6 Questions Comic Collectors Might Have For CGC
Not too long ago, CGC (Certified Guaranty Company) surprised the comic community by announcing they would remove many of the defects listed on their labels. This decision was not received well by many collectors. I, along with others, used our platforms to discuss the subject as well as the possible motives and future implications.
In short, I believed it to be two-fold. Disclaimer: this was purely speculation on my part. First, CGC is referencing entities who dealt with them, not only frequently, but in high quantities. They were likely sitting on graded comics with prominent defects that haven't sold because collectors would see them listed and be turned off. Second, the potential increase in membership and the revenue that would follow would be considerable and hard to ignore.
In their original statement, it was mentioned the move came about based on feedback from “prominent members of the collecting community.” CGC also cited members already having free access to grader notes as part of their decision. That is not true, however, as that came with the package of a paid membership. Which, as it turns out, is not how free works.
On June 7th though, CGC announced that all labels will have QR codes and from that day going forward, anyone would be able to check grader notes online, provided any being available. It’s quite a switch to go from the least to a significantly more convenient level of access. In terms of a spectrum, the least would be the details hidden behind a paywall, with the most being still fully listed on the label. Credit where credit is due, I give it to CGC for acknowledging access and transparency for the community.
However, we live in an age where transparency isn’t always what we think or expect and corporate motives are questionable (to say the least) at times. There’s certainly nothing wrong with a healthy serving of skepticism. With that said, lingering questions one might have include:
- Who were the “prominent members of the collecting community” referenced before?
- What went into the decision to change course?
- How many people joined as paid members after the previous announcement?
- How many cancelled their memberships?
- How many comic books went through their system in that short window?
And a final one just because: What was it all for?
Where do you stand on the matter? Are you concerned about the comics processed in between these announcements? Were you at all swayed one way or the other by either update? Share your thoughts.