Certified Guaranty Company, LLC - FAQs

 
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FAQS About Grading Services

 
  • How do I submit comic books to CGC for certification?
  • CGC accepts submissions through a national network of authorized member dealers. These dealers are permitted to accept books and submit them on behalf of collectors and other individuals.

    If you prefer to submit your books directly, you have two options. You can join the Collectors’ Society as a paid member. Your annual membership gives you direct submission privileges to CGC as well as a number of other valuable benefits. Or, you can submit comic books through CGC's Internet partners by visiting their websites and following submission instructions. Authorized dealers, information about the Collectors’ Society, and internet partners can be found on our How To Submit page.
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  • Why does CGC use different colored labels and what do they mean?
  • CGC uses different color labels to easily demarcate each grade category. CGC labels can be Blue, Green, Purple, or Yellow, and are described on the label description page.
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  • When I submit my books, what assurances can you offer with regard to confidentiality and anonymity for my books?
  • CGC will discuss the details of each transaction only with the original submitter in order to provide complete confidentiality for all parties. CGC will not release any information concerning the certification of your comics without permission. As part of CGC's internal processes, complete anonymity is also ensured by a system of internal checks and balances. Comics receive generic bar coding before upon receipt and our separate receiving department does not convey any information about the submitter to the graders. The result is that the comic owner’s identity is also completely unknown to CGC graders.
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  • How should I pack my books for shipping to CGC and how do I fill out the CGC Submission Form?
  • When you send books to CGC, we recommend that you take the normal precautions used for shipping your books through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

    Also, we encourage you to carefully and completely fill in the CGC submission form. Here are some helpful guidelines for completing the CGC submission form and for packing your books.
    1. Be sure to print your name and your CGC customer or dealer number in the space provided on the submission form. Check the box indicating the Grading Services desired. You may request only one Service option per form; otherwise, use additional forms. For example, if you have five comics to submit under Standard and five comics under Economy, use one submission form for the Standard five, and a second form for the Economy five. You can ship both groups in the same box to CGC.

    2. In the "Ship To" box, clearly print the address where CGC should ship your certified comics. In "Return Shipping," choose either FedEx or USPS Registered Mail. You must use a street address if shipping via FedEx because they do NOT deliver to P.O. boxes. WARNING: FedEx insurance covers only $500 in damage or loss. If your books are worth more than $500 we recommend you use USPS Registered Mail which allows you to insure your books for up to $25,000, or provide your own insurance and carrier account.

    3. List your comics describing quantity, comic book date (Mo/Yr), publisher, title, issue number, pedigree, variant, and your declared value. For a book to receive Pedigree designation, CGC must have a copy of the certificate OR a letter stating that you own the book(s), who you purchased the books from, and your signature. This letter or certificate copy must be included with your submission or the Pedigree will not be assigned to your book(s). WARNING: Failure to fill out the CGC form COMPLETELY will result in significant delays of your submission!

    4. Add the total number of comics, then multiply by the Service fee. Add the return FedEx shipping charge, USPS shipping charge, and USPS insurance charges. Then subtract any re-certification credits, if applicable. To receive a re-certification credit you must include the prior CGC certification label of the comic book you're submitting with this order. Total these amounts to calculate your TOTAL DUE. Indicate whether you would prefer to pay by check or credit card, and include your billing address for your credit card if different than the SHIP TO address listed. CGC cannot process your order without a valid check or credit card payment. Please review to be sure you have submitted your comics according to the comics' values and your desired turnaround time.

    5. To pack your comics, each comic MUST BE PLACED in a MYLAR WITH BACKING BOARD. (WE DO NOT RETURN MYLARS OR BACKING BOARDS!) Then place the books between two firm pieces of cardboard and secure to provide a firm support on top and bottom of the comics. Surround the secured books with multiple layers of cushioning material so that the comics will not move during shipment, and place all in a sturdy box. Be sure to include the CGC submission form and payment. If you're sending more than one submission form in the same box, pack the appropriate comics and forms together using a rubber band or other method. Be sure your package is properly registered and insured for delivery to CGC.
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  • How long will it take for my books to be graded and how much will it cost?
  • Specific information on the costs and estimated turnaround times of CGC's various grading tiers is available on our Services & Submission page. This page also includes a "Now Shipping Books Received On" section that is updated regularly with live information on the status of the current actual turnaround times.
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  • If submitting from Canada, what is the procedure regarding customs?
  • As a Canadian submitter to CGC, the burden of proof that the books came from Canada falls to you. The best way to prevent this being called into question is to visit your local customs office before shipping your submission and explain your intentions for these comics, that they are yours and are being sent to the US for evaluation only. They will provide you with a form that should accompany your comic submission and, when the books are returned with this form, the package will not be called into question. If we are to receive a Canadian submission without this form, we will send back the books with any claim stickers that were affixed to the original box. This has sometimes worked as proof that the books came from Canada. The value that we will declare on the package is the amount paid for the grading of the books and they will be noted as “Canadian goods being returned, shipped to US for evaluation only.”

    ** THIS INFORMATION WILL SAVE ALL CANADIAN CUSTOMERS FROM PAYING CUSTOMS FEES (AS PER CANADIAN CUSTOMS) **
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  • I live outside the U.S. How will you calculate my return shipping costs?
  • Return shipping to locations outside the U.S. requires special duties and shipping charges. CGC will notify you of the special/additional shipping charges before your books are returned to you. If you have further questions, please contact Customer Service.
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  • What are your grading standards for comic books?
  • The CGC grading standard was developed by taking a consensus of grades assigned to a variety of comic books by a nationwide pool of experts that included comic book dealers and leading collectors. (See Developing the Standard, under Grading Benefits). CGC realizes that comic book grading is an art that comes from years of experience, and while a consistently applied standard of grading eliminates much of the subjectivity and risk, grading itself IS NOT an exact science and remains subjective. That's why it is reasonable to expect that slight variances may exist between CGC grading standards and the standards of some dealers and collectors. CGC strives to consistently apply the most accurate grading standard to assure that the grades of comic books are properly represented to the widest possible audience.
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  • Does CGC grade magazine size or treasury size books? How about autographed books?
  • CGC does grade Magazine size books but does not grade Treasury size books.
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  • Does CGC grade autographed books?
  • CGC does grade autograph books. The prestigious CGC Signature Series label (yellow) is applied to comic books that have been signed by someone of significance to the comic, under the direct observation of a CGC employee or select CGC authorized witness. The signatures are authenticated by CGC with the labels indicating who signed the book, the date it was signed, and in some cases the location of where it was signed. If a book is signed with a CGC representative present, it will receive a Qualified label (green), and receive a Qualified grade. No authentication of signature is provided for books that do not have a CGC Signature Series label. Learn more about CGC Signature Series.
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  • Does CGC certify sealed poly-bagged books?
  • CGC does not certify sealed poly-bagged books in the poly-bag. To have a poly-bagged book certified by CGC, you must remove the book from its poly-bag or send written approval authorizing CGC to remove it. The words “Poly-bag removed” appear on the CGC label.
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  • What measures are taken to protect my comics while they are at CGC?
  • In addition to vault storage, CGC uses state-of-the-art security and surveillance equipment, and only the most highly-trained professionals who understand the unique handling requirements of comic books handle your comics. While at CGC, your books are always fully insured against theft or damage.

    As an independent member of the Certified Collectibles Group, CGC benefits from the other members' decades of experience in thorough operations and careful handling of delicate collectibles. With the CCG companies successfully handling over 100,000 fragile collectibles each month you can be assured that we have the experience to treat your comic books with the respect and proper handling techniques to ensure their safety.

    While CGC is responsible for the care of your books while they're with us, any damage that occurs during shipping to CGC or after the books leave our facility is your responsibility or that of the shipping company with whom you contract.
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  • What is restoration?
  • Restoration is treatment intended to return a comic book to a known or assumed state for aesthetic enhancement by adding non-original material. Detected restoration is always disclosed on the CGC certification label. Non-additive procedures, such as pressing, dry cleaning and tape removal are not classified as restoration by CGC. Trimmed books are given an apparent grade, and, in accordance with CGC's policy, encapsulated with CGC's restored label. Learn more about comic book restoration.
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  • How will I know if a comic has had restoration?
  • CGC has the industry's top team of restoration detection experts, led by Chris Friesen, Steve Borock, Mark Haspel and Paul Litch. The restoration check is an integral part of the CGC expert grading team's review of your comic book, and unlike other professional services which charge up to $100 for this service, it is included at NO EXTRA CHARGE in the CGC tier price.

    When detected, restoration is specifically noted on the grading label, and is visible through a different colored label, the CGC Restored label. CGC assigns restored books an apparent grade, which includes a description of slight, moderate, or extensive restoration. At CGC's sole discretion, Golden Age books with very minor glue and/or color are assigned a CGC Universal label, however, description of the restoration, in general or specific terms, is disclosed. Buyers always know what they are getting with a CGC-certified comic that has been restored.
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  • Does CGC perform pressing or dry cleaning?
  • CGC does not perform pressing, dry cleaning or any similar treatments for comic books. These and other services are available from Classics Incorporated. They may be contacted directly as follows:

    Classics Incorporated
    1440 Halsey Way (Venture Building)
    Suite #114
    Carrollton, TX 75007
    Web: www.classicsincorporated.com
    Email: comics@classicsincorporated.com


    Please note that pressing and/or dry cleaning performed incorrectly or on a comic book exhibiting certain flaws — such as slightly brittle pages, weak spine, cover wear at staple, and/or other defects — can damage the comic book and lower its grade.
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  • How do I know the comic I'm buying is the same book CGC certified?
  • CGC has a number of technologically advanced security measures built into its holder. Once a comic is certified, any future attempt to open the holder will be visibly evident.
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  • Will your holder increase or decrease the safety of my comics?
  • The CGC holder is designed to securely hold your comic book and provide years of protection from many environmental hazards. All of the materials used inside the CGC holder are tested and proven to be archival safe, and the holder is designed to be the first line of defense in a prudent plan for storage. Our research and design team created a holder that is truly unique and unrivaled in the comics industry for its protection and preservation of comic books.
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  • What if I want to take my comic out of your holder?
  • We anticipated that many collectors would do just that, even though the certified grade will then no longer be applicable without re-certification. That's why our holder is designed to allow optimal observation of the comic book inside. Also, we have designed our holder so that it can be opened carefully, allowing safe removal. Due to the fragile nature of comic books, once our holder is opened, we then recommend the immediate re-certification of the comic book. When Re-Certifying the comic book, this inner label should be returned to CGC for a $5 re-certification credit ($10 off WalkThru Service). After opening, the CGC holder cannot be resealed.

    Collectors should remember that the process of certification is designed primarily as a tool for buying and selling that establishes standards in grading consistency for the hobby. Many collectors prefer to leave a comic in its holder for its protection, and to enhance its liquidity if they decide to sell. Leaving the book in its original CGC holder would prevent the need for re-certification and retain the protective strengths of the holder.
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  • Why should I return a label of a “cracked out” book and, if so, do I get money back for doing it?
  • You should always return a label of any “cracked out” certified book. This helps keep the CGC Census accurate. The CGC Census is a detailed database of all the comic books we have graded and their respective grades, and it has become an important resource in assessing the availability of certified comic books. When you have a book re-certified, CGC offers a $1 credit for Modern re-submissions, a $5 credit for Economy, Standard, and Express re-submissions, and a $10 credit for Walkthru re-submissions. (There is no credit for Signature Series labels) If you do not re-submit the comic book, you can always bring the CGC label to any convention in your area that CGC will be at or have a fellow hobbyist or seller send it in for you when they are sending in comic books to CGC for certification. Remember, returning a label to CGC helps our entire hobby.
  • How are my books insured when they're returned to me? Does CGC provide insurance?
  • CGC does not provide insurance for books shipped from its facility to you. The carrier you choose may provide limited coverage. CGC urges you to investigate and secure proper means of insuring your books against damage in transit. See policy below:

    LOSS OR DAMAGE IN TRANSIT POLICY

    Due to their fragile nature, comic books can be damaged while in a CGC holder if improperly handled, stored or displayed. By using CGC's products/services, you agree that CGC is not responsible for any damage or loss whatsoever occurring during transit to or from CGC's facility, or thereafter. The risk of damage or loss during transit and thereafter is entirely upon you. Unless CGC receives special delivery instructions from you, CGC will return books to you by carrier of its choice. If you wish to control your risk of damage or loss by transit, you should make arrangements to pick up your books directly at CGC's facility.
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  • Does CGC offer a grading guarantee?
  • Due to the fragile nature of comic books, CGC does not offer a grading guarantee. However, CGC does offer the following guarantee: a) CGC guarantees thatone pre-grader and two senior graders will review every comic book submitted for grading. b) CGC guarantees its holder to be free of defects. Defective holders will be replaced at no charge, except when it is determined (at CGC's sole discretion) that the holder was subjected to deliberate or unintentional abuse, or if damage is the result of storage in a hazardous environment. c) CGC guarantees that all books it certifies are authentic as described on the CGC grading label.
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  • Does CGC attend cons & trade shows?
  • Yes, we attend many major comic cons, including the Wizard show in Chicago and the San Diego Comic-con. At these shows, CGC customer service staff and members of our grading team are available to answer your questions and take submissions.
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  • CGC is described as independent and third-party. What does that mean?
  • CGC does not buy-or-sell comic books and does not have a financial interest in the comic books that we certify. In fact, employees of CGC are prohibited from buying and selling comic books commercially.
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  • What is a pedigree?
  • An exceptional and widely-known original owner collection.
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  • What constitutes a pedigree?
  • CGC considers the following criteria when determining Pedigree status of a collection: The collection must be original owner. The collection must be of vintage material. The collection must consist of a considerable number of comics. The collection must be high-grade. For detailed information, please visit our Pedigree resources page.
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NGC - Numismatic Guaranty Company      NCS - Numismatic Conservation Services      PMG - Paper Money Guaranty     Collector's Society      CCG - Certified Collectibles Group