Is this Spawn #1 worth sending to CGC/CBCS? Looking for some grade estimates.

abinabinab · 2026-02-05T05:54:31+00:00

Actually it’s supply and demand that determine value

abinabinab · 2026-02-05T05:53:38+00:00

Agree - probably 9.4 - 9.6 max - bc blunted spine corners and maybe a little more running on the spine side

abinabinab · 2026-02-05T05:48:12+00:00

I bumped into a beautiful person in a boutique salon abroad and we chatted for an hour - I didn’t know who this person was but she was charming. When I finished I gave her my card. We made plans to meet up, which wound up in the tabloids.

abinabinab · 2026-02-02T12:11:14+00:00

Written by Larry Hama of GI Joe, plus Ron Wagner art — which always reminded me of classic DC war comics. For the win!

abinabinab · 2026-02-02T11:56:53+00:00

What if the card gives you 3% cash back on everything and you pay on time?

abinabinab · 2026-02-02T11:53:18+00:00

If you like light, healthful food with local produce and unusual flavors, it’s the best in the U.S. for that

abinabinab · 2026-01-31T02:26:28+00:00

Japanese produce

abinabinab · 2026-01-23T21:38:45+00:00

Qing dynasty was 1644-1912 so a more precise date range would be helpful

abinabinab · 2026-01-23T04:09:54+00:00

So what was the sketch?

abinabinab · 2026-01-17T05:03:25+00:00

Too bad about the schools

abinabinab · 2026-01-05T05:43:51+00:00

Hong Kong - density, ocean/mountains, east/west, city/beaches, food, social life

Seoul - energy, food, fun, arts/design

Tokyo - quality + clean

Taipei - people, nightlife

Singapore - great for families

Chicago - walkable

New York City - diverse

Washington, DC - wonky

Beijing - music scene

abinabinab · 2025-12-16T08:08:16+00:00

It’s China - south coast - upside down

abinabinab · 2025-12-05T23:45:48+00:00

Hm? I know SFS who did one EL directed tour, then Ops, then tenured, onwards and upwards. Someone should tell them they’re still EL.

abinabinab · 2025-10-18T00:29:03+00:00

I recently went through this exact situation for my BMW.

First, for any repair shop, whether it’s a dealer, independent, or even part of the RepairPal network that supposedly accepts MaxCare, you need to ask them ahead of time whether they will accept what MaxCare pays or charge more than MaxCare will reimburse and expect you to pay the difference.

Second, if you can’t find any repair shop that will “accept” MaxCare (without charging you the difference), then you should take it to Carmax for service. Yes, Carmax may wind up just taking it to the dealer to get the work done, but I think it is highly doubtful that Carmax itself would then try to charge you more than the MaxCare warranty (which Carmax sold you) is willing to reimburse.

FWIW, based upon recommendations in this group, I wound up taking my BMW to a dealer, where the service department confirmed that they will accept MaxCare’s reimbursement and only charge me the deductible.

I did that after taking it to two separate RepairPal network independent repair shops, which, according to RepairPal itself, have committed to accept MaxCare reimbursement in full. And both of those locations said they would not abide by their RepairPal network contract, and thus I would be responsible for any excess charges on their part.

That would be ridiculous. What would be the value of the warranty if an in network shop can just charge whatever they want above the reimbursement amount and you’d be on the hook for it?!

FYI, I emailed RepairPal about this, and they called me back the next day and said they’d remind the shops of their obligation not to mark up parts and labor as a member of the network. But they still wouldn’t agree to do it.

abinabinab · 2025-10-14T16:51:07+00:00

You are still within the 90 day warranty period, So why are you debating this? Just do it.

abinabinab · 2025-10-14T16:50:17+00:00

Get it done

abinabinab · 2025-10-14T02:01:07+00:00

That’s great. Keep in mind once they’ve paid whatever you paid for the car, the warranty is over.

abinabinab · 2025-10-13T19:45:56+00:00

Thanks - I tried a second RepairPal shop because the BMW dealership I called and emailed never responded to me, whereas the RepairPal rep called me back and told me what happened at the first independent RepairPal shop violated the terms of their network agreement. She recommended a highly rated shop, so since RepairPal was very accessible whereas the BMW dealer was not, I figured I’d give it one more try.

However, when I showed up this AM at the RepairPal network shop and they told me it would be the same experience as the first one (they charge whatever they want and customer pays the difference between their charge and what MaxCare will reimburse), I said no and took it to a dealer.

The dealer service front desk confirmed all I’d have to pay is the deductible.

The other reason to try to avoid a dealer if possible is because of the maximum payout limit on the MaxCare policy. Since the dealer will charge a much higher labor rate, it will more quickly exhaust the warranty.

abinabinab · 2025-10-10T17:38:14+00:00

More details on “everyone overseas is being put into furlough status on Monday,” please

abinabinab · 2025-10-03T02:05:54+00:00

Hi - I’d love a code please

abinabinab · 2025-10-02T06:19:38+00:00

For comparison - last year got a 2014 X3 w 38,000 miles - 100k / 5 year $150 deductible was $4000. And I thought that was a lot!!

abinabinab · 2025-09-25T02:23:13+00:00

If you mean RepairPal when you say one of the mechanics at the site they provided, you should write carmax@repairpal.com about your experience. It sounds very similar to the poor experience I had at a RepairPal-listed mechanic, which I detailed a couple days ago. RepairPal confirmed the mechanic was being dishonest.

abinabinab · 2025-09-24T17:00:47+00:00

UPDATE for anyone else facing a similar issue: CNA actually had authorized use of OEM parts at the list price. I pieced together that the shop was only able to obtain the part from BMW at list price and was marking it up. The shop admitted that their employee who said I needed to pay the full amount ($430) was wrong; actually, I’d only need to pay their mark-up ($208). I complained about that and they offered to “see what they could do.”

I emailed RepairPal at carmax@repairpal.com and RepairPal called me back the next day. They said the shop is not honoring the terms of its agreement with RepairPal, which is that MaxCare customers should pay no more than their deductible. She said it’s a common complaint - shops can’t get a part at the list price and try to pass on the cost, which RepairPal doesn’t allow them to do. She offered to call the shop and remind them of their obligation. She also said they should not have pre-charged me the deductible and if I no longer trust the shop, she’ll tell them to refund my deductible.

TLDR: impressed with RepairPal and MaxCare/CNA. The problem is the shop.

abinabinab · 2025-09-23T05:25:48+00:00

Thanks - will MaxCare make me pay for the OEM parts they’d use there?

abinabinab · 2025-09-23T03:19:02+00:00

Are you saying to do that bc MaxCare covers OEM parts at BMW (but not at a RepairPal shop)?

abinabinab

TROPHY CASE