retro.magnus 108 Member · Posted September 30, 2021 Share Posted September 30, 2021 This order was submitted (via Select) the first week of June, 2020. I received it yesterday. Overall, I'm glad I finally received my games back after waiting so long. I won't be going into the craziness of their turnaround times as we've all talked about that ad nauseam, unfortunately. 1. Various hairs, dirt, specs of cardboard in the cases & writing on the outside of one case. Hair in cases. I only took the two that stand out the most. (pics 1-2) Writing on case. It looks like an ink pen. I will be able to get it off, so not a huge deal.. (pic 3) 2. Grading inconsistencies. There are a few games that I really question the accuracy of the grades given. Some games pictured received a lot higher of a grade than I thought they would. If anyone has any thoughts on if you agree/disagree with the grades, that would be awesome! Metal Walker GBC, 8.5 A+. The front left side of the box is dented in. (pics 1-4) Blackthorne GBA, 8.5 A. Multiple dents & creases. Bottom of X Fold box is folding in (pics 5-10) Bomberman Max: Red Challenger, 9.6 A. Multiple corner dents (pics 11-16) 2 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NesQuest 93 Member · Posted September 30, 2021 Share Posted September 30, 2021 (edited) @epiczail, good post. Similar experience. The one game I submitted to Wata, around May of 2019 I believe, arrived back with a pretty scuffed case. The scuffing is on the INSIDE surface of the case which I thought was odd. What I’m referring is in the image attached around and below the title. They did offer to replace, but I didn’t want to pay for shipping and wait months again to get it back. The grade for mine though for pretty spot on, IMO. First impressions are a powerful thing. Not too big on grading games to begin with, but I won’t send them anything again. I only have 2 graded games, and if I do anymore it’ll be with VGA or VGG (yup, I said VGG ) This isn’t a big value title, but it is one of my absolute faves from childhood. Edited October 4, 2021 by NesQuest 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GPX 1,191 Member · Posted September 30, 2021 Share Posted September 30, 2021 @epiczail, thanks for that! If I was a reviewer, I would give that an epic fail! 15 months for a return of a graded game is just too slow. That is a massive no-no if I was a consumer. Hair, not 1 but 2 examples? The 2 GBC games with 8.5 score, I think this is part of the subjective score where 1 bigger, obvious flaw might equal to several lesser, less obvious flaws. The big disappointment for me is the 9.6 grade with the box having several corner creases. If 9.8 is supposed to be the gold standard, then 9.6 should be just a minor flaw that is hard to pick up from a quick glance. It really diminishes the effect of a 9.8 score, if you have a 9.6 grade like that one. That is certainly a good grade for you, but as a potential consumer, that isn’t what I want to see if I’m into high-grade collecting. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Code Monkey 1,635 Member · Posted September 30, 2021 Share Posted September 30, 2021 You didn't post any photos. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenrirZero 1,039 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 "We want the red head photos!" "Aye, the red head photos!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retro.magnus 108 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Author Share Posted October 1, 2021 18 minutes ago, Code Monkey said: You didn't post any photos. You didn’t click the links. 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Code Monkey 1,635 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 2 hours ago, epiczail said: You didn’t click the links. Why would you link to the photos instead of just posting the photos here? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeGame 637 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 4 hours ago, epiczail said: This order was submitted (via Select) the first week of June, 2020. I received it yesterday. Overall, I'm glad I finally received my games back after waiting so long. I won't be going into the craziness of their turnaround times as we've all talked about that ad nauseam, unfortunately. 1. Various hairs, dirt, specs of cardboard in the cases & writing on the outside of one case. Hair in cases. I only took the two that stand out the most. (pics 1-2) Writing on case. It looks like an ink pen. I will be able to get it off, so not a huge deal.. (pic 3) 2. Grading inconsistencies. There are a few games that I really question the accuracy of the grades given. Some games pictured received a lot higher of a grade than I thought they would. If anyone has any thoughts on if you agree/disagree with the grades, that would be awesome! Metal Walker GBC, 8.5 A+. The front left side of the box is dented in. (pics 1-4) Blackthorne GBA, 8.5 A. Multiple dents & creases. Bottom of X Fold box is folding in (pics 5-10) Bomberman Max: Red Challenger, 9.6 A. Multiple corner dents (pics 11-16) 8.5 is usually one big flaw (like a crease that drags all the way on one side) or 3-5 small flaws so these arent that bad i think. For the 9.6 i agree it seems a little forgiving and looks more like a 9.2 or 9.4 to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retro.magnus 108 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Author Share Posted October 1, 2021 50 minutes ago, Code Monkey said: Why would you link to the photos instead of just posting the photos here? Because I can? I don't understand the big deal lol. Any actual thoughts? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retro.magnus 108 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Author Share Posted October 1, 2021 1 hour ago, LifeGame said: 8.5 is usually one big flaw (like a crease that drags all the way on one side) or 3-5 small flaws so these arent that bad i think. For the 9.6 i agree it seems a little forgiving and looks more like a 9.2 or 9.4 to me. Awesome, good to know. What I thought an 8.5 was def wasn't what that Metal Walker looks like haha. I at least knew that 9.6 was quite a bit off. I would've guessed 9.0 or 9.2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inasuma 1,008 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 6 hours ago, epiczail said: 2. Grading inconsistencies. There are a few games that I really question the accuracy of the grades given. Some games pictured received a lot higher of a grade than I thought they would. If anyone has any thoughts on if you agree/disagree with the grades, that would be awesome! Metal Walker GBC, 8.5 A+. The front left side of the box is dented in. (pics 1-4) Blackthorne GBA, 8.5 A. Multiple dents & creases. Bottom of X Fold box is folding in (pics 5-10) Bomberman Max: Red Challenger, 9.6 A. Multiple corner dents (pics 11-16) This is honestly my biggest complaint. Their service is fine and some of my games have received well deserved grades. However, I have a Mega Man Zero 2 on GBA with edge/corner wear and a very obvious seal tear near the top edge on the front, that received a 9.6 A+. I have other games that, by the same standard, should be 10 A+ or 9.8 A+/A++, as they also received 9.6 A+/A++ but are likely 90/90+ or higher on VGA's scale. I'm happy you got your games back! I get the feeling Wata is quite swamped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OptOut 7,512 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 WATA is apparently hiring dogs to grade their games, at least from what it seems with all the hairs all over the place! 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retro.magnus 108 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Author Share Posted October 1, 2021 1 hour ago, inasuma said: This is honestly my biggest complaint. Their service is fine and some of my games have received well deserved grades. However, I have a Mega Man Zero 2 on GBA with edge/corner wear and a very obvious seal tear near the top edge on the front, that received a 9.6 A+. I have other games that, by the same standard, should be 10 A+ or 9.8 A+/A++, as they also received 9.6 A+/A++ but are likely 90/90+ or higher on VGA's scale. I'm happy you got your games back! I get the feeling Wata is quite swamped. Mine as well. I originally submitted with them because I think their cases are significantly better than VGA (or any of these other new players in the space). It's just disheartening to spend chunks of money and almost a year and a half waiting to get them back to still not even trust them. While, yes, it's nice to have higher grades than I would've thought... I honestly think I'd rather them come back lower so some semblance of trust would be built. I've been contemplating sending multiple other orders in since I sent this order in but haven't because I wanted to at least get one order back before giving them more money to hold my valuables hostage forever. If they would've delivered even remotely on time and had been consistent, they would have a lot more of my money. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retro.magnus 108 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Author Share Posted October 1, 2021 53 minutes ago, OptOut said: WATA is apparently hiring dogs to grade their games, at least from what it seems with all the hairs all over the place! The significant lack of QC, combined with how long everything is taking them realllllly makes me wonder what the fuck they are doing with all the money I know they have been making. Probably buying more Atari games and SM64's to horde while they inflate those prices. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OptOut 7,512 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 (edited) Sometimes, the memes just MS Paint themselves!!! Edited October 1, 2021 by OptOut 1 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brickman 2,636 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 24 minutes ago, OptOut said: Sometimes, the memes just MS Paint themselves!!! It’s like a Picasso! A true artist takes inspiration from everything haha. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OptOut 7,512 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 3 minutes ago, Shmup said: It’s like a Picasso! A true artist takes inspiration from everything haha. I realised I missed something, just edited the image... Can you spot the difference? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brickman 2,636 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 15 minutes ago, OptOut said: I realised I missed something, just edited the image... Can you spot the difference? The dog getting a 9.8 grade for his turd, haha classic. I’ll print it off and put it on my wall. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OptOut 7,512 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 3 minutes ago, Shmup said: The dog getting a 9.8 grade for his turd, haha classic. I’ll print it off and put it on my wall. At least now we know where all those flies are coming from! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearcat-Doug 4,264 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 11 hours ago, NesQuest said: @epiczail, good post. Similar experience. The one game I submitted to Wata, around May of 2019 I believe, arrived back with a pretty scuffed case. The scuffing is on the INSIDE surface of the case which I thought was odd. What I’m referring is in the image attached around and below the title. They did offer to replace, but I didn’t want to pay for shipping and wait at least another 8 months to get it back. The grade for mine though for pretty spot on, IMO. First impressions are a powerful thing. Not too big on grading games to begin with, but I won’t send them anything again. I only have 2 graded games, and if I do anymore it’ll be with VGA or VGG (yup, I said VGG ) This isn’t a big value title, but it is one of my absolute faves from childhood. I've seen several games that had scuffing on the inner casing. It is rather distracting considering that its main purpose is to be displayed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonebone 1,244 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 I think the 9.6 is a bit generous with multiple corners, but they're small and it's probably generally a 9.4 on their scale. 9.2 is more significant wear than that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CIB_Wholesale_no_split 266 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 here's a pic of an NES game where the shrink was torn When they put the game inside the case they forgot to push the shrink against the box causing the loose shrink to fold and tear more. It jostles around and you can see it tear and get more damaged in real time 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retro.magnus 108 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Author Share Posted October 1, 2021 7 hours ago, OptOut said: Sometimes, the memes just MS Paint themselves!!! Every time I read "GRADOG" I lol. This is too good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inasuma 1,008 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 11 hours ago, epiczail said: If they would've delivered even remotely on time and had been consistent, they would have a lot more of my money. bingo. can't say i want to submit any more after my current speedrun comes back. expecting it around feb at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamW 708 Member · Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 15 hours ago, Code Monkey said: Why would you link to the photos instead of just posting the photos here? The forum software re-compresses the images and limits the resolution. Much better to put them on a dedicated service. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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