CP Harbinger Deal issue with QR Variant

paradise · Post by **paradise** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 12:09 pm

I will be emailing everyone in the Harbinger deal to point them to this thread, as I want the situation resolved to the best possible way in the open. I don't want people to think that some got better treatment than others.

If you were in our Harbinger deal you know that we had to order 2,000 copies in order to get 40 QR variants, to fill 40 sets. The problem is that we rely on Diamond and the printers to send us nice copies to send out to customers. X-O Deal went pretty smoothly, the books were all pretty nice. Not so much on the Harbinger deal. Regular books and 1:20s are all fine, but the QR variants came in underwhelming conditions. They vary from minor cover imperfections and tiny spine nicks, to some really bad bends that look like machine processed damages.

Dinesh and Atom looked through the books with me yesterday (benefit of doing a release party) and had the same concerns. We called Diamond to try and get replacements, but they were out of the book. Dinesh and Atom promised to look through their own stock at the offices and try to get me copies to replace the damaged ones, but since they are also limited to stock on hand, I think we'll only be able to replace the really damaged books, not all 40 copies for perfect "gradable" books. We don't even know how the stock looks like at Valiant HQ because by the time the books got there, Atom and Dinesh were already on the plane to LA for our signings.

The only thing I CAN do is start shipping out books in the order they were paid for, picking the best copies and shipping them out. The only people that will get in front of that line will be our Mail Order customers, because we are shipping their monthly books with the Harbinger deal, and it's only fair that I don't charge them extra shipping since they already paid it on the Harbinger deal.

If you are in one of the earlier numbers, posted below, Please let me know and I will hold off sending your set, and you take a chance that we get (or don't get) better copies from the replacements. That's the best I can do right now. I invested over 4k in this product and besides Dinesh' generous offer to help me replace copies, I have no other recourse here.

Here is the order:
18 Zoso20 mail order
28 cjv mail order
1 comicsyte95
2 magnusr
3 donner5
4 etos45
5 greg
6 greg
7 jmatt
8 SJS4
9 kevinbastos
10 400yrs
11 TheVisitor
12 dwald385
13 dhudson1
14 msmadnyc
15 FormerReader
16 Lobo
17 caxiotis
19 Carson
20 FutureShock
21 FutureShock
22 maggy
23 SnotDrip
24 Helios
25 mcf
26 Sonicdan
27 bobby97801
29 svair
30 betterthanezra
31 michalward
32 k_c_collectibles
33 dbest4u
34 VEI Reborn
35 tssgery
36 GGSAE
37 siren3-4
38 Smiley
picked up in person
40 Bloodshot

SJS4 · Post by **SJS4** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 12:27 pm

FWIW, I am okay if the issue isn't "perfect" but I would hope to have something that is roughly 9.0 (or above). The only thing that really irks me is a rip or major bend. I actually don't mind the spine nicks so much.

If possible I would like to have mine with your best available copy (when you get to my "number" like you described in your post), but if the majority decides on some other way to distribute the issues (ie: everyone waits until we know if better copies are available, or random selection, etc...) I am okay with that as well. I appreciate all the effort you put in to this so no worries from my side.

kevinbastos · Post by **kevinbastos** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 12:43 pm

I don't know how to respond - but I will trust your judgement. I have a copy already - and don't plan on sending yours in for CGC grading. I was more interested in getting the signatures on the copies. That was my big thing - getting the autographed books.

Let me put it this way - I am in.

If the books are signed, I want them.

I bought the X-O set, Harbinger set, and I am in on the Bloodshot set, and the X-O 2 variant.

When you asked people to commit more to the original 10 X-O set, I was in.

I would prefer a less damaged copy or set. If it's like stepped on or ripped, I am not interested...

But I will take from the 'less damaged' sets... If that makes any sense.

It seems like you and Valiant have a good relationship - perhaps that may continue in the future. I have been inclined to be supportive so far of your efforts. I plan to continue my rabid crazy buying... If I feel good about this exchange - I will keep buying. If I don't, I might not.

But, as I said, I am in.

Sorry that you had to go through all of this mess. And please don't take this as complaint. I'm pretty darned grateful - just trying to give you my side of the story, too.

ckb · Post by **ckb** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 12:49 pm

I want to independently confirm that of the 20 50:1 variants I had access to, none were above 9.2, most were 9.0ish or worse. I also have appealed to Dino for getting replacements for the 4 copies that I own.

paradise · Post by **paradise** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 12:54 pm

kevinbastos wrote:I don't know how to respond - but I will trust your judgement. I have a copy already - and don't plan on sending yours in for CGC grading. I was more interested in getting the signatures on the copies. That was my big thing - getting the autographed books.

Forgot to mention, all the books that were supposed to get signed GOT SIGNED!!! Including the 1:50s. We noticed the problems after we got the books signed, so whatever problems we have, they are spread between signed and un-signed books.

And, no, it's not like they are stepped on and ripped, nothing like that.

dhudson1 · Post by **dhudson1** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 12:58 pm

Do whatever you need to do, this is not your fault.

cjv · Post by **cjv** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 1:32 pm

It looks like I am near the top of the list, so I guess I luck out with one of the "minor issues" comics. While a 9.8 would be great, so long as it is a nice looking copy (NM ideally) than I will be happy! If not, I will still be happy. Either way, go ahead and send. Thanks!

Chris

comicsyte95 · Post by **comicsyte95** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 1:47 pm

Ed this is not your fault.I dont have to wait for a better copy ,I trust your judgement and accept one with one with cover imperfections and tiny spine nicks.

Helios · Post by **Helios** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 1:53 pm

I'm fine with a 9.0 or better copy. I don't mind waiting if that's not possible in the current batch.

FormerReader · Post by **FormerReader** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 1:57 pm

It's disappointing to hear, but these things happen. I will take the best issue available at my number. If at that point the issue has any larger defects than minor imperfections or small spine ticks I probably wouldn't mind waiting for replacements. Thank you again for doing this. We all appreciate it it a lot!

BruceReville · Post by **BruceReville** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 2:05 pm

Sorry nothing less than a 9.8 for me

kevinbastos · Post by **kevinbastos** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 2:46 pm

paradise wrote:
kevinbastos wrote:I don't know how to respond - but I will trust your judgement. I have a copy already - and don't plan on sending yours in for CGC grading. I was more interested in getting the signatures on the copies. That was my big thing - getting the autographed books.
Forgot to mention, all the books that were supposed to get signed GOT SIGNED!!! Including the 1:50s. We noticed the problems after we got the books signed, so whatever problems we have, they are spread between signed and un-signed books.

And, no, it's not like they are stepped on and ripped, nothing like that.

I will be ecstatic to get the signed copy, then. As always. My most humble thanks.

paradise · Post by **paradise** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 2:49 pm

BruceReville wrote:Sorry nothing less than a 9.8 for me

Sounds good, for you specially

BruceReville · Post by **BruceReville** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 2:53 pm

paradise wrote:
BruceReville wrote:Sorry nothing less than a 9.8 for me
Sounds good, for you specially

Sa-Weet!

etos45 · Post by **etos45** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 3:18 pm

I'm high enough on the list that I guess I'm fine with getting a best available.

...it still talks, right?

paradise · Post by **paradise** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 3:24 pm

etos45 wrote:I'm high enough on the list that I guess I'm fine with getting a best available.

...it still talks, right?

It does, though the phone is not included

jmatt · Post by **jmatt** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 3:36 pm

At #7, how bad could mine be? I'll take the next best copy after the mailorder and first 6 slots have been taken care of. I like them as good as I can get, but I was never expecting a CGC 9.8.

Thanks for all your hard work.

Now, wasn't there a thread somewhere around here about the paper quality and flimsy-ish covers for a $4 comic...

svair · Post by **svair** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 4:32 pm

I'm not too concerned about it's condition...however if they hv numbered coa's I would like my number 28....good copy or not

BloodShot · Post by **BloodShot** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 4:50 pm

Ed,

Reply PM in-bound.

TIA,

-Jay

VEI Reborn · Post by **VEI Reborn** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:45 pm

My butt is extremely chapped.

Ugh. I am very nervous to see the condition of the numerous QR variants I have coming in.

I really feel VEI needs to offer a swap out program after the amount of money some of us have put into this stuff.

Before someone says "well they have a limited supply also" , they can easily give people X amount of time to send in copies, do another print run based on the copies sent in and burn the dinged up ones to not flood the market.

I was VERY disappointed with the condition of the numerous X-O QR variants I purchased. To purchase brand new books and have some of them look like that was shocking to say the least. I figured it was a fluke so I jumped head first into the Harbinger QRs , very upsetting to see its even worse now [from what people are saying]

Looks like the 9.8 graded copies will be selling for a fortune.

PS. I am in no way upset with you Ed. Do what you can to get me a decent copy please. I know Im down on the list but I did buy a bunch of extra 1:25s and packs of 10 standards

donner5 · Post by **donner5** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:46 pm

I'm easy so do whatever you can and I'll take what I can get I guess.

Things like this happen, even though it sucks

tssgery · Post by **tssgery** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:06 pm

Well, I'm at the end of the list. I guess that means I'll get one of the worst looking copies unless Dino can refresh the supply.

I don't need a perfect copy but would like it to be NM- or better.

I hate to sound like an *SQUEE*, but if it's not possible to get a NM- or better.. would you consider refunding part of the money (or offering some kind of credit as you have some books in your ebay store I might be interested in) and not sending the QR variant? I do want the other books in my order though.

michalward · Post by **michalward** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 7:07 pm

Any copy you send will be just fine by me, I'm not going to worry about condition. And thanks

paradise · Post by **paradise** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 7:10 pm

tssgery wrote:Well, I'm at the end of the list. I guess that means I'll get one of the worst looking copies unless Dino can refresh the supply.

I don't need a perfect copy but would like it to be NM- or better.

I hate to sound like an *SQUEE*, but if it's not possible to get a NM- or better.. would you consider refunding part of the money (or offering some kind of credit as you have some books in your ebay store I might be interested in) and not sending the QR variant? I do want the other books in my order though.

There won't be refunds. I don't get a refund on my diamond order, so we just deal with the hand that was given. I am sure Dinesh will get me some decent copies, and I will be able to do something. I know many Valiant fans are very particular about conditions and I ALWAYS try to respect that and keep that in mind, but I have to stress, I never guaranteed 9.anything or CGA grading criteria. I sell "new condition" comics, and sometimes that "new" condition is not perfect, there are too many factors and handling points between it being made and getting in your hands. If you understand the process that it goes through, it's hard to expect 9.8 copies every time. I know most of you don't but some do and that's a VERY TALL ORDER to try and provide.

Once again, I never did and will NEVER ever guarantee particular Grade to anyone here. I have been in business for too many years to do that. Specially on limited supply books.

400yrs · Post by **400yrs** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 7:51 pm

I'm good with best available at my number. Thanks!

ValiantFans.com Board - Since 2004