Ryan.

Do you know the seller?

I find the acquiring to be more fun than the holding.

There's a convention in Boston next week?

I don't understand the connection between Crain and this book.

These concepts are not mutually exclusive.

Grabbed this one too.

Back in ye olde Signature Series days, blank sketch covers were few and far between, as the publishers hadn't yet started producing blank variants of their own. One of the board members who used to be active here started crafting his own homemade sketch covers by stapling sketch board to existing comics, and then selling them for a nominal fee to the rest of us to use for sketch ops. CGC accepted them for sig series and just gave them a No Grade designation. This was fine with all of us, as we felt that this put the focus on the art instead of the grade. Now it's all about the 9.8, even for sketches.

Two for me.

Wasn't cheap but I'm pretty stoked about this. The owner was awesome about working with me.

Explain the inference. Thanks.

I do this routinely.

Approved.

There's no need to worry. These threads are always full of nuanced, multi-perspective, deeply considered analysis, and not grown men clutching their pearls because their childhood wasn't frozen in perfect suspended animation from when they were 12 years old.

At this point, and after many years of experience and networking, I could very likely generate a steady livable income flipping books but that would require putting lots more time into it than I do now. However, then it becomes a job instead of a hobby and that doesn't hold much interest for me. Instead I use the hobby to fund itself. Grabbing some easy flippable spec books, scouring LCS' and antique shops for gems (which I consider fun, not work), and selling off parts of my personal collection when the value starts to outweigh my interest in holding them, etc. I take those funds and use them to buy back into the collection. This keeps it interesting for me instead of just looking to make mad stacks.

No, don't! It's a trap!

First takeit wins and immediately trumps all PM negotiations. Any variation of "takeit" counts. Payment: Venmo, Zelle, check, money order or cash. Sorry, no Paypal at this time. Trades considered too. No Hall of Shamers or Probies. Payment expected in 72 hours unless we work it out ahead of time. Shipping is free in the US. International shipping will be at cost. Three days' return shipping from receipt. Buyer is responsible for shipping cost back unless item was damaged in transit. Please do not edit takeits and please do not commit to buy unless you intend to follow through.

No argument from me on that. I'm not defending Bfairb's actions; merely explaining my interpretation as I saw it play out in real time.

My interpretation is that he got spun around by competing "takes" on the same book, tried to make good on his own rules and satisfy all parties, unintentionally obfuscating the issue further, and finally grew frustrated to the point of canceling all sales. I'm not sure where the narrative became that he was canceling lower value deals to sell for more money. That's an unverifiable assumption.

Conducted a trade with David who was great to work with, highly communicative, and professional in all aspects.

Woah.