Wall-Crawler

I just read @jaeldubyoo  sad thread in Comics General about his losses as a rookie vendor.  I know we have touched on it here but what are some vendors advice and tips for preventing theft? What do you guys do?  Anyway, just seems like a timely topic with con season starting up for many...

9 hours ago, thehumantorch said:

You have to choose the venue that works best for you.  Wouldn't hurt to tell the other venue why you can't attend, perhaps they'll shift their date in the future to avoid conflict.

Oh they are aware. I told them months ago. I think this may be NGE's permanent slot moving forward so hopefully the local show can arrange for a different time next year.

...But the local show also runs a Fall edition so if I only make the Fall one that works too...I still think the local show would do better if it were once a year...

16 hours ago, thehumantorch said:

Had two one day shows in the past month and and another one day end of March and the wonderful 4 day Calgary Expo in April.  Sales at the first show were low but to be expected in this economy.  Sales at the second show, Calgary Red and White, were pretty good as usual.

We'll be getting about 20 books back from CGC at the Calgary Expo so while some goes back in our collection there's some nice new stuff to sell.  Grades were as expected or better so we're happy.

Always sad to hear when other parts of the country are not doing too well. 

Glad to hear that the other shows went well! I have heard very good things about Calgary Expo.

My subbing to CGC has slowed down (not that it was ever that high to begin with) but I think I have had 10 in the last month. I usually try to get at least a batch of 6 potential worthwhile contenders or books that will make it worth it for me to send.

I have the Northern Game Expo (NGE) in Sudbury coming up on April 27th. Unfortunately, it was a conflict with the local show that I do, the Great Northern Antiques to Oddities Show in North Bay...They are both the exact same weekend.  

While I always want to "support local", I chose to go to the NGE show in Sudbury (about hour and a half away) as it is a one day show and I have done very well every time I have gone there, whereas the last Oddities Show in September, while it was "ok", if I really think about it over a 2.5 day time frame, not so much.  Also, NGE is a one day show. I can drive there in the morning, set up, work the show and come home and enjoy my Sunday.  Basically the potential profit is better for less time.

I still wish I could attend both, unfortunately, simply not possible this year.

10 hours ago, thehumantorch said:

Don't think I knew you had it.  That's ok, an auction of that book should work out well.

Well you know where it is 

Any shows coming up for you? 

Here is my remaining Marvel Family...If it wasn't for that chip out of the right hand side...Love the date stamp.

I held onto these books for a long time as I thought they were cool as heck, but I am really trying to save and make $$$ for my ASM collection.

Sole copy on the census. 

8 hours ago, thehumantorch said:

Both nice books.  I'd be all over that Jr Miss as I collect Canadian comics and that genre.

Ahh, nice!!!

Shoot, too bad I didn't know beforehand...Or did you mention it to me before???

Awhile back, I had a walk in at a show.  I ended purchasing several comics from him, including some Golden Age Canadian Editions.  I decided to send two of the Golden Age Canadian Editions (Adventure Comics and Junior Miss) to Comic Link for their March Auction - Goes "live" today.

Note: I sold the Superman Canadian Edition at a show and I still have the Marvel Family Canadian Edition.

I decided on Comic Link as I have had good success them before, its easy and well, I thought these might do better there than eBay as I really was not sure how to price them so I figured, what will be will be.

These are the books. The Adventure Comics is the highest graded copy on the census and the Junior Miss is 1 of only 2 copies, both tied for highest graded. 

On another note, applications are due for Sudbury Graphic-Con, the largest con I do.

There was some concern that the show may not happen this year due to some realignment.  The show began as a small event put together by the local library but to allow the event to continue to grow, the library is stepping back as the facilitator and a new, not-for-profit organization made up of previous staff and contributors will now oversee the event.  Laying the foundation for this transition took some time, so news and applications were a little late to come out, but it is happening.

New website: https://graphiccon.ca/

I subbed my application last week and again, hoping for a "premium booth" which is basically two 8 foot tables, so 16 x 10.  They are limited, so 

If anyone is interested, I have a Ms. Marvel/Captain Marvel themed eBay mini auction up right now.  Most of the books are from Ms. Marvel (1st Series) with a few others, such as Avenging Spider-Man #9 CGC 9.4 starting below GPA.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/more_fun_comics/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=&rt=nc&LH_Auction=1

On 2/25/2019 at 4:47 PM, spreads said:

I have stolen your idea of using store connections and worked-out a deal with one of the local shops in town

What's my cut going to be?

On 2/25/2019 at 5:02 AM, thehumantorch said:

Link to your ebay store ?

https://www.ebay.com/str/morefuncomicsemporium

I have sold more items this week , so only 80 there now...I am definitely going to keep adding items. Ideally, I think I would like to have 150 items up at all times but minimally 100 books and items.

Recent sales:  Zenescope exclusive variant 20 book set, complete set of Nova #1 - #25 and just sold a Ms. Marvel #16 and #17 set.

I have some books from CGC due back on Thursday, hope to have most of those up on Monday.

2 hours ago, spreads said:

It does also seem odd you don't have an autonomous relationship with this owner, the other employee setting-up and then the existing relationship with a different buyer?

Not quite sure I follow this...

Maybe I didn't explain it well enough...The owner has two 5" tables available for rent.

One spot was offered to me, the other to a former employee who has a long standing relationship with the owner (far longer than me). 

2 hours ago, spreads said:

do you know if the owner asked this competing collection buyer a table like what you've been offered? 

As stated above, yes. He will have a table set up.  

As for why the other guy gets the call when collections come in, he has known the owner longer, basically, closer relationship. I'm not annoyed with that (at least not anymore ), just if I am now paying for a table and allowed to do deals there as part of it, kind of muddies things? Regardless, I stopped really caring long ago being passed over with walk ins. The owner doesn't buy collections and owner/other clerks are well within his rights to send leads to whomever they want.

I'll just keep working my contacts, setting up at local shows, etc. and hope better things come my way this year but even still, I have still have stuff to sell, not like I have zero inventory  

On a selling note, I have bumped up my eBay store (up to 70+ items so far) and seeing good results already. My last Zenescope themed auction did great and I have already sold one slab, offers on a few others and a set or two, sold a few variants, so I may just work more on building my eBay store. Even if I only add a few books here and there, gets them out there so to speak.

23 hours ago, spreads said:

Hi guys, somehow I've missed this thread....

I think it sounds like a box of 'cheapies' is really the only way to approach this, the consignment deal is wrought with a number of reasons:

1) A store that appears profitable and well-run can change quickly and suddenly over time; the largest established LCS here in Ottawa is in financial distress (three locations, two of them being comic shops) has a large consignment collection for sale.  There isn't a lot of big books there, but there's a ton of books priced in the double digits, several hundred at least....I doubt the owner will be getting all of those books back!

2) Knowing a guy that seems decent is not really any type of added security.  As THT pointed out with his partner; I also got ripped off a year ago shipping comics to a dealer (low amount) that I had known for over 20 years - he ran the local LCS that I visited as a kid!  It was a small amount, but the principle of it really, really pissed me off. 

...why I think a longbox of cheapies is the only way to go.  I don't know if it's the stigma of LCS being expensive for back issues, but I don't know many people that shop or look to shop there for those type of comics.  Also, I find that being in a retail setting, LCS do better moving books at prices ($2/$3/$5,etc.) than I would have at shows at those same prices.  So if you can get 2-3 $1 longs, 2-3 $2 books, 2-3 $3 books and one $5 box you should be able to move $3-400 in inventory with just the minor additional operating costs of stocking the boxes maybe twice a month?  Not really additional work needed and you probably already have buyers lined-up like you suggested.....factor in maybe 5-10% of this cannabalizing some of your existing sales and theft/damage and you're still doing well!  

I am still on the fence about doing it. I do know though, if I do put anything there, I would not put high value books out there.  A mix of cheapies and a few nice books but that is it. Reasons for being on the fence:

A) Time. I have been so busy with work and other things, I have not yet had the time to put any boxes together and what little time I do have, I have been working on adding more books to my eBay store and running some auctions.  I also have two shows coming up in late April and early June.

B)  Space. The store is open at its new location, while a definite improvement, my area would be all the way at the back of the store, at the end where there is virtually no incentive to go all the way back. It is a simple 5" table. I figure I could get about 6 long boxes on there. I'm not keen on putting boxes underneath on the floor even though I would be allowed. 

C)  Stock location.  98% of my stock, I keep offsite from my home, about 35 minutes away.  Depending on how sales go, it would be difficult to ensure new product is always there and priced.  My time considerations are also a factor in this.

D) Another employee of the store will be setting up a small table there as well. Little concerned that our tables might "cannibalize" each other should I set up too.  The one other thing is that they say for my "rent" I can also use a back room to help facilitate deals with people who want to sell a collection, etc.  The other minor quibble is, they know I buy and sell but whenever there is a walk in they have only ever call the other/former employee, never me.  Which is fine, but do I ask, if I am paying xx in rent, should I also not at least get a "fair shake" at walk ins?  Because really, the ability to use a back room for deals doesn't really help me as I have never had a problem (except for crazy army guy from awhile ago).

Anyway, I am not rushing into it, when and if I have time, I might try it for a 3 month trial to see how it goes and if I do, I will likely just set up cheap bins, like$1,  $2 for $5 or something along those lines, nothing super "valuable" as other suggested but a few neat books though, etc.

12 hours ago, uchiha101 said:

I wasn't and they got the passwords so it's all good. 

Have you bothered to look into to see how much you have actually put into crypto? I'm not asking what your profit is, just, say, over the last year how much have you "invested"?

13 hours ago, thehumantorch said:

I’d do it at $100.  Put in some $2 to $5 books.  Even $1 books.  Should be easy to make money.  You’re talking $3 a day to display up to 9 longs of product

Yeah, perhaps you are right. I'll chat with the owner and figure out how much space I have and the logistics, etc.

Plus some of my regulars would be able to buy from me year round, not just shows so that may also help if they know I have a little year-round mini booth...

50 minutes ago, thehumantorch said:

$100 a month is dirt cheap.  I'd do it in a heartbeat.

I know it may sound good but I am not sure the clientele would buy in but then again their back issue bins been pretty much same forever so there may be opportunity. Maybe I will try to negotiate lower rate and if it does we can increase fee or something. Like maybe first 3 months reduced rate and then reevaluate. 

10 hours ago, thehumantorch said:

If the rent on the table is reasonable to you do it.  Start with cheaper items and see how it goes.  You're very good at presentation and organization so I know you'll make it look good.  This could lead to a further collaborations or god knows part owner of the store if it works and these guys want a better representation of back issues and your expertise.  

I think he said $100 a month...Which seems a bit on the steep side to me?

I will have to talk more to him about it, from everything discussed here to actually how much room I would have to work with.  I appreciate the comments about my presentation and organization ! 

I have known the owner since I was a teen and we have a very good relationship but I'm not sure if it would ever lead to further collaborations, but I do think a spin off benefit could be if I left my card/contact info in the store at my "booth" it could potentially lead to finding some new collections.

On 1/29/2019 at 5:29 PM, thehumantorch said:

Pull UFO signed a lot, will check books I have with his signature to see if they match

3 hours ago, thehumantorch said:

We did a consignment deal with a local store, someone we’ve known for  more than 20 years and someone we consider a friend, a short box worth of decent books that he populated a wall with.

We have a list of what we gave him and what we took home so we have a good idea what sold but he didn’t keep track of what sold or for how much.

End result is he paid us for a couple books that were a package deal we okayed and know what they sold for but doesn’t seem interested in paying us for the rest of the “missing” books.  We’ve reminded him he owes us money but he still hasn’t paid us.  Hell, he even approached us in the fall about more consignment books and we reminded him he still owes us money.  

Its not a great deal of money, perhaps $700, but now we’d probably have to go to small claims court to recover our money and it’s not worth it.

just pointing out that things can go sideways.  

I would be furious over him owing $700 - Says a lot about the guy.

Sadly, I guess it is true, when money gets involved for some people, you really never can tell.  I really appreciate the advice and even though I have been going there for a long time, best to make whatever arrangement as "iron clad" as it can be but I am thinking if I do go for it, I might just set up my cheapie bins.  We shall see and as always, I do appreciate the advice/insight.

4 hours ago, Bird said:

Suggest a consignment arrangement instead maybe, with a straight percentage going to the dealer. Take a video of the box contents to mark what you have in there and make sure that he is responsible for anything no longer there, be it from theft or sales.

I like the consignment idea rate WAY better than a flat monthly rate. Video would make it easy.  Would have to discuss the whole inventory/sales management system and "what happens if" scenario.

I know regardless that I would not be interested in putting anything "high end" in the store.

3 hours ago, thehumantorch said:

Yes, there's the risk of theft.  There's also the risk that the store doesn't pay you for what sells or goes out of business and you have trouble getting your books back.  You'll also have to keep a list of what you put in the store.  I'm not saying it's a bad idea, just that there's some risk 

I don't think they will be going out of biz anytime soon and yes for sure it would require some organization on my end and more info on how they would track sales. 

Nothing is final, just an idea proposed to me that is interesting but for sure more details need to be sorted out and ultimately the cost per month for the space could also be a major deciding factor.

6 hours ago, FineCollector said:

Who's responsible in case of theft or damage?

Where's this, North Bay?  I think I've been to your old shop.  Eager bunch, but they seemed more like eager fanboys for new hotness than anything.  I wouldnt put anything expensive there.

Yes, North Bay...Now you guys know where I live😂

The store does not really deal in back issues so that may be why it seemed more about the new hotness. They are pretty friendly and has been in biz for awhile now but definitely glad to see them moving to a real location. 

Good points on theft and damage. I was not intending to put anything of substantive value...I was thinking cheapies but the price point for table rent might make it a no go.

So another new development...My LCS is finally moving to a bigger and nicer location and will no longer look like a "hole in the wall" stereotypical comic shop.

The owner has offered to rent me "a table" (not sure on size of table yet) inside the shop where I can sell some of my comics for a monthly table rental fee.  I still do not know how large the table would be or the full cost yet, but he explained if I did it, I would simply mark my comics with a certain colour sticker and I could have my own "button" on the cash register when people bought my books.

I think it is a great idea but for me, it would all depend on how much the monthly table fee would be and size of the table.  I would also have to think about what to leave there.

Thoughts?

13 hours ago, thehumantorch said:

Dang autocorrect, pullido

LOL - No problem.  I appreciate you taking a look to help me figure these two sigs out!

7 hours ago, thehumantorch said:



If you know don't keep me guessing!

I think I got the Lady Death artist - Monte Michael Moore: https://www.mavarts.com/comic-art but sig looks like Brian Pullido's...And looks very similar to some CGC SS books with his sig I have seen...