Am I Still Buying GRAILS After The CGC Scams?

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[@rmrtnzstn]

Hello Bry's Comics. I am a casual collector. New to graded/slabbed comics. Bry's Comics was the first place that I ever purchased any graded comicbooks. I truly felt right away that I could trust Bry's and I do. I have not purchased anything from other places. Don't know if I ever will. I have always felt that Bry's is a huge boon to the comic collecting community. Thank you for your services. Have a good day and Live Long and Prosper!

[@BrysComics]

Live Long and Prosper my friend!!

[@antoniocar596]

I prefer to buy my grails raw and submit them myself.

[@bensaunders2370]

The job of appraising collectibles is an ethical one as well as practical one, and the ethics of CGCs approach have *always* been dubious (no transparency, very limited accountability). That's before we even get into discussion of whether they are consistent or "reliable graders" at a practical level, or if their holders are up to the job (they aren’t and they aren’t). I really hope this scandal leads more collectors to think about how appraisal works in other areas of collecting (rare books, fine art objects) and start demanding much higher standards from our so called third party graders. You seem like a good guy, Bry. But CGC has always been a bit of a scam outfit, and their loose standards is what has allowed them to be scammed themselves.

[@BrysComics]

I agree with you. They have TONS of room for improvement…

[@SolveForX]

It’s still far safer to purchase graded book than non-graded books. The other thing to remember - every single instance of this specific kind of fraud (assuming the book was sold online) is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. MOST people aren’t idiotic or desperate enough to engage in such incredibly high risk behavior for such low (comparative) gains. Obviously, I’d like to see CGC start taking aggressive steps to marry the insert to the case, but GENERALLY grading is as safe as it’s always been. Which is - quite safe.

[@BrysComics]

Wow I didn’t realize that! You make some great points.

[@corso_kid]

Graded books are 💯 safer than raw… imagine how many restored books are in the wild and the owner has no idea

[@Supertomscustoms]

I think the bottom line is: A) If you’re already heavily invested in graded books, nothing will change and you’ll continue to ignore all the issues with grading companies. B) If you dabbled before, you’ll pause for now but inevitably fall prey to the lure of shiny big numbers once again. C) If you hated grading before you’ll feel vindicated for a short time, but it’s all for naught because of the two categories above.

[@BrysComics]

Very interesting points!

[@300baud]

To be honest, there is no way to know if a book has been swapped unless you directly submit a book yourself and took enough pics to identify the book returned to you as the same book or remove the book from the slab and inspect it. Can you be highly confident? Maybe. 100% certain? Nope. I realize the odds of someone swapping a low-value book are miniscule, but anything of reasonable value is fair game based on what we've seen over the last few weeks. I highly doubt the one guy that was caught is the only one doing it.

[@BrysComics]

You’re not wrong. That’s why I recommend buying from someone who guarantees their product 👍

[@digimook]

So I sent in a copy of Marvel Super Heros Secret Wars #7 to CGC for a 9.8 pre screen. I did this after I sent the book to Pop Culture Comics for a clean and press. I get the book back from CGC as a reject with undercut/overhang of the cover. To my recollection this book didn't have that, even though it was the correct account number and spot on the list. I also was curious that PCC didnt flag it for me and say "hey you have an overhang issue with this book"- I sent an email to Rob and he basically said "I press 1000's of books etc." Which seems sketchy to me because why would you straight press a book like that, it would create crease folds on the press unless you used some kind of spacer. So end of story, this is a cautionary tale, take pix of your books before you send to a presser or CGC/CBCS.

[@BrysComics]

I had that issue once with a nova 1, took 5 times submitting but eventually got the 9.8. If it doesn’t break color it can be fixed but also can come back just by being in bag/board…

[@garywoods3196]

That's a terrible thing people want to ruin the fun of collecting comic books and turn it all bad for everyone else.

[@collinf33]

Agreed, this will not affect majority of collectors. You have to be vigilant when buying high $ books.

[@Petemarie186]

The only way I would buy a Hulk 181 now is with a guarantee like yours. No way will I now just purchase one from Ebay without this type of guarantee. So Heritage ,Comic Link and all the other auction houses better up their game.

[@willloggia]

It’s great to have a trustworthy person like you speaking up in situations like this!

[@franciscomarquez3678]

We appreciate the educational videos Bry.

[@rakishoard]

Not sure how you can be so sure of the books inside the cases…$100-$200 slabs can still be a profitable scam, especially when sellers like you have already ruled it out as a possibility, even when we still don’t know how bad this is. I’ve seen plenty of questionable slabs in higher grade and just thought the grader sucked at his job. Now I’m thinking it could more pervasive than we ever thought, some have said 10+ years this has been going on. We shall see when the dust settles. I’m only buying raw now whenever possible until confidence has been restored

[@BrysComics]

See my other comment regarding this for $200 books 👍

[@danielps6328]

Very reassuring- thanks Bry

[@larrysmith7301]

Agree with your thoughts, I would not hesitate to buy a slab because most what I buy is not in the universe of books that are affected.

[@lascruces-vh4oe]

Great information, Bry! Thanks for sharing.

[@MattK0074]

We got a twofer with this video… some good info, plus we got to see a cool new collection.

[@crossbronxcollectibles9127]

That Wolverine poster with the slab next to it is 🔥🔥🔥

[@MrSharkJB23]

I know my 9.2 Hulk 181 is ok, cause I had it graded raw from my collection. It still has an old CGC label and I don’t even trust sending it back for updated label.

[@nemogriffen]

The people that are grail hunters can sometimes have blinders on because they just want those big books in the highest grade that they can find. They are the ones that are going to be the target of these kinds of scams. The people that are involved in these kinds of scams would rather pull off one $1K sale than ten $100 sales.

[@bestcore1214]

I love being a mostly raw collector these days

[@BrysComics]

😂

[@tazblazing]

I will always buy slabs but not the one in that scam listing… especially them target comic books ..!!

[@ReQuest17]

It's sucks that scams happen. Buying from a trusted seller is the best option to minimize getting scammed. I love auctions and buying off Goodwill, but I've come across fakes on both of those sources.

[@brucecree9170]

Such sweet books! CGC has graded 85 million collectibles. There are 350 known questionable. Even without your very nicely laid out techniques the odds of buying a scammed slab are ~1:250,000. I’ll take those odds any day, every day, all day long on nights. Weekends and Christmas too. Thanks again for another super helpful video Bry. Cheers!

[@christophersopiarz9460]

There are always scammers. Just one of those times where you have to be extra careful when buying

[@terrygillard1672]

thank you Bry for pointing out your process for looking at books

[@brentG1222]

Thanks for passing along some knowledge!

[@breakbeatz309]

I just hope people don’t get better at swapping out books without any signs of case tampering. Comparing books to the graders notes is something I think I’ll have to do going forward.

[@shadowman8786]

My confidence has gone in slabs. Back to raw copies for me.

[@chloescomicswag4392]

Bry you’ve always been the golden standard! I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, you’re one of the best in our hobby and in this industry. I don’t say that about many and you are on my short list. Awesome video as always brother. 💯🔥🔥

[@BrysComics]

Thank you my friend!!

[@AlextheComicHoarder]

Beautiful books!!!!

[@Forza_Juventus_48]

Great video Bry! This whole scam has delayed my cgc submission. See you Friday!

[@leeniren3706]

I find that anything important is always worthwhile to review. Go back to win one was in high school and they had a test. How many times did they go over it to make sure they got it right? Here too when looking at how to check a CGC slab for tamperingreviewing how to look multiple times can only help. Even those of us who know what to look for can always use a review.

[@Notthatshaneblack]

Looking forward to the show!

[@rogerfleming1782]

Fingers crossed i still stumble across a raw 181 in the wild.

[@nerdyoldwoman9651]

Wonderful video, thank you! 🙏

[@DPCcollector]

Same goes for when you receive books from CGC. Inspect and send back for any quality errors.

[@coolworldpopculture]

It will be interesting to see if CGC starts including more comprehensive notes on higher-value books. Nice collection.

[@RJGraye]

Always a bit of a risk buying something you can't hold and see in person. Can only be as smart and careful as possible, but keep living and loving your hobby.

[@sidneyrivera3578]

Thanks for the video Bry. Nice collection. Looking forward to the WhatNot show. Keep grinding bro!✌️

[@ahammy1]

Scammers gonna scam

[@BrysComics]

True that

[@bryanbartrop5091]

What do we need to lookout for to ensure we haven't been scammed? Is there any sign that the cases have been tampered with?

[@BrysComics]

Yeah just check the seal to make sure there isn’t glue…people are saying it can be done where it’s undetectable but I’m skeptical, I’ve seen some pretty obvious fakes before…

[@safcollectibles8423]

Check your work. Verify the grade. The photo authentication sounds like a great idea!

[@zachbrobst9473]

Man, the website has been blazin lately. Ive had a few books in the cart and had to check myself lol

[@Hulkout2020]

Great video, I’ll be reaching out to you directly. Very helpful.

[@SolveForX]

(Sidebar: Always buy the book, not the grade.)

[@jcold007]

As long as you’re vigilant

[@dandelatorre1870]

The problems with CGC seemed to have started about 3 years ago, if true then books graded beforehand ( 2020 ) are ok.

[@JimChurchSr-lu2pq]

Once again nice books - cool to see

[@everydaychallenges2282]

I feel like there is always a chance. Most people in the community are good.

[@corso_kid]

Just make a better case . If they don’t make a better case someone will get taken advantage of. A better case is the key

[@SolveForX]

Doesn’t GoCollect have every single slab pictured from its original submission?

[@linalleybri]

CGC will evolve and we will come out of this with better security measures

[@grogfuna7920]

I disagree with your thought process of not being concerned with lower valued slabs, i.e. $100 to $200 valued slabs. Values of ~$200 would be worth the effort (to scammers) if you can clear $100 a pop. Scammers can make a chunk of change by switching out $200 books. You can pick up beautiful copies that are "only" missing the mvs or have detached centerfolds that stifle its grade. My thoughts are that the scammers also needed to practice on lower valued books first to test their "reslabed products" with CGC. I am definitely going to slow my slab purchasing to a crawl until CGC comes up with the correction or unless there is something that I have been searching for for a very long time. Almost every easy moving/selling slab is suspect to me. Take care.

[@BrysComics]

Yeah we respectfully disagree. If you buy a book in hopes of upping the value to $200, factor in the cost of grading and the original book & book to be switched out, you’re be lucky to break even. Now you’re committing a crime that can very seriously be punished just to break even. Couple that with millions of books being graded by Cgc I just don’t think you need to worry about low value books. Can it be done? Yes. But you’d be a complete moron to do that.

[@rakishoard]

It would be worth it if they scam on the speculation. Industry insiders can swap out 9.8 of books that will sky rocket when a new movie is announced and they have a stock pile of fake 9.8s ready to go. Might not be super profitable in the short term, but there could still be profit and some people have nothing else better do. I’m worried this will ignite a slew of new scammers and copycats and soon everything will be in question. Wish you the best, Bry!!!

[@nuctech99m]

All one has to do is not jump on it because of fomo one had to take their tine before spending a bunch of money in books that might not be what they seem

[@joe3019772008]

nice slabs, bro. #OnlySlabs #SLABFEVER

[@crowderscustomizing]

So do you recommend sending bigger books to CGC? Or sell raw?

[@BrysComics]

You’ll always get more money for big books if graded by CGC

[@siriactuallysara]

The answer is a responding be very careful. The 9.9 captain America comic in the auction looks like a reholder scam. That’s a huge scam book went for over 70k. It’s likely a 9.6 in that slab.

[@BrysComics]

Well that doesn’t make a lot of sense. That would mean they took a 9.9 out, put a 9.6 in and regraded the 9.9. No way in hell that book gets a 9.9 twice in a row…

[@siriactuallysara]

It doesn’t get a 9.9 twice in a row. But it would get a 9.8 which is a significant profit from a 9.6

[@BrysComics]

@@siriactuallysara lol my bad I didn’t think that through! I have to go check that out now cuz yeah a 9.6 would never pass as a 9.9

[@tedanteby7109]

Any chance u can change the streams to a different day?

[@BrysComics]

What day would work for you?

[@tedanteby7109]

Any day from Sunday to Thursday

[@BrysComics]

@@tedanteby7109 I’ll try my best!

[@Jaylog1000]

I am Raw Guy call me old school. I only own 3 Slabs. They were gifts. I like reading them turning the pgs. What comics are meant for. But I do have some old ASM I would love to submit. But I'm afraid too. Scare They lose my books are something will go wrong. Because the comics were passed down from my dad in their in awesome condition very well taken care of. Maybe one day I will submit them... Maybe... Would tell what I have but not a bragging. But just saying their my retirement don't have any kids... Keep up the great Videos Big Fan !!

[@jordansuchy3107]

You rock

[@DarrenCarman]

good video

[@GymLeaderRay]

Neat video

[@pewdeepew122]

I have always thought Bry’s Comics was one of the most thoughtful comic book KZbinr’s when it came to analysis and commentary, but my dude ur way off on this topic. Any current CGC book could be fraudulent, there’s no way to genuinely know. Inspecting a book yourself is not the same as a CGC grader putting an actual grade on a book. I have been doing this for 25yrs and I can tell you I have expected books at a 9.8 and received 9.6/9.4 and vice versa, books that should have been 9.6 but got a 9.8. The jump in value between a 9.6 to a 9.8 is very concerning at any sale price point. Sometimes the grade bump is nothing to do with spine ticks or edges. The big problem here is that CGC was not reinspecting books for reholder and/or reflecting a reholder in the new case serial number. Hindsight is 20/20, just concerning how many invested individuals from the head of CGC to comic stores to KZbinr’s trying to calm panic. The reality is this is now a scam that affects every CGC book done before this came to light, which is pretty much every book. If CGC were legit about fixing this they would fix their cases so they aren’t able to be manipulated so easily, fix their internal processes and offer a cost effective way for people to have their books reholdered into a new tamper proof case.

[@Comic_Ediction]

👍🏼👀👍🏼