AndyFish

Scholastic was always a huge event for me, and my parents, who are both big readers,  pretty much gave me no limit in what I could order-- so I used to get a pile of books and I had subs to Pizzaz and Dynamite.  I used to love pouring over the order forms,

The poster was sent to schools, at least in my case.   We used to be able to subscribe to magazines via a Scholastic Books like program-- I subscribed to Pizzaz and got them in mailer envelopes and the teacher gave me the poster because she knew I was a comic fan and a subscriber.

Very cool-- I always thought this was some of his best work.

I went to the show two years ago and it was great-- not giant but if you consider all the nonsense that is at most conventions this show probably has more actual comics than San Diego (which I went to the same year).  Well worth your time.

Mandarake has locations all over Japan-- the Shibuya store in Tokyo is six floors underground and they have a huge collection of vintage Manga and an incredibly helpful staff-- it's always my first stop on a trip there.   Mandarake also does mail order and you can opt to have the site translated to English:

MANDARAKE

I order from them about a dozen times a year-- they ship DHL to the States and I usually get my package in four days.

If you're venturing outside of Tokyo-- the one in Nagoya also has a HUGE vintage Manga collection.

I'd second Fisionbomb's answer-- although there was no Spider-Man a few of the Avengers showed up to the hospital while DD was recovering.   Great Miller issue.

Well I've got to say I understand your pain.   But I know for me personally I stopped all international sales on eBay for quite some time because of the hassles that would occur almost always to Europe.  A good friend who sells a lot more than I do convinced me to try GSP and it took care of every problem I ever had.   No more emails asking where the package is (despite provided tracking) no more lost packages, from nothing but headaches to zip.   I've noticed a dip in international sales, although to be fair because anything shipping via GSP goes to Kentucky so I may not notice, but my overall  sales are up, way up.

As a buyer you could always reach out to a seller and mention your concerns about GSP and see if they'd work with you.  I know for me personally I've never considered Canada "international", especially if you develop a repeat customer relationship with a seller.

Again, I feel your pain, I may not speak for every US Seller but I can tell you GSP has been a winner on my end.

Jack Morelli is one of the best-- he worked through the 80s at Marvel and if you ever get a chance to talk to him (which is hard because he doesn't do shows) ask him about the making of the Marvel Team-Up 128 Cover.    The photo cover features Spider-Man and Captain America on a New York City roof.   Well, that's Joe Jusko in the Cap suit and Jack himself in the Spider-Man costume (he was the only guy in the office at the time who fit) and the shoot was done on the roof of Marvel Comics.

There's much more to the story including a hilarious prank directed at EIC Tom DeFalco-- but I leave it to Jack to tell sometime.   He's an endless trove of amazing anecdotes and I hope someday a smart promoter puts him on a panel at a show.   Jack has been my letterer on my two SABRINA series at Archie and he's a consummate professional.

Long live the letterers!

It was pointed out to me that a lot of folks didn't have a family gathering last year, and this year might be their first chance.   Even more reason this is a bad idea.   I'm hearing SDCC is reconsidering because of all the backlash.

Two great artists-- three if you count Sterinko (which I think is brilliant by the way).   You can't go wrong with any of them.

Thanksgiving weekend?  So flying in on Thanksgiving day at the latest?  Big pass.  Family is more important than comic books.

1 hour ago, Cushing Fan said:

Yeah, the site did list multiple stores. After hearing this I will most likely not be doing business with them.  I am not a fan of buying a book blind.

Well, back in the good ol days of the Comics Buyers Guide that's how we bought all our books.   Ask them if they have a return policy.   If you don't like the grade send it back.   I've dealt with them a number of times when I'm in the city and they've always been great.

On 3/11/2021 at 4:33 PM, Black_Adam said:

Casper’s Ghostland #83 – VF/NM

Take

On 3/11/2021 at 4:32 PM, Black_Adam said:

Casper’s Ghostland #82 – VF/NM

Take

On 3/11/2021 at 4:31 PM, Black_Adam said:

Casper #177 – VF/NM

Take

Great books, love Harvey!

45 minutes ago, greggy said:

It'll be better if they allowed Joe to slap Jose during the show. 

Stay tuned.

On 3/8/2021 at 8:32 PM, nochips said:

Kamandi 4 NM 9.2 $12.00 Former 3 pack copy, white pages

Take it

SuperWorld comics live on Tuesdays at 6pm is a great show, good prices and Ted keeps the variety up.  They also do a giveaway for anyone attending.  On Thursday’s at 1pm Jose does a shorter show for them.  

Take The Golden Age Flash Archives Volume 2 Hardcover (sealed)

It's more than likely that Walt or his handler while he signed the books smudged that signature.  Sharpies dry pretty quickly but not quick enough.   We did a show in Chicago with TV's Sabrina Kiernan Shipka and since my wife and I did the "official" show edition comic we had CGC reps at our table while we signed about 250 copies -- we signed in gold or silver because those dry faster than the black does but even then we had to lay them out in groups of 25 or so at a time to give them at least 30 seconds to dry.   I'm sure Walt was signing a lot more copies than we did and if he didn't have a bunch of handlers it can really get messy.

Guns.  I have quite a few.

I think the thread is a great idea, I bookmarked a few sites I wasn't familiar with and found some art I'm interested in.   Personally, I ascribe to the if you don't have anything nice to say theory- and I can draw my own conclusions.

I'm sure dealers could make a Yelp list of customers to avoid too.    

On 5/8/2020 at 7:34 PM, fastballspecial said:

Id would just like to see some data on internationals sales vs the GSP program.

My international sales have fallen off as postage keeps rising. I am not convinced
the GSP is the answer. 

All right so I've been on eBay, selling, since the very start, so I've seen a lot of ups and downs.   I stopped shipping Internationally a few years ago because of the hassles all of which have been mentioned above.  The worst for me was I would more often than not have to go back and forth with the International Buyer in trying to come up with a ship price.   They'd want the cheapest possible option, they'd want me to lie on the value for customs (which I would not do) and then after getting that cheap option email me daily asking where the item is.   So I stopped.   A good friend who has been on as long as I and runs his eBay shop full time reached out to me and suggest GSP-- I was suspicious but I've been using that for about a year and it's absolutely hassle free.   I ship it to Kentucky and wipe my hands of the whole thing, eBay does the rest.   This friend who suggested it is even more of a stickler than I am, he was a reluctant PayPal adopter, so when he advises something I have faith in it.  GSP changed the whole international game for me.  

Using it has affected my International sales 0% while making hassle free transactions go up to 100%.

If that becomes unworkable no more International for me again.

As for eBay itself, there's really no substitute.   I put a great vintage toy up on Etsy, it sat there for three weeks.  When I put the same thing up on eBay for a BIN it sold almost as soon as I listed it.

Same thing with a Spidey #5 CGC slab-- crickets everywhere but instant notice on eBay.   I'm surprised no one else has come along.   But in terms of eBay fees they are still cheaper than Amazon and it puts them in line with most other options.  Cost of Doing Business if I opened a brick and mortar business would probably give me margins of 30-35% if I do really well, with eBay my margin is 75-80%. If you want the cheapest option, try having a yard sale, but don't be shocked when the right buyers don't come along.

I'd say if you're talking a few weeks maybe even a month with a private seller you might have a leg to stand on, but five years?  Why not fifty?  You could go back to the kid who drew on it with marker in 1972 and hand him a bill for the damages!   It is buyer beware.

Now if you're talking a dealer, I'd say the window is a little bit longer, but still I'd be hard pressed to make a claim even six months out.   Things with the 'rona being what they are everything has slowed down a wee bit but I think honest mistakes do happen.