Copper's Heating/Selling Well on Ebay 33 33

[porcupine48]

People are getting so worked up I see baconator fart boxes being sent....

[revat]

with that said, it is a good lesson for seller's not to be a slave to recent completed sales prices. someone needs to be the highest sale, why not you?

Because I don't sell books that look like that to unsophisticated buyers as a raw 9.8.

 

that's not what i am saying. put aside what you think that grade actually is. i see the spine ticks too and someone can make an informed decision. if you had a raw copy of that book you felt was a strong 9.8 candidate would you put it up for a $36 opening bid when that is practically what slabs are selling for? i'll give divad credit, he has cajones and sometimes it pays off.

I might if I was absolutely sure it was a 9.8. Frankly, I would probably call it a 9.6 or better. It's been discussed ad nauseam here, he overgrades on some of his ebay listings. That's not cajones. That is either an inability to grade 9.8s or it is deliberately taking advantage of buyers who can't grade for themselves.

 

You're the only thing ad nauseum around here. All you sell is manufactured plastic collectibles. You couldn't grade your way out the hole you live in.

 

Uh, no offense.

Next grading contest. You both enter and one comes out alive.

I've already offered to select a number of divad's raw listings, have them sent to a neutral 3rd party and let CGC's grade be the judge of the results. I believe I offered to let the graded slabs be auctioned off for a charity of the winner's choice. He has declined.

 

In fairness, RMA thinks this is not a fair test to divad as (I believe this was the objection) divad has everything to lose and nothing to gain. But, when someone comes touting extraordinary results from selling UHG raw books on ebay, many of which appear to be overgraded, I feel no compulsion to remain silent. To divad's credit, he provides reasonably large scans. I just think people buying his overgraded books (some but not all of his offerings) can't grade, don't pay attention or don't care. That doesn't make them any less overgraded.

 

Divid has 100% positive feedback on eBay, and unless you have bought a comic advertised from him as a 9.8 and have been displeased, I think what you are proposing is unfair to Divad.

 

I have thousands of dollars worth of books that are all solid CGC 9.8 candidates, but I do not want to tie up $25.20 (modern grade fee + fast track minus my 10% membership discount) on having them graded and then selling them for an average of $100 when I get them back from CGC.Call it $30 per book in shipping/grading cost, at the least.

 

Multiply that $30 figure by 100 and that is how many books that I could package up and mail off to CGC for grading in a few days.And I'd still have likely another 100 books with GPA's around $100 but I'd rather spend the money on grading books to get bigger returns.I simply don't have the cash to have a 100 moderns graded, in a shot and then wait 2-3 months (from when the books were shipped to CGC) to be able to *start* to get any of my money back.

 

I recently gave Divad's 9.8 raw selling approach a test run and sold through all of the Preacher # 42 candidates which I graded as 9.8, save one of them(the last b/c I just didn't have time to ship it out and refunded the buyer instead).

 

I received positive feedback from all 4 buyers who received a raw Preacher 42 from me, which I graded as a 9.8.I will continue on listing raw boks that I have, which I don't want to spend money on having graded.......like Wolverine 66 (picked up a raw 9.6 and a raw 9.8 recently and I'll list them as such on eBay for $30-$50 each BIN))...Dark Horse Presents 1....same grades.

 

Preacher # 8...got a few of them, as well.And so on.

 

Two of the 4 buyers of the Preacher # 42 9.8 raws even sent me a message, after they gave me positive feedback on ebay, praising the raw preacher 42 9.8 they received from me and my packaging methods.

 

FTR, GPA shows the last Preacher 42 9.8 sale at around $100 via an auction listing on eBay.

 

Here is a copy of one of the messages, it clearly shows that the buyer will be subbing the book I sold to him and he is confident he'll get a 9.8 out of it.

 

 

 

Dear copperagekids,

 

Your packaging was outstanding. The comic arrived in perfect condition and is exactly like you said a "SOLID CGC 9.8 CANDIDATE". In 2 mylars with buffered acid free boards did not go unnoticed...on the contrary, it was the 1st thing I noticed and that put a smile on my face. This one will be sent to my cgc affiliate for signatures and grading.

The way you shipped it spoke volumes of your character, your professionalism, your dedication and respect toward this industry.

Just yesterday, another seller wrote saying that I was demanding, ridiculous, impatient and immature. I know he was wrong but still, it hurt.

I thoroughly enjoyed our transaction and have already added you to my best sellers list. Hope that the feedback I left for you adequately conveyed my appreciation and gratitude for all that you did.

Thank you very, very much, ed

 

 

ON A RELATED NOTE. I used to do data entry at the IRS. One time I got a bonus of $5.11 for the whole week for speed and accuracy. It was my only bonus during my tenure there.

 

Also, I once caught a Sammy Sosa home run ball at a mets game when I was 17. Barehand like a boss.

 

 

I made a really good steak two weeks ago. just salt and pepper, then 1 minute each on a pre-heated cast iron grill pan, then 2 mintues each side in the pre-heated oven. My wife said it was the best steak she had all year. And she's had at least 3 steaks this year.

 

Does anyone else have any other stuff they want to brag about?

 

You misread my post entirely.

 

My point was that you can sell raw books as 9.8 if you know how to grade correctly, package books correctly and don't treat your buyers like jerkoffs.

 

Granted, I only listed 4 books like this but EVERY SINGLE BUYER emphatically stated that he was very happy with the book's condition and the packaging the books were sent in.

 

If I were to grade softly, I would not have received 100% positive feedback on the FOUR raw 9.8's that I sold.

 

If my grading was the least bit off the mark ,as in any of my raw 9.8's were graded softly and I thought had a chance at getting 9.6's...which I clearly do NOT think any would receive 9.6's by CGC , I would not have had the positive feedback I had, nor would I have had 2 buyers sending me FOLLOW UP MESSAGES thanking me for the book's and the packing job...one buyer telling me he was saving me as a favorite seller and the other buyer giving me his Preacher want list numbers.

 

The point of my post above was not to pay myself on the back but to illustrate that if you know how to grade and treat your buyers fairly, you will have happy buyers and repeat customers.

 

As is illustrated with 4 outright glowingly positive feedbacks.

 

 

does reading this post again help anyone with anything?

[comix4fun]

 

Divid has 100% positive feedback on eBay, and unless you have bought a comic advertised from him as a 9.8 and have been displeased, I think what you are proposing is unfair to Divad.

 

I have thousands of dollars worth of books that are all solid CGC 9.8 candidates, but I do not want to tie up $25.20 (modern grade fee + fast track minus my 10% membership discount) on having them graded and then selling them for an average of $100 when I get them back from CGC.Call it $30 per book in shipping/grading cost, at the least.

 

Multiply that $30 figure by 100 and that is how many books that I could package up and mail off to CGC for grading in a few days.And I'd still have likely another 100 books with GPA's around $100 but I'd rather spend the money on grading books to get bigger returns.I simply don't have the cash to have a 100 moderns graded, in a shot and then wait 2-3 months (from when the books were shipped to CGC) to be able to *start* to get any of my money back.

 

I recently gave Divad's 9.8 raw selling approach a test run and sold through all of the Preacher # 42 candidates which I graded as 9.8, save one of them(the last b/c I just didn't have time to ship it out and refunded the buyer instead).

 

I received positive feedback from all 4 buyers who received a raw Preacher 42 from me, which I graded as a 9.8.I will continue on listing raw boks that I have, which I don't want to spend money on having graded.......like Wolverine 66 (picked up a raw 9.6 and a raw 9.8 recently and I'll list them as such on eBay for $30-$50 each BIN))...Dark Horse Presents 1....same grades.

 

Preacher # 8...got a few of them, as well.And so on.

 

Two of the 4 buyers of the Preacher # 42 9.8 raws even sent me a message, after they gave me positive feedback on ebay, praising the raw preacher 42 9.8 they received from me and my packaging methods.

 

FTR, GPA shows the last Preacher 42 9.8 sale at around $100 via an auction listing on eBay.

 

Here is a copy of one of the messages, it clearly shows that the buyer will be subbing the book I sold to him and he is confident he'll get a 9.8 out of it.

 

 

 

Dear copperagekids,

 

Your packaging was outstanding. The comic arrived in perfect condition and is exactly like you said a "SOLID CGC 9.8 CANDIDATE". In 2 mylars with buffered acid free boards did not go unnoticed...on the contrary, it was the 1st thing I noticed and that put a smile on my face. This one will be sent to my cgc affiliate for signatures and grading.

The way you shipped it spoke volumes of your character, your professionalism, your dedication and respect toward this industry.

Just yesterday, another seller wrote saying that I was demanding, ridiculous, impatient and immature. I know he was wrong but still, it hurt.

I thoroughly enjoyed our transaction and have already added you to my best sellers list. Hope that the feedback I left for you adequately conveyed my appreciation and gratitude for all that you did.

Thank you very, very much, ed

 

 

ON A RELATED NOTE. I used to do data entry at the IRS. One time I got a bonus of $5.11 for the whole week for speed and accuracy. It was my only bonus during my tenure there.

 

Also, I once caught a Sammy Sosa home run ball at a mets game when I was 17. Barehand like a boss.

 

 

I made a really good steak two weeks ago. just salt and pepper, then 1 minute each on a pre-heated cast iron grill pan, then 2 mintues each side in the pre-heated oven. My wife said it was the best steak she had all year. And she's had at least 3 steaks this year.

 

Does anyone else have any other stuff they want to brag about?

 

You misread my post entirely.

 

My point was that you can sell raw books as 9.8 if you know how to grade correctly, package books correctly and don't treat your buyers like jerkoffs.

 

Granted, I only listed 4 books like this but EVERY SINGLE BUYER emphatically stated that he was very happy with the book's condition and the packaging the books were sent in.

 

If I were to grade softly, I would not have received 100% positive feedback on the FOUR raw 9.8's that I sold.

 

If my grading was the least bit off the mark ,as in any of my raw 9.8's were graded softly and I thought had a chance at getting 9.6's...which I clearly do NOT think any would receive 9.6's by CGC , I would not have had the positive feedback I had, nor would I have had 2 buyers sending me FOLLOW UP MESSAGES thanking me for the book's and the packing job...one buyer telling me he was saving me as a favorite seller and the other buyer giving me his Preacher want list numbers.

 

The point of my post above was not to pay myself on the back but to illustrate that if you know how to grade and treat your buyers fairly, you will have happy buyers and repeat customers.

 

As is illustrated with 4 outright glowingly positive feedbacks.

 

 

does reading this post again help anyone with anything?

 

Perhaps insomnia.

[divad]

As always if you don't care for the direction the thread is headed nominate a book that is heating up or potentially heating up and you can right the ship.

 

So what's heating up in Copper? I see that Batman 436 is doing very well, although off its highs from a few months ago.

[thecopperagekids]

 

 

Dear copperagekids,

 

Your packaging was outstanding. The comic arrived in perfect condition and is exactly like you said a "SOLID CGC 9.8 CANDIDATE". In 2 mylars with buffered acid free boards did not go unnoticed...on the contrary, it was the 1st thing I noticed and that put a smile on my face. This one will be sent to my cgc affiliate for signatures and grading.

The way you shipped it spoke volumes of your character, your professionalism, your dedication and respect toward this industry.

Just yesterday, another seller wrote saying that I was demanding, ridiculous, impatient and immature. I know he was wrong but still, it hurt.

I thoroughly enjoyed our transaction and have already added you to my best sellers list. Hope that the feedback I left for you adequately conveyed my appreciation and gratitude for all that you did.

Thank you very, very much, ed

 

 

This sounds like you wrote it.

 

Did you write it?

 

Or, did you solicit it?

 

This is not a natural, spontaneous response.

 

No, I did not write this nor did I solict this message.I removed the buyer's user ID from the message BUT I am sure he wouldn't mind if I were to post his user ID up on here.

 

This is a ***********perfectly natural response considering******* the following:

 

The buyer received the Preacher # 42 in dead on 9.8, as shown in the auction pics.The buyer paid $44.99 for the book, shipped.

 

Current GPA shows this book at $103 in 9.8 and trending upwards.

 

The book was triple packaged...( as in I placed the book in a Standard Mylite2 + TWO Standard Gerber Full Backs for a snug fit...then the bagged/boarded comic was slid into a silver/gold Mylite2 + silver/gold gerber Full Back Board combo...placed on top of a sheet of cardboard...slid carefully into a bubblewrap mailer....with the following written on the mailer' sides:

 

"SPINE OF BOOK IS ON THIS SIDE"

(arrows pointing to outer edge)

 

Opposing side was marked with:

 

"HANDLE/REMOVE BOOK FROM THIS SIDE"

 

The bubblewrap mailer was shipped with four cut out pieces of cardboard around all corners....and wrapped in bubblewrap itself, and then shipped in a 4 wall cardboard box.

 

I take every single precaution needed to ensure my buyers get what they pay for i.e.I do not treat them like disposable jerkoffs by giving out soft grades or shipping out books sandwiched in cardboard and compressing their spines with mailing tape.

 

You (the ebay buyer) spend your money on high grade raw books off ebay then get a book sold to you as a "9.8" with shoddy packaging...or softly graded...and you wind up with a 8.5 or 9.2 or whatever falls shy of the 9.8 you spent your money on and expected to receive.

 

Then you buy a book from me and you get the book, as described...packaged just as cautiously as if I (The seller) were sending in the 9.8 candidate to CGC to be graded, myself.

 

As I said, you give people what they pay for, and charge them fair prices, they are grateful for the service you provide...and you get repeat customers.

 

 

Hell, I ship with more care than 99% of other sellers on ebay or on this board.Every single time I buy books thru eBay ...from "comic dealers", as well as the few times that I have bought books from boardies on here, their packaging methods were not as considerate as mine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Timmay]

Would you like a gold star?

[vaillant]

The only problem I have with this is that all books above 9.6 to me are more or less the same, so I would not pay more for a 9.8 than what I pay for a 9.6. :shrug:

[RockMyAmadeus]

9.6? Not even Ray Charles would grade it that high.

 

Ray Charles was the head grader at PGX before he passed away.

[porcupine48]

Things are Sick today.

Id like a silver star please.

[revat]

Would you like a gold star?

 

 

"Oh some people think Divad might be overgrading? Well some dude wrote me a an unsolicited letter to tell me how awesome I AM at grading, selling, and shipping comics. Therefore I will unsolicitedly print that unsolicited letter here. I think that will really help people understand what really matters."

[Timmay]

Things are Sick today.

Id like a silver star please.

 

 

here you go

 

 

[porcupine48]

Things are Sick today.

Id like a silver star please.

 

 

here you go

 

 

Why thank you sir!

[RockMyAmadeus]

 

 

Dear copperagekids,

 

Your packaging was outstanding. The comic arrived in perfect condition and is exactly like you said a "SOLID CGC 9.8 CANDIDATE". In 2 mylars with buffered acid free boards did not go unnoticed...on the contrary, it was the 1st thing I noticed and that put a smile on my face. This one will be sent to my cgc affiliate for signatures and grading.

The way you shipped it spoke volumes of your character, your professionalism, your dedication and respect toward this industry.

Just yesterday, another seller wrote saying that I was demanding, ridiculous, impatient and immature. I know he was wrong but still, it hurt.

I thoroughly enjoyed our transaction and have already added you to my best sellers list. Hope that the feedback I left for you adequately conveyed my appreciation and gratitude for all that you did.

Thank you very, very much, ed

 

 

This sounds like you wrote it.

 

Did you write it?

 

Or, did you solicit it?

 

This is not a natural, spontaneous response.

 

No, I did not write this nor did I solict this message.I removed the buyer's user ID from the message BUT I am sure he wouldn't mind if I were to post his user ID up on here.

 

This is a ***********perfectly natural response considering******* the following:

 

The buyer received the Preacher # 42 in dead on 9.8, as shown in the auction pics.The buyer paid $44.99 for the book, shipped.

 

Current GPA shows this book at $103 in 9.8 and trending upwards.

 

The book was triple packaged...( as in I placed the book in a Standard Mylite2 + TWO Standard Gerber Full Backs for a snug fit...then the bagged/boarded comic was slid into a silver/gold Mylite2 + silver/gold gerber Full Back Board combo...placed on top of a sheet of cardboard...slid carefully into a bubblewrap mailer....with the following written on the mailer' sides:

 

"SPINE OF BOOK IS ON THIS SIDE"

(arrows pointing to outer edge)

 

Opposing side was marked with:

 

"HANDLE/REMOVE BOOK FROM THIS SIDE"

 

The bubblewrap mailer was shipped with four cut out pieces of cardboard around all corners....and wrapped in bubblewrap itself, and then shipped in a 4 wall cardboard box.

 

I take every single precaution needed to ensure my buyers get what they pay for i.e.I do not treat them like disposable jerkoffs by giving out soft grades or shipping out books sandwiched in cardboard and compressing their spines with mailing tape.

 

You (the ebay buyer) spend your money on high grade raw books off ebay then get a book sold to you as a "9.8" with shoddy packaging...or softly graded...and you wind up with a 8.5 or 9.2 or whatever falls shy of the 9.8 you spent your money on and expected to receive.

 

Then you buy a book from me and you get the book, as described...packaged just as cautiously as if I (The seller) were sending in the 9.8 candidate to CGC to be graded, myself.

 

As I said, you give people what they pay for, and charge them fair prices, they are grateful for the service you provide...and you get repeat customers.

 

 

Hell, I ship with more care than 99% of other sellers on ebay or on this board.Every single time I buy books thru eBay ...from "comic dealers", as well as the few times that I have bought books from boardies on here, their packaging methods were not as considerate as mine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's an interesting story.

 

However, I have sold books as described on eBay since 1998, and many books that ended up grading higher thanI said they would, and I've never gotten such an effusive comment like that....I mean, "2 mylars with buffered acid free boards" was the first thing they noticed, AND it put a smile on their face...?

 

And "The way you shipped it spoke volumes of your character"...?

 

 

The way someone ships may speak volumes of their competence, but their character...?

 

Sounds like a solicited testimonial.

 

Carry on.

 

PS. "Bubble wrap mailers" should never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever (breathhhhhhhe) EVER, ever, ever be used to ship comics, for any reason, ever, unless you're shipping the rattiest of reader copies.

 

They are TOO FLIMSY.

 

If you're going to use an envelope, rather than a box, you should use the flat rate envelopes, and use the pre-cut 9.x 12 pads. If you do it properly, the boards will stiffen (I'm watching you, C4F) the envelope so that it provides solid corners in the event of impact.

 

Bubble wrap mailers do not, and you're relying solely on the integrity of the sandwich inside to protect the book.

 

Also...this is something that isn't talked about a lot, but "snug fit", either in a mylar or a bag and board, is not always such a good thing, especially if you have to put ANY pressure beyond gravity into the book/board to get it all the way in. The bottom edge of the book (or top, depending on orientation) is pressed against the interior plastic, and if there's a color fleck or two, it almost always gets pushed up.

 

Something to think about.

[comix4fun]

As always if you don't care for the direction the thread is headed nominate a book that is heating up or potentially heating up and you can right the ship.

 

So what's heating up in Copper? I see that Batman 436 is doing very well, although off its highs from a few months ago.

 

 

I'd probably change the subject too.

[RockMyAmadeus]

By the way...getting positive feedback doesn't mean you did a perfect job, and having lots of positive feedback doesn't mean much, either, or Dupcak wouldn't have what he has.

 

People only leave neutral or negative feedback if they're annoyed past a certain level. Rarely do people leave those if the transaction was mediocre, or even slightly negative for them.

 

That's just human nature.

 

 

[comix4fun]

I've never gotten such an effusive comment like that....I mean, "2 mylars with buffered acid free boards" was the first thing they noticed, AND it put a smile on their face...?

 

 

 

Be glad you never got such a comment...it's usually followed by "and that's why I've decided I'd like to wear your skin as a suit."

[revat]

I've never gotten such an effusive comment like that....I mean, "2 mylars with buffered acid free boards" was the first thing they noticed, AND it put a smile on their face...?

 

 

 

Be glad you never got such a comment...it's usually followed by "and that's why I've decided I'd like to wear your skin as a suit."

 

 

"I can't bear the thought of you shipping such perfect comics to anyone else so perfectly with such perfect packaging."

[comix4fun]

I've never gotten such an effusive comment like that....I mean, "2 mylars with buffered acid free boards" was the first thing they noticed, AND it put a smile on their face...?

 

 

 

Be glad you never got such a comment...it's usually followed by "and that's why I've decided I'd like to wear your skin as a suit."

 

 

"I can't bear the thought of you shipping such perfect comics to anyone else so perfectly with such perfect packaging."

 

 

"The quality of your character, as evinced by your superior bubble wrapping skills, has convinced me that I can only attain your level of greatness by eating your soul."

[the blob]

Rma, the bubble wrap mailer with cardboard samich and more wrap were inside a box

The packing sounds above and beyond.

[RockMyAmadeus]

I've never gotten such an effusive comment like that....I mean, "2 mylars with buffered acid free boards" was the first thing they noticed, AND it put a smile on their face...?

 

 

 

Be glad you never got such a comment...it's usually followed by "and that's why I've decided I'd like to wear your skin as a suit."

 

“When the Fox hears the Rabbit scream he comes a-runnin', but not to help.”