel you as I feel the grades I’ve been getting back have been brutal as well. There were books in my last submission that I SWEAR got dinged or damaged when they were not in my possession. It is really frustrating, because it’s so inconsistent. Additionally, I feel like if the book is not a 9.8, there should be Grader’s Notes associated with the book, period. But hey, I also need to remind myself that I’m in the hobby for the fun of it, and that I’m also to blame for not being more discerning in the books I submit for grading. You’ll get ‘em next time James.
Of course on the last book you get a 9.8 lol. Your unboxing has me nervous for my submission(which I submitted in November). This is my first time submitting anything to CGC and I am nervous. Honestly if I get a 9.0 on everything I’ll be happy. Can’t wait to see your unboxing video next week
So are you done with cgc yet? This was a tough one. I can only imagine the reaction once the camera was turned off. I loved how you were really trying to stay optimistic during the video and just kept getting the kick to the balls! I don’t know what the solution is but cgc seems to be letting more subjectivity into their work at the cost of defined grading.
I would be - but I know their customer support will make this right. with all their flaws the customer support is air tight. (Plus I still have. a ton of submissions left with them not yet graded)
DUDE, PGX…9.8 ALL DAY!!! LMAO!!! On a more serious note, I’m sorry first, that you had to wait so damn long, and they basically mucked up your submission. I don’t think I would have showed your level of composure my friend. Great video!!! I hope your next batch of submissions come back better than these.
I have heard rumors of CGC’s pressing. I would assume their pressing should be one of the best. I follow a few people that do it and their work looks great! I just sent my first item to CGC for a George Perez signing. I didn’t do the pressing because it’s a thicker book that didn’t seem to need it. Plus I’m in it for more of the signature than the grade. The grading you got sure seems to be averaging around the same number. Makes me wonder if the grader just kept to a certain grade.
damn thats tough luck. reason why i never have ccs press my books. lots of great pressers out there that put great time and work into your books for much cheaper.
Okay, I’m not trying to throw salt in a wound but when you got the 9.0 on the ASM 156… your reaction mixed with the Pos-it note stuck to your arm had me rolling. On a serious note you got hammered by the grader and presser though. And the fact that your pres-screening wasn’t prioritized is discouraging.
Which is more frustrating, the lower then expected grades, botched pressings, lower grades given then your cut off, or not getting the custom labels, or that there’s no graders notes at all after announcing that they are now free for members…..?
Oh... the looks on your face. You did a much better job of keeping your sh*t together than I would have been able to. Glad you saved this for a live reveal. The expressions say more than words. Sorry to see this man. Really feel for you.
It was hard to keep the restraint lol
You did an amazing job staying composed! congrats on that!
It gotta rough towards the end
Dang bro, they must have watched your rant video before grading your books! That’s brutal. 🤨 On an up note, really cool thumbnail!
The guy grading the custom label books must have had his cat run away that day.
This comment needs more likes lol
I have heard of Old Man Logan and Old Man Hawkeye, but Old Man Mint Hunter? Must be a new superhero!
That thumbnail was nice lol & great video very enjoyable
wow this is the most shocking CGC submission I've ever seen on TH-cam. props for keeping your cool
As a newer (after a 30 year break) collector, and only beginning to think about getting some books graded. It's stories like these (and all the others I've seen on youtube) that make me truly question the point of sending anything to CGC, ever.
I'd wait honestly - they've got some figuring out to do. they're in a bad transition mode rn.
Same boat (25 year hiatus, just jumped back in a year ago). Problem being, I read up on the same problems with CGC. So, I sent my first two submissions to CBCS and I'm now at 7 months and nada. Just a bad time to get into slabbing....
Hey Erik.. i totally know what your going thru as I took have gotten back into comics since late 80s and early 90s .
@@MintHunterComics when haven't they been in a "BAD" mode?
you never send books that have a serious drop off from 9.8 to 9.6.... just buy those on eBay already graded..... send in golden/ silver age
Thanks for posting this video. I’m pissed for you. I don’t know if many people would post themselves getting kicked in the gonads repeatedly by CGC like this and so hats off for showing how incredibly incompetent CGC has become. Grading is subjective and is one thing but those other errors are inexcusable. If Blackstone could just see how bad the Company they purchased has become you can only hope they would cut some heads and clean house in order to protect their investment before it totally falls apart. Anyway, hope your karma turns around in the next batch you get back.
Wow. This video demonstrates why I haven't pulled the trigger in getting some books graded.
CGC has been weird with their grading. I cracked a 9.2 and had it pressed as the grader notes only showed pressable defects. That book came back at 8.5 with still pressable defects in the notes. I agree with you, the pressers are asleep or CGC graders are eating mushrooms.
Whaaaa? Man that sounds FRUSTRATING
That’s a brutal unpacking. Really disappointed in CGC.
Here’s my 2 cents: many of you guys still support them by sending those books to them. I recently tried some CBCS slabs and slab itself is really solid, book description is always actually with all details and on point and the price is not that big as blank no description modern CGCs. The only flaw is probably top logo with grade, but I bet you can live with that. Stop supporting the company you don’t like with your hard earned money - that’s how competition works.
Thank you for blind unpacking.
You are correct- I actually just prepped a package for CBCS!
@@MintHunterComics they are indeed decent. My bet is many will switch to CBCS for many reasons: either it’s time, money or look of the slab itself. Or the market itself will force them to, then we’ll probably see some changes to such giant as CGS.
You are truly a brave and modern collector that doesn’t fear to discover new stuff - wow! Waiting for your CBCS slabs unpacking soon enough, I hope ;)
@@PORECHKA Kinda what happened with Diamond, where companies got sick of using them, Diamond didn't change, so companies went elsewhere. I'm at the point where I have no problem buying something already slabbed, but really don't want to get any of my books slabbed because of stuff like this (plus, as I've said before they screwed up the label on my X-Men #1 graded a 4.5 and put a Spider-man label on it, then tried to say it was my fault, as if I don't know the difference...after that just didn't trust them anymore).
I've been with CBCS for years...but he even called the 100 "not a 9.8 but most likely in the 9s" in the vid from 11 months ago...assuming it's the exact same trio of Xmen...guess it could be a different exaxt trio..heh. sounds like he was just getting more mad with the grades and started slighting the pressers to me... I actually don't like CGC.. but this collector's hope for 9.8s seems a bit unrealistic.. even for CGC who is much looser with grades.
For many of the reasons you stated, I sent my first submission to CBCS just yesterday. This video reaffirms my choice.
Maaaaaan, they did you dirty on some of those. Sorry dude, that sucks. I just had a similar thing happen with two books I just got back. Also, I literally laughed out loud when you said “awwwww” 😂 here’s to hoping the next submission is better!🍻
This video has my Blood pressure up! What the heck, CGC?!
More like what the heck CCS!
You can literally see your life slip through your fingers if you are a regular CGC submitter.
I know you like to use CCS for your pressing, but they really don’t know what they’re doing and I’ve heard way more horror stories than positives from them. Definitely go through some of the incredible pressers that are out there!!!
i really gotta just go back to doing it myself or have 3d party pressers
You're hiding your simmering rage very well. LOL
Tell me about it lolol
"That's gotta be a nine point eight."
*Liberates sticky note*
"Six point five. Wow."
I feel your pain in this video man :(
Keep us posted on how CGC resolves your issues (billing mistakes, custom labels, etc.) I'll never give CGC any more business. Great video!!!
I woulda been piiiiiiiiiiissed...you have much more patience than me.
It was not eaasy
This is what happen when CGC hold on to them books for over 12 months.. Last mins grading there with all 9.6 and below... Man u have lot of patient there... Me probably throw everything across the room..!!! 🤣
Wonder if sitting around in a warehouse for a year (temp/humidity) affects the books while they're waiting for processing. Also, everything is "subjective" when it comes to grading. Btw, your thumbnail is awesome....
I would imagin its in a humidity controlled room for such fragile things but who knows
Id like to know how they store books as well, is there any videos showing the process?
If that's the case, do faster submissions. But It is a waste of money to sub an $80 book for $80
I stopped using CCS grading a long time ago as I takes forever to get your books back from them with the service. I’’m glad you got a least one 9.8 but man that was rough. I would call and complain about the 9.0 books that were slabbed, you will probably receive some credit for that stuff
I'm going back to pressing myself or 3d party pressing
This was brutal. 😣 I’m sorry brotha. At least you kept your cool and you got some great books slabbed! That Green Lantern 9.8 felt good. Thanks for sharing with us. Hoping that next weeks books are nothing but 9.8s. 🤘🏼🥵
Good job keeping your cool. It must have been extremely frustrating. Specifically if the pressing resulted in damages to a few issues.
Those were brutal grades. I had some books pressed by CCS, including a Swamp Thing #37 that they nearly popped the staple out. Last time for that, I do my own pressing now.
I don't think I could handle having my books gone for that long, honestly.
A lot of refreshing on their website lol
I submitted mine in April 2021 and it just got to pressing Nov 13 then add another 6mths for grading. This might be the new normal.
They did you dirty with some of those grades but that green lantern is sick
Very true
I had a similar unboxing. It was upsetting. Then I went to Instagram and saw a CGC post with Scott Campbell and the CGC employees displaying over 50 9.9 graded books. So mad 😡
Im pretty sure they reserve 9.9 for themselves, family & friends. Even 9.8s can be hard to come by. I have a 6% 9.8 success rate.
Losing faith in CGC! Haven't started sending in yet, but I have heard a lot of the same. Awesome video!!!
This is making me lose faith in CGC. I sent my first order to them in November of last year and have since sent 3 more for the signature series. Hopefully I won't be disappointed. I also sent 2 to CBCS to compare turn around times and quality. If CBCS offered custom labels they may see more of my money.
I'm actually think this is the fault of CCS - not even so much CGC. CGC sometimes grades very harshly - it just comes with the territory, but most of these books clearly weren't pressed when I asked CCS to do them.
Signature Series books come back fairly quickly. That's why regular submissions take so long. 🤣 I sent two books into CBCS for signature verification back in November and took 9 days door to door.
I have plenty of books at CGC right now. My motto is, just send em and forget about em.
Cbcs also grades harsher than CGC. Don’t expect higher grades if that’s your plan.
I would def stay clear of ccs. They are notorious for pressing issues or outright not pressing at all. Every person I’ve known has had a horror story
Signature series are automatically expedited. I did the three jokers one, and it was shipped back to me one month after that last signature was put on the books.
Might need a new press service. I sent a 8.5 xmen 101 encapsulated for Claremont signing last year. Had cgc press it and they clipped the corner and it came back a 6.5!
You did a really good job staying positive through that. Phew. I don’t know if would’ve been.
With the amount of product you are feeding them i cant believe they are not making sure things are absolutely on point with what your requests are!
You handled that well live on camera. Id be going bananas!
Again, with this video, you highlight another issue I have that I thought I'd never see talked about or even slabbed: ASM 187. Great story, and I absolutely love the page where Electro destroys the power station. Great job, and keep those post it notes in check.
Totally awesome - overlooked Spidey book
I don't know how to stayed calm through all that! I was mad just watching it! That sucks man :(. Getting worried about the books I'm waiting on... I had already considered trying CBCS out, maybe it's time I finally give them a shot. I was already frustrated with CGC's archaic billing practices that are inexcusably bad for any modern company.
Just moving forward: don't submit the same exact books together
@@MintHunterComics Sadly I have one submission in for 5 matrix comics that should range from maybe 9.0 to 9.6+. I want to say I submitted them maybe 1-2 weeks before seeing one of your older videos saying not to do that, LOL. Luckily 2 of them are for gifts to friends I saw the movie with when it came out back in 1999 so grade doesn't matter that much and I planned on keeping one for my collection. However, I planned on selling 2 of them to cover some of the cost of grading them and other stuff and this definitely has me worried :(.
Watching the frustration build little by little as the video progresses was absolute comedy. Hats off to you man. Hopefully the next submission goes better, but these type of videos are always entertaining as well.
Hahahaha I'm glad it's amusing!
I know this video is almost a year old now, but man... if ever there was a video recapping some of the major issues of CGC during the pandemic years this was it!!!
Crazy to think that you can literally change a lot during a comic submission! Like 14 months ago I lived in a different state and got married lol
I lived with my parents 14 months ago, had no animals, and my YT channel was just starting! lol
I was considering sending in my MS5 CGC 8.5 to get pressed and re-graded, but not anymore. The notes show that there are definitely some pressable defects, but I'm not going to take any chances at the moment.
yeah with a book like that, better off to wait and see if things settle down later. Plus right now, you have no idea who is pressing your books....I mean, they did announce they hired a bunch of new employees, but the question remains....did they train them properly??
Seems like it’s a good idea to either start pressing your own books or finding a 3rd party presser if their pressing services are jacking up your books. Real sorry you didn’t get the grades you where looking for on a lot of the books.
Love the custom labels... wish we had some Spawn, Ninja Turtles and DC labels as well. My thing now with the time and how lazy CGC is getting. I have just been buying 9.0s-9.6 already graded. Selling raw copies for around the price of a 8.5-9.0. With the 3-6 month wait time + 30-40 for press/grade/shipping. Just cheaper to get it already graded.
Agreed
The Rip Van Winkle thumbnail is hilarious!
lol
CGC workers when grading James Comics:*Looks 3 seconds* Ah yes,anyway put a 9.0 or 9.4 and ket's get over with this
Man, that was brutal. You have earned a new subscriber. The least I could do.
I feel u brother, I sent some new modern books from 2019 and I got 9. 4 on 3 out 5. They do seem to be hard and still taking way to long returns
Last week I finally received a book back that was at CGC since October 2020. It’s a silver age key that was signed as part of their signature series and was also pressed by CCS. It was submitted already encapsulated by CGC and it actually got a grade bump down when I got it back.
How bad
Wow... they screwed up big time, one of many reasons why I don't want to send my books to get graded. They shoot up and cost and they mess up people's books.
CCS seems to have really slacked on my pressing here
I’m wondering how 1)all these new graders that were hired will get skilled up 2)all the new employees that are pressing at CCS will get skilled up and stop sinking your staples 3) since this submission is so old the quick press CCS had to have been done and many of the imperfections most likely came back
The crunching and new ticks around the staples are def a bummer
I would be de-"pressed" with that submission.
Nice lol
*holy moley my brother... you rock dude... just gotta ask... how did you age your photo of yourself so convincingly... it really looks like it could be a real photo of you in 30 years... I couldn't stop staring at it for a few minutes in amazement... your video brings out why I probably will never use any of these grading services... it appears to have grown into one big scam to screw up the whole comic collecting industry... I will just stay RAW with my books...don't care for the slabs anyhow... mylar bags are fine by me... and as always... once corporate gets a hold of ANYTHING... they ruin it forever... and this looks like no exception here... but anyhoo... gotta say... you are one of the BEST comic info channels on the web... appreciate all you do for us fans brother... God Bless...*
I used some aging app!
@@MintHunterComics *well hot damn dude... it looks soooo legit...you should use it in other places... lol... just keep doing what you do... we LOVE it*
I had a submission like this as well, interior pages folded or anything like that
That is rough man, especially after waiting sooo long. But hey, they are still amazing books!
Dammm dude 14 months 😭 I was planning to use CCS but I don't think I ever will, too many horror stories and I think they simply can't cope.
I think 70 to 80 percent of the delay was with them, not CGC!
Just discovered this channel as I have been collecting the complete Knightfall saga over the last year. This video made me angry.
I have a buddy who deals with mainly Beckett as he get a lot of cards graded. Considering this video (I am so pissed for you and surprised you didn’t curse more!) I will be moving my entire TMNT grading process to CBCS. I’ve had all 62 of the original run for 20 years and bc of watching your videos, I’m cancelling my CGC membership and doing CBCS on all gradings.
Thanks and keep up the good work! You help first time submitters like myself learn so much!
Felt super bad for you bro. Love your videos, knowledge of comics and passion as a collector. Hated seeing you get the grades you got, especially after a 14 month wait. That’s absolutely ridiculous.
Got a few choice words for CCS right now
Holy cow! What an F up!! Their pressing service owes you a refund, their label service owes you a refund, their pre-screen service owes you a refund, they need to re-slab the Newton rings, etc., etc. Those high school dropouts they're hiring are incompetent!! Is the pre-screening done before or after those books are cleaned and pressed? Perhaps they were 9.2s or higher BEFORE pressing but 9.0s afterwards. Is CCS really that bad??!! Glad I've never had them press/clean anything! And how about those blank graders notes! Now that they're free they're not bothering to even do them! UNACCEPTABLE! Sheesh, YOU know what a 9.8 is! I don't think THEY do anymore!
Oof, I was feeling all of this with you. Time to join us on the dark side (CBCS)
Damn, i feel for you so bad! All that wait for that outcome ☹️
This
Has anyone else ever thought that CGC could switch the books you submit with the same book, but with a lower grade?
Unfortunately, the thought has crossed my mind.😡 Supposedly they film each book being graded…at least I think I read that somewhere. I’ve heard horror stories from others getting their books pressed by CCS. I’m gonna have to find another third party to press my books and then submit to CBCS.
That was like a 14 month long gut punch, ouch. I seem to recall reading about pressings only being good for so long, perhaps some of your stuff was pressed but then just sat for grading. Course that doesn't explain the pre-screen screw up. I sent stuff off for the Perez signing and asked for pressing too, I may feel a bit paranoid right now. :)
Pressings will fade over time, but some of these books flat out (pun intended) were NOT pressed. no graders notes doesn't help me but I can what they did and what they didn't. Some books in here actually fell victim to lazy pressing and it hurt the grade. woof
I'm guessing they tossed in that one non-custom label just so you'd have one 9.8 in the box. Fingers crossed the next box is all 9.8's and one 9.4 lol.
Lol they felt bad
CGC is notorious for being extra hard on grading especially with TCG cards.
Wow, this was such a CGC fail. Also, I forgot not to submit multiple copies of the same book. 🤐 Wish me luck.
It's just a learning experience!
I did too with uf4 second print 😭
Damn man, that was fucking brutal.
At least they dind't get like 8.5's or something... man.
@@MintHunterComics true. Still, very hard to watch. Whoever got the custom label duty that day was quite harsh. Makes me nervous for the dozen I have sitting there.
The long wait and questionable grades is more of a reason im checking out EGS
I've heard very little except terrible things on the in-house CGC pressers. Admittedly I haven't done a ton of CGC but I always use a third-party.
Heard CCS later in the video - total heartbreaker.
Maybe CGC could consider offering pay rates higher than $15/hr for their new employees.
Also, the fact that you could only find evidence of POOR pressing on the books is really disappointing and concerning, but perhaps you dodged a bullet if they didn't actually touch some of them.
Maybe if it takes over a year it's on the house! hahahaha
Your reactions are priceless! CAN YOU SAY EGS? I almost thing i would trust them more to stick by Overstreet grading guidelines than the 'grading NOTELESS' CGC folks that are overworked and understaffed. I REFUSE to send any books to CGC after seeing this!
I feel the more there are graded of a comic the tougher it seems to get a high grade. I also think if you get a newer modern comic in before anyone else, you'd get a higher grade. Also, James, you need to invest in a heat t-shirt press, watch youtube videos, practice on $1 bin books and press your own books! I promise the press will pay for itself with the first major book you press and send in. Plus it's so awesome the instant you can see the "dings" you've pressed out. If I can press them you can too!! Great video and my heartache for all your 9.4's and the non-press pressing that happened.
This makes me want to go CBCS instead of CGC for my first submissions honestly.
CBCS is a great company!
@@MintHunterComics either CCS owes your some money or CGC needs to re grade that stack.
0:06 I almost spit my drink out lmaoo
Omg, that face he made, made me 🤣
After this one video, you’ve jumped up there with ComicTom, RegieCollects, and Swaglehaus for my favorite comic channels. Those books deserve to be higher but I love the content regardless man!
I just sent 10 books in, all Modern and pressed myself, to GCG with no prescreen. I am now wondering if I should have sent them into CBCS. If CGC is gate keeping the 9.8, I might as well pay the CBCS tax(lower value when sold) to get the higher grade??
I gotta be honest, I'm pretty disappointed wit CGC and CCS after this video. I know and trust your judgement when it comes to the grades of your books, and the 14 month turnaround time? I'm going with CBCS. This was eye opening. Props to you for keeping your composure, if I knew comics like you do, I would have been fuming. Hopefully they figure out whatever they have going on over there. Great video!
Dude, James…that thumbnail is next level. Kinda scary. I thought it was your dad or grandpa on it, then I realized what you did to us with the editing/Photoshoppery…I think?
Still puzzled about it tho…
I used an aging app!
ouch... cbcs finally added my book to the pending list from october. man this really bummed me out. sometimes it just really feels like a scam.
Damn, my man. That's a harsh ruling from the CGC gods. I've got some books there myself that are 11 months in now. I wonder how much damage and/or "unpressing" of pressed flaws happened while they sit in a pile for a year?
I will also say...I believe any grade, and I mean ANY F'ING GRADE below a 9.8 should have grader's notes. Even if it's an obvious "fuzzy corner" or something clear, I don't care. GRADER'S NOTES SHOULD BE REQUIRED.
It's possible these WERE pressed but then just sat
Sitting for 137 days could do that. It's like your just getting half of the benefit of pressing now.
Yeah, otherwise, why we paying for this shit in the first place????
Wow crazy wait. Sorry they didn't turn out as good as you had hoped. I'm on the verge of doing my first submission of about 10 books, including an ASM 361 for Mark Bagley signing next month. I was able to find a somewhat local presser about an hour away, dropping my books off tomorrow. The in house presser turn around time is too much. I'm almost considering springing for fast track, which seems to have turn around times more like regular times were over a year ago.
I need to get a job at CGC. They clearly need the help.
They really do lol - CCS really could use ya
I’m finding that CGC has slowly gotten stricter on books that have higher pop counts. I could be wrong and just paranoid but I feel that I was getting 9.8s much easier a few years ago on modern keys, like the ones you got there than I am now.
Hard to confirm but I def agree with you Nicholas
And some people reporting that they getting 9.8’s with multiple visible color breaks spine ticks. There was a TH-cam video someone showing a 9.8 recently graded that had major spine ticks. I think CGC is scrambling to get their turnaround times under control and hiring inexperienced people. Basically it’s a crapshoot who will be grading your book. Nightmare!
It comes in waves. Sometimes is all 9.6s and sometimes they giving out 9.8s like hot cakes
Dude I feel your pain and disappointment but it was also very entertaining. ✌️ 😁
Glad you enjoyed!
Your reaction to Uncanny X-men 141… PRICELESS.. i felt your pain . These live reaction videos are great!
Bro the face you had uncovering the Days of future past book was priceless 🤣 Still a win! Glad you're getting the books back 👏
First off, the Old Man Mint Hunter graphic you put together for this video is a 9.8 contender for sure. Truly a thing of beauty. And, unfortunately, I feel you as I feel the grades I’ve been getting back have been brutal as well. There were books in my last submission that I SWEAR got dinged or damaged when they were not in my possession. It is really frustrating, because it’s so inconsistent. Additionally, I feel like if the book is not a 9.8, there should be Grader’s Notes associated with the book, period. But hey, I also need to remind myself that I’m in the hobby for the fun of it, and that I’m also to blame for not being more discerning in the books I submit for grading. You’ll get ‘em next time James.
Of course on the last book you get a 9.8 lol. Your unboxing has me nervous for my submission(which I submitted in November). This is my first time submitting anything to CGC and I am nervous. Honestly if I get a 9.0 on everything I’ll be happy. Can’t wait to see your unboxing video next week
Good luck!
"I know that you know that i know!"🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👍classic!!🤣
tongue twister lol
Of course it is the first appearance of gambit. Nobody could say it is a cameo. It is in no way a cameo.
So are you done with cgc yet? This was a tough one. I can only imagine the reaction once the camera was turned off. I loved how you were really trying to stay optimistic during the video and just kept getting the kick to the balls! I don’t know what the solution is but cgc seems to be letting more subjectivity into their work at the cost of defined grading.
I would be - but I know their customer support will make this right. with all their flaws the customer support is air tight. (Plus I still have. a ton of submissions left with them not yet graded)
Damn! I'm scared to send anything in and honestly CGC seems a bit slackish.
DUDE, PGX…9.8 ALL DAY!!! LMAO!!! On a more serious note, I’m sorry first, that you had to wait so damn long, and they basically mucked up your submission. I don’t think I would have showed your level of composure my friend. Great video!!! I hope your next batch of submissions come back better than these.
Everything is a learning experience
That has to be incredibly disappointing, to wait that long. And be graded so harshly
This
All that was missing, was the platoon music during that unboxing I actually winced
Hahahahaha
Oh well, at least the grades are not super bad. Great video man keep em coming.
I’ll never submit books to CGC. What a joke. They screwed you man. I’d be pissed!!
I got a few words for CCS
I have heard rumors of CGC’s pressing. I would assume their pressing should be one of the best. I follow a few people that do it and their work looks great! I just sent my first item to CGC for a George Perez signing. I didn’t do the pressing because it’s a thicker book that didn’t seem to need it. Plus I’m in it for more of the signature than the grade. The grading you got sure seems to be averaging around the same number. Makes me wonder if the grader just kept to a certain grade.
damn thats tough luck. reason why i never have ccs press my books. lots of great pressers out there that put great time and work into your books for much cheaper.
I gotta get back to pressing myself or using 3d party
Okay, I’m not trying to throw salt in a wound but when you got the 9.0 on the ASM 156… your reaction mixed with the Pos-it note stuck to your arm had me rolling. On a serious note you got hammered by the grader and presser though. And the fact that your pres-screening wasn’t prioritized is discouraging.
Hahahaha, gotta have a laugh in the middle. I'm not really mad at CGC as much as with CCS
We know how much you love the Green lantern so I am glad you got a 9.8 on Green lantern. Also the post it stuck to your arm was hilarious 😂
Which is more frustrating, the lower then expected grades, botched pressings, lower grades given then your cut off, or not getting the custom labels, or that there’s no graders notes at all after announcing that they are now free for members…..?
Honestly it's hard to pick lol