Ever been denied a purchase of 2 of the same $3 book at a LCS?

[zuulioso]

Sounds like few guys are OCD - anal relentless - control freaks - panic button. Anyone makes a little mess. They are freaking out! That is not a good sign for the business.

 

If you tried to make the deal, it ruined their day! It's always a good idea to walk away. Give us break!

 

I did the same thing at the local store two years ago. All comic books were stacked up badly and unorganized. I did ask for the discount. They said sure so it took me one and half hours to pick them out from the crabby pile up comic books. It was only 400 books but it was totally messy. Many books were not in a great shape. Finally, I was done with that and had about 25 books in my hands. I knew the values based on the condition of the books. Those price tags were inconsistent so I had the prices for her. She took all the books and told me that she had to follow all the price tags. I told her forget it and walked off. What a waste of time!

 

[Dr. Balls]

Yep - last time I was at my LCS it was clearly implied that me buying comic books to sell on the internet was something the owner did not like. So, I have taken my business completely online and have not been back since.

 

It's a little annoying because I don't buy multiple copies. If a book like Django Unchained would be hot, I'd buy a copy and he'd say 'You don't collect this' and give me this look about it. If he's so concerned about where his comics go after a customer makes a purchase - he doesn't need my business.

[the blob]

that's just dumb. you were buying a stack of back issues. you are not coming in and clearing them out of every copy of __ they have and never coming back. they should be THRILLED to have someone like you buying this sort of stuff (at those prices!). i'd talk to the owner, i wonder how he'd feel about sending $70 out the door (and potentially thousands more over the years).

[the blob]

DC comics Presents #26 7.0-7.5 (clerk said 8.0 but no way) $30

X-Force #2 7.0-8.0 $4.

X-Factor #24 7.0-8.0 $10

Web of Spiderman #118 8.0 $3.50

Web of Spiderman #119 x2 8.0, 1 was maybe 8.5 3.50 (both unbagged, missing inserts)

Web of Spiderman #120 8.0 $3,50

misc supplies. action figure holders. $6-10 or so

 

Since I like being contrary, I'll play devil's advocate...

 

Is it so odd that he refused you a deal? 1st New Teen Titans, 2nd Deadpool, 1st Archangel, and another first Spidey book. He doesn't have to deal on that, keys sell themselves. He was already put off by your "eclectic" collecting focus, and I don't doubt you were a real charmer while asking for a deal too.

 

 

he would have paid $30 for one of those "keys" and $10 for the other...copper age "keys" like those, in those grades at those prices take A LONG time to move

 

and x-force 2 is still a dollar box book, particularly in that grade.

 

pretty sure i have a stack of Web 118-120 pulled out of dollar boxes

[the blob]

sorry, but customers who buy back issues like that, at those prices (as opposed to just hoping for dollar box mistakes) are to be loved and cultivated by a shop.

[the blob]

to be specific I asked him if they do deals on bulk purchases, not the one I was making.

 

We were not at a con, sir.

 

for those of you whom don't live in the northeast. don't attend cons,

 

This stuff is literally EVERYWHERE, up here in the northeast.

 

These books aren't that special...

 

Thanks society for your time!

 

Unless you're talking about a conglomerate like midtown or a big shop like forbidden planet, where the employees may have no discretion, I've never encountered a smaller shop not willing to round down a little at the least for a bulk purchase. this is just common sense...and yes, you don't haggle at the grocery store, you do haggle at an antique shop, which is a closer comparison to buying used comics.

[the blob]

Sounds like few guys are OCD - anal relentless - control freaks - panic button. Anyone makes a little mess. They are freaking out! That is not a good sign for the business.

 

----

 

hmm, "anal relenless"...sounds like the title for a porn movie

 

 

[BlowUpTheMoon]

Quintuple tap!

[the blob]

I have to admit that I have gotten this at one of my favorite shops...the owner has seen that I have 2 copies of the same book fished out of the dollar box and asked me if I waned both (he didn't say I couldn't, just pointing it out)...and one vintage book, for a while i was buying a copy of it every time I came in because he had a bunch of them and had priced them at like 20% of guide and it was a cool book...after the 6th time I bought a copy over the course of 12-18 months he says "gee, haven't you bought like 6 of these already????" and cut me off...he has it as some sort of loss leader up on the wall I guess to get people who are in there thinking about buying a stack of abck issues --- mind you, i didn't want to fuss and fret about being cut off because he gives me a hefty discount based on, among other things, me being perceived as a collector, not coming into his store to flip stuff (and let's face it, despite my intentions, i still buy 10-20X as much as I sell)

[JollyComics]

Sounds like few guys are OCD - anal relentless - control freaks - panic button. Anyone makes a little mess. They are freaking out! That is not a good sign for the business.

 

If you tried to make the deal, it ruined their day! It's always a good idea to walk away. Give us break!

 

I did the same thing at the local store two years ago. All comic books were stacked up badly and unorganized. I did ask for the discount. They said sure so it took me one and half hours to pick them out from the crabby pile up comic books. It was only 400 books but it was totally messy. Many books were not in a great shape. Finally, I was done with that and had about 25 books in my hands. I knew the values based on the condition of the books. Those price tags were inconsistent so I had the prices for her. She took all the books and told me that she had to follow all the price tags. I told her forget it and walked off. What a waste of time!

 

 

Methink that she thought that I would buy few books but realized that I picked 25 books. She might want more money. The compromise was broken period. She dishonored it.

[october]

Threads like this remind me that I shouldn't be shocked when LCSs close.

 

I remember one experience with Comics Galore, used to be in Western Springs Illinois, and LaGrange before that. Walked in one day and saw a Venom 1 gold on the wall. I had ignored it up until then, but it just so happened that my buddy was after one. I asked to see it, so he pulled it down. The sticker price was $20, so I called my friend. He offered $15, which was turned down. This was a book that had literally been on the wall for THIRTEEN STRAIGHT YEARS. He also bent the book in half putting it back in the bag, stressing the hell out of the spine.

 

The shop closed soon after and his inventory was dumped on the curb because he couldn't find a buyer quickly enough. I am sure the Venom gold was among the boxes.

[the blob]

Quintuple tap!

 

unless you are dealing with some sort of mutant, i count only 3 suitable orifices, so i dunno how you can get a quintuple tap in there.

[JollyComics]

I have to admit that I have gotten this at one of my favorite shops...the owner has seen that I have 2 copies of the same book fished out of the dollar box and asked me if I waned both (he didn't say I couldn't, just pointing it out)...and one vintage book, for a while i was buying a copy of it every time I came in because he had a bunch of them and had priced them at like 20% of guide and it was a cool book...after the 6th time I bought a copy over the course of 12-18 months he says "gee, haven't you bought like 6 of these already????" and cut me off...he has it as some sort of loss leader up on the wall I guess to get people who are in there thinking about buying a stack of abck issues --- mind you, i didn't want to fuss and fret about being cut off because he gives me a hefty discount based on, among other things, me being perceived as a collector, not coming into his store to flip stuff (and let's face it, despite my intentions, i still buy 10-20X as much as I sell)

 

The owner has whined becuz he has to pay the expensive rent.

[JollyComics]

Threads like this remind me that I shouldn't be shocked when LCSs close.

 

I remember one experience with Comics Galore, used to be in Western Springs Illinois, and LaGrange before that. Walked in one day and saw a Venom 1 gold on the wall. I had ignored it up until then, but it just so happened that my buddy was after one. I asked to see it, so he pulled it down. The sticker price was $20, so I called my friend. He offered $15, which was turned down. This was a book that had literally been on the wall for THIRTEEN STRAIGHT YEARS. He also bent the book in half putting it back in the bag, stressing the hell out of the spine.

 

The shop closed soon after and his inventory was dumped on the curb because he couldn't find a buyer quickly enough. I am sure the Venom gold was among the boxes.

 

That was a good price unless it was in NM condition. I sold it for $47.50 on ebay. It went straight to the happy Aussie mate. That was two years ago. 13 years on the wall may lose about 1 dollar value per year to the rent.

 

I believe many comic book stores were forced to close down due to low sales during the recession. Most buyers focus on the key issues only like I do. Last Sunday, I went to the flea market and found five different dealers that were selling recent WD, modern Archie, Classic Illustrated (many later prints but one in GD condition) and many recent DC comics (most are duplicated issues like five to eight) with some old beat up Adventure Comics & Superman. I just found only one key issue was G.I. Joe #21 1st printing in VG condition. I paid for only 75 cents. Too many unwanted issues will sit there for years like many comic book store owners are desperate to get rid of them. Every year, I went to the comic conventions. There were a lot of comic books that were selling for 50 cents or 1 dollar. I looked everything but nothing I could find but so few. I have about 160 unwanted books for over 20 years that have sat on mycomicshop's buy comic for about few years. It's tough time to get rid of them. Also, I found ASM #27 GD/VG and Time Master #7 at the old Stable house (antique store) for only $2. The seller had no idea of the value dollars on those old Silver Age books but she sells those old Archie and Funnies at about $17 to $20 per issue. It was the opposite so I went that way.

 

I can understand why the comic book store owners whine at all the time.

[Bookery]

The problem with LCS owners has always been that the vast majority of them are collectors who think it would be nifty to open up a shop. It doesn't matter whether it is comics or new cars, any business needs to be a business first... not a hobby. In fact... if you are a collector in most cases you probably shouldn't open any business in the area that you personally collect.

 

I'm thinking I should put up a big banner on the outside of my store... FLIPPERS WELCOME! Much of my business model actually caters to dealers and flippers... buy from me at a decent price that I'm happy with, turn around and double your money at shows or on the net. I don't care. In fact I love it! Make yourself lots of money and come back and spend more with me.

 

Any dealer that can't see a win-win on this shouldn't be in business (and probably won't be for long).

 

[the blob]

I have to admit that I have gotten this at one of my favorite shops...the owner has seen that I have 2 copies of the same book fished out of the dollar box and asked me if I waned both (he didn't say I couldn't, just pointing it out)...and one vintage book, for a while i was buying a copy of it every time I came in because he had a bunch of them and had priced them at like 20% of guide and it was a cool book...after the 6th time I bought a copy over the course of 12-18 months he says "gee, haven't you bought like 6 of these already????" and cut me off...he has it as some sort of loss leader up on the wall I guess to get people who are in there thinking about buying a stack of abck issues --- mind you, i didn't want to fuss and fret about being cut off because he gives me a hefty discount based on, among other things, me being perceived as a collector, not coming into his store to flip stuff (and let's face it, despite my intentions, i still buy 10-20X as much as I sell)

 

The owner has whined becuz he has to pay the expensive rent.

 

ALL the more reason a shop owner should be willing to SELL what you are willing to BUY basically as their asking prices!!!!!

 

I honestly think some people get into the business because they want to skr***w people over. Anti-social types who don't function well in other environments. This was easier in the 80s - early 90s when they sold at retail, told someone New Mutants 87 was "worth" $50...but when someone came in to sell them a copy of NM 87, it was suddenly "worth" $1. The interweb has skrewed that up for sure, but there is no way the hobby could have continued in terms of collecting/investing if the only way to get better than 20% of guide for your good stuff was to have a collection worthy of going to Sothebys or to relentlessly do shows to sell your stuff. that's not for everybody.

[JollyComics]

The problem with LCS owners has always been that the vast majority of them are collectors who think it would be nifty to open up a shop. It doesn't matter whether it is comics or new cars, any business needs to be a business first... not a hobby. In fact... if you are a collector in most cases you probably shouldn't open any business in the area that you personally collect.

 

I'm thinking I should put up a big banner on the outside of my store... FLIPPERS WELCOME! Much of my business model actually caters to dealers and flippers... buy from me at a decent price that I'm happy with, turn around and double your money at shows or on the net. I don't care. In fact I love it! Make yourself lots of money and come back and spend more with me.

 

Any dealer that can't see a win-win on this shouldn't be in business (and probably won't be for long).

 

Bingo! 1+ (thumbs u

[Dr. Balls]

The problem with LCS owners has always been that the vast majority of them are collectors who think it would be nifty to open up a shop. It doesn't matter whether it is comics or new cars, any business needs to be a business first... not a hobby. In fact... if you are a collector in most cases you probably shouldn't open any business in the area that you personally collect.

 

I also think that a lot of shop owners are incredibly poor at their own time management. When I had my shop in the mid-90s, I was the only one (out of four stores in my area) that used that newfangled internet thingy to sell comics (via bulletin boards). I was able to move books that were hot elsewhere and not selling in my store to people outside my area of business. I stayed on top of the hobby and figured out how to make money instead of sitting there at the counter waiting for people to throw it at me or someone else to do the work.

 

The fact that a comic shop owner feels slighted that someone buys a book for $5 and sells it for $15 is absurd. I don't know if they feel it's unfair that someone else makes a sale they can't/won't/don't know how to make - or what. It really takes the desire out of supporting local business.

[FineCollector]

he would have paid $30 for one of those "keys" and $10 for the other...copper age "keys" like those, in those grades at those prices take A LONG time to move

 

and x-force 2 is still a dollar box book, particularly in that grade.

 

pretty sure i have a stack of Web 118-120 pulled out of dollar boxes

 

Like I said, devil's advocate.

 

You have to cater to your customer base, and realize what kind of store you're dealing with. Take two types of stores:

 

One store buys actively, and keeps on top of the prices of key books. They pay little attention to lesser books, and have their buying focus on the best books they can find because they have a few key customers who drop lots of coin (and plenty of pretenders looking for a bargain to flip).

 

Another store is a mom and pop shop that gets most of their back issues from random walk ins. They survived the 90's, but treat the store more like a newsstand than a comic shop. The big dollar buyers don't bother coming in anymore. They sell to kids, and people who don't own a current price guide. Their customers still want Venom, random #1's, and shiny covers.

 

To the active store, X-Factor 24 is only a key book for flippers and newbies, and a chore to grade at VF. At the mom and pop shop, that's one of few keys in their piles of drek. The active store's price goes down everytime they sell one because they're running out of new customers to sell them to. The mom and pop shop doesn't know when they'll see another copy, and raise the price every time it sells.

 

One store will cut you a deal, the other store won't. The OP simply picked the wrong one.

[Prince Namor]

The problem with LCS owners has always been that the vast majority of them are collectors who think it would be nifty to open up a shop. It doesn't matter whether it is comics or new cars, any business needs to be a business first... not a hobby. In fact... if you are a collector in most cases you probably shouldn't open any business in the area that you personally collect.

 

I'm thinking I should put up a big banner on the outside of my store... FLIPPERS WELCOME! Much of my business model actually caters to dealers and flippers... buy from me at a decent price that I'm happy with, turn around and double your money at shows or on the net. I don't care. In fact I love it! Make yourself lots of money and come back and spend more with me.

 

Any dealer that can't see a win-win on this shouldn't be in business (and probably won't be for long).

 

+1

This is exactly it.

 

Here's the scenario:

 

Owner #1: Customer comes in and pulls three copies of Brigade #3 (1992) out of a .50 box and goes to the counter. The owner thinks, "Sweet! These babies are finally out the door!"

 

Owner #2: Customer comes in and pulls three copies of Brigade #3 (1992) out of a .50 box and goes to the counter. The owner eyes him suspiciously, wondering, "Am I missing something here?" Tells the customer, "There's a 1 book limit on each title..." The other two copies of Brigade #3 (1992) sit there for THE REST OF ETERNITY.....