Comiclink Auctions and Exchange

I see from reviewing the specific items with the customer's order, that there was only a front cover image posted for one of the items and both front and back cover images posted for the other These items were posted remotely within our Exchange section by the seller We are in between the seller and the buyer, and we did not post the images at all After the items were sent to us, we put the stickers on the top of the back of the case in accordance with our standard procedure We understand that some buyers do not like the stickers, but for every one buyer that doesn't like them, there are 100+ that don't care Applying the stickers to the backs of the cases is not solely our practice, and it is done by other services and dealers in the industry, some of whom put their stickers on the front

This customer has purchased items from ComicLink between March, and August Each item had the same sticker affixed to it as the one he is complaining about now So, he knew what he was purchasing The images we post are not altered in any way They are images of the front of the CGC case The sticker is on the back of the case The condition of the item is not changed, as consumer claims, by affixing a sticker to the back of the case The condition of the comic book is assigned by the third party grading company, in this case CGC, and it is assigned to the actual comic book itself, which is encased within both an inner and outer plastic well, keeping the condition the sameThe sticker put on the case of the outer well, does not touch the comic book, and does not change the condition or invalidate the grade of the third party grading firm Anyone active in the hobby knows that this is the case so the consumer's claim that the condition can be changed by affixing the sticker is falseAttached find the terms and conditions of our web site, which state that we reserve the right to affix stickers to the back of the cases, as long as they do not obscure the comic book inside

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ***.
The response from the business has some factual errors that are important to clear upThe business stated: "This customer has purchased items from ComicLink between March, and August Each item had the same sticker affixed to it as the one he is complaining about now So, he knew what he was purchasing."- This is not correctThe fact is I have only made one purchase from this business and the one purchase I made is the one I am basing this complaint uponThis was my first experience with this businessI do not know why they would claim thisIt is factually and demonstrably incorrectI am sure if they double check the order number *** they will find their error. The business stated this about the images they provide to customers: "They are images of the front of the CGC case The sticker is on the back of the case."- This is not correctThe item I bought was on a page that did have a picture of the back of the caseThe webpage and images are still live on their websiteI have attached an image which is a screenshot of the pageThe decision I made to buy the item I did was based on the images provided of the item provided on that pageThat page clearly and prominently displays an image of both the front and the back of the caseThe item did not have a sticker on it in the imageThe business is stating something that is clearly and demonstrably by stating that they do not show images of the back of a case as shown in the attached imageThe business stated this: "The condition of the item is not changed, as consumer claims, by affixing a sticker to the back of the case."- This is incorrectIf a picture of item presented to a consumer does not have a sticker on it, but then the item received does have a sticker on itThe condition has changed. It does seem factual that within their terms and conditions (a document with over words) the statement is included that stickers are affixed to the casesThis, I am sure takes care of them legally, but I am not making a legal complaint at the moment I am making a consumer complaint about a business that presents one thing to a consumer and then sells them an item that is alteredIt would be useful if the business could warn the customer in a reasonable and visible manner that they will alter the item they are sellingIt seems deceptive that they would hide this information in the 25th paragraph of a legal document rather than include it in a way a consumer is more likely to see it.I have researched this matter to see if others have had the same type of experience as I have and I found literally hundreds of complaints about this practice.It is clear from the complaints online that this is a practice that people do not like (see some of these complaints below) however the business has the right to conduct their business how they see fit.My complaint is that I was not informed in any reasonable manner that they would alter the item without my permission.I received an item that was different and looked different from the item they represented to me in their images.The items I purchased were year old comic books that may may take months or years to come to market at the same price again (or never).I believe it would be fair to ask the business to inform customers that they will alter the items they sell by affixing a sticker that is known to require time, money and potentially hazardous chemicals to remove. They should also warn a consumer that removing their sticker may cause irreversible damage to the item.I am simply a consumer who wants to be able to make an informed decision about the products I buy.This business does not warn new customers that they alter their itemsThey could do so by adding a line to their template that stated something like "We will affix a sticker to this item for advertising purposesThis sticker is known to be difficult to remove and may require chemicals to clean the residue left by sticker". It would also be nice if they could provide an example of what this alteration will look like and instructions of how to remove the stickers and the residue.In my case, there was clearly an image of the back of the book, and the image clearly did not have stickers on it. In this scenario, I find it deceptive and problematic and in my case, I feel I was shown one thing to make me spend money, and then received another thing instead.- Image is attached of the original page where they advertised the item I bought.Here are some consumer complaints found online specifically about these stickers (I present the complaint and also the link to the page where the complaint can be found):- "I understand they want us to know where the book was sold from and I also understand it's a bit of free advertising, but I really don't want that adhesive sticker on the back of CGC casesI'm afraid to attempt to remove it because I'm sure the residue that will be left over would look just as bad as the sticker itself" :: link to page where this comment exists: ***- "Given the awful residue that remains from ComicLink stickers, I can only assume they either don't give a rip about the people who feel the need to remove them, or they continue to use that brand SPECIFICALLY to dissuade people from removing themEither reason is awful formAnd yes, they do put them on high-dollar books too." :: link to page where this comment exists:***- "The Comiclink sticker they put on the back of the CGC case is ridiculous! I can't believe they put a sticker on a CGC book that never belonged to them in the first placeI already know I am buying the book from ComicLink and they still feel the need to advertise, to me, on my itemI work for a plumbing company and wonder what the reaction would be from a customer if they paid me to install a brand new kitchen faucet and when I was done I slapped a company sticker on it." :: link to page where this comment exists:***- "The beauty of an encased comic book should not be marred by a sticker that is, frankly, an eyesoreThis type of cheap advertisement takes away from the aesthetic appeal of a slabbed bookThe stickers ComicLink uses are difficult to remove and require unreasonable means that risk damaging the slab." :: link to page where this comment exists:***- "THE CASE IS IN NEAR MINT/MINT CONDITION EXCEPT for a ComicLink sticker on the upper side of the back" :: link to page where this comment exists:***- "hate those stupid stickers." :: link to page where this comment exists:***- "these stickers are permanent and they have ruined slabs that I've attempted to remove them fromI know why you put them on the slabs, but can you please stop it - or use removable labels" :: link to page where this comment exists:***- "There are some representatives of CLink (Comiclink) on these boards and they are well aware of this (sticker) issueThey've just decided not to do anything about it." :: link to page where this comment exists:***- "is it just me or do others find the C-Link stickers on the back of CGC cases to be aggravating and audacious on their part ?! The CGC case is the actualitem used to protect the valuable, why is being defaced ? It should not be used as a walking bill***- "I sold a book a while back and at the last minute I realized it had the dreaded sticker on the backI figure, easy does it It'll come right offIt instantly began to shred no matter how careful I was and left behind a pulpy-film cemented to the plasticI don't remember what I used - it may have been goof-off or rubber cement thinner to try to dissolve the glueI ended up getting most of it off, no thanks to the solvents, I had to basically roll the paper-glue crud into balls and use clear tape to suck it off the plasticThe solvent left the plastic dull with a matt finish and I was lucky, in a mylar you really couldn't see the damage to the slabBut that's the point - it can damage slabsBuy better-quality labels or stop putting that crud on the booksPlease." :: link to page where this comment exists:***- "Aw...I see my new slab came in....but it's got a sticker on it! I'll just take this off and....dammit....it won't come off! Who would do this? Who did I get this from? The sticker says "Comiclink". I guess I'll never buy from them again!" :: link to page where this comment exists:***
- "I shouldn't have to subject a slab to cleaning with solvents if all Comiclink has to do is get better stickers or just stop doing it." :: link to page where this comment exists:***- "we all complain and tell them what we would like from them (no stickers, updated website, being able to save something to a watchlist, etc.) " :: link to page where this comment exists:***- "I absolutely refuse to go to the ComicLink web-site anymoreIf I don't know those book are for sale then I don't have buy one which I'll dislike because of that stupid stickers!! I HATE those $&?@ stickers with a passion!!!" :: link to page where this comment exists:***
- "I really hate (dislike is too tame a word) those stickersI remove every one on the books I buy from them" :: link to page where this comment exists:***
- "I don't like them on my slabs - and as I demonstrated in the original post neither do buyers of my booksIf nothing else, I find it kinda ballsy of ComicLink to feel they can mark their territory on every book that passes through themI just think they should get removable stickers if they're going to continue doing it, so those of us who don't love them on the back of our CGC slabs can remove them easilyI don't think that's too big a deal to ask." :: link to page where this comment exists:***
- "I get frustrated with those &#^$%$&# stickers" :: link to page where this comment exists:***
- "The Comiclink sticker on the other hand are still the same as before and tough to peel off without an added agent." :: link to page where this comment exists:***
- "Book=good Stickers=bad" :: link to page where this comment exists:***- "it's just frustrating. They're (Comiclink) the only ones in comics who put stickers on their slabs that don't easily come off. It's worse that they don't care. " :: link to page where this comment exists:***
- "I hate those so bad!!! I sent of mine in to re-slab them just to get those stickers off and I have never purchased from Comiclink since. Slab vandalism ***!" :: link to page where this comment exists:***- "No one likes the stickers but youPlease quit" :: link to page where this comment exists:***
- "Comiclink is a broker, an auction house that facilitated the transferI do not need to remind myself where I bought itThat is done by looking at my invoices or billsI am not here to promote their wares and it is a nuisance more than it is anything elseIf I prefer to have a clean looking slab that I spent my hard-earned money on then all I ask is use removable labels for those like me that have that preference." :: link to page where this comment exists:***
- "When I say "slab" I mean the entire collectible: comic et allI want to see that when I look at it, front and back - not Comiclink's labelWhy bother paying the premium for an officially graded, protected comic book if it has some third-party advertising on it that I do not want to see." :: link to page where this comment exists:***
- "CGC puts their slabs in a clear bag which I assume is to protect the case from fingerprints and such, why someone in the business to resell CGC slabs would stick things directly on the case makes no sense to me." :: link to page where this comment exists:***- "The stickers are UGLY, obnoxious, and cover legal language that probably shouldn't be coveredOnce I buy the book from Clink (or anyone else), it's mine and any connection that Clink had to it is finishedtheir atomic adhesive ad (undoubtedly intended to dissuade removal) is not welcome on MY book." :: link to page where this comment exists:***
- "if Comiclink were to actually take a poll (or we setup a poll here) they would find that 95% or more would prefer a removable sticker. Hopefully someone will take notice" :: link to page where this comment exists:***- "The main argument of folks who do not like the stickers (myself included) are that they are annoying and take time to remove that could better be spent elsewhereJosh has apparently not responded to reasonable requests (in my view at least) to remove them" :: link to page where this comment exists:***
- "Just got a big shipment of slabs from Clink, and they all have that stupid sticker on the back of the actual slabSome of these are for me, and I don't care muchSome of these are for resale, and I would assume that would bug some customersHave they always done this?" :: link to page where this comment exists:***
- "I despise that they slap their stickers on the slab but what's even worse is that you have to be some kind of chemist to remove the residue left over." :: link to page where this comment exists:***
- "This could all be alleviated if CL would: (1) realize that they don't need the advertising on individual books which the buyer pays for when you think about it; or (2) use non-permanent stickersI've voiced my opinion to them by phone about the stickers." :: link to page where this comment exists:***- "This could all be alleviated if CL would: (1) realize that they don't need the advertising on individual books which the buyer pays for when you think about it; or (2) use non-permanent stickersI've voiced my opinion to them by phone about the stickers." :: link to page where this comment exists:***Regards,
*** ***

I see from reviewing the specific items with the customer's order, that there was only a front cover image posted for one of the items and both front and back cover images posted for the other.  These items were posted remotely within our Exchange section by the seller.  We are in between the seller and the buyer, and we did not post the images at all.  After the items were sent to us, we put the stickers on the top of the back of the case in accordance with our standard procedure.  We understand that some buyers do not like the stickers, but for every one buyer that doesn't like them, there are 100+ that don't care.  Applying the stickers to the backs of the cases is not solely our practice, and it is done by other services and dealers in the industry, some of whom put their stickers on the front.

This customer has purchased 105 items from ComicLink between March, 2014 and August 2016.  Each item had the same sticker affixed to it as the one he is complaining about now.  So, he knew what he was purchasing.  The images we post are not altered in any way.  They are images of...

the front of the CGC case.  The sticker is on the back of the case.  The condition of the item is not changed, as consumer claims, by affixing a sticker to the back of the case.  The condition of the comic book is assigned by the third party grading company, in this case CGC, and it is assigned to the actual comic book itself, which is encased within both an inner and outer plastic well, keeping the condition the same. The sticker put on the case of the outer well, does not touch the comic book, and does not change the condition or invalidate the grade of the third party grading firm.  Anyone active in the hobby knows that this is the case so the consumer's claim that the condition can be changed by affixing the sticker is false. Attached find the terms and conditions of our web site, which state that we reserve the right to affix stickers to the back of the cases, as long as they do not obscure the comic book inside.