Mapleleafvann

I agree. I've been in many shops that have more valuable books "out of reach". IE they are on the wall about 8-9 feet up---close enough that customers can see the book, but far enough away that they cannot handle them without help. This should minimize any handling damage as well as potential theft loss.... Great update by the way---thank you for sharing and I'll add my "best of luck to you" on to the pile of the other well-wishers!

Very good advice....and quite astute too----the collector base has changed quite a bit. I kind of do all aspects....I look for decently priced keys, buy moderns that have terrific covers and that I think will appreciate over time IE Frank Cho Harley Quinn covers and I simply love digging in dollar bins for mini gems. The advice of educating yourself is priceless for this aspect too...without that knowledge, how can you dig through the junk bins and pull out gems if you don't know what things are actually worth. Just today, digging at one of my "spots" I pulled 2 copies Wolverine Origins #10A, Catwoman 57 & 58 (NM+!) and a New Avengers #10 1st Thane...all of these for a whopping $5.00..... The advice is solid.....do your research and know WHY you are buying a book..... Good luck and welcome to this terrifically frustrating and frustratingly rewarding hobby!

Good advice---I agree with the Authority...some of those DC cover price variants are simply outstanding!

Wow! When you say it like that, you're right! Everything is set in stone and can never, ever be changed. These things are good to know.

There are all sorts of revenue sharing models out there. Not every contract or business deal is an "all or nothing" thing. Contracts/agreements/MOUs get changed all of the time. Whether or not it will get changed....or whether those possible changes take place sooner or later is anyone's guess.

All of this can be modified by the stroke of a pen.....no sense in arguing about it. If both parties agree, there certainly can be a MM Spider-Man flick. It already appears that the relationship is less frigid than it was years ago.

Lazy sounds right----that's a good lazy too. Solid plan!

Another good answer....I completely agree.

Best answer yet. I like it too---it is a fun hobby. It's really about small gains over a long period of time. If anyone thinks they are going to make car payments or house payments flipping books, they will have a very rude awakening. I'll take the buy it for $1 and sell it for $10 every single day.

I agree completely with this since once your store opens, you'll have lots of customers putting books in the wrong place anyways---so don't stress over this. The only time everything will probably be organized is right before you open the store for the very first time. As to OSPG vs eBay?? I like what DeadOne says---IE "as long as you are being fair in your pricing, you'll be alright"---I could not agree more. Some shops I go to price all their stuff off of eBay....and that can be a savage burn. I don't even go into some stores anymore given their crappy pricing history---I couldn't care less what they have for sale. BUT....you also have bills to pay since you have more overhead than an eBay store---sometimes straddling that fence between OSPG and eBay needs to be done. Just be fair and try your best to be consistent in your approach so your customers know what to expect. The "Golden Rule" continues to work; If your customers feel like they have been treated well, they will come back.

Glad I still have several ASM 700's including the Skyline Cover---sure wish that I had some Zatanna though. Thanks again for another fine update!

Once again---thanks for sharing these mini-updates! I remember picking up a couple of those ZT #1's from you a while back---nice buys!

Thanks for taking the additional time to post this----very much appreciate that!

That's probably the most comprehensive view of 359/360 that I've ever read---thank you for that too. You also have far better hunting grounds than I do as I haven't seen a 360 for less than $7-8 in past 18 months. You've discovered some very fine spots for back issues---!

Love these updates! I very much appreciate them---thank you! With regards to Carnage....and the first full appearance in 361....so isn't the cameo in 360, rather than 359??

You are correct---it is a 1:10.

I'm very happy to be Duc's first feedback response! He's a first class buyer and is tremendously easy to work with. He needed a particular raw 9.8 for a signing event and paid promptly as well as communicated clearly throughout. Any seller would be lucky to have him! Best of luck in your new adventures with comic collecting!

That's a good idea!

Terrific column! I also really enjoy reading your updates---it's like a mini-series and I'm sure, most, if not everyone on the Boards is pulling for you! With respect to having a "Spidey" only area....I personally love the idea, but I am not a store owner. It will be interesting to see other comments though as there is probably a reason to have Spiderman stuff all throughout your store ----so people spend time and look around more thereby increasing sales. If you are looking for glass display cases, I know that some shop owners had a lot of luck with donation centers such as the Salvation Army, Savers, Goodwill etc. One store owner actually bought all of his cases (over time of course) at these kinds of places. You may also want to keep your eye on business auctions....lots of things go up for sale and are sold cheap in those kind of venues. Anyways, best of luck and I'll look forward to reading your next installment!

Dell'Otto doesn't just do incentives or store exclusives now....he just completed Steve Rogers Captain America #15A for Marvel. Terrific cover and glad I pre-ordered a bunch.

So, just my paltry 2 cents here; I recently got back into collecting....and when I saw a Rick and Morty Comic, I wanted one as I love the show. Sadly this was the time that it was on its 4th print...so I picked up a couple of those. From talking with others, a lot of people didn't buy the book as it apparently wasn't done by the show's creators, so they thought it might or must be a dud....so clearly there is now a lot of latent demand on the comic book. What complicates things is that the show has continued and increased its popularity and the comic book has increased theirs....it seems like a little bit of a price bump was warranted, but this much? I'm thinking it has entered the "Conspicuous Consumption" arena..... Great pick-up for those that bought it at cover or a touch more.....but I thought $20-30 was a bit high for what the book actually was/is; guess I was pretty wrong on this one!

What a great thread with so many informative contributions. Wow....opening up a comics/collectibles store sounds terrifying.....and justifiably so dammit. Reading all of these posts really highlight the gaps in my knowledge for this most competitive of retail spots.....

Agree completely.....he may or may not do it as I guess it depends on where he lands his next gig. Given the arrogance involved with even loading a book up with hidden meanings, I think he'd sign it like that for some $$.

Now THAT is a good idea! Get Syaf's signature on that Corner box variant.....that would sell very nicely.

I think that Cover A sells for more since Syaf did the cover art for it....so variants and their obscurity notwithstanding, I suppose current buyers want that book. I've seen most places sold out of Cover A, but still have a good amount of the 1:10 Kirk Corner Box Variants.