CCL Messageboard

Approvers-

I keep having employees 'bow out' of wanting to do additions to the database.

The reason is time of course, but if an item, most likely a variant is to be added it SOMETIMES takes forever to get approval.

What would be nice is to get a list of 'tips' that would make it easier for the APPROVER to be able to approve an item.

I have employees ONLY add items that are 'in hand' and indicate so in the comments.

What would help? I have several BUY ME TOYS variants that have been sitting waiting for approval for quite a while.

What additional info would help speed the process up and make it easy for the Approver?

Honestly, I have been here 15 years, and cannot beleive I am just asking for this NOW.

Not sure if you are aware, but all approvers are volunteers, not employees.

I'll try to find it, but I believe that there is a guide to making change requests in one of the threads, I'll try to find it.

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Not sure if you are aware, but all approvers are volunteers, not employees.

I'll try to find it, but I believe that there is a guide to making change requests in one of the threads, I'll try to find it.

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I am well aware, and they deserve high praise for it!
I am just trying to make it easier for the approver.
A link to the article would be fantastic. I see a lot gets lost here with the massive amount of books that must be added every week. My opinion is an impressive amount gets done here.

I have to guess that if I included a link to the item on the original sellers site (BuyMeToys.com in this example) that that would help speed up the process.
I just don't know but a quick checklist would help.

pottersan- you also have no visible ICON at the the moment, wether by accident or purpose I'm letting you know, and thank you for the advice.

-JCS

I think these are the current guidelines (Iknow it's from a long time ago but I think the rules have pretty much stayed the same). I know having as much info as possible helps (link to sites, proof of actual comic in hand, etc).
http://www.comiccollectorlive.com/ChangeRequestGuidelines.aspx

Such a bonus! I remember reading this back in 2011. Thx for the help.
-JC

pottersan- you also have no visible ICON at the the moment, wether by accident or purpose I'm letting you know, and thank you for the advice.

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Yeah, since everybody has started charging for basic photo hosting on the internet, I couldn't justify spending anything to host just one picture.

I would love for any new update to allow us to post pictures onsite and in the message boards.

If anyone knows of a free place, let me know.

Awesome, that's what I was trying to find.

Yeah, since everybody has started charging for basic photo hosting on the internet, I couldn't justify spending anything to host just one picture.

I would love for any new update to allow us to post pictures onsite and in the message boards.

If anyone knows of a free place, let me know.
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Google Photos is free with gmail
Amazon photos free with PRIME
I now host my own on my site. makes global changes easier

if you have trouble with those, or just do not want them to have all your info, send me the pic and I'll host it for you.

-JS

My current problem, is I cannot link certain comics to the database here.
FACT:
LUNAR and PRH do not openly archive comics and items after FOC or the item sells out.
Images disappear. Solicitation for ratio variants disappear. In some cases Ration variant images are NEVER SHOWN.
DIAMOND is actually quite good at archives back to the 90's

What I'm left with for submissions is the actual book. A ratio variant, like DARK Crisis #1 2nd print 1:25 Foil has no online pedigree.
I know all about it, because I ordered it as a RETAILER. Beyond that it becomes a ghost, or I just cannot find it on a site allowed in the 'Approvers Bible'.

Advice here?

Wow, I didn't know these new distributors didn't maintain or archive all this info.

I would suggest screenshotting the order page with all the info before it disappears, or take pictures of any invoices that may also have the info. However, I recognize this would be a time consuming process (nevermind the issue of actually forwarding those images to Approvers somehow, as well), and probably wouldn't be worth your time.

Now that I'm thinking about it, I heard Joe brought on two new Approvers that are supposed to be focused on entering new releases. Shouldn't they be all over these variant solicitations before the solicits disappear? Why aren't they doing their job? Really, this info should already be good to go before retailers even get their books.

I think the main mechanism that causes this problem, is that release images disappear as of FOC, well before the published books hit my hands. The fact that the actual cover never hits their site happens right there. So many times the best you can hope for is an image WITHOUT trade dress.
This doubles and triples the work, as I have been submitting corrections to 'actually released covers' rather that the mock up from DC and MARVEL solicitations, but this ONLY happens when an item is 'in hand'.

I remember an FTP of the DC images, I remember it becoming monetized at some point but sorting that becomes a quick nightmare. LUNAR is super slow on getting the correct images.
LUNAR is after all a retailer too, and they just do not care much about it since they are competing with EVERY comics store forced to buy from them.

Who ever thought hat DIAMOND would be a better option? I thought this NEW distribution system from DC was a GREAT idea, and actually went with MIDTOWN first. They were flawless, and fast with replacements for me at least. Who figured it would end up the mess it is now.

-JC

Sorry I'm late to this discussion. As has already been noted, following the CR Guidelines are the best way to put in CRs that will get approved without a lot of extra legwork. Here are a few other tips that I would suggest:

- Link to a corroborating source on the internet for a book if you can. This is especially important if it's rare, hard to find, or a store-exclusive variant.

- If you actually own the book, let us know that you are adding info directly from a book in hand.

- Add as much CORRECT info as you can - adjust the Tags in the story arc field (if you're adding a book that was a store-exclusive, add that info), adjust the Captions (make sure the artist info is correct, add ratios or limited run numbers if known), adjust price and/or sale date if known, adjust Publisher info if necessary (if DC re-releases an old Fawcett book, change the Publisher; make sure Skybound books include both Skybound and Image as Publishers, etc.).

- If you are unsure about info, leave it blank and leave a comment saying so.

- Make sure you are using consistent, approved terminology in the Captions. Check this thread for examples.

- Make sure bios are sourced correctly. We can only accept bios from publisher or creator websites, from the actual book itself, or written by community members. We cannot accept them from Amazon, etc. The only exception is that we will sometime accept Previews/Diamond as a source if publisher info can't be found.

- If you're adding a store-exclusive variant, and the store has more than one version of the cover (color and black & white, or trade dress and virgin, etc.), please either add the most common version first or add all versions you're aware of at once.

- Do not try to change the variant lettering yourself (unless the lettering has gone past Z), If you think the variant belongs in a certain order among the books already listed, just leave a comment explaining that.

Making sure submission are complete and correct are the best way to get me as an Approver to move quickly. If I can tell that I'll have to do my own research or make a lot of corrections, I'm more likely to wait until I have more free time. Also, please feel free to contact me directly if you have a CR sitting for a while. I don't mind a nudge to go look at a book.

I'm going to desigh a Checklist to make it easier for my new guys. Thank you for the additional input... it has become more valuable each time!