I spent how much on what?

I collect comics, it's what I do and chances are if you are reading this, so do you (sorry about the rhyme). I have been collecting for more years then I thought. The average comic book at time of shipment is an ungraded near mint 9.4. This is not an actual fact as much as an assumed fact. I have been through car lots and hemmed and hawed at the new cars for sale. A new car after all should have that new car smell. I take more time in the comic shop, even my son will have me pause to make sure I am getting the best grade possible.

Buying a used car has flaws, the mats might be tattered, a scratch here or there, or maybe it just needs a new battery. This is expected. I expect just as much when I go through the back issue bin. I was 15 when I was introduced to the Frank Miller issues of DD. I started with the cheaper ones first before I moved to the more expensive ones. I can remember spending $35 on DD #168 and only spent $4 on #171. Remember I was 15 so this was a lot of money, no job just an allowance. I also had #168 graded recently and received a 9.2 (is it an investment if i don't plan on selling?).

There was no company around to state what a grade was, you hoped that the person selling to you was honest and reputable. I still look for deals whether they are bagged and boarded or slabbed. In today's economy money is tight and I am more selective on what I purchase. Recently I just spent $70 on an issue of New Mutants that would have been maybe $3 bagged and boarded in an assumed Near Mint condition. To me that is a really large premium rate. One I do not regret, after all at the moment it is the only one.

The book I want more than any other at the moment is DD#1. Of course I want it in the best possible condition. Purchasing one that is only bagged and boarded could become a lot more difficult, not just for this book but others like it. Those that have it and are willing to sell it might decide to grade it in the hopes it will get a good grade and be slabbed away as such. This would make ungraded copies more scarce.

As I mentioned I want this book and am willing to spend for it, however I do not want it slabbed because no matter what I spend on a book I wish to read it. I do not wish to purchase the book graded because I would have a problem opening the slab itself. Sure CGC would re-slab it after it was opened at a discounted price but I am buying it slabbed for that grade, what would happen if it were to drop a point or even a full grade after re-slabbing it.

One day it might be easier for me to afford the exact books I want but till then I have to pick and choose. In that case I might have to settle for a 9.6 or 9.4 rather than a coveted 9.8. Just writing that makes me shiver thinking have I expected that much that a 9.4 is no longer desirable as much as a 9.8. I recently saw a 9.2 DD#7 sell for $5000 and a #7 in an 8.0 for only $525. So which one would I buy comes at a premium decision compared to which one I can afford.

Thanks for reading, have fun Collecting.

Tnerb.

Ps. I would love your thoughts or comments.