Posted by GTJDorris at nat-gateway-1.top.biltmorecommunications.net on November 08, 2003 at 21:02:30:
In Reply to: No Thanks ... posted by TheRiddler89 on November 08, 2003 at 20:53:41:
...kind of collector you are. Look at coin collectors. Almost every coin sold at a show is in a sealed case that has been graded. To me it makes perfect sense. Though I know of a HUGE subsection of the comics world that loathes CGC saying it's artificial and they're driving up the market, blah blah blah.
I'm with you, I personally like to be able to read my books. However, there are a few old Spidey issues that I'd like to have framed on my wall and since I want them just because I want them (no more reason than that) I'd prefer they're in good condition. For that area CGC provides a good service and reference for me.
Though I don't know why people get so mad because if its not your thing then don't buy a CGC graded book, or have your books graded. It's that simple. And hopefully all collectors of anything realize this (though saddly far many more don't than have learned it...)
SOMETHING IS ONLY WORTH WHAT YOU CAN GET FOR IT.
If it says in a book somewhere that it's "worth" a thousand dollars and no one will pay you that much for it, then it's worth zero. And the reverse is true too. If a book says it's worth 10 bucks, and someone offers you 10K for it, but you still won't sell, then TO YOU it's worth much much more than that. You've got to put all collectors' items in that light whether its stamps, coins, comics, rare books, boogers, pool skimmers, loose leaf paper, or children.
So to address the original question more: the big deal is now there's a centralized, nearly standardized way of grading things. Period. An independent agency that will say what "grade" the book is in. That way some jerk at a con can't say the golden age Plastic Man is VF+ and you say it's F- and bitch about it (that is assuming said Plastic Man ish has been CGC graded).
P.S. Go Pitt!