Wall-Crawler

I'm going to try to start posting a bit more regularly...Here are some other books back, all FS except the ASM 102.

Results mixed. Some a little higher than expected Some a little lower but overall pleased.

Sales will continue to be primarily driven through eBay but I still do have the odd local customer buy and a rare buy from Instagram.

Books back from CGC the Ghost Rider 1 has already sold to a local customer.

Not bad for less than total $50 spend!

Some close ups of books...All books inspected and complete...Off to my local presser and cleaner.

Not a bad $50 score!

I realize I have not posted in awhile and I have had some nice subs come in but really, I'm still not doing any shows for the foreseeable future due to variety of factors and how exciting is it to read about ebay or other sales right?

Well, this week I finally have something interesting to report in the old journal.

A local used bookstore advertised they got some comics in on Facebook. Of course, I could not get there and some local flippers got there first. 

I was off yesterday, so decided, what the heck, let's see if there are any scraps left over. 

Turns out, I was right to trust my Spidey sense, they got some more stuff in or the other vultures simply didn't know where to look.

Here's the haul...Stickers/prices are what I paid...But subtracted from my store credit from previous book donations. I ended up paying around $50 CAD.

This will likely be my best find and return of 2023!

Been a long time since I have posted here...I am still very much engaged in saving for an AF #15 and progress has been/is being made and I have been pretty disciplined in achieving that goal.

However, I still get a collectors itch to scratch from time to time so decided to upgrade some raw ASM copies I was not happy with and had a few books from my PC graded added as well. Any upgrades were also of convenience, seller was in Canada (or even same province) and price was right. Undercopies will be or have been sold to help offset costs,

These have all been from over past year and a bit and majority are raw books that were already in my PC and when I have been doing a CGC "flip" sub add one of my PC books every now and then. 

...The MZ book was in my PC, I collected the original series when it came out.

...I need some acetate covers now too to really make these books shine 😄

I have had some more books come back from CGC from previous collections (forgot to post) but sales have been doing well.

My battle is still finding time between work, life with a toddler and other every day stuff. I usually manage to find time in the evenings, hence sporadic journal postings as well. And time to create new listings. 

I recently had a collection directed my way from a contact. I picked up a nice Ultimate Spider-Man/Miles Morales themed collection. About 45 books total, not all shown but should give you an idea.

I'm going to open both polybagged editions. Bags look ok so hoping books are too.

Thought I would do a little 2020/21 Year(s) in Review...

Despite the pandemic, I had, by my standards, two very good years for buying and selling.

I did not do any shows due to lockdowns and honestly, becoming a new dad (January 2020), even if I wanted to, I would not have had time for them anyway. 

However, thanks to doing those local shows and connections made, I had several bigger books and collections/lots of books linked to the one contact or directly from the one contact come my way in 2020 and 2021. So, while I have not done any shows since 2019, dividends from shows have still been "paying off".

The first one really came from an older gentleman who had a lot of GA books and some silver age and some bronze , who was referred to me by my show acquaintance. I have been able to sell a lot of the stuff I was not interested in and into profit territory, but I still have most of the GA war and western books. Several of them are Canadian Editions...Not as valuable I know, but still pretty cool for me to find. I am in no rush to sell those as material of this vintage simply does not come my way too often.

Much of the other recent pick ups over the last year and a half have come from the same individual and all moderns. Either he was looking to make a quick buck, money for a key or things like moving expenses. I was fair with him, he understood I needed to make money on books and I paid fast. I even bought books that I normally would not just to keep the train running but even with those books, I have had some pleasant surprises sales wise. I also bought the books without thoroughly inspecting them as we did deals exclusively online as we live 4 hours apart, so there was trust on both parts, but it has worked out well for both of us. Looking to 2022, I think I have pretty much cleaned him out, but don't know for certain.

Most of my sales have come from eBay but a few also through my Facebook Page and locals, but for now, as much as people gripe about eBay, that's where I do the bulk of my business. I think I had my first sale through IG a few months ago (I still really just use it for "promotion" but no idea how to really use it effectively). I still need to find time to investigate selling via and/or consigning with My Comic Shop.

I have also submitted more books in the past year and a half to CGC than I ever have for a single year or so...Much of which is still with CGC...As of right now, I have about 36 books with CGC in various stages processing (sitting with them LOL)  and I am supposed to be getting a shipment of 11 books back today and I just sent another shipment of 12 books. Praying for no QC issues. A vast majority of these will be for sale, like 99% of them. I know this volume of books being sent for grading is peanuts for some, but for me, it has been/is a lot but I have already done well with what I have had come back and goal is to just keep pushing forward with selling - But I need to find a new source for 2022 or find time to really dive into my stock.

My challenges remain the same...Finding time to organize/buy/sell and list while balancing work and family. I also still have a lot of cataloguing to do and still don't have most of my stock onsite, which is another big ongoing challenge. Hopefully that changes in 2022. Just having the bulk of it "arm's reach" would be major accomplishment, so fingers crossed that will change in 2022.

All in all, buying and selling has been very good these past few years and been good to help support the family for a few things and to help build up the "war chest " for my PC. Now, onto 2022 and thanks to those who take the time to read and as always, comments welcomed.

Nothing major to report...I have picked up a few modern collections of late and I have significantly upped my eBay store (and subsequently sales) and now I am trying to continually just keep adding to it when I can.

The good news is that incoming funds are inching me along closer and closer without having to unload a big key or keys for my collecting goals. For now, I'm ok to continue to scratch and fight my way to an AF #15 (I could get a decent low grade ASM #1 now). Getting some books back from CGC that will be slated for sales will help too, but likely not until early 2022 when I get that 25 book batch back.

However, if the right opportunity presented itself and/or it seems it is not feasible in terms of the rise in value of an AF #15, I could potentially unload some bigger non-ASM keys that are part of my personal collection to reach the goal before I am totally priced out...But like I said, if I don't have to, I'd rather not.

On 9/9/2021 at 2:15 AM, Arkham said:

Beautiful new books mate! Looking forward to seeing more of them back from the slabbers!! 

Congrats on the early sales from store too. Some great issues listed there - I'm not surprised they flew out the door!! 

What are your thoughts on eBay vs other mediums for selling? For example, have you had much interest in books you've posted up on your IG? 

Thanks! Yes, when they get back in about 1000 years!

Good Question! I use my IG mostly for "promotion" but to be fair, I don't use it "as a business" and I am not super knowledgeable about it. I have mostly had tire kickers though. Don't get me wrong, I am sure there are those who use it very well, just not for me, not at this time. I also don't have a ton of followers there either.  The one issue I can see with it is that it is "out of sight, out of mind", like if you don't get hits or bites shortly after posting, people are on to the next thing, whereas eBay you can post stuff and it can sit for MONTHS and then get a bite or a sale on something. But, it is just not a platform I have truly invested a lot of time in for selling purposes, unlike my eBay page. But of course, there are some VERY successful IG sellers for sure.

Facebook is ok, but I do better posting books through my own Facebook Page (www.facecbook.com/morefuncomics.ca) where I have locals who frequently contact me through there as well as random Facebook peeps. I have dabbled in Facebook sales on some of the specific comic sites and had some success but still prefer eBay as a selling platform. I should also try more with the CGC boards here as well...I did in the past but I have kind of gotten away from having even the few modest sales threads that I rarely did. Maybe time to try again?

I encourage you to read a post that @thehumantorch has up about his selling experience with My Comic Shop. After long considering it and reading that post, consigning and/or selling with My Comic Shop is definitely an option that I am going to take a deeper look into.

Finally, I was invited to participate at a local show in late September that I have done in the past but with my current family situation (busy toddler) and work...I can't do it and that is not even factoring Covid into the decision.

Even though in my part of Ontario Covid numbers are low and relatively stable, I wouldn't be comfortable mingling with larger crowds right now....Realistically, I can't see me doing a show until late  summer/early fall 2022 at the earliest and I will be "online only" for awhile. 

And a few more samples...

FINALLY got around to beefing up my ebay store this past weekend and posting some of my last CGC subs up and some did not last long at all.

Notable sales (so far) Spawn 1 Newsstand CGC 9.8, Daredevil Vol.2 #9 CGC 9.8, Hulk 1 CGC 9.8, Infinite Crisis #5 CGC 9.8 and raw Spawn #230 and Vengeance of Bane #1.

My goal is to minimally always have 100 items in my store but ideally I'd like to get to 200-250 and maintain that with the occasional small auction.

Of course, I would like more but trying to be realistic with family and regular work responsibilities.

Also, I have managed to pick up some hot and/or fun speculation books that the price was too fair to ignore. Several will be added to next CGC sub.

Samples:

On 8/6/2021 at 3:45 PM, thehumantorch said:

Some nice books, congrats

Thanks Torch!

I finally received my CGC sub that I sent back in April 2021 (3 Standard, 26 Modern "Fast Track". The Standard sub came back in June and the Modern just a week or so ago).

This was the largest single CGC sub I have made and it involved several of my recent purchases that I have previously posted in my journal. Needless to say, I am pleased overall and ecstatic with a handful of them. I am currently prepping another large submission (well, large for me). I won't be bothering to fast track the moderns. When I initially submitted, the stated TAT for MFT was like 28 working days, so I do feel like I got shafted a bit by CGC there, but hey, books are here and safe and l am generally pleased so I am not about to shout at the wall.

Everything will be for sale except the ASM Annual #16 as that is going in my PC and one of the newsstand Spawn #1's. Maybe one or two others, but that's it.

Sidebar: I miss not being in the office where I have access to a large scanner, so until then, pics will have to do or I may have to have a look at the slab scanner thread.

Pics below. Enjoy and thanks for following/reading!

Successful auctions had me itching to buy something and get on with the ASM collecting goal.

I picked up this sweet book for the run and didn't kill my budget for the "big two".

Now need 20 books to complete the run.

Thanks to @AlphaOmega for the great book, stellar packaging and fast shipping.

I think my resolve has been renewed and I am NOT going to unload any of my ASM collection to help me get my grail. There is simply too much work, time, and still love in those books to "give up" now. I am going to keep plodding away and wheeling and dealing but spare my ASM collection. Other keys may continue to circle in and out of the PC vs For Sale categories.

I "buckled down" I just set up a huge auction (well, huge for me, 91 books) to finally try to just offload all the Zenescope books I acquired previously. Those books have brought me good returns but now I am "blowing out" pretty much everything I have left. 

It took some time to set up but I think that is the way...I know I will feel a heck of a lot better making bank towards a grail selling stuff I don't care about than the quicker route.

Tortoise and the hare...

On 2/22/2021 at 9:52 PM, Arkham said:

There needs to be a post "reaction" for "love" for those moments something is so much more than "like"! 

Wait about 4 months when my next batch gets back from CGC 

I just sent in over 30 books...Largest single sub yet...Mostly modern era though.

I wanted to take a minute to thank those who took the time to reply. I appreciate all the advice and opinions.

The one thing I don't want to do is make any "rash" decisions. I have spent too long getting down to 20ish books to complete the run to do that, and, truth be told, I am proud of what I have and what I have accomplished thus far. Just there is that nagging question...Will I ever be able to get my "holy grail"? Or be able to obtain a nice presenting low grade copy of AF #15 and/or ASM #1 without a major "sacrifice"?  And I mean, how much higher can AF #15 and ASM #1 go? There has to be a ceiling at some point (or levelling off) at some point right?

Time will tell.

So, for now, I am just going to keep doing what I have been doing; selling my non-pc books but maybe evaluate and shift a few non-ASM books/keys into the "for sale" category and continue to buy comics for resale when I can (and I have had some good modern scores of late), but those are all towards the greater goal.  But maybe give myself a bit of leeway as @thehumantorch said, I can change the variables, find something new, etc. One thing I think I have decided, if I am going to buy an ASM book, the "commons" will wait until the very "last" as they will always be "affordable" in comparison.

One thing is for sure though, I won't "quit" the hobby. I'm in it for the long haul .

Wow...Been a long time since I have posted in this journal.

Not much new to report in terms of personal ASM books...I have been busy working from home during the pandemic, busy with a now 14 month old son and focusing on selling (to save) for the next big Spidey book - An AF #15 or ASM #1 (when I have spare time; which is rare these days).

As I was looking in my comic closet though at my near complete run and the value that is in my personal collection, plus for sale inventory, plus what I have saved from selling and still have that I could sell...I'm wavering and pondering "giving up" on completing the run, keeping a handful of books from my personal collection and move all the rest of my personal ASM collection to my "for sale" inventory.

Why? I still have 21 books to go, all from the Lee/Ditko era and does not include annuals (I don't have ASM Annual #1 either - sad). Those will eat up money. Major keys just keep going up and up and up and I fear if I wait too long, they will be unattainable as I would need to get low grade but I don't want a total dog of a book "just to have one" either. I have some standards . Plus, I am considering what would make me "happiest" in my collecting journey. What would mean "the most" to me to possess? A big run of books, that may never have the two biggest books or a small but mighty collection?

The flip side is there is a lot of memories tied up in all the rest of the run I acquired and there are a lot of books I still really, really like having. So, it is the "collecting crisis" I am having right now...Make a bold decision and let go of a lot of valuable books and accelerate selling to get that big book or just keep doing what I have been doing; wheeling and dealing, clawing away and selling as much as I can of everything else, when I can...

If anyone is reading, feel free to "sound off", love to hear other peoples opinions and/or stories...

Awesome initial entry and it is so good to have you rejoin the collecting fold!

I enjoyed the story of how you came to be a Batman guy...Didn't know you were into the Phantom.

Now go get that Batman #189 😉! 

And here is my recent little modern cherry pick from a collection

Another round of books are back from some of the collections I recently picked up...Star Wars heavy but not too shabby! I am prepping another lot to go to CGC and oh yeah, picked up another 20 book lot! Pics on that one later...

First Collection Purchase of 2021 Completed.

Again, nothing major but it is a nice collection of modern, low print run horror comics and completely done via email/FB messaging.  This is the same source as the Spawn and Star Wars and other recent books (except the GA ones). I was not super keen on these books,  but the price was right and I want the seller to know he can keep coming to me as well; I want to maintain that quick "comics for cash" relationship. I'll post a few pics when they arrive.

12 hours ago, thehumantorch said:

Ugh, at least you hadn't shipped yet.

100%

I screwed up though...The guy asked for a return...I should have made him send a cancellation request instead as a return is a knock on my account and a cancel is a knock on him. And that is what he was actually doing, cancelling.

Now I have to call eBay...Not that it will impact my standing too much, but I still don't want it reflected on my seller account, but I want them to know he cancelled on me...

Lesson learned.