W16227

Action comics 15 update

 

I've found a coverless copy with the centerfold but missing the 1st page and I'm going to buy it if the person before me doesn't

 

Big Decision

 

I'm going to buy either a coverless bat #1 or buy all the wraps and covers till I can marry one together and I'm watching a couple auctions to see what they go on average

 

Are you sure this is a good idea? You've already had difficulty selling your incomplete Action 15, now you are buying a second one and you still won't have a complete copy, let alone a cover, between the two books.

 

Consider this about the Batman 1; the value of that book is primarily the cover; its iconic. Why do you think you will be able to sell the coverless batman 1 for more than you're paying now.

 

From what you've been relaying to us, you don't have the capital that a dealer has and now you are tying up most of your money in books that have limited resale potential.

 

I think you really need to decide whether you want to be a dealer or a collector.

 

for the action comics 15 I'd marry the better copy and sell off the other worse one and the bat #1 I'd buy the covers as well to make a complete married copy. Who says I can't do both and as for the limited capital I'm working on that but I know for sure I don't want a physical store front as it costs too much. Why I think it'll be worth more than it is today? simple the value of the comic will go up as it will take me a while to be able to complete this task.

I think you missed the point - Red is referring to the fact that most dealers have more capital to invest than you - and can afford to pick up some of the items you are discussing as they will not be putting a large % of t heir cash into the deal. They are also diversified (well, a lot of them) - in that they have different segments for sale. Some of the big hitters are back from Heroes - and they describe selling $1 books and lower end items - alongside the big books.

The items you are talking about - while incomplete are still a significant investment. They also may sit for a while to get the price you want. Lets say that you put in $3000 (and that batman 1 cover will probably be more than that on its own) - and you have to wait a year for you to put together something - and sell for $4000.

Or - you can invest $1000 in 200 smaller books and flip for $2000 in that same time frame. It will me more overall work - but you will learn more - and build a better rep and a better business because of it. You may also find quicker buy/sell opportunities with that other $2000 you did not spend and keep that cash working for you.

Ebay - until you have a strong rep - might be better to use BIN with best offer - that way

Most if the time - you will do better this way with non keys (keys may result in bidding wars) - and you can leave them up for 30 days at a time.

Might also want to get an ebay store set up too - then you get a lot of free listings. Start with basic to keep the costs down.

If you are losing $$$ after fees - you need to get your buying costs under control. Most everyone has some sales under water - but this has to be controlled. Get that jla 1.8 and the IM 55 up,for sale - those would get you decent returns and working $$$ for better buys.

Priority works best within your own postal zone. I couldn't find a convenient chart online but there are about 7 of them if shipping from the coasts. Only zone 1 works for priority being cheaper or equivalent. Especially with ebay postal discounts. I'm not sure if these will go away when they split from paypal.

 

Otherwise Media Mail is by far cheaper even at 1 lb. OK at 1 lb it saves maybe 30 cents but for heavier stuff it saves up to $5 to $10 on 10 - 15 lbs.

 

Flat rate is pretty expensive generally speaking compared to Media. Even full with comics, it winds up being the same as normal priority. I haven't done an analysis for every possible weight or postal code, but that's my experience.

 

Ed

Ah - thanks Ed - was not even considering media mail. One of those grey areas......

Dave

 

Ebay 8/10: Simply put, ebay just has so many eyeballs. My method here was to sell them in lots of 25 or 60 by character. It was and still is very effective. 25 were priced at $15 to $24 and lots of 60 were $30-$40 w free postage. I was shocked at the variety of selling. It wasn't just Spiderman or Batman that sold. New Warriors sold, Sleepwalker sold, FF, a few lots of Daredevil, Firestorm etc etc. A 25 lot of TMNT sold for $50. This is all without scans or pictures, just the one generic pic shown in this thread. Sure these are netting me 35-40 cents each after fees and postage but I've seen similar long boxes at shows selling 3 for $1. A number of times, one buyer would pick up 4 or 5 lots which pushed the net to 50 cents a book. The downside is that it is slow going and the hit rate is maybe 3/20 per week on ebay listings. That can eat up the free listings but if I had a monthly subscription it wouldn't be a big deal. And it takes 10 buys to sell a long box, that takes a while.

 

For your ebay sales - what was the most cost effective manner for shipping the bulk issues?

My experience has been that the medium flat rate box works best for moderns (due to weight) - but you may have shipped more in bulk - and the medium boxes (for me) - only fit ~ 50 books.....

TIA

 

 

 

4. SELL BOOKS. Seriously - some may be held on to - but you do yourself a big favor when you move books constantly and do not try and "time" the market. Cash flow (in this case - buying and selling constantly) is a LOT more valuable than buy and hold. you gain experience this way - and build your reputation reputation.

 

 

I do sell comics in fact I sold about 30 of them yesterday and as for holding them it's so that they accrued value past the fact that I overpaid for them nothing more.

.

 

 

 

I've tried doing that and I always would run into the problem of no one buying my comics even though they were .99 and I'd end up with a load of listing and re-listing fees

I cut a lot to make this more readable - keep in mind that people are trying to help you here and not trying to say " I told you so" - I also misread about GPA - good that you have an account.

KPR has it right (and he knows this business WAY better than I do) - you have not lost money if you still have stock.

Selling 30 books - 30 individual sales sold packed and shipped in one day - or 1-3 bulk sales?

. Which is better?

Holding books so prices will rise because you bought high - that is one of the worst things you can do. That money invested is now stagnant. 90% of those who buy/sell seriously have overpaid for something at some point. The other 10% are liars. That cash tied up in those books can be working for you by turning more books - instead you are hoping the prices rise faster than bank interest or inflation. Stagnant stock is bad for any business. If they will move - get the most you can and get the money back working for you.

As far as auction sales - if you have many realists of the .99 books - chances are they are not worth the cost to ship. Bundle them together for a bulk auction. Still no sale? - find some way to give them away with business cards to a diverse audience. You may get more sales - best case you get someone looking to sell.

The idea is to keep as much up for sale as you can process. Waiting on books that can move now - is what you do when you have a lot of stock. And you do not choose based on what you paid - you choose what to sell/ hold based on the mix of books you have left.

Making a living as a seller (of anything) - you have to focus on more than just maximizing each individual sale - you have to keep selling. Better to make less on each sale - but have many more sales.

 

My advice. Someone who is really good at what they do won't give that service up for free. A quality presser with a steady stream of business wouldn't be interested in getting paid months after the fact. Be careful that you're not just supplying someone with a bunch of books for them to test their pressing methods on.

this......

and to echo Revat again - you do not seem to have thought this out too well. This plan has MANY issues.

I'll add one - what happens when you list a book under FMV without realizing it. Your presser sees the mistake and wants his cut of the $200 you left on the table. What then?

There is no quick path to a sustainable business model - especially if you intend to buy and sell comics for a living.

You will probably not listen - but the smart path would be this -

1. Pay as you go for grading and pressing services. This is how you MAXIMIZE your profit. Your plan will require an insane amount of record-keeping (and since you are sharing profits - probably even more as you need to file taxes properly)

2. Get a GPA account. If you are dealing in graded comics - you need this tool It not only is used for current pricing - but you can see trends. You listed a couple of your RAW JLA #1s recently - for more than GPA had referenced for graded ones. Your buyers (especially ones on this site) have GPA (or know someone who does) and can see this pricing.

3. Movie hype helps - but you should never rely on it. That deal you made for the Infinity Gauntlet books - you stared that you were waiting for the movie hype to sell. Ok - but the books are not all that rare - and you have a glut of #1s. Bringing them all to market at once - and you do not maximize profit.

Much better to list individually starting now - on ebay there are already more than 20 graded 9.8s available. Imagine the glut if you wait.....

4. SELL BOOKS. Seriously - some may be held on to - but you do yourself a big favor when you move books constantly and do not try and "time" the market. Cash flow (in this case - buying and selling constantly) is a LOT more valuable than buy and hold. you gain experience this way - and build your reputation reputation.

Start with a goal - list 20 books a week on ebay. Increase the number if you want - but make sure it is manageable to start. Keep listing more (and relisting what does not sell).Look at the quantity of books on hand - think of how long it will take to sell them with your listing goals.

It is not a negative to sell out of your stock - for you and how you have been progressing - might be a good thing and help you see how the plan is progressing. The fewer books you have - the better you can see how close or far away you are from any profit (easier to work up a FMV of 10 books vs 100 and be accurate).

If you have stock - then you can at least see what your buying needs may be - and could also increase you listing numbers. At some point - you will see how much "free time" you have - and then you can get a decent idea of the maximum amount of books you are capable of listing. Pace out the high value books with lower value ones- then you have a balanced selling strategy.

Auctions

 

So I've tried my hand at auctions and I have to say I had a few hiccups but I've learned quite a few things in this one auction.

 

What I've learned

 

I overpay for comics

I need to be better organized

I need a faster laptop

I need to be more clear with the rules

 

Comics pending that have sold

 

Daredevil 257

Avengers 197

JLA #55

X-men 222

Iron man 51

ASM 301

ASM 362

ASM 363

TWD #36

 

Sold comics

 

TWD #36 Copy 2

ASM 361

Spiderman 298

Spiderman 299

Spiderman 300

Xfactor 5

Xfactor 6

Wolverine 1

 

Comics Bought

 

Marvel super heroes 12

 

New Idea

 

I'm trying a idea where I get my comics pressed for free and give the person 50% profit of the new value of the comics.

 

 

 

50% of the profit of the NEW value???

 

1. You'd have to agree on the starting condition.

2. You'd have to agree on the starting value based on the starting condition.

3. You'd have to let them know how much you sold it for (after fees, taxes, shipping etc), and that's assuming you didn't sell it bundled with other non-pressed comics (or those pressed by others).

4. What if you don't sell the books timely? Do you use the market value (which you can't seem to realize?) and pay him in advance of your sale? What if you argue about that value? What if he holds your other comics hostage because you can't sell the other comics he pressed and you disagree on the new grade and price of old comics he already pressed that you're now trying to sell.

 

this is begging for an argument isn't it? unless you're only pressing slabbed books and then reslabbing or doing cheapies (and moving them quickly). This would take a remarkable amount of trust which can easily be damaged.

 

Please please write out all the terms explicitly ahead of time, as this can go south in a million different ways extremely quickly.

 

Or just don't do it. Pay for pressing per unit up at a set fee like any normal person in the comic business.

 

 

These are good point to take into consideration and as for the trust factor I already shipped him 1500 worth of comics before.

Not you trusting them - it is them trusting you. A pressed would basically be fronting you money for their services with the hope that you sell the books for a profit and pay them back quickly.

This plan is full of issues- and you realize that there are times that pressing does not work or causes damage, right? - especially with amateurs.

If the analysis of the book justifies pressing - pay by unit as Revat suggested.

Milestone update

 

He will be sending me 600 dollars worth of comics because he sold off the rest

 

Today's thoughts

 

must sell those useless comics that are taking up space

 

You talking about the $600 worth?

That deal - should have warning bells going off - someone was going to send you $2500 worth of books to sell - now it is $600. If the story from the other person is true - probably means that they sold off the most desirable books and are sending you the drek (or the collection was cheery picked). Be careful with whatever consignment agreement you have with them - so that you do not get burned and just store longboxes for someone until you have to pay for them to be shipped back.

Make sure to have a list of what they are sending you - and check this immediately against what you receive,

except in Chicago, there's nothing but drek here.

agreed - no reason to even look for anything in Chicago,,,,,,,,,

good luck! Keep updating us please, it is fun to read.

 

haha I'm glad your enjoying this and are we allowed to show cbcs slabs here or no?

NO!!!!! --- frowned upon

I can't get over how blown away you guys are that I get up at 3 am :grin

How does getting up at 3am help find good books? - you going for the estate sale lines? - just curious

Latest pickup - from a NSLCS

A friend of mine from work texted me this afternoon about a local estate sale he was at and thought I might be interested in a couple things as he knows I collect comics. It was a long day with birthday parties and such so I wasn't going to go because he said the sale started Friday and it was around 4 pm Saturday so I figured any good stuff was gone. He then sent a picture and I was out the door and got to the sale 15 minutes later and purchased this for $40

 

Needs a clean since it's barn fresh and a couple rack wires need to be re soldered but still very happy to find this since I have been looking for several years. Always helps to have extra people looking for you (thumbs u

 

 

Nice Score! And an amazing price too. They are still out there!

Question on these - some obvious rust spots up top - I would assume cleaning and repair work (resoldering loose wires, black paint) - Or restoration work is not frowned upon? - If I ever find one I doubt that I would resell it - but I would not want to ruin it by restoring ......

I have to laugh at Lonzillas link.....

 

at least a half dozen of those are my sales -

 

I am keeping the IM55 and probably the ASM 122 (after I get it slabbed) -

 

even found some archies in the mix - and those are even more rare --- i can see that ---- tough army guy - buying archies??

 

 

I thought ASM 122 were Mark Jewlers, is there also an NDS ASM122??

--- probably mixed things up (I have a lot from the early insert era so I just group thgem all together in my mind) - it is MJ -- and also has the mennen insert if memory serves.....

I have to laugh at Lonzillas link.....

at least a half dozen of those are my sales -

I am keeping the IM55 and probably the ASM 122 (after I get it slabbed) -

even found some archies in the mix - and those are even more rare --- i can see that ---- tough army guy - buying archies??

nowhere near as nice as J....

This is from a large collection of them I found. Only other near "key" issue in there was an ASM122

Though a TON of other books. This guy was obviously a serious collector - and I doubt that he moved much (the collection had ~ 1000 books)

dave

Thanks for the awesome information

? - are you trying to buy on ebay - then flip??

Your determination is inspirational, Sir. Good luck with your comic book adventures (thumbs u

 

Thanks just wait till all my comics arrive and movies come out then my negative money spent will turn green

not a sustainable plan - right now you are buying on the upswing - think hulk 271 - still popular but only had a limited time until the price hit the highs

you need to get a better game plan for long term success

- otherwise you will have a lot more of the hulk 180-182 stories that lose $$

that's why I'm buying copies

a note -

"he's supposedly going to be in black panther, fantastic four and something else"

Would make sense for the BP move - but he is not going to be in any FF movie unless Marvel/Disney make more deals. They are essentially dropping the comic book line for spite.

Be careful of buying on hype ---- if you get caught in any uptick of "movie" hype - you may not be able to get back your investment. Buying multiple copies of a "klaw" book may be somewhat of a stretch (but who knows)....

Think of the low grade JLA #1s you have - the movie has already been announced- do you expect a huge uptick on very low grade copies?

The book itself is already a key - so there will probably be some increase year to year (and possibly some movie uptick) - but any big rise would probably be seen with a specific JLA storyline or the real first appearance of the JLA (BATB).

Maybe a better way to think of it - diversify! - you already have 2 of the first Klaw (and JLA #1) - great if there is any more of a bump to be had you are covered for additional profit. If you want to look for more - search out different books that you can get for a good price.

The copper black panther 1s - they may see a better price rise as the movie approaches as they are more affordable to begin with.

I do not know your area - but around Chicago there are several mini cons a year. Most dealers will give you a good break if you buy in bulk and there are great flippable books that can be ebayed for profit. You will not be making hundreds a book this way - but starting small is they way to go and being able to move a bunch of $10 books that you paid $5 each (or less?) for will get you experience.

Above all - do NOT focus on movie hype as your only area to work in. It is a very unpredictable zone - dc has not made anything good recently except for batman. Movie hype for them may be hard to come by. Marvel? - has been hitting big on some - average on others. Nobody can predict what will happen when one of their movies really bombs (maybe we will see after ant man, )

bought a lot of 175 donald duck comics

 

Only just noticed this. As a big duck fan, I wonder what you got?

 

thanks for tuning into this thread I sold all my donald duck comics but one four color 291 pm me if interested

 

c'mon man, you gotta put that in the updates! What happened to the AF15 recreation? People are paying attention here...don't leave us hanging.

 

 

so you mean every time I get a update instead of posting it in the first page you want me to post is as a regular comment? won't that become messy?

doubt many people following would check back at that first page too often

I bid for the Sig Series 9.0 in the last auction which eventually went for $500. I was surprised it fetched so much. As I say, I spent $150 for my 9.0 ow 3 years ago. I see many of these for sale on ebay but most of them have no bidders. Really high prices being asked. I wonder what they are actually selling for and if this is just a bubble or a bunch of greedheads trying to cash in? I like the book a great deal, but there are no shortage of copies available. Any of you folks have real sales data?

cgc - 12 month average for 9.0 is around 430 - but the latest couple of sales were higher.

Hey - one of few "clubs" I can join......

 

 

with National Diamond insert!!!

 

You're just now posting this bad boy here?

 

Nice book. Good to have a little NDS company.

 

-J.

 

PS: Harvey, don't forget, it's "2015" now.

for a bit I was considering selling it - then I forgot until I saw the thread reboot......

Nice! A second National Diamond insert!

 

Welcome to the Club!

Thx!

Was a real cool find (collection full of the insert books) - presents much nicer than the grade as well (some interior water issues prevent higher).

Hey - one of few "clubs" I can join......

with National Diamond insert!!!