FAQ
Is this a shop or a personal collection?
Both. It is my own collection, built since the late 1970s, being listed one issue at a time. I am not buying or reselling other people's books.
What does the grade on a listing mean?
On a raw book it is my own estimate, not a third-party grade, and every listing says so. I have been looking at these books for a long time and I do not overgrade them, but an estimate is an opinion rather than a certificate.
On a graded book it is the grading company's opinion, with a certification number you can look up yourself.
Is the picture the actual comic I am buying?
Not always, and every picture says which it is. One marked Actual photo is the copy you would receive. One marked Stock photo is a scan of the issue: it shows what the comic looks like, not my copy of it. Some listings also carry photographs of a specific copy further down the page, even when the main picture is still a scan.
Books under $5 are sold on my word. There are thousands of them, and photographing every one would mean far fewer books listed and higher prices. The grade is my honest read of that copy, and anything I notice goes in the description. If a photo would genuinely make the difference to you, ask anyway and I'll do what I can.
From $5 up, ask and I'll photograph the copy. Use the Ask for a photo link under the picture on any book page, or the contact form, and I'll take pictures of the actual book and add them to the listing. I am also working through these on my own, starting with the graded books and the most valuable issues, so more stock scans become real photographs over time.
The written description is about the specific copy either way. A crease, a colour tick or a soft corner goes in the grade and in the notes whatever the picture shows. A scan is labelled as a scan, so a book not looking like the picture is not by itself a fault with the book. If something I did not disclose turns up, that is what the refund policy covers.
How do I check a certification number myself?
Every graded book here shows its certification number on the listing, and the copy detail links straight to CGC's own page for that exact slab. You can also look one up yourself at cgccomics.com/certlookup. Type the number in and you get CGC's record: the grade, the page quality, the date they graded it, and any notes the grader made.
None of that comes from me, which is the whole point. If what CGC says differs from what this site says, believe CGC and tell me so I can fix it.
Why is the same issue not listed twice?
One page per issue, however many copies I have. If there is more than one, the page says how many are available. Copies of the same issue at the same grade are interchangeable, so choosing between identical listings would be a question with no right answer.
What happens when I add something to my cart?
That specific physical copy is reserved for you. Most books here exist in a quantity of one, so the reservation is what stops two people buying the same comic. Holds last 1 hour as a guest and 24 hours once you have a confirmed account.
If a hold lapses the book goes back on sale. Nothing is charged while a book is held.
Why does a book show as reserved instead of disappearing?
Because a book in someone else's cart may come back. Holds lapse. Hiding it entirely would mean an issue with one copy vanishing from the shop as though it never existed.
What does shipping cost?
Within the United States, raw comics are $6.00 for up to 3, $8.00 for 4 to 9, $10.00 for 10 to 12 and $12.95 for 13 or more, and graded books are $11.95 for one or two and $15.95 for three or more. Everything is free over $75. Postage goes up in steps with the size of the parcel rather than per book, so adding a second or third comic costs nothing extra to post.
How long until it arrives?
I pack and post within 3 to 7 business days, or 2 business days on orders of $25 and over. After that it is with USPS, and I do not promise a delivery date somebody else controls. Every order ships with tracking.
Can I return something?
Not for change of mind. Yes if the book is not what I described it as. Disagreeing with my grade estimate is not grounds for a return, which is the trade-off reflected in the price. What counts, how long you have and how the refund is paid are all in the refund policy, which is the one that governs.
Can I cancel an order?
Yes, any time before it ships, at no charge. If you have an account, open the order under Your orders and press Ask to cancel this order. Otherwise email support@grabmyslabs.com. I check the book has not gone out, then refund you in full, and you hear from me within 2 business days. Once it has shipped it's yours; the refund policy covers anything that arrives damaged.
Do you ship internationally?
Not at the moment. United States only.
Is my card safe?
Card details never touch this site. Payment is handled by Stripe, and I never see a card number.