COI

It's not reckless buying a major key at under the going rate if you're actually a collector. The real question isn't whether this book will hold long term, it's whether you have something better to do with that 10K right now.

I think most people prefer videos over reading, which is why videos like this go viral and pass for serious journalism, without being subjected to actual editorial rigor. There's a nice living to be had in the asymmetry of making content calling out others for their lack of ethics, when the content you make isn't itself hamstrung by any pesky code of ethics. People also clearly prefer schadenfreude and confirmation bias and throwing around words like 'scam' and 'fraud', without clearly defining those lines. Scapegoating is easy and fun! It's also fun when it's not comics or CGC, so we can all consign and/or bid our hearts out at the next Heritage signature auction with a clear conscience.

Most people do it "backwards" because it's a delayed gratification thing. The low hanging fruit is just so tempting, but every time you grab one you're compromising your ability to go after the bigger books. Especially when you're new and your enthusiasm is at an all-time high, the last thing you want to do is save up your budget for months to get one book. But in the long run, it'll work out much better. This applies to all collecting goals and all budgets, because people naturally tailor their goals to their budgets. Whatever your list is, go most expensive to least.

Go after the most expensive and/or hardest to get books on my want-list first.

Free grader's notes? 9/10 Prominent Members of the Collecting Community agree it's a great value.

Since we're expected to do a background check on every single book we look at, AND pay for the privilege, why even put a grade on the label? It's redundant.

Alan Moore could use a MANSCAPED™ sponsorship.

Pressing sure has been great for the hobby. On an unrelated note, if any of you have back problems, I know a guy.

I don't know about selling comics, but I clicked on your thread about scantily clad women and you failed to deliver. Also, if I were a female, I'd be offended every time a guy used the phrase "if I were a female" to make a point. But that's just one hypothetical female's opinion.

I'm guessing. Unless he sold all his uber keys without telling anyone.

Pretty sure the sole 9.8 has never changed hands since it was graded. And I say sole 9.8 because the new one is just an uppity 9.6.

Could I have a list? For a friend. To warn him.

Also, congrats on your involvement with this sale Roy, if I didn't already say it.

Youth exodus. Old people cling to their houses, young people can't afford to move in, etc. It's happening to a lot of neighborhoods close to the core.

Wow, good memory. The place must be going downhill.

You want some too? Someone hold my shirt.

Did he say that? As 86 different people already pointed out, there are a myriad of possible reasons why he might have refused your offer. You made ONE offer on ONE book. He could just as easily say that about you, since you based what you thought was fair off of GPA. The uncharitable interpretation of what happened could easily go both ways.

Again, not something you have to worry about. Prices are rising in part because the pool of buyers has grown substantially; you wouldn't have the former without the latter. As expensive as your books are, the market can absorb them.

You're welcome. It's good to know that when you're selling your collection, I can make offers based on what I think your books are worth, and you will accept those offers because of your...expertise?

I don't think you have to worry about those books being worthless, or worth far less, in the near or distant future. It's on you to figure out whether or not you have a better use for the money right now.

Do you also price/sell graded books for what you think the book is and not what's on the label? If not, you can't expect sellers to do it; if so, why bother with slabs at all? I don't have a problem with you trying to get a deal, and I think you bring up a potentially interesting point about the trend of people treating the comic market as a commodities exchange. The problem is, your experience of one dealer not willing to haggle on one book doesn't work as a premise for the broader discussion you want to have.