Me And My Big Mouth You may recall that I recently went to a comic book convention to submit a few of my dad's old Batman comics to CGC Comics to get them graded. I'm expecting a 30-40 day turn around, so I'm not expecting to get the comics back for another few weeks at least. However, I was browsing the CGC website, and I noticed something that caused me a little concern.

They are very specific about how their submission form should be filled out, and they warn you that if it is not filled out correctly, it could cause "significant delays" in getting the comics back from them. They say that the month/year column on the form is the part most commonly not filled out. I looked at my copy of the submission form, and sure enough, that column was left blank. The thing is, I didn't fill out the form. It was completed by the representative from CGC comics. I'm really anxious to get the comics back, and I sure as hell don't want there to be any delays due to an error by CGC. I decided to call them up to complain.

I called their toll free number and got a hold of one of their customer service reps in Sarasota, Florida. He said, "Thank you for calling CGC Comics. How can I help you?"

I said, "Yeah, I have a complaint. I recently submitted three comics to you guys at the Big Apple Comic Con, and the guy from CGC who filled out the form left the month/year column blank, and I don't think it's fair that the grading will be delayed do to an error by CGC."

He said, "Don't worry about that. We got you covered. It would only cause a delay if you had submitted a lot of comics. Since you only submitted three, it'll be fine. Not to worry."

I said, "That's a relief to hear."

He said, "I was at the Big Apple Comic Con. Maybe you remember me. My name is Scott."

As soon as he said his name, I realized that I was speaking to the very person that I had called to complain about. Imagine that.

"Your name doesn't ring a bell," I said.

"I have red hair and a goatee," said Scott. That was him all right.

"Nope," I said. "I don't think I met you."

"What comics did you submit?" asked Scott.

I figured they must have received a ton of submissions at the convention. There's no way he'd remember me. Right? So I said, "A couple of Detective Comics and a Batman comic."

Scott says, "From the early sixties, right? I totally remember you. We don't get many early Batmans. You're a tall guy with a shaved head, and you were wearing a Speed Racer t-shirt, right?"

Damn! He made me.

"Yeah, that was me," I confessed. "I'm sorry. I guess I was calling to complain about you. I hope this won't affect the grade that you give my comics." I'm hoping they'll get a high grade so I can get a good price for them on eBay.

Scott laughed. "Of course not," he said. "I'm in customer service. I'm not involved in the grading process, and even if I were, we grade comic books impartially. We wouldn't allow a inquiry from one of our customers to affect our grading integrity one way or the other. And besides," Scott continued, "your question raised perfectly legitamate concern. I don't blame you one bit for calling."

"Cool," I said. "You've been very helpful. Thanks."

Scott said, "Glad to be of service. Thanks for calling CGC Comics. Have a good night and enjoy your holiday."

I said, "You too. Good night."

Either Scott is a really nice guy, or he got off the phone, slipped some sandwich meat between every page in my comic books and kicked the three of them around in a sandbox.
- Bernie  ¶ 2:54 PM