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Tnerb

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Journal Entries posted by Tnerb

  1. Tnerb

    Plastic not included

    By Tnerb,

    Are Non slabbed books worth it?
    About ten times a year by the Philadelphia National Airport at a local Hotel the Philadelphia Comic-con is held. I do not consider it so much a convention as it is a bunch of stores gathering together to sell their wares....and I love it. I remember years ago there was something else like it in a different area in a different time. I was younger then and I was in awe. There was so much to look through, so much to buy. I think the same organization who ran that runs the current one.
    There is still a lot to buy but not so much to look at now since my first major comic convention in 1993. When you have row after row of books to look at a few well stocked vendors are not much. I still love it though, I do try to arrange my schedule to attend. Many times these vendors have great sales and blow out merchandise. Besides who really wants to repack the van and return home with merchandise.
    I just recently picked up issues 1- 19 of the Eternals. I was never a big fan of them until Neil Gaiman had his way with the seven issue limited series. I was looking through some boxes and picked up some Variant issues at cover price and found many more books that I enjoyed when I was younger that I felt compelled to get them for my son.
    Over the years there are a few series that I have wanted to pick up for no other reason then to collect them. I mean c'mon I only need four more issues of Dazzler. I purchase 38 out of 42 issues for only $27.00, to me a real bargain, and fun to read. One other series I thought of getting is The Defenders. I had one hundred issues ready to purchase at Wizard World 2009 but alas they would not give the price I wanted. I am still looking for that but would gladly pass until I get the price I want(money is tight, I think we all know that).... and after all space is a commodity and I am slowly running out now that I am collecting CGC slabbed books(not to mention new books).
    So this past Sunday I am out with my son and father and can not pass on picking up the series for less than .63 cents and issue. Unfortunately, I was forced to choose between the Eternals series and the variants I did pick compared to the CGC slabbed Daredevil I had in my hands. I do so enjoy collecting but I can not forget that I love collecting them so much because I love to read them. So I am reminded I love collecting them because I love to read them, and now I have to look for some CGC Eternals. Happy Collecting.
  2. Tnerb

    Buy to Sell?

    By Tnerb,

    You mean I can't keep them?
    I brought some comic books some years back to the Wizard World convention for the sole reason of grading them and then sell them. I didn?t want to do this to make a profit; I wanted to do this to get extra money to spend on other comic books. After all I am trying to get the whole series of New Mutants volume 1 in a graded 9.8. (I am going to be coming for you BagoFleas, of course I am sure it will be after your victory lap)
    I still haven?t sold them. My Incredible Hulk 181 received a 3.5 but I?d be willing to sell it. Even my Harbinger #0 Pink variant that I collected all the coupons for was graded a 9.6. I?d be willing to sell that as well, but as a second to last resort. My last resort comic I would sell would be my ASM 129, this was graded a 9.2. I still consider that one a part of my collection but I know I could get a nice price for that.
    What is scary is I am starting to think about selling off some of my Star Wars merchandise, and I have to admit Star Wars was my first love, even before comic books. I have five cookie jars that I spent 300 dollars a piece on I?d be willing to sell. I?m afraid though. I?m not afraid of selling them for less than they are worth, I know I will. I am afraid I will regret selling them. I do have a goal in mind (a journal for another time) but it will take some money to achieve that goal while I continue to purchase encapsulated books. Of course I still have to pay my bills and then there?s that pesky storage issue. I have stopped collecting Star Wars related merchandise for two reasons, space and money. OK maybe three. I?d rather spend the money on comic books.
    I try to have money set aside for that unexpected bill (say like my windshield wipers breaking during a snowstorm). I still like to go out but have decided for the following month to cut out all additional expenses. That means no movies, no eating out, no books (no that does not include comic books), and a few other unneeded amenities. I wonder if I can do it(also if my best friend will start to find toilet paper missing from his house. Hey, that stuff adds up.)
    Every two weeks I get a paycheck (and at 2.83 an hour it does not add up quickly) on the rare month I get three paychecks it eases my mind for the bills I have to pay (or even yesterday...sorry David Bowie non-sequitur.) Monday?s are just as lucrative for me because those are the days I deposit my tips and when there are five Monday?s it is like an extra pay week, and let?s face it extra money is always good, and fortunately this March has five of them. I hope this helps make up for the money I am about to spend in the next few days. I have been going easy on my budget, sure I am still paying my bills (first and foremost) but my checking account cushion is getting rather hard to see, but wow those CGC graded comics look good.
    Thanks for reading
    Tnerb
  3. Tnerb

    A Set of New Mutants?

    By Tnerb,

    A costly decision or just good sense?
    I'm grading Them All
    I made a decision, an expensive one. At count there are 100 issues of The New Mutants not including alternative printings, an additional seven annuals, a summer special, and one of my favorites the special edition. A total of 109 books I plan on sending to get encapsulated. Last April I decided to collect every single New Mutants in a 9.8. After this decision I found someone who is a lot closer to that goal (I found out today he is one step closer and I look forward to that day he completes it). Collecting them all in a 9.8 is a lot more difficult then I imagined, considering there are some books not even graded in this condition.
    I plan on getting my collection of New Mutants graded over time and in not one shot. All the books I plan on grading are the original ones I purchased. This does not include any of the books I purchased thinking I would receive a high grade, including the New Mutants #1 I thought would be a 9.9 (see previous journal). I do not know how to send them in(not literal), do I send them in starting with a number one, or do I pick and choose. If I start at number one it makes everything easier, or even by the date this way I will be able to throw the annuals with in the mix, or I could do it a way to placate my ego and send the best copies I have in first. Although this could deflate my ego and expectations as well if they get a grade less then what I was hoping for.
    If this is the case I would start with all the issues I think are a 9.2 or higher. Of course all the Liefeld issues were during my days where my books went directly into a Mylar bag. I really wish I had the foresight to do this to all my books (go figure now I have that knowledge I can?t afford it.) Other than the #15 (which at this writing I think will get a grade of 5.5) I would like to send in my copy of 87, 54, and 50 just as a start. Then maybe go by some of my favorite covers including #32.
    If I think about what it will eventually cost me I might decide against it, then again since I plan on doing this over the next few years the cost will be accumulative. I will still look and collect them in a 9.8 even if one of my books receives that grade. I think it would be something to see how I collected my comic books throughout the years and how I changed in protecting them. I originally hated to bag and board my comics because I could fit in a lot more books without the added mass. This goes back to a storage issue. I think I am going to need a checklist soon of what I want to collect and how I plan on protecting that collection. I digress. Of course now that I realize if I have them all encapsulated I will have to buy them all over again just to read.
    Thanks for reading.
    Tnerb
  4. Tnerb

    Grading My Own

    By Tnerb,

    Am I still impartial if they're mine?
    I didn?t understand grading when I was younger. I only cared what I wanted to read over and over. One of the Richie Rich comics I had I read until the cover came off. I didn?t care how I handled my comics until New Mutants #15 came out. After reading that I immediately went back to the 7-11 and bought X-men #180, Avengers #242, and Amazing Spider-Man #251. They were all the comics they had that caught my eye.
    At first I placed them on my book shelf, but every week I would go back and find more books. The stack on my shelf grew. I needed a place to put them safely. I eventually emptied one of my dresser drawers of its contents and used the drawer as a safe haven for my collection. (Don?t ask about the clothes, I wasn?t much a folding type kid but under my bed space became scarce.)
    When I discovered back issues at an inflated price I picked up my first price guide. I didn?t buy it, I just looked through it. I also started to pay attention to the Mile High ads predominately displayed in the center of my books. I never ordered from them, (for some reason I was anti-mail order and would be for years later). I used the advertised prices as a guide to go by.
    Years passed and my collection grew large enough where I needed something else then a clothes drawer. I purchased my first box and started a paper log on what I owned. I wrote down all my books in and graded each one. Of course I wanted my comics to be the best there was so certain books were over looked. It was my young ego speaking more than anything else. Well, that and I wanted my collection to be worth a lot. Over time I regraded my collection (partially) and when I found books originally graded higher than they are I actually realized how na?ve I was. Of course this also could be because my constant reading of them (I know it sounds like an excuse right?you?re probably right).
    I have recently started regrading all my books again. I am doing this armed with an Overstreet?s grading guide and some of the CGC books I have in the different grades. I am using a computer program rather than a spiral notebook. I am hoping this will be the last time I do this. Anyone who knows, doing this chore becomes very tedious ( good thing I love it, it takes longer when I get to a book I love because I start reading.)
    I am starting with (of course) The New Mutants. I have three copies of #1. One is a CGC graded copy: 9.8. Another is my readable copy I purchased more years ago then I can remember and a third is a copy I swore if I got graded would at least be a 9.8 if not a 9.9 (I still am envious of BagoFleas 10 grade, how did he get that one).
    I have had the book for a few months and it was the first book I placed over my clean slate coffee table (hmmm coffee) and brought out the utensils I was going to use. Gloves, guide, and other encapsulated books. I sat down with my ?must be? 9.9 copy of New Mutants #1 and graded it. DRUM ROLL PLEASE?? ( WHAT???, no I didn't see that flaw there?.and what?s that? is that a crease?.and that?noooooo). My lovely 9.9 Copy of #1 is actually (by my more adult unbiased mind) no greater than a 9.4. I am confident in this that I believe if I send this into get graded they will also grade it a 9.4. I guess I will have to wait till June when they come to Philadelphia to get it graded. This is probably due to my anti-mail order stance on why I am not sending it in directly.
    Until I can afford to get every book graded I want to get graded I believe I can grade my collection unbiased and correctly within a point. If I dedicate myself to this task and grade everything I get as I get it I should be done by year?s end. Of course I can?t work in the interim. I guess I?ll just have to win the lottery or find out if CGC is hiring.
    Thanks for reading.
    Tnerb

  5. Tnerb

    Storage

    By Tnerb,

    Where can I put them all?
    Every time I drive back home from the comic book shop (which I hope will be once a week again), my comics sit in the passenger seat waiting for my attention. They receive it at the many stop lights I am forced to stop at. (I don?t need to spend my comic book allotted money on traffic violations.) I don?t read them at the stop lights (that would just be stupid?. I might drop them), but what I do is shuffle them into my reading order. I place my favorites to be read last, something I am pretty sure other comic book readers would read first.
    The last book I read any given week it comes out is The New Mutants. Fortunately the other book I read last, Daredevil, comes out on different street dates. Once so far did the both of them street together and The new Mutants was chosen to be read last. I do have my favorites. I?m not saying the new Mutants are better written, because at the moment they are not. I think what Andy Diggle is doing a great job after taking over for Ed Brubaker. I love how Daredevil is walking alongside dangerous waters (sewer waters that is) and I love it. The simple reason why The New Mutants wins out every time is because they have a greater place in my heart.
    After I read them I bag and board them; place them above their allotted boxes. After they accumulate a bit (sometimes at ten other times maybe thirty) I log the books into my computer data base (something I just started doing. I love this thing, it also has an iPhone app also able to be used with the iPod touch, which I hope helps me from purchasing doubles).
    All my comics are in half boxes. I?m not old (unless you ask my kid), but those long boxes are getting heavier not to mention how much space they take up, which takes us to the point of the journal?s title. This started by getting rid of the majority of my comics. I try to refer them as comics rather than my collection because I hope it will hurt less. It doesn?t. I then purchases new bags and new boards for almost every single comic book I was left with. I also purchased half boxes since the large ones took up some much space. I separated my comics by company and title allowing room for growth but where was I going to put them. I live on the ground floor and let?s face it; if I get flooded I am in trouble. By the way it is something that almost happened twice.
    I made my way to IKEA with the measurements of the boxes looking for the shelves that would be perfect for my needs. I looked at every book case and every shelving until when I found what would suit me. What was even better is that I could buy them piecemeal. I didn?t have to buy them all at once. I bought my first piece to see if it could work. It did. Over the next few months I purchased another and another until I ran out of all my extra funds, I did also have to buy other pieces of furniture as well. It?s a lot easier eating on a kitchen table then my lap. By the way this all occurred before I started to collect slabbed books. I might have had three at this point of time.
    When I finally had enough money to purchase some more I found they were discontinued. I am most likely good for the next year, maybe six months more after that before I have to think about what to do next. This time line will be cut short by my craze on purchasing slabbed books not to mention the pile I am setting aside to get graded myself. The shelves can hold the CGC type box, however they do scrape the top as I slide them in. they are heavier than the other boxes but since they are grounded I have no doubt they will hold the weight.
    What?s next though? I still have the same square footage, that won?t change till I move. So I have to decide how to hold my collection. I still have time to think but would rather think about this now rather than later. Thinking about things later just gets me in trouble. I plan on bagging and boarding all my books over again in a slightly larger half box so they can be protected the best I can afford for them. Of course I could always stop collecting?.yea right, like I am going to go through that again.
    Thanks for reading
    Tnerb

  6. Tnerb

    For Profit or Protection

    By Tnerb,

    If I could only save on gas money
    I make my trek to my comic book shop once a week. Lately, for a reason unknown to me and even to some of the establishment's employees, the books I crave have not been there. It is a ten mile trek, which let's face it in the scheme of things is not that far.
    Consider this though, I have an older car so a round trip of twenty miles is worth $3 in gas. At current gas prices if I make this trip once a week for a year I spend about $156 on gas alone just to go to the comic book shop (and of course to get back home).
    In the last two to three months I have gone two to three times a week just to get my books (only a week's worth). I know I should call to save the trip but somehow that ruins the fun, not to mention a street date is a date the comic shop should have the books, not might have the books. I could also go to the comic book shop that is only a ten minute walk away.
    I am loyal and this is what compels me to keep going to the comic book shop I go to. I also like to frequent other shops from time to time in search of a back issue or two (maybe twenty). The shop only ten minutes away will carry CGC books from time to time. I use the internet constantly to look for slabbed books I wish to purchase.
    This is great for the selection but I love to see the books up close before purchasing. Since CGC started grading, it eases my mind on the condition. Of course some of the 9.8's I have bought I would never have sent them out to be graded thinking that they would have rated higher than a 9.4.
    I have a graded copy of Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #12 in a 9.8. Two of the corners have a small bindery tear. In the Overstreet's grading guide it shows one of these are allowed in an otherwise pristine book, but only one. If I saw this in a store rather than online I would have waited to purchase another copy more pleasing to my eye (unless it was graded a little lower).
    I critique my own books harshly. I want to send in books I think would get graded a 9.8, but I know if I sent them in and got a lesser rating then what I craved I would be slightly miffed. I could use the pre-screening process, but fear spending the extra money. At this moment I'm deep in thought on which books I'll bring to Wizard World 2010, or even if I should. I know if I do this I should only do it to encapsulate the books I love and want to keep rather then the ones I might sell if graded a high grade.
    I have all these thoughts in my head if I should and if so, why? Am I grading them for investment reasons or for protection. I imagine if Shakespeare were alive today would he question "To slab or not to slab?" (OK so I am not...and he wouldn't)
    I am slowly forming my opinion as well as decision on either purchasing CGC graded books or sending some out to be graded. Of course if I start going to the closer comic book shop I can take the savings in gas and add it to my comic book budget.
    Thanks for reading.
    Tnerb
  7. Tnerb

    Am I collecting too much?

    By Tnerb,

    It's only one more
    When I finally decided to collect slab books I made the decision to collect all the New Mutants in 9.8 (or higher). It is a decision I have not regretted. The other two series I promised myself was Longshot and Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars. I chose the first one because it was the series that lured me into the comic world, the second two (also staples of my life) because they are limited series. It becomes easier to collect something when a finish line is in place.
    I have only one Longshot and three issues of Secret Wars (they are listed). I have found other numbers of these two series but have decided to acquire all of the New Mutants Volume one as my primary objective. I found this to be harder then I thought. I also found myself to stray a bit. I just recently bid on a copy of Rom Annual #3 (and lost) because they have my favorite team in there, yes the New Mutants.
    I keep finding a bunch of CGC graded books but I limit myself to what I can spend depending on each individual book. I still have yet to figure out if this is good or bad. I mentioned before money is tight, yet I do have NO problem buying what I want. At the moment I am stuck between continuously purchasing slabbed books or saving up for the next Wizard-World which is only a few months away. I do have some money saved and I convinced myself I will buy some slabbed books there, but then I think what if they don't have any that I want...or what if I miss out on the one I had the chance to buy.
    Then I have the desire to keep collecting for my un-slabbed collection. I only need 15 more books of Daredevil (yay just 15...had to write that twice). I am so close to completing that portion of my collection that I would like to bring that number down to 5 by the time the end of the convention is upon me. OR....a big or, get my number one, read it, then slab it. If you look up the price of a number one, it's not cheap. And to think when I was younger and wanted to buy one in Very Fine condition for $300 my father said no.
    I still scan eBay and Heritage, along with a few others and place my bids on books with covers I like. I will bid up to what I think a book is worth and no more, unfortunately I might think a book is worth more than it actually is. The Rom Annual would have been a nice useless addition to my collection, but I have to figure I might have lost that bid to bid on others. This happened to me recently. I bid on a Daredevil #7 in an 8.0. I went as high as $450. I lost by $25.00, and this was a good thing because afterwards I won four out of five bids on eBay for New Mutants and was able to add two more from an alternate website. I paid $200.00 for six books in 9.8 including the shipping and handling.
    I know I will keep bidding on books I find, whether I win those books or not is a different story, but if I look at it, it's only one more.
    Thanks for reading.
    Tnerb
  8. Tnerb

    Finally hit a 100

    By Tnerb,

    Thank you for reading.
    I first joined the CGC website on a "Just Because" basis. That same reasoning is what got me to purchase my first few slabbed books. Since I never spent any time on the registry I never logged those books or did I ever think I would collect them. I was wrong.
    Every time I would visit the site I was at a friends house on my computer using his internet service (he is a good friend). Since then my computer crashed. I lost all my information (fortunately a lot of items were backed up). I have to yet purchase a proper computer. However what I did purchase allows me to use the internet when ever I want (wait...provided my signal is good). The hard drive is not large enough to add my music and photos but it is great for my comic collection software.
    I purchased the computer through a mobile phone company and after the rebate only paid a nominal fee. The fee is for my internet access, something I planned on getting anyway. Since I have purchased this computer I have used the registry and read the journals. As I started to add to my own registry I also added to my journals. I do so love to write and I had ideas, thoughts, concerns, and just a desire to vent about the hobby I love so much.
    After I started to write my journals I read one stating that they would like to see more journals posted. I agreed with this and resolved to write and post on a regular basis. I check the website constantly. The reason's I visit are many but the greatest reason's are to add more books which I wish I had the means to add more more frequently. The second reason is the journal's, both to read and write. Before this entry I have written 12 and two of them have 100 reads. One is "Direct Vs. Newsstand" and the second "Safety in CGC???".
    I feel good knowing that people are reading them. I work nights at a diner. During these nights (during the slow time) I have time to think about many things. One of these things are comics. In fact I am currently at work writing the rough draft of what you are now reading (of course when I say currently I mean that in the greatest of degrees compared to the Nth power multiplied by the passing of liquid time.)
    My membership at the moment is free and I am thinking of joining as a premium member. The incentive being three free gradings and now a coupon for $10.00 off. However it is still a lot of money for me, money I could be spending on graded comics.
    So until I make any decision I'll continue to add my books ( I have six more on a Fed-Ex truck as of this writing) and add to my journals. I want to thank you for reading and hope whether you agree or disagree with me that you continue to be passionate about this hobby.
    Thank you.
    Tnerb
  9. Tnerb

    The Price of Gas

    By Tnerb,

    Is it an addiction if I skip a week?
    Wednesday passed by and I still not go to the comic book shop. It's Thursday night and I am beginning to shake. Last year I was there religiously, once a week, every Wednesday, even on the days where the comics were shipped a day later due to holidays. Of course that is because I forgot that they ship a day later. (I really dislike remembering things.) I noticed there was only going to be two comic books I collect being released this week and it is a pretty far drive. I wanted to go but with gas constantly rising it made my hesitant.
    I could use this as an excuse to purchase more graded books on E-Bay and HA but I wouldn't be able to read those and I am trading gas money for shipping costs. Money is getting tighter all over and now CGC is having a sale on their memberships...what do I do? Do I cut down on my coffee intake, do I drive to the comic shop I frequent once every two weeks, or do I go that one step further and start frequenting the comic shop a little closer and walk there. If I were to do these things i can send my own books in to get slabbed.
    I used to put everything on a credit card and pay off what I could. I no longer have that option, everything has to be cash or go through my check card. I purchase my E-bay items like this and other things I feel I need. I work as a waiter in a diner and am fortunate to work six days out of the week. When I work I get to eat. This allows me to purchase less food for home. This is great when I see something I must have, more times then not it has something to do with comic books.
    However a few expenses are coming up and one major one is my car expense. Sure gas is going up in Philadelphia, but where isn't it. This expense is upkeep. I budget everything, gas, health care, rent, and well what most people have to pay for. Recently I bought tickets for a show, purchased a brand new wiper motor ( I really wanted one of those) and am trying to save for the Wizard World convention coming in June. Some were unavoidable, others are just something to enjoy with life.
    I am good at it, good at saving for what I want...including the 6 CGC New Mutants books I have on the way. I can't wait to get them and want to buy more so maybe going to the comic shop twice a month will save enough on gas that I can put extra money aside. I'm not stressing about my bills, I still have a rain day plan but the way I am buying slabbed comics, who knows.
    One of the ideas going through my head is try to sell some stuff on E-bay. I am frightened of this because it's new but if I can take the money I make and put it aside for something I really want I can get rid of clutter and get something I really really want. Dare I sell even the slabbed comic books I bought for no other reason then just to have it?
    I guess what I want to know is with the price of unslabbed comic books going up along with gas and every other thing except my salary and tips I wonder what is going to break me first, the cost of a comic book or the cost of a slabbed comic book.
    Thanks for reading
    Tnerb
  10. Tnerb

    Filling Holes

    By Tnerb,

    Darn those missing issues.
    Daredevil recently went back to their original numbering at issue 500. I hated the #1 craze that had major companies scampering to sell comics through this gimmick rather then sell them with story and art. Most retailer's would then resell them as "Collectible" rather then readable. I wonder what would have happened if there was not an X-Men #94 and they just started over.
    When New Mutants came out I didn't know about it. It wasn't until issue #15 that I became aware and #16 when I became addicted. I followed them through the years, through good story-lines and bad, including artwork, also good and bad.
    When #87 arrived on the comic book shelves I was taken better care of my comics(not great but better) and placed it in a mylar bag directly after reading it (if graded what would it be?). The title was still the New Mutants but they were no longer X-babies, nor were they ever to be X-men. A few issues later I found out about their imminent demise. I was heartbroken. Never have I followed something for so long for it to be gone. ( at this point I didn't realize how long another Star Wars movie would take to be out).
    The next thing I knew a new series was to debut:X-Force #1. New book. New team. New direction. As I was collecting I wanted to have a collection where I collected 1-100 and beyond (OK so I started at 15), now it wasn't happening. I didn't get to far with X-force, an impending parenthood and steepening responsibilities along with bills paused my collecting of comics for a long time.
    Years (and years...maybe a few months and more years later) have passed and I am collecting the same title I collected in my teens, this time not having to wait month to month. However does that make the wait easier or more difficult because now the 9.8 grade I am looking for is so much harder to find not to mention the higher price tag on such a premium.
    At this point in my collection I have 20 with six more on the way. I still have these large gaps in this run that will be easier to find what I am looking for compared to others. In particular I wonder what Bagofleas is going through with only the small amount he needs, and even further thoughts of what will happen when I only need a few here and there, especially with not many being graded.
    Only a few months ago did I purchase a book that Bagofleas needed to help complete his collection. It would have brought him closer still, where as for me it only became one of the foundations of my graded collection. I didn't mean to buy if out from under him but yet I find it humorously ironic (and slightly painful) that the next one I was about to buy was purchased by none other than Bagofleas himself. I must say a better man there never was to have such a book.
    I am still looking for a lot more and am happy that he has more than I because this gives me the chance to purchase without so much as slighting him because the one I am looking for next he already has and that is New Mutants #15, my first collectible comic (you always do remember your first). It is funny, it is harder for me to find this book then it is to find the Daredevil #7 I crave. The only difference being is the price for that DD#7 is ever so slightly astronomically out of my price range (for now, I did mention I gave up eating and am saving by leaps and bounds).
    I filled up my first CGC box and hope by the end of the year 2010 I have filled two more. I try to write these little journals out but as I seem to enter them into the ever growing text box the words flow and the sentences become longer and longer so I hope as you get to this point you are at least entertained and maybe remembering a kind experience you hold close to your heart. Have fun collecting. Thanks for reading.
    Tnerb
     
    PS. I also meant to mention I only need 15 more issues to get to have a full Daredevil run and another 500 to go to have a full run fully graded. I'm not expecting much am I?
  11. Tnerb

    My First Journal

    By Tnerb,

    Ok I'm Addicted.
    At first I thought "Hell, what is this new company messing around with my hobby". I might have dropped off collecting a few years here and there. Not having money makes it very difficult to buy comics. I was upset that this company was going to seal away a comic book, how the hell were you supposed to read the thing. I was at Wizard World Philadelphia 2007 walking around and they were all over the place, not alot but significant to be noticed.
    Every booth had a few, and how much were they? Hell I was just going to continue to get my Daredevil's and anything else I wanted to buy to fill my holes. My dollars were short and I wasn't going to buy anything slabbed in a piece of plastic, that would be akin to buying a piece of bone stuck in molases. Hold on a moment aren't they worth money, but wait, wow what a nice shiny cover that was. Ooh that's another nice one. Wait where is my money and how did I get this Secret War #2 9.8 in my hands...oooh cover.
    So I left that convention with three, one of them being a 9.0 of Daredevil #90 Vol 1. The follwoing year I brought some of my books to slab and now I'm searching for a complete set of New Mutants doing my best to make Bagofleas on here perk up and go damn that's a nice collection. I still have a ways to go but can't wait till my next purchase. I really can't wait to the next Wizard World so I can bring a few of my own to get graded again. I can't believe I had a Wolverine #10 lying around and it was graded a 9.8. See Dad I can take care of things unlike the goldfish.
     
    Tnerb
  12. Tnerb

    It's here, It's here.

    By Tnerb,

    Yay.... the packing peanuts are here
    There is something about getting mail, sweet lovely mail. I'm not talking about bills or other items that are asking for money. No I'm talking about won bid slabbed comic books. I realized that if I decided to collect a series in 9.8 (New Mutants), or collected a full series (Daredevil) it would get quite expensive. So how was I going to collect?
    One of the ways I decided was to get all the comics in my (B)efore ©ollecting collection in a high grade. These comics though were going to be older and therefore more expensive. I recently acquired my first ones, ASM #181, an origin issue. The original copy I have is ripped around the staples, creased and crinkled like a dollar bill after going through the wash, and read more than a teen finding his first Playboy.
    It is a wonderful 9.6. I dare to say the copy I have had previously to getting this one would be graded a 3. There are others of course I plan to get, even the DC issues, however they are not as significant as their Marvel counterparts (at least for me anyway). I hope to acquire more as time goes on, but like I said they are expensive. Have fun collecting, I am.
    Tnerb

  13. Tnerb

    What to Slab or Not

    By Tnerb,

    Should I reach for that Gem 10.0
    Years ago i bought a collector's box set in the hopes of reselling it. I try not to do that anymore, especially after having to sell the majority of my collection due to space constraints. I still have that box set, furthermore I have never opened it. Inside lies 14 never before opened comics, let alone they have never been touched. Part of me is thinking this is my opportunity to have a gem 10 (maybe more than one?).
    Others that I have with the possibility of being sent in for grading would be a copy of New Mutants #1. I have two ungraded and one graded 9.8 copy. The dupe number one that I bought earlier this year has the possibility to be a 9.9 or dare I hope a Gem 10. I have seen these scarce 10.0's around on numerous web sites but I do not want to purchase one just to have one, like I did with my first 9.8.
    There are others I want to get graded regardless of what grade they would be (all my New Mutants issues), because I think it would be interesting to see how I kept my collection throughout my teen years. I guess my first comic that I collected would be a 5.0 (New Mutants #15)
    I also have a beautiful World War Hulk #1 Aspen Edition I would want to grade. I didn't read this, I simply purchased it at a convention and slipped it in a bag with board. I already read the one with JR-JR's cover. This edition I bought just for the cover, let's face it, it is a nice cover.
    So my thoughts lie on this dilemma, do I slab the issues that I think would be a 9.8 or higher and be disappointed if they are lower or do I slab books from the love of my collection knowing full well they will not be a 9.8 or higher.
  14. Tnerb

    9.8 for 9.8's sake

    By Tnerb,

    Are they or aren't they.
    It felt like Christmas morning. I was at my computer entering my collection into my new database (the old database is paper). My phone rang; it was the Fed Ex Guy. I don't know why he didn't ring the bell. Actually, I didn't care, my CGC books arrived. I went to the door, signed, and wished him a good day. Mine already was.
    I placed the box in the living room and proceeded to shut down my computer. My comics beckoned, when I waited long enough I opened the parcel. I felt like a kid getting exactly what he wanted (even if I did pay for it).
    I unpacked the box and separated the slabbed books from the packing material. I reviewed the invoice counting that all eleven books were on there. My eyes ignore the total. I scanned over my books and felt (what was that feeling) dissappointed. I know I spent some money on these with no buyer's remorse (after all they were CGC 9.8's), but now? The first one I looked at was Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #12. The corners were not as sharp for what I would expect with this grade.
    I have an Overstreet's Comic Book Grading Guide which is well used due to numerous collective days grading my own books. If I were to grade this Secret wars #12 I never would have given it a 9.8, definately a 9.4, but not a 9.8. I graded my own ASM #129 at a 9.4, CGC graded it as a 9.2. I was off by .2 points, not bad but disappointing.
    I have spent a minimum of $22.00 each to get each book graded. To my rememberence (and if I am wrong please forgive me) when I was at Wizard World Philadelphia this past year I asked them about this service that they have to send in numerous books. They explained to me it is a flat fee of $3 per book with a minimum of 50 books to send in. If you are looking for a 9.8 you tell them you do not want anything less than that. They will look over every book but if it is not a 9.8 or higher they will not charge you anything in addition. However if it is a 9.8 or higher they will charge you accordingly. (Since writing the original draft for this I have checked the website and found this to be true, check yourself about this pre-grading service)
    I am sure that most people who want this done want a 9.4 or better, dare I say no less than a 9.8. Now for the sake of argument the following is all speculative. Let's say a company sends in 100 books at $3 a piece, right away that's $300(OK the math part is not speculative) Let's say 6 books are a good solid 9.8 (six percent). The initial fee is charged plus the cost for the six books. Now, maybe, just maybe they have four more books that are borderline. This company that sent them in is a good company, they send a lot of books into be graded so why not add the four book at 9.8 (now we are at ten percent), but the economy sucks. Money is tight everywhere you go but comics are still selling, especially 9.8"s.
    There are 20 more books that are a solid (and I mean a speculative solid) 9.6 but let's make them 9.8's as well. This gives a total of 30 books ( remember the math is good). So seventy books are returned unslabbed, but thirty are coontinuing on to the official grading process and slabbed and labeled 9.8. A full thirty percent, which seems pretty high. There order originally would have been the initial $300 plus $102 (mind you this is for modern age only silver is a tad bit more but I figure those should be even harder to find.) Now since they need to make money, and who doesn't, they are grading 30 books for a total of $810. An incredible mark up. I spent $44 alone just to have my ASM #129 graded. By the way if you use the standard service that would be $1620 for the total amount owed.
    At first glance having a 9.8 is very nice, but is it? The flaws I see in the Secret wars #12 are predominant on a 9.4, but not on a 9.8. I have noticed more and more 9.8's on websites everywhere. Are more 9.9's on the horizon, how about an extra 10 here and there? Do dealers out there get a higher grade because of return business, or how about Pedigree books. Are they automatically higher because they are a mile High book ( I do wish i owned one of those) or some other notable collection. I have been wondering what if I unslab my ASM #129 and have them send it in, would it be a 9.4 or dare I dream a 9.6 ( a grade I really do not think it deserves).
    I mentioned I feel safe with a CGC graded book, I should have said safer. This was not the only book out of the eleven I got that made me cringe at the defects. I reviewed my Grading book and looked at the detailed pictures and it does show that the corners have "minor corner chips" but under description it states: "sharp, square, no creases".
    No less than three people grade a book. One to give it the once over, jot notes down and pass it to the next two where the book is scrutenized. is that not enough, do they need to hire a fourth to then look over the slabbed book and say "Hey guys did you miss this?" Or maybe they pay these guys too much (if that's the case, can I get a job there) and they need to overturn books quickly and at a higher grade to increase their revenue (but it seems that some people who send in books complain this wait is too long), if that's the case drop back to two ( I am sure they have a team of employees, it's just three per a book), charge the same and have stricter guidelines, maybe then I'd be more comfortable with a 9.8
     
    Tnerb
    PS. This was no way a slam against CGC, just my observation and opinion. Of course I will still use them to grade my books and purchase others. I have no problem buying slabbed books of any grade I would just like to see less defects in a 9.8 then what I would see in a 9.4. dare I suggest add a 9.7 if needed, after all there is a 9.9. Thanks for reading.
  15. Tnerb

    Safety in CGC???

    By Tnerb,

    Sorry...just ranting freely.
    I am sitting in my local bookstore, which is not so local since it is right outside Philadelphia and it takes me thirty minutes to drive. It is snowing outside and my windshield wipers don't work so well as my car is a little bit aged. I am remotely helping someone with their homework on litigation (something I know nothing about) and all I can think about are my books I ordered this past week. I checked their shipping progress with Fed Ex and they are here in Philly "ON A TRUCK".
    My god what is wrong with them, don't they know I have valuables in there. My thoughts wander: will they be ok in these snowy conditions, will the temperature change the conditions of the books; sure they will all say 9.8 but will they be 9.8. Then I think well maybe they park the truck inside. OK I know they don't but it makes me feel better. The logical calming thought is they are still in the climate control warehouse waiting to be put on the truck and I am happy with that (even though that's not true either).
    I spent a pretty good amount on the eleven books I ordered (by the way the total was more than my car, before shipping). I give myself an average price I am willing to spend and I spent under that budget, now I just need to budget how many I actually buy. I almost purchased a DD#7 in an 8.0 and I wonder if passing on this was a good idea or not. I bought a Sub Mariner #1 unslabbed months ago and it is not in the condition I wanted but it was the price I was willing to pay for the condition it is in. How much would I spent if it was in a higher grade I don't know.
    I feel safe ordering a book graded by CGC because I know that everyone else will accept it ( I don't feel safe that they are freezing in a truck). I felt safe at the first comic shop I ever bought comics from because they earned my trust I had no problem spending four dollars on a Frank Miller Daredevil issue. Other places I'll see a comic book for $5 which guides at $3 and can not fathom how they got that price. Then again I spent $200 for a New Mutants 87 in 9.8. Which is another reason I like to keep my average at $45. it helps when I spend that extra money, by the way the DD# 7 was listed at $525. So then it begins (and when I say "it" I mean my thoughts) how much is too much?
    The market of course is supply and demand, a higher grade is wanted more but I question my sanity when I notice a 9.8 sell for $80 and a 9.6 sells for $14 (not including shipping and handling). Are those extra fractions of a point really worth it. If you are a collector, let's face it, yes they are. If you are budget conscious, they are not, but what if your both?
    Bagofleas ( the third time I mentioned him in my journals, can you tell I am envious? Yes envious and not jealous) has a New Mutants #1 graded as a 10. A perfect Gem, I still cannot fathom how he must feel about it, here I am happy because I have it in a 9.8, which seems to be a lot more readily available then I first thought, but that's alright, it's mine. How much would i spend for something like that? Once again how much is to much, a car payment or mortgage maybe? Fortunately I have my priorities straight, bills first, comics second, and food shopping third.
    All that said, the snow outside is still coming down and the Fed Ex truck is being nicely insulated inside a climate control warehouse waiting to make the trek out to my house on Monday. I await eagerly to open the box and gawk at my new acquisitions partly for the knowledge that they are indeed mine and secondly to share them all here for others that might be envious of my collection.
    Thanks for reading
    Tnerb
    PS. They are safe right?
  16. Tnerb

    A Shot of Comics

    By Tnerb,

    Two out of Three ain't bad
    There are three things I collect. One of those items I won't get into because I can talk about Star Wars even longer than I can talk about comic books. The two others are comic books (which I think is apparent) and thirdly shot glasses. I have no written record logging my shot glasses, nor do I think do they have software for such a hobby. I acquire my comic books myself, as for the shots, I get them as gifts.
    I have over three hundred of the glass souvenirs, the majority of which were given to me by my best friend. Out of all the ones I have, I have only purchased four. The people that have given me shot glasses were family, friends, coworkers, and even customers of mine. Once I find out they are going somewhere for business or pleasure I ask for them to bring me back one, something of their choice (and budget).
    My place is small so displaying them was difficult. I use old 100 count cassette holders with a few minor adjustments. After pulling unneeded shelves and making measurements each one holds either 50 or 60 inside and another 10 to 15 on top. I have five of these units fully filled, I just purchased a sixth holder for the growing mass. If I were to add up the approximate cost for these it would total close to $2000. All my AC (After Collecting) have all been purchased by me except Ultimate Fantastic Four #21. My best friend picked it up in Maine and wouldn't let me pay him for it.
    The few places I have traveled to in my life would consist of a search for a comic book store. Some times I was successful, sometimes I wasn't. If I did happen to find one I would take the extra time, search the place out, and spend time followed by spending money. I of course would compare it to my earliest comic book experience. The first time I picked up a comic in a "strange" comic shop was soon after my father moved to Ventnor Heights, NJ. I was 13.
    I walked around the neighborhood constantly pushing my boundaries. One day I picked up a phone book and saw there was a comic shop in the neighboring township of Ventnor, NJ. I set off one early Saturday morning after my father left for work. Heading in the general direction, no map-quest, no GPS, and no way in hell I could even ask my father. I criss crossed streets until I came across the street I saw in the yellow pages.
    I arrived before the store opened, even remembering the sun shining on the building. The only thing I remember purchasing was a copy of New Mutants #8. I have since re-bagged and boarded this same book numerous times, however I still have the original bag and board, not in use of course. The bag is yellowed as well as the board. I can't figure out why I haven't thrown it away yet.
    I have been in stores as far north as Toronto and south in Florida. I only got as far as Arkansas going west but I was preoccupied at the time. I was 18 and went only because of a girl named Rachel. So here I have these three collections of Star Wars, Shot glasses ( which grow in number because of the generosity of others) and my comic collection.
    I tend to read what I buy, and I buy what I collect. So far all my CGC books are copies that I have already own in my collection. I just made a purchase for 11 new books (one of those being New Mutants #8) and won a couple in some auctions. I eagerly await for these to arrive. I have found the internet is great for this but there is something wonderful about going into a brand new comic book shop you have never been in before. Thanks for reading.
    Tnerb
  17. Tnerb

    Direct Vs. Newstand

    By Tnerb,

    7-11 or bust
    If I'm not mistaken the first thing scanned was a pack of gum. I also think this gum is currently in the Smithsonian. The few comics I own that I cannot recall where I got them are devoid of this bar-code. Their covers are exactly that, covers. My other comics that I bought from the three for a dollar rack are also devoid of this bar-code, then again they also have no cover. For the life of me I can't understand why I still have a cover on Sub-Mariner #38 and not Richie Rich Millions #79.
    I have my comics in separate categories. I have those that I would consider my BC comics(Before Collecting) but that sounds too religious) and my AC comics(After Collecting) sounds like too New Jersey) Even though comics came out every week, like other periodicals, to me it seemed monthly. I don't know if that was how 7-11 displayed them of just how my mind retained the memory.
    My books were never scanned, just imported as a set price into the register and shoved into a brown paper bag. I would hurry home crossing three streets and transversing an endless three block journey to read my treasures. I would read and reread my new comics placing them in my drawer between readings. Time passed before I bought my first comic in a comic book store that was not priced three for a dollar. I don't remember what it was (or what they were. I am sure it was more than one. I had to make the trip worth it) but where is the UPC code and that's a pretty cool Spider-Man face there instead.
    At that time I though it was the coolest thing. Almost like it was a small thank you for supporting your local comic specialty shop. I stopped getting comic books on a regular basis at the 7-11 and started getting them at "MY" comic book store. This shop was the same shop that the day care center I went to as a toddler would take us on trips to purchase things, hence my fascination with the three for a dollar rack. (SIDE NOTE: Now that I think of it I could only imagine what these owners thought of when these snotty little kids raided their store with only two teachers to watch over them.) At the time the store was called Comic Investments. Over time it was purchased by two employees and they changed the name to ComiCards. Every comic book store experience I have, I compare with the mecca of childhood and early teen-aged years memories that I created there.
    I was only able to go once a month but the way they stacked their books on display made it easy to see what I needed. Now my collection started to acquire more and more comic books with Spider-Man's face in the lower left hand corner. Once in a while we would be gifted with another version of Spider-Man, Captain America or even doves flying from a book (the latest courtesy of New Mutants #43). I never inquired why it was done, I just liked the small difference.
    Today comic book companies place bar codes on every comic. Specialty shops only have the words Direct market to mark the difference. Variant covers are the new mark of reward by supporting Comic Book specialty shops. Even the variant covers have variant covers. Of course depending on the comic book store and limitation in number depends on how much you pay for a limited edition cover. However, even the majority of these variations have a UPC code.
    I will purchase a variation book if the price is right, but only on a title I really like (New Mutants Vol. #3) The only thing I wish for though is for Comic Companies (not mentioning any names Marvel) to go back to selling two versions, one for the newsstand with the UPC prominently displayed on the front and the direct market where the UPC is hidden on the back and leave the cover as exactly that, a cover.
    Tnerb
    Ps. New Mutants Vol.3,#5 has no UPC code on the front and be honest isn't that what a cover should look like.
  18. Tnerb

    At a premium Part 1?

    By Tnerb,

    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.
  19. Tnerb

    Collecting CGC's

    By Tnerb,

    It's the same old hobby in a whole new way.
    I remember beginning my collection with New Mutants #15. I was mesmerized by the cover. I picked it up from the 7-11 comic book rack and brought my purchase to the counter. I hurried home with what I bought and read it. At this time I was only twelve and I was not a fan of reading books. Lucky for me these weren't books, they were comic books.
    I absorbed what I read not only because I immensely enjoyed it but because I read it over and over again before not only doing my homework but as well as before my mother arrived home from work. The problem was where do I keep it? Where could I store it safely? I had book shelves but that meant I would have to keep it upright. That wouldn't work. I opted to empty a drawer of clothes and leave it flat in there.
    Eventually my collection grew and I was able to get my first half box. This box grew to one full box. I collected ony a small amount and it was three years before I had a box and a half. One day I had a large disagreement with my mother so much so that I moved in with my father. I was 15. My Mom never really liked me collecting comic books, my Dad, he really didn't care.
    My collection grew quicker, the only reason for this was my father didn't mind me walking to the comic book store. Eventually and quickly I had three large comic boxes and one half box. I can still picture them at the foot of my twin bed and using them as a place for my alarm clock. I still have the actual half box to this day. I would fill the smaller box then transfer to the larger boxes this way they didn't fall over in the box.... as much.
    I felt an accomplishment as three boxes were soon five, then I had seven and more and more boxes when I moved out on my own that I covered them with a sheet and used it has a display table. Just other statues and comic related items. I only stored what I thought were my really important books in bags. My collection grew so large that I eventually needed a room for them.
    Alas times are tough. I no longer have all those issues that I horded and collected rather then have a good cooked meal. I am simple now. I picked a few titles that I wanted to have all of them and set to collect them, once I complete one I will start another. In fact I am coming in close to finishing my Daredevil run. Something I am rather proud of, but now there are books slabbed away in plastic to collect. At first I was appaled, after all comic books are for reading. I purchased a few as a novelty and then had some of my own graded. Then I found something so amazing so magical I had to have it, New Mutants #1.
    To many I am sure it is nothing, to myself and one other kindred spirit on here at least(Bagofleas), I was overjoyed, I haggled with the price, even walked away hoping he would go lower. After an hour of thinking and $45.00 less in my pocket I now decided I would get all the New Mutants in CGC 9.8. Bagofleas has a big head start on me and although I don't feel competitive against him I would be honored to be able to complete the set just like I know he will do before me.
    Tnerb 19-Nov-09
    Ps. :Now I have only one box of slabbed books but I know one day, years from now, I'll look back on this day like I look back on the day I first kept my comics in a clothes drawer. Thanks for reading, have fun collecting.