Great story! My ASM #1 story is similar, I bought mine in 1988 with proceeds from my first real summer job (grunt work in a bank where my Mom worked). My brother, who was still enjoying being unemployed, called me from the comic shop one morning and told me that an ASM #1 had appeared on the wall and I should come in ASAP so it wouldn't get away. I proceeded to call the store just about every hour to check on it, and after my third call the guy working the counter (it was Moondog's store at the time, but I don't think he was there) asked if I would just like to have it held to save me the trouble of all the calls. I hadn't thought to ask that! I went in after work and the book was marked at $100, but anyone with a pull file got 10% off of anything. So I bought my #1 and picked up a VG #5 and a nice-looking #14 for good measure. I think my total purchase price that day was under $200 but honestly I only remember the price on the #1. I got it graded with my first coupon submission, and if I ever upgrade I'm still keeping this one.
Sweet! Thanks for sharing your story.
It's good that your brother was unemployed and happened to be hanging out at the ol' LCS. :: As for you, grunt work money = ASM #1.
My #1 was my first CGC submission too. And I feel the same way you do: when I upgrade, the undercopy stays put.