The great CBCS adventure has come to an end. Do the new slabs meet expectations? How do they compare to CGC? It’s time for the final verdict.

THE STORY SO FAR

Earlier this year, CBCS began touting an improved experience for customers. This was part of the new ownership in the years since Beckett Media purchased the grading company. They promised better customer service and nicer capsules. It sounded good to me, so I decided to give them a try. 

On July 29, I boxed up two comics and mailed them to the CBCS offices in Dallas, Texas. As anyone who has used either CBCS or CGC’s grading services before, the prices depend on the age of the comic. With that in mind, I sent in Silver Surfer #1 and Venom #3 to get a broader sense of how the new CBCS would fare. FedEx brought them to my door on October 16.

I opted for fast pass and pressing for each comic. With shipping, the grand total was $125 for both comics, and that is after a $20 promotional discount. That is basically average for grading and pressing. In all, the turnaround time was 11 weeks to get my comics pressed, slabbed, and returned. The grades were what I expected, with SS #1 getting a 4.5 and Venom #3 receiving a 9.8.

THE NEW SLABS

As I have detailed previously, I did not have the best experience with CBCS in the past. Three years ago, I attended a Chris Claremont signing in Huntsville, Ala. CBCS was on hand to witness the autographs, so I saved a little on shipping fees. 

Then the turmoil began. 

It took several months, much confusion, and a lengthy email exchange and phone calls with customer service before I finally got my comics back. On top of that hassle, I was not pleased with the slabs. They looked like what they were - cheap, cloudy plastic. In the end, I did not feel I got my money’s worth on that occasion. 

When I read that CBCS was trying something new, I was willing to give them another chance. I was particularly intrigued by the prospect of a better slab, which is one of the selling points for choosing CGC, at least in my case. 

As you can see in the pictures, the slabs have a much better look. They seem more acrylic and glasslike with a clear window for the front and back of the comic. The updated labels present well, but I did not have a complaint about the old version. 

The only improvement I would suggest is a minor complaint. The corners and sides are not as smooth as I would like, and they feel like plastic. 

I also noticed the Silver Age slab is slightly taller and thicker than the Modern Age capsule. The bigger size gives the impression that it is sturdier, so I would like to see all CBCS’ slabs follow the bigger trend.

VERSUS CGC

These new slabs are more in line with those offered by CGC, and that is a plus. The old thin, flimsy slabs did not feel worth the cost from CBCS, so this is a marked improvement.

 

 

 

 

 

CBCS did manage to surpass the competition in one regard. If you have used CGC in recent years, you may have noticed strange dots under the front and back windows of the slabs. They have an oily quality and can be a definite eyesore, which are clearly visible in the pictures of my Dark Nights Metal #2. Neither CBCS-graded book had those strange, oily dots. I suspect this is a difference in the way the comics are encapsulated, but it is a win for CBCS. I have seen many complaints about those spots in various Facebook groups, and it could encourage collectors to lean towards CBCS in the future.

THE GRADE: B+

Overall, I was pleased with my experience with CBCS, but I was not necessarily blown away. 

From the quick and sufficient customer service response to the turnaround time and the new slabs, I am satisfied with the new CBCS. The bigger question, however, is will I choose CBCS over CGC? That is a tough call, but I still prefer the CGC slabs, at least for Modern Age comics. If CBCS makes all their slabs heavier without the rough feel on the sides that are a painful reminder that it is just plastic, then I may be more inclined to choose them over CGC.

The other point of contention is with the shipping. CBCS does not give customers a choice of shipping service, which means your comics will be handled by FedEx whether you like them or not. In my case, FedEx did an admirable job. The delivery driver actually made a second attempt on the same day to get my package to me. Still, FedEx does not have the best reputation, and it would be a plus for collectors to have delivery options.

WHAT ELSE?

There was also the issue of that $20 promotional discount I mentioned. In the CBCS emails, getting the $10/comic discount was as simple as entering the code on their site. That was not the case for me. The code had too many characters. I had to email customer service and write a note on the printed invoice that was packaged with my comics. I had to cross my fingers that it would be noticed. In the end, I received my discount, but it should have been easier and faster.

When I started this blog series, several collectors complained of long waits for customer service replies and even longer waits for their comics. As I pointed out, I have been through this with CBCS in the past, so I empathize with their frustration. However, I can only judge CBCS based on my experience, and this was a great improvement compared with three years ago. 

PARTING THOUGHTS

Will I use CBCS again? Yes, and I would recommend them to other collectors. The slabs look good, and I will proudly display them alongside those graded by CGC. To coin the phrase from Big Hero 6, I am satisfied with my care.