Two NOD Committee Members, Mark S. Zaid and Brent Moeshlin, recently participated in a panel discussion at the San Diego Comic-Con International. This was the first public appearance by the NOD in a discussion format. Approximately 35 people attended the discussion. A very small handful were unknown to us.
Much of the conversation, particularly during the Q & A, revolved around the NOD. Mark and I were very happy with the presentations and discussion. Although it is true that there were constructive criticisms, at times perceived to be negative, we welcome hearing different views to see how best we could possibly incorporate them into the NOD framework and strengthen the organization.
Mark and I made some very specific, and we believe clear, points.
First, the NOD is not "about" pressing. The existence of the pressing controversy, among others, certainly contributed to the interest to create the NOD but it is just one facet of the focus among many. Of course, it is one of the issues that separates some from the others, but at no time did we emphasize pressing. Indeed, we continually stressed otherwise and articulated the positive objectives of the NOD.
Second, the NOD is designed to create more of a level playing field for the buyer than serve as a vehicle for the seller. Even those who were more pessimistic about what the NOD could do for them as an established dealer acknowledged that the NOD is best designed to benefit collectors and new dealers who are trying to establish their initial reputation.
That is not to say that the NOD will not or can not benefit all dealers, even those who are well-established. For one thing, it is designed to restore and/or emphasize the principles of integrity and trust with respect to the hobby in general. Anyone who supports those notions will contribute towards those goals simply by participation in the NOD. Additionally, membership in the NOD also serves as a designation that a seller will act trustworthy and fair, and that in the slim chance such conduct does not occur there is a viable mechanism that provides a remedy for such circumstances. Dealer membership in the NOD hopefully will attract business from new customers, but it is not designed to harm relationships with dealers who choose not to participate. Nor is a dealer's decision not to participate in the NOD indicative of their being untrustworthy or unfair. At no time will the NOD advocate such a posture.
The NOD's purpose is clear and we will spell it out further now. Integrity. Security. Education.
These three words symbolize what the NOD stands for and promotes. This is our message.
Integrity = Those who are the members of NOD believe in an ethical standard that rises to the highest levels. Usage of the NOD logo by sellers denotes a level of trust that can be readily accepted by buyers even when no prior interaction existed between the two individuals. Participation in NOD by all members demonstrates adoption to strict codes of conduct that instills ideals that promotes the betterment of the hobby.
Security - Involvement in the NOD requires a degree of openness that exists nowhere else. Disclosure of important information to a prospective buyer creates a greater sense of security and trust to minimize concerns and ensure complete satisfaction with a transaction, both immediately and thereafter.
Education - A smart buyer is an educated buyer. NOD desires that all buyers, whether collectors, investors or dealers, have all relevant substantive information at their disposal when contemplating decisions impacting their purchases. Education ensures intelligent decisions, and intelligent decisions lead to positive and repeat transactions that further the continuation and enjoyment of the hobby.
We welcome comments and suggestions on how best to facilitate and achieve the purposes of the NOD. We also encourage all those who support our activities to join. There have been suggestions that we create different levels of membership, particularly at least one that will cost less than $50 so as to encourage collectors to join, and the NOD is in the process of considering such an option. If anyone has further thoughts about how a future membership tier should be structured, please let us know.
However, if you firmly believe in the NOD, desire to play a substantive role in its development and are willing to incur the $50 fee, please do sign up now at Network of Disclosure
If you have questions for the NOD, particularly concerning current policies, we are open to trying to address them as best we can. It is preferable that you e-mail them to us at info@networkofdisclosure.com. As the three NOD Committee Members frequent the CGC boards we are also amenable to taking questions on the boards. However, if you chose this route please also contact at least one of the Committee Members via PM and/or e-mail to alert them of your posed question and also allow at least 48-72 hours for a reply as it will need to be coordinated with the organization.
We appreciate all the favorable and constructive comments that we have seen thus far and look forward to working with the community to strengthen the hobby we love.
Brent Moeshlin (qualitycomix) Jim Wilkerson (awe4one) Mark S. Zaid (esquirecomics)
In the little time that the Network of Disclosure (NOD) has existed we have observed that many different comments and beliefs about why NOD was created, who can or should be a member, what we stand for and what we hope to accomplish have percolated from various individuals, both publicly and privately. Many of these comments have been completely erroneous and misunderstand what guides our members to join or why someone should join.
Therefore, we thought it helpful to further educate the comic book community, dealers and collectors alike, with additional explanations. If questions remain about the NOD, we encourage anyone to contact us at info@networkofdisclosure.com.
Q. Why is there a need for NOD?
A. Our hobby, like any other, has always been and continues to be a minefield in some respects. Whether it be an unfortunate variance among the grading standards of established dealers or sellers, misleading, inaccurate or incomplete advertisements of books that led collectors to purchase one thing only to find later it was or had been once something completely different, or simply a general lack of knowledge among old and new collectors/investors regarding relevant information that could be used to permit informed decisions to be made in the purchase of books or choice of dealers.
Q. What is the purpose for the NOD?
A. The primary purpose of NOD is to promote education and knowledge within the comic book community in order to promote a safe and trusting buying/selling environment. It is designed to provide hobbyists with an additional level of confidence that as close to a level playing field will exist in their dealings with NOD members. A buyer will have assurances that what they are buying is, in fact, exactly what they will receive. The key to this is education and disclosure of information.
Q. Who can become a member of NOD?
A. Anyone. It does not matter whether you are a full-time or part-time dealer, or a collector. If you share the objectives and ideals of the NOD, we welcome your involvement. The only requirement for initial membership is that you are recommended by two current NOD members and of course, you are willing to abide by the obligations all NOD members assume.
Q. Why do two members have to recommend an applicant?
A. The underlying character of the NOD is to encourage integrity, honor and trust. Requiring two recommendations ensures the NOD has at least some prior knowledge of the background of the applicant. Hopefully, an applicant will already be known to one or more existing members, but the NOD is cognizant that some disingenuous individuals may seek to participate under false names or for nefarious purposes. This requirement seeks to minimize that possibility.
Q. What if I don't know two other members?
A. Please go ahead and still apply. We will review such applications on a case-by-case basis. Efforts will be made to gain a general knowledge of your background and collecting interests. As long as the NOD can be assured you are who you claim to be and you adhere to the membership requirements, all of which are regularly and randomly checked, then there should not be a problem.
Q. Is there a cost to join the NOD?
A. Yes. NOD offers two different types of membership. The primary tier costs $50 annually and provides the member with all the rights and benefits associated with the NOD. We encourage dealers, serious collectors/investors and those who can otherwise afford the costs and strongly believe in the ideals and objectives of the NOD to join at this level. In response to community interest we have created a second tier at just $15 annually. This level is designed more for the routine collector or others who believe in the work of the NOD but for whatever reason do not wish to incur the higher cost. Besides the difference in cost, the only significant difference between the two tiers is that the votes of members who join the second tier are not weighted as much as the first tier. However, all members can vote on issues and are encouraged to participate in NOD activities and policy-making in every way.
Q. What are membership fees used for?
A. Membership fees are used to promote NOD through maintenance of the website, advertising in current comics related periodicals (such as in the 2006 Overstreet Comic Grading Guide), and general information pamphlets. None of the money goes to the benefit of members of the NOD. All work performed by NOD members is non-compensable. Indeed, many members have expended significant amount of their own money to create the NOD.
Q. How does being a member benefit me?
A. First and foremost, you will be contributing to promoting a level of trust and integrity in the hobby that at least from a perception standpoint (and we all know that oftentimes perception creates reality) has been on the decline in recent years. NOD members are like-minded individuals who care about comic collecting and wish to see a more honest and prosperous hobby. Additionally, NOD membership does confer protection for transactions with other NOD members that might not otherwise exist. Finally, although there will be actual membership “perks” such as certain discounts with particular vendors, most of all membership in the NOD is based on shared principles and ideals. Those who join the NOD want to be in the NOD for those reasons.
Q. Is disclosure of “intact pressing” as outlined in your mission statement your primary concern?
A. Absolutely not! The NOD stands for disclosure of any information that could reasonably impact the decision-making process of collectors/dealers in the buying/selling of comics. The NOD guidelines regarding matters that must be disclosed can be found on our website: www.networkofdisclosure.com. Each of the items that must be disclosed holds equal weight. “Intact pressing” was specifically included in the mission statement solely because of its controversial nature and definitional ambiguity as to whether it constitutes restoration or even enhancement of a comic book. So that there is no question of its inclusion within our required disclosure guidelines it was highlighted.
Q. Does NOD consider “intact pressing” to be “restoration”?
A. NOD does not take a position in this debate. Some NOD members believe it is restoration. Others do not.
Q. Is NOD against “intact pressing”?
A. Absolutely not! In fact, several NOD members routinely have books pressed. The only issue for NOD members surrounds disclosure of the fact a book has undergone “intact pressing” so that a potential buyer can weigh that fact in his/her decision-making process.
Q. Does the NOD believe that non-membership signifies that the individual cannot be trusted, and will NOD seek to ostracize others who are not members?
A. Certainly not. There are many reasons why individuals may not choose to join the NOD and we will not judge what those may be nor will we seek to highlight the fact that someone is not a member. The NOD will also never seek to discourage contact or business with non-NOD members. Participation in the NOD, however, stands for certain principles and ideals. Membership for those who share the same beliefs and desires to better our hobby will speak for itself.
#1297455 - 09/01/0601:06 PMRe: Official NOD News and Q & A Thread
[Re: blazingbob]
Red HookRed Hook
Cantankerdetecti witchuntinphotoshopedness
Registered: 09/15/03
Posts: 21608
Loc: Paddling up Goon River
There are no comic book police.
Now move along.
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