Hudson

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I had not seen this video before. I look forward to watching the whole thing. I do like Chuck's statement that he raises the prices on his books until they stop selling.

Years ago, I did buy from them. With their "code word" it seems I would still pay a little more than FMV, but a few dollars was not the end of the world. Now, I look at their site and prices (as shown) and scratch my head. Even if they offer 60% off and free shipping, it seems I would still be paying way more than I would at MCS (for example). Throw that in with the strict grading at MCS and it seems like a no brainer (at least on the readily available, low grade SA books in my example). To be honest, I did not look any further on the MH site than the Actions. After seeing those prices, I was done. Also, given their lowest Action was #193, I figured they probably are not deep in GA. Now the examples I provided before were readily available non-key issues. If we look at semi-key and key issues from the same time frame I would have to look at AC242 and AC252. Since MH does not have a single copy of Action 252 in their 10,000,000 book inventory, I looked at Action 242. MH has one copy. MH copy of Action 242 in Good - $3,724.00 Take off 60% and we are left paying $1,489.60 MCS copy of Action 242 in Good - $850 Add a 3% buyer premium on this and we pay - $875.50 That means that MH price on this book is $614.10 higher than arguably the same book at MCS. The MH sale price is thus more than 70% higher than the day to day price at MCS. I can see how this might work in the days before the internet, but how does it work now? Chuck says he is rich (his own words), so somehow this must be working for him. Just amazes me.

I agree 100%. He has every right to charge what he wants. This is America and I am a firm believer in the free market system. I am just curious how he stays in business. Hoping someone had some insight.

I agree with you regarding MCS (at least as a buyer - as I have never sold them any books). They seem very strict in their grading and I have never been dissatisfied with any book I have purchased from them. At one point I had a "problem" with their customer service, however, Conan stepped up and resolved things. I give them

I received an email today from Mile High Comics. In the email, Chuck told me about his awesome "code word" that would allow me to take 60% off. Sounds like a great deal. and so I went over to his site looking to see if he had any early Actions. Unfortunately the oldest one I found was #193. What surprised me, however, was his prices on a number of low grade SA Actions. I thought something must be wrong with my eyes. How could Chuck be charging these prices and stay in business. I know he must have a business model that works, as he has been in business for a long time, however, I guess I just don't understand it. Even with 60% off, I cannot imagine anyone paying these prices for readily available SA books in low grade. Here are a few examples... Action Comics #244 Prices at Mile High Action #244 in Fair - $123 - Discounted by 60% is now $49.20 Action #244 in Good - $245 - With 60% off it is now $98.00 I then jumped over to My Comic Shop (MCS) to see if they had this same book. Action #244 in Fair - $21.00 Action #244 in Good Minus (1.8) - $34.00 I then jumped over to Metropolis Action #244 in G+ (2.5) - $38.50 Action #244 in G++ (2.75) - $43.00 Action #244 in G/VG (3.0) - $43.50 Action Comics #246 Mile High - Fair - $123 minus 60% or $49.20 Mile High - Good - $245 minus 60% or $98.00 MCS - Fair/Good - $29.50 Metro - Good (2.0) - $29.75 Action Comics #249 Mile High - VG - $441 minus 60% or $176.40 MCS - G/VG - $35.50 Metro - G/VG (3.0) - $43.50 Metro - VG/F (5.0) - $105 Action Comics #250 Mile High - Good - $240 minus 60% or $96 MCS - Good (2.0) - $44.50 plus 3% or $45.84 MCS - Good+ (2.5) - $40.00 plus 3% or $41.20 MCS - GD/VG (3.0) - $47.50 Metro - Good (2.0) - $29.50 I am NOT saying that each of these establishments grades comics exactly the same. In fact I would argue that they do not, however, that is another topic altogether. I just do not understand how a place that charges what IMO is way over FMV on readily available books, can stay in business. Does he not want to sell these books? Perhaps, he makes his money on newer books and these are ones he would rather keep. I don't know. Perhaps he figures "there is a sucker born every minute" and if he can find one, he can make a lot of money on a few books instead of having to sell lots of books on lower margin. Again, I don't know. I am not putting down Mile High. I believe Chuck and anyone else has the absolute right to charge whatever they want for their property. It does not matter to me, as I am not in the market for any of the above listed books anyway. I guess I am just curious about the business model. Perhaps another board member could enlighten me. Are there board members out there who buy from Mile High regularly? Are they buying any SA books? Am I missing something??

Absolutely!

That looks like a beauty of a 6.0. Congrats. One of my favorite Planet covers Mine too. In the recent poll (here on the boards) as to the best Planet cover, I am pretty sure I voted for 56. There are LOTS of great Planet covers, but that black cover and attractive girl just seals the deal.

Here is my CGC 5.0. Very hard book to find in higher grade. That is VERY nice!!

I also picked this one up this week. It is a CGC 6.0, but unfortunately the low quality picture does not do it justice and I could not get it to scan properly. I probably need to find out from other board members what a good scanner is for scanning books (both raw and slabbed).

Nice enough though Thank you. I am not complaining. I am happy to have it. I just don't think it is the 5.0 it was advertised as. This should hold me over until I find something better. I think a true 6.0 would be nice. I am in no hurry. Hunting is fun. Thank you again.

I received this one a few days ago. Not nearly as nice as Jimbo's copy or Rick's!

Richard, Glad to see you posted photos of 2 of the recent Hangman pickups. I have been waiting to see you post these, since you showed them to me in Baltimore. Great books!

I have to agree with you there, CJ. Oh yeah, and might I add that your copy (found on page 35 of this thread) is SPECTACULAR. As are many of the other books you posted here.

Rick, I know you like women and rockets, so I this one is for you.

Jimbo, Great story and awesome act of kindness by a fellow board member. Thanks for sharing. That is one awesome looking book. I bet you will treasure it as a keeper.

+1.. anyone knows him personally or have his number who can call and check up on him? Hey guys, Thanks to all for your concern and well wishes. I'm glad a fellow boardie had his situation resolved. It's good to hear about good stories. On my end, my package has still not surfaced and I am currently awaiting the result of the claims process. As a collector, this entire ordeal has taken a lot out of me. I lost the centerpiece of my collection. Since then, a similar example sold on CC for over $6,400 -- putting FMV out of my spending range if another Action #1 Superman page came to the market. I'm praying that FedEx makes me whole on the $4,300 I spent to buy the page in the first place. On a non-comic note, it would help tremendously towards my recent medical expenses. As many of you know, I've long been a regular poster here on the boards. But given the events of the past 2 months, I've found it difficult to maintain my usual level of enthusiasm and spirit. Nevertheless, I'm hopefully optimistic that things will work out. Ryan, It was good to see you post again. You have been missed. Praying for you.

Nothing to be sad about there. Nice!!

Nice book!

Let me just put it out there. Your sig line makes me drool. There I said it. <3 Thank you, Dave. I honestly appreciate you saying that. I have been very blessed to have acquired some nice books along the way. For a long time, I did not use a sig line. Then I started advertising for an AC1 and it seemed very few members were taking me seriously. Thus, I dug out some of my single digit Actions and decided to put them in a sig line (just to let people know I was serious). Recently, I have considered changing my sig line or dropping it altogether. When someone says something kind about it, as you have, however, I begin to think maybe I should keep it as is. Either way, I really do appreciate you taking the time to say that. By the way, how is that old vehicle of yours doing? I would love to see that in person. The photos you posted a few months back were great, but there is nothing like seeing a vehicle like that first hand. That is awesome!

How long ago was this and based upon the asking price, did it appear as if the store owner knew what he had? Most LCS's I know would definitely have books (actually photocopies only) like this on their wall behind their sales desk to keep the busy hands from lifting them out of the store. This was many years ago. Before such times as the internet made it possible to find virtually any book. They were probably priced fairly at the time. Back then MOST everyone priced by OSPG. Again, however, before the internet came along, it was all in the hunt for such rare treasures. Finding something like an AC17 or 18 (for OSPG price) in a LCS was a dream come true. Usually the only time I would even SEE such books would be at the once a year somewhat local comic convention.

Bob, My apologies. This is the first poll I have done and I was having trouble figuring out how to get it to work. I kept thinking the poll was not there, because it did not show up in the "preview" section. It only showed up after I hit submit. I thought the words "Is it ok to walk out on a deal?", would be the title and I would then have a chance to further explain what exactly I was asking which is the more specific question. I would obviously agree it is okay to walk out of a deal BEFORE the two parties come to an agreement. Again, my apologies and thanks for taking the time to comment.

Dave, I thought of that exact quote right before starting the poll. I remember seeing Scarface in the movies when it first came out and I always remembered and agreed with that quote. Thanks for your response.