FN-2199

I hear you. So far I have been selling without GSP. The shipping is still a killer. I've noticed people in Canada, Brazil, Australia, etc. will buy the lower grade stuff I have. I still won't sell to Asia, Eastern Europe, or Africa. Too many horror stories.

I do not use these statistics personally but it is good to bounce off another seller to see if there is excessive waste in my process. I could use this information if I was primarily a "Free Shipping" seller. If I had a majority of sales that came with free shipping, I could use the eBay analysis to see just how much of my costs are attributed to shipping and adjust my selling methods for more efficient shipping such as offer "Calculated Shipping" or a flat rate.

Basic Store (250 fixed price + 250 auctions per month) Ebay Fees - 11% Shipping labels - 14% PayPal - 2% That is 27%. Looks like we are about the same. I do pay to schedule auctions so that may cost me more than you.

Buying or selling? How about mining? I'm a completionist. I buy various lots, mine for the diamonds purchased at wholesale prices, put the rest into runs and auction those off. I just take what falls to me that day; like a good NFL general manager drafting the best-available-player.

It seems like most of the non-payment is for cheap books. I have stopped contacting buyers because eBay automatically sends payment reminders. I file an unpaid item case after 7-10 days and let the process play out. Some of my returning buyers get multiple unpaid item cases opened auction after auction. Whatever, I don't need their $25 super fast as long as I get it eventually. This ranks up there with the guys who win 6 books between $1-3 that normally would be $8-10 apiece at conventions and then ask for media mail to save $4 on shipping.

I'm positive I checked for Tattooz before I sent mine in and it was there. The surprise to me was that my ASM 238 came back Canadian.

I just select "Does not apply" for everything. I had listed housewares and tried to upload the UPC for the specific product but half of the UPCs were rejected so I stopped trying. You might be on to something, I tried listing paints, markers, etc. in different colors and UPCs were rejected.

I wasn't invited.

Right, these were classic 70s/80s Stormtroopers Even the prequels had better trained Stormtroopers. It seems the First Order Stormtroopers are finally living up to their reputation Anyway I liked that this movie tied seamlessly into A New Hope.

Don't know what that is about but I know they have contact information on lockdown. If I want to e-mail a buyer/seller, I attach a screengrab of my e-mail address. I had named the attachment "contact info" and I couldn't send until I renamed the attachment. I believe the ebay app messaging doesn't filter the way the desktop site does. Thanks for the tip.

Don't know what that is about but I know they have contact information on lockdown. If I want to e-mail a buyer/seller, I attach a screengrab of my e-mail address. I had named the attachment "contact info" and I couldn't send until I renamed the attachment.

I get what you are saying but you are missing out on search result hits. If you are selling run fillers, more people would hit on your ASM 172 NM by searching "Amazing Spider-Man NM". It takes a dedicated person to search for "First Appearance Rocket Racer" or "Amazing Spider-Man 172". You should still get good feedback if you are close or give it a tight grade. Most don't complain at $0.99 auctions, they simply adjust their bids.

If it is Good or lower, I just leave the grade out or write Low Grade. I am one of those who have a hard time distinguishing between a 1.5 and a 3.0. I left out the grades once for a full auction of moderns with corner dings and got feedback of "Accurate Grading!!"

I buy non-key copper and moderns at auction and have been satisfied. Grading is within my tolerance. Shipping is secure. I expect each NM copy I buy to have been pressed because I'm pretty sure they have been. I bought some raw ASM McFarlane "9.8s" this year and have been considering sending them in...

This is why I have separate buyer and seller accounts. I am afraid of the retaliation because I want to return something (usually damaged from careless packaging).

Had that one signed in Orlando this year. Pulling that out in line was a conversation starter because everyone else is getting moderns signed.

Sounds like you are looking for an NM Spider-Man book for him to sign. Check out ASM 80-99. Most of those can be had for $200 in NM and he wrote those. He was particularly fond of ASM 90, Death of Captain Stacy. That also has some white background for him to sign. I just checked e-bay and there didn't seem to be a single one signed by Stan for sale or in recent sales. Have him sign: 1) A book special to you 2) A book he wrote 3) Something everyone else isn't getting him to sign 4) All of the above

Gabe, I've been following this thread since page 20 something a while back and it has been informative and educational, if for nothing else than stimulating conversation from the forum about buy/selling. I applaud you for not spending what money you have on drugs and porn. I realize you do not want to stop flipping comics so... You know, buying a short box or long box can be just as fun, or more fun, than buying an expensive, hot book. A long box full of nice condition moderns with a few keys is nice, especially when you get them for $1 each. Churning through dozens or hundreds of moderns keeps your hands busy and flipping a $1 book for $25 is fulfilling. I also like buying modern keys from Canadians because Americans do not often bid those up to regular prices. Get those cheaper Canadian books pressed and slabbed if you really want to press something. Then sell them for profit. I realize some here won't agree with my advice, but I'm a realist. If you spend less money for more books that have profit potential, that is a step in the right direction. It's like what a probation officer I met (during a college lecture) once said, "I considered one specific case a success because I got the man to switch from huffing diesel fuel to unleaded gasoline. While still unhealthy, it was an improvement."

Not sure if this has been mentioned but I don't keep up with this particular thread. My personal observation is that Amazing Spider-Man 529 seems to be priced higher than it was at this time last year. This is the first Amazing Spider-Man issue to tease Marvel's Civil War and the first appearance of the Iron Spider Suit. Three factors increasing its desirability this year: 1) I think it is riding the positive wave of Captain America: Civil War with Spider-Man in the movie. 2) Marvel's cinematic universe is crediting Tony Stark with playing a role in Spider-Mans suit similar to ASM 529. 3) ASM V. 3 #15 has Mary Jane in the Iron Spider Suit. I've sold 3 of these at auction (including a 3rd print) in the last three months and they have exceeded my expectations so I decided to mention it here.

I guess this means that if the transaction is cancelled the Neg goes away? I got this same line from the help desk this month when trying to clear a Neg from a Neg first buyer (disagreement in condition of all things). Buyer refused to open a case citing IT problems (probably eBay's cumbersome android app). It sounded like this guy didn't have access to a computer and couldn't figure out the return process on a mobile device. Ebay told me not to refund even though I had the book back in hand. I refunded through PayPal since he wouldn't open a case and then he changed his feedback to neutral as soon as he got his money back. I was considering putting his name out in this forum but he doesn't buy a lot of books and changed his feedback. I took the bullet paying to teach this guy the return process. You're welcome.

Welcome. I'm a fellow ASM collector and was a east-coast, blackshoe SWO for a few years. What was your rate?

Distributor spray? Photos if you can.

I think you should give feedback; not sure about negative feedback though. Make sure to rate the shipping charges and communication 1-5 stars as you see fit.

I ordered a box of 100 Gemini mailers after cutting cardboard all weekend in the Florida sun. I don't want to go though that on a regular basis.

I just got the exact same back from CGC and almost panicked when I saw it was the Canadian version (what should I have expected? I bought it from a Canadian). I was worried that it would not hold the same value. Then I started checking sales and they were strong. Next I saw this thread and realized the Canadian 75 cent-ers are appreciated so my Canadian ASM 238 9.6 will be replacing my red label ASM 238 9.2.