Wall-Crawler

You're always full of something to say so let me straighten you out. First off, I have made every attempt to pay off that debt, call them to take off that additional charge, try to work with them on it, work on a repayment plan. Where on Earth did I say I didn't know?? Nowhere.

Your words: There was something else that would keep happening aside from that. However, it's been so long that they took the card off my bank account so I can't check.

You said "something else". What was the "something else"? You said you can't check your card? They may have cut off your card but the debt should still be registering/visible to you.

Second, wherein all of what I said did I say I didn't take any of what happened seriously? Maybe you should read things over again because you make quite the claims yourself. I am more than happy to take responsibility for things and mistakes I've made so again go READ that. I wouldn't screw anyone over especially with consignments and we've already been over that from my last journal. There were a few boardies that agreed with your opinion but not all.

Your words:  The banks as far as I'm concerned can  off. I tried my best to pay off that credit card debt, I called, I tried to negotiate and work out terms. They didn't listen and they kept piling on 100 bucks, 75 bucks every few days so I gave up and I'm not paying it off until I AM ready to do so. They did me this disfavor so now it will be their turn to wait and yes I'm aware of what will happen to my credit score.

If you are not paying your debts, on assistance, don't care about the banks and are aware of that will do to your credit score and ability to secure any other kind of financing or employment, then NO you are not taking it seriously.

Third, you again jump to conclusions. Where did I say this time that I did it this time to be "good at this!" for crying out loud you asked me this not too long ago so go read my reply to that Wall-Crawler. 

For the amount of time you have been doing this, you should be better at this but you are not.  Your road to success does not rest in dealing in crypto currency or comics. I mean you can't even tell me how well you did on your crypto venture until you get your tax return? What?

So now let me turn these tables and you and unlike you say what you did is that cool?

Not sure what you are getting on about there but, nothing about me is cool.  I have a house, a wife, a full time job. Enjoy the outdoors. I sell comics on the side to help fund my own collection. I also set up at local shows.  And I enjoy doing those things but not at the expense of everything else. 

You come here to MY journal saying how much of a waste of time it is, saying how I should be doing things much better, how I never learn, jumping to conclusions and saying and assuming things I haven't said in this new journal. I never forced you to come here and read this nor even participate you did that of your own free will. As for the things I do it's out in the open for people to read and I have nothing to hide. The people of this board can make up their own minds about whether to cosign or buy comics from me. Also, just so you know, things do change and not every whim and reason is written in stone. 

People have made up their minds.

You are right. You have never forced me to come here and I wish you no ill will. Its called a reality check. If you recall in PM and other places, I have offered you real advice in terms of getting a job, some resources, etc. but literally nothing has changed.  I came here hoping there would be real progress, I have said before that I hope get a some help, a job and that if you had those things, the rest will eventually fall into place.  Sadly, we learn after all this time, literally nothing has changed.  

4 hours ago, uchiha101 said:

That's correct but I wasn't surprised by the monthly payments or interest. There was something else that would keep happening aside from that. However, it's been so long that they took the card off my bank account so I can't check. 

Always someone else's fault, never your own.

You still owe the bank and government money.  You now say you have unpaid credit card debt.  There was "something else happening"? What else besides purchases and interest accumulation can there be? Did you take the bait and get expensive fraud protection or insurance on your balance? What were they "adding"? Regardless, you are responsible for these things.  How can you not know???

Bottom line, if you are interested in "dealing in comics", answer me this...How can you expect anyone to take you seriously? Who would ever consign with you when you a) have no clue what you are doing b) don't know how to manage your own finances and c) have demonstrated that if things go sideways you don't honour your work or financial obligations?

I certainly would not take a chance on you and until you get your life straightened out, I won't buy anything from you and I don't think anyone else here should be either as to not fuel your psychosis that you are "good at this" as it is nothing but a distraction from you getting a real job and your life in order.

4 hours ago, revat said:

using my tax refunds

I thought you owed the government $$$ last time? 

Now that it is a "bear market" for the crypto currency, what is your profit/loss margin on that venture?

Is the g/f the one in your profile pic?

On 12/10/2018 at 3:40 PM, uchiha101 said:

Thanks for the kind thoughts. Some of my situations have changed but not all of them. 

Employed?

Unemployed?

Living situation? Home with parents, or on your own or with room mates? 

Back to the comic situation, what's the point of GPA for you? Why now?  Do you have the funds to be buying graded books to flip?

Repost from main thread:

I was able to meet Stan Lee at Toronto Fan Ex several years ago...Ugh...Nearly a decade now (wow), Toronto Fan Ex 2010...

I waited in line for hours, then had to be re-booked for a second try due to the overwhelming number of people who wanted a photo op.  I toughed it out and got my spot for the second try. Even though I only had time to exchange a few brief words with him, it was worth it. I also got to sit in on a panel where he talked about his life and work...This was back when he was healthy and vibrant, so it was a great experience and one I hope to be able to remember for a very long time.

Excelsior Forever!

Here are a my Stan Lee CGC SS books (not for sale) - Feel free to share your CGC Stan Lee SS books and/or stories!

On 10/20/2018 at 8:30 PM, thehumantorch said:

3 or 4 times a year a dealer from Calgary rents a hotel ballroom or a community hall in Edmonton and hauls up a big truckload of comics.  He advertises on facebook etc.  He keeps coming back so I'm guessing he's selling a lot.  I haven't gone but I've been told it's mostly $1 type books with a bit of SA and no GA.  

I've been thinking of doing the same as I have a lot of stuff that never gets to shows.  It's not that expensive to rent a community hall and I could share the cost with a few other local dealers.

I'd have a problem setting up at that promoter's show if he didn't change venue.  If the venue is willing to double book events they can't be trusted.  And in reality, that's exactly what the venue did, booked in a second event before the first event could possibly be packed up.  I'd imagine the organizer had a signed contract that stipulated what time the facility was available for setup and what time vendors had to be cleared out.

 

I agree, I am not happy about they way the venue handled their business, which is why I am considering trying out "my own thing" but this is also the only show in town now.  All the other ones have folded up - Which if some things don't change, this one could too.  Maybe I will give this one ONE more shot in the Fall of 2019 as I definitely can't do their spring show, but who knows, a lot can happen in a year.

29 minutes ago, thehumantorch said:

If I was the promoter I'd find a different location and as a vendor I wouldn't support the show if it set up there again.  The venue must know there's a booking in there until 6 pm and they must be aware that it's comprised of vendors who require time to pack up.  I can only believe the venue saw an opportunity to make money by booking the second event and essentially said F him.

I know the promoter of the local show never went back to the hotel after they bumped him and the hotel  lost a twice yearly event.  Short term gain and long term loss not to mention damage to their reputation.

Promoter is unlikely to leave location as it is literally next door to his antique shop.  Something "really bad" would have to happen I think.

My wife suggested I might even want to consider just try renting out a small boardroom at a hotel or something and advertise like crazy myself via social media and see what happens given the last local show it was pretty much regulars that showed up anyway.  There is also a big indoor yard sale in the late spring I might try to unload some $1 books...Tables are like $15 for an 8 footer...

On 10/18/2018 at 11:43 AM, thehumantorch said:

Just fount this thread Tyler .

That show sounds terrible and that promoter didn’t do his job.  Kicking you out of your spot before the show ended is absolutely unreasonable.  Booking a birthday party into a space that’s already occupied makes no sense.  I have seen some venues who have done somewhat similar things to promoters - a local show was bumped for a wedding because the wedding was more lucrative- so it is possible the venue screwed the promoter.

Thanks Torch...Yeah new journal format not user friendly at all.

I had a discussion with the promoter and the venue screwed him. I believe him. He apologized for it to. I suggested if the venue is going to behave like that there are plenty of other venues in town.

I also think they may have been a little over confident based on the success of their first show and there was a lot of other stuff going on in town...But still....

They also need to only do this show ONCE a year. Even NGE and Sudbury Graphic Con which are bigger shows are only one day and once a year.

I gave a bit of an ultimatum too and said if they want me there in the future I refuse to set up in that side room again and must be in the main room. He agreed. So we will see.

Might be a moot point though as for their spring show they scheduled it for the same day as Northern Game Expo which is has been better for me historically so I am going to NGE in April 2019 instead. 

Given the change in journal format, less traffic and seeing as I have no new shows coming until the new year and collection buying is typically slower in the colder months here, seems like an appropriate time to sign off and take a break from the journal for awhile.

I will still frequent the main boards and thanks to all of those who read my journal posts, commented and offered advice.  I have learned a lot over a short time span and I have nothing but genuine appreciation for all of the knowledge and stories that were shared.

Tyler

Here are the before and after I added lighting photos. In the first pic you can see the venues idea of "better lighting" with that multicolour thing on the side.

The before photo doesn't look too horrible in the pic as it was taken early afternoon and the lighting just got worse and worse as the clouds/rain and evening rolled in. Like I said customers were literally using their flashlight apps to browse.

The lighting I added came in handy for sure as on Day 2 it became very overcast and there was next to zero natural lighting on the room and would have been very dark. 

Ok, so here goes...

The 2018 Spring Edition of this show (the first one), I did very, very well. The show was very well attended and I did pretty strong numbers with lots of new casual buyers.  My primary complaints were that the room that I was in was very poorly lit and there was no real signage to direct show goers that there were other vendors in the side room I was in as I was not in the main hall.  Oh, and the venue ended up being booked by the event center for Sunday evening and all the vendors then had to "clear out" pretty quickly.

In speaking with the organizers, they said that those concerns of lighting and signage would be addressed as would the move out issue.  Now, before I rant, the organizers do want to put on a good show. It just didn't happen this time.

First of all, I was again in the side room but I was ok with that as I was told there would be better lighting and signage. Plus, I was in the room with the vinyl dealer who played cool tunes all day and I did alright before, so figured it would be better. Wow. Was I wrong.  First of all, this show they had Friday from 4 PM to 9 PM and Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM.  The signage was not improved AND the lighting was terrible.  All the venue did was add these two small up lights in the corner that did nothing to improve the lighting situation. I had no time to correct the situation for Friday evening and as there were only two windows at the opposite end of the room, I had customers having to use their flashlight app on their phone to even be able to SEE the books. While my customers knew it was not my fault, I was very annoyed and tried to keep smiling and jovial about it but make not mistake, I was seething on the inside. Customers were also sparse on Friday night (as I expected) and it was wet and cold outside so despite another downtown event, people likely opted to stay home/inside.

I got up early on Saturday (the next morning) and went to my local hardware store and picked up two small clamp desk lights that I affixed to my display board that improved the visibility by quite a bit but it still was far from ideal. Saturday was probably the slowest show I have EVER had in terms of actual number of buyers/lookers coming to the booth...It probably tied for the slowest day for any show I ever done (which was a Sunday of a two day show from a previous local show).  It was not just me though. The entire show was D-E-A-D. Any vendor I spoke with said it was slow.  I pity out-of-towners who set up. I bet there are several who by the time you factor in costs, likely lost money.  I don't know the final count but by even looking in the main room at what should be peak times, it looked empty.  There are a variety of reasons I think why this was, which I can go into if people care.

The "icing" on the cake was, 10 minutes before official close of the show (and I was the only one in the room with a customer still browsing), the organizers (while they did apologize and said they were upset themselves) told us that the venue had rented the side room we were in for a freaking birthday party at 6 PM and had to start clearing out immediately (our show was supposed to go until 6 PM and were told we would have adequate time to load out).  So, basically they rushed my last customer out and then they brought in "help" to get my stuff moved into the adjoining hallway so they could close off the room and I had to tell them to slow "F" down, this wasn't garbage they were hauling but the whole thing still ended up being rushed. Seeing vendors in the main hall being able to take their time to move out nearly pushed me over the edge.

The only saving grace was my loyal customer base. I advertise a lot on my own FB Page and while not a lot of them came out (which again, there are reasons for), the ones who did still made it a profitable and worthwhile show for me to do. Had it not been for them though, the show would have been a complete DISASTER for me. Again, thankfully for my regulars, I still managed to do about 14 X my booth and other costs (like dinner, lunch and lamps).

The organizer already reached out via text to thank me for participating and would like to hear my thoughts and hope to have me back for the Spring 2019 show. Right now, I am not so sure if I will bother, but if I do, I will have mandatory conditions, and the one that will be non-negotiable is for me to be set up in the main hall or I'm out for sure.

Anyone want to hear how my last show went? It was "interesting" but not in a good way...

Pretty much ready for the show...As per usual, never get enough "new" "new' stock processed but I have added A LOT more sets.

I get to move in Thursday evening but might ask for Friday afternoon as show opens at 4 PM on Friday Until 9 PM. Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM.  The Friday shall be interesting as it is "timed" with a downtown event, the Downtown Gallery Hop where a bunch of shops, particularly "art" boutiques stay open late.

We have talked about social media advertising. I boosted a post on my Facebook page and this is what it is showing me so far. For $20 CAD, what the heck...For the record for one six foot table and two 8 foot skirted tables was $80, pretty good deal, so what's another $20?

The Fall Edition of the new show in town (Great Northern Antiques to Oddities Show) is taking place on the evening of Friday September 28th and Saturday September 29th.

I will be ramping up my social media advertising for the next week (Facebook and IG - I still don't know how effective it is, but it can't hurt) and my booth has been paid for.  I will again not be in the Main Hall but rather off in a smaller room, the "Map Room".  Initially, I was put off by this last April  but it turned out to be a good thing and I don't think I "lost" sales by not being in the main hall.  Vendors are set up in the hallway, the Main Hall and the Map Room (only myself and the vinyl dealer will be in the Map Room).  The organizers have said they will address my (minor) complaints of having better signage/direction to patrons to come into the Map Room this time and, my number 1 issue, better lighting. 

Seeing as how Venom comes out a week after the show, I am going to try to make my Spidey/Venom related books the focal point of my central display, similar to what I did at the last show I did, Northern Game Expo, when Infinity War was right around the corner and I laid out all things Avengers/Thanos related that I had.  That worked out pretty successfully. 

For my "wall books", I am also going to change things up.  Instead of having them all be "higher end" books, I am going to split my wall display up.  One row will have "higher end books" and the other row will have books in the $10 to $50 range up that have a cool cover or subject matter of popular characters. 

While I have priced up some new individual title inventory, I have been focusing on sets.  Sets have not yet really disappointed me.  I had a long box and a half of near complete sets and I decided to send a list to a well-known comic dealer in western Canada and was able to fill 99% of my order, so while I put out some money, I no longer have one and a half long boxes of near completed sets. I don't have to wait and wait and wait to track down an issue here and there to complete all those sets. I'm glad to get that done and add a lot more new sets to my set inventory.

Still hate new journals but figure I would offer brief update.

The update is no new acquisitions for my personal ASM collection that are "noteworthy".  I had a "slip" and picked up some modern JSC ASM #800 variants instead of continuing to save for those silver age books I need, but back on course.  For those who follow my other journal about my adventures as a  seller you will have read that I have been using some of the profits of sales from mostly what I would consider "common" or "non keys" (which I normally put a portion back into buying ASM books I need), instead into other keys to "hold and sell later". I have also been saving too though

The downside is...I am finding that it is peaking my interest level again and that I am "reminded" of how many great books are out there and with the price points of AF #15 and now ASM #1...It hurts to see what else is out there but I am sticking to it, I am "close" to "completing the run"...Like around 25 issues now (excluding variants and annuals) all of the Lee/Ditko era too.

So, to start off the "new format", my current personal Top 5 and grade range are:

• AF #15 (will have to be low grade)
• ASM #1 (likely low to mid grade)
• ASM #9 (7.0/7.5 range)
• ASM Annual #1 (7.0/7.5) grade
• ASM #4 (6.0 range)

I am going to try to stick to earlier advice too, keep plugging away and saving for a low grade (but nice looking) AF #15, then ASM #1...I might "deviate" if I were to come across a "killer deal" but the AF #15 is the primary goal.  Current issues needed to complete the run:

AF #15, ASM #1, #2, #4, #5, #7 - #12, #16 - #19, #21 - #24, #27, #29, #30, #32, #35, #38

6 hours ago, piper said:

Unless you want to put the money towards your AF15 fund, my answer is boring and predictable: Marvel SA and BA Keys.

I am mostly saving though but a little "reinvestment" to go back into selling...I did use some comic funds to help cover a little summer getaway and a few household/boring things.

I have picked up a few DC SA keys, which goes towards making profit (eventually) as I have to hold for a bit as I am not picking them up at rock bottom prices. Very tight margins but again, purchased using the sales of common stuff.  I also can't go too crazy because I don't have a large local market for expensive books so most selling of said books is exclusively online.

I haven't posted in my ASM journal in awhile as I have been saving but also the cost now of a low grade ASM #1 is a bit depressing - Another entry may be due soon - So just kind of selling and buying (well not so much buying  but not due to lack of trying).

So, I am going to post a bit here and see if anyone is still following the "new and improved" format.

I paid for my booth for this September show and had a nice chat with the organizer.

He is hosting a vendor dinner on Thursday night, the night before the show. The show opens on Friday,  5 PM to 9 PM and all day on Saturday (last weekend of September). The cool thing that is also happening is the Downtown Gallery Hop is that same Friday...The Downtown Gallery Hop is a free arts event hosted by the galleries, shops and artist studios and there is always lots of local support for that event where shops are open late and there other fun little things happening.  The show is also on Main Street so Friday night could potentially be a good night after all so we shall see.

ALSO, for those still following and may recall that I had a gentleman clear me out of my cartoon books and had expressed interest in my westerns. I am happy to report those are now all SOLD. 1 and 3/4 long box of mid 70's to early 80's DC and Marvel westerns - Gone.  One whole box was not even bagged and boarded.  We were able to agree to a bulk deal I think we could both be happy with. I am thinking of "reinvesting" that money into some graded books but have not decided which ones yet.

Thoughts?

Well, this new format is just terrible. I see now where I can access the old entries, but yeah, NOT a fan of the change.  The layout of the journal section, everything is poopy.  There was a reason why people kept posting in the "old" format 

Regardless, this is the continuation of my Tales from the Comic Box: Adventures in Buying/Selling & Setting Up at Shows