Philly WW Con Report (Brief)

[Foolkiller]

Have you ever bought from me? Dale and me are overpriced for the low to mid priced buyer? Not sure I agree with that comment since I am more open to selling lower grade books than giving away high grade.

 

Overpriced? I do shows around the country, I travel to the UK. I am very aware of the markets I am selling in. I can pull up sales trends on every show I've done. I make notes on each convention so I know what to bring. I speak to promoters and some even (OMG) seek my opinion. The CEO of wizard asks me at every show how I'm doing sales wise, they are open to suggestions. Marc Nathan cares how I do at his show. So does Reed.

 

Greedy?

 

I don't appreciate the small customer?

 

3/4 of the other dealers have my inventory, that I would like to see.

 

You are lucky I'm not standing in front of you with these comments because clearly you don't know me one bit.

 

I did Charlotte for 3 years in a row and the sales trend was down year over year. Tried the show 6 years later with the same result. I run a business not a charity. I can give away books for free which is what I was doing setting up at the show after expenses.

 

As far as the South pricing goes I'll say this

Food costs are not much different

 

Taxes are lower

 

Gas is cheaper but very close in price to Jersey so that's a wash for me

 

Housing is cheaper

 

Salaries are less. If Salaries are less I'm pretty sure that affects peoples disposable incomes.

 

Comic Keys are not cheaper in Charlotte. In fact I would think that dealers in Charlotte would pass along their cheaper cost of living to me when I buy from them. I'm still waiting.

 

Bless your heart is the southern term for Go F#### yourself in NY.

 

Porno mustaches never go out of style in Charlotte either.

 

 

 

Yep bought from you , but never again.. You chose to degrade and trash the city of Charlotte and its people along with Shelton and the Heroes show.. You always come off as rude... point proven again in your last post above.. You act as if we should get on a knee and bow to you that you have to our area and the Heroes show... Well your NOT GOD, again maybe why you come off as rude at shows and with no personality, you act as if we should pay your house payments,pay the car and vacation trips.. I said you priced yourself out of the lower market, the kids with only a few bucks to spend, the early 20's buyers with limited funds.. I never was talking about HIGH grade books,, but its clear your ebay store is high priced along with the show prices.. dont blame Charlotte for you having to rent a van,stay in a nice hotel,eat good food and then not sale but only 2500 at Heroes,, I know sellers that sell upwards of 30K some years,, i've sold at charlotte and even the 1 man team have pulled in 5k,, nobody loses at charlotte maybe not to your liking.

 

Just as in your post above, says, your not a CHARITY, nice choice of words again.. If you see the cost of living and the gas is cheaper as you state why would you expect to make the same here as compared to northern shows< my point again you feel we should grace the almighty .. And your comment as to "if i was standing in front of you"" ,, again RUDE and cocky,, but i can say you wouldnt like it.. My whole point being in my first post,, you post about your sad story at Heroes and then still want people to buy from you.. I'll give you a clue,, not all other dealers like you , maybe you overlook that.. you would think you would keep your orig post to yourself but you chose to bash the city,its people and the promoter of one of the two better shows..

 

And bless myself from NY ,thats what you said, a big ' F" me from you ,, and a stupid jab at porno mustaches ..

 

Well i chose not to say my 2 words to you,,, you are a classless act and a poor voice for the hobby ,, your the very reason this hobby is dying off,, and i hope to never been the type person you are when i grow up ..

 

I've never had a dealer -- any dealer, tell me they enjoyed Charlotte to sell to people. As a buying show, several have mentioned that they think there is plenty to make money and score from the folks, but selling to the public, most will tell you it's a mediocre show for sales. That's just the way it is, so their expectations are adjusted.

 

Things were off to a slow start in Philly, but today they picked up with sales to the public. I'd love to hear from dealers in Charlotte saying they did gangbusters in selling to the public, but whether you want to hear this or not, it is not a well thought of area for comic sales.

 

Of course, one of the issues is that the artist lineup is strong and a good deal of the money does go there.

[Mark 1]

Have you ever bought from me? Dale and me are overpriced for the low to mid priced buyer? Not sure I agree with that comment since I am more open to selling lower grade books than giving away high grade.

 

Overpriced? I do shows around the country, I travel to the UK. I am very aware of the markets I am selling in. I can pull up sales trends on every show I've done. I make notes on each convention so I know what to bring. I speak to promoters and some even (OMG) seek my opinion. The CEO of wizard asks me at every show how I'm doing sales wise, they are open to suggestions. Marc Nathan cares how I do at his show. So does Reed.

 

Greedy?

 

I don't appreciate the small customer?

 

3/4 of the other dealers have my inventory, that I would like to see.

 

You are lucky I'm not standing in front of you with these comments because clearly you don't know me one bit.

 

I did Charlotte for 3 years in a row and the sales trend was down year over year. Tried the show 6 years later with the same result. I run a business not a charity. I can give away books for free which is what I was doing setting up at the show after expenses.

 

As far as the South pricing goes I'll say this

Food costs are not much different

 

Taxes are lower

 

Gas is cheaper but very close in price to Jersey so that's a wash for me

 

Housing is cheaper

 

Salaries are less. If Salaries are less I'm pretty sure that affects peoples disposable incomes.

 

Comic Keys are not cheaper in Charlotte. In fact I would think that dealers in Charlotte would pass along their cheaper cost of living to me when I buy from them. I'm still waiting.

 

Bless your heart is the southern term for Go F#### yourself in NY.

 

Porno mustaches never go out of style in Charlotte either.

 

 

 

Yep bought from you , but never again.. You chose to degrade and trash the city of Charlotte and its people along with Shelton and the Heroes show.. You always come off as rude... point proven again in your last post above.. You act as if we should get on a knee and bow to you that you have to our area and the Heroes show... Well your NOT GOD, again maybe why you come off as rude at shows and with no personality, you act as if we should pay your house payments,pay the car and vacation trips.. I said you priced yourself out of the lower market, the kids with only a few bucks to spend, the early 20's buyers with limited funds.. I never was talking about HIGH grade books,, but its clear your ebay store is high priced along with the show prices.. dont blame Charlotte for you having to rent a van,stay in a nice hotel,eat good food and then not sale but only 2500 at Heroes,, I know sellers that sell upwards of 30K some years,, i've sold at charlotte and even the 1 man team have pulled in 5k,, nobody loses at charlotte maybe not to your liking.

 

Just as in your post above, says, your not a CHARITY, nice choice of words again.. If you see the cost of living and the gas is cheaper as you state why would you expect to make the same here as compared to northern shows< my point again you feel we should grace the almighty .. And your comment as to "if i was standing in front of you"" ,, again RUDE and cocky,, but i can say you wouldnt like it.. My whole point being in my first post,, you post about your sad story at Heroes and then still want people to buy from you.. I'll give you a clue,, not all other dealers like you , maybe you overlook that.. you would think you would keep your orig post to yourself but you chose to bash the city,its people and the promoter of one of the two better shows..

 

And bless myself from NY ,thats what you said, a big ' F" me from you ,, and a stupid jab at porno mustaches ..

 

Well i chose not to say my 2 words to you,,, you are a classless act and a poor voice for the hobby ,, your the very reason this hobby is dying off,, and i hope to never been the type person you are when i grow up ..

 

This post is

 

Bob has always been cordial and willing to work on price when he can. Your perceptions are completely wrong of Bob and there are plenty of dealers I won't buy from...so I know the rude ones. Do you want Bob to tell you freakin jokes at his booth? Who cares about his personality? That's a ridiculous statement. How about you go to Richie Muchins booth if you want personality? Or perhaps Graham Cracker comics?

 

Bob is in a business to make money and perhaps he doesn't cater to the teens with less than $15 to spend. Bob doesn't deal in moderns for the most part and that's not his thing. He knows his market and customers and clearly you don't have a clue about his business or who his business caters to.

 

And I've been to Charlotte. It's nothing great so don't get all high and mighty about it. NY kicks its butt.

[Transplant]

For those of you who don't want to pay those huge prices the northern big-shot dealers like Bob and Dale charge, and don't appreciate having your porno mustaches mocked by some sissy Yankee, there is a simple alternative....

 

....shop at Bedrock City.

 

We are at Heroes this weekend in booth 420 and 422. Please come shop with us. We didn't even sell $1000 of our reasonably priced, quality merchandise yesterday. For now we will blame that on our booth placement (we did decide to attend late). But if we don't see some improvement today and tomorrow then we will have to blame it on the frugal citizens of Charlotte. So come on and protect the civic reputation of North Carolina by shopping at Bedrock City in booth 420 and 422!

I do my part to offset the frugal buyers of St. Louis.

[MrBedrock]

For those of you who don't want to pay those huge prices the northern big-shot dealers like Bob and Dale charge, and don't appreciate having your porno mustaches mocked by some sissy Yankee, there is a simple alternative....

 

....shop at Bedrock City.

 

We are at Heroes this weekend in booth 420 and 422. Please come shop with us. We didn't even sell $1000 of our reasonably priced, quality merchandise yesterday. For now we will blame that on our booth placement (we did decide to attend late). But if we don't see some improvement today and tomorrow then we will have to blame it on the frugal citizens of Charlotte. So come on and protect the civic reputation of North Carolina by shopping at Bedrock City in booth 420 and 422!

I do my part to offset the frugal buyers of St. Louis.

Yes you do. You give St. Louis a reason to celebrate!

[MrBedrock]

when i grow up ..

"... I will shop at Bedrock City!"

[At least I hope that is how you would finish that sentence]

[Transplant]

For those of you who don't want to pay those huge prices the northern big-shot dealers like Bob and Dale charge, and don't appreciate having your porno mustaches mocked by some sissy Yankee, there is a simple alternative....

 

....shop at Bedrock City.

 

We are at Heroes this weekend in booth 420 and 422. Please come shop with us. We didn't even sell $1000 of our reasonably priced, quality merchandise yesterday. For now we will blame that on our booth placement (we did decide to attend late). But if we don't see some improvement today and tomorrow then we will have to blame it on the frugal citizens of Charlotte. So come on and protect the civic reputation of North Carolina by shopping at Bedrock City in booth 420 and 422!

I do my part to offset the frugal buyers of St. Louis.

Yes you do. You give St. Louis a reason to celebrate!

Balls!

[makeminemego]

I'm not sure that I follow the argument here.....the dealer just isn't doing that con anymore because it doesn't work for him. Until someone else is picking up the check at the gas stations and Holiday Inn's (or Motel 6's) for him, that's his call.

 

Dealers have a model that works for them. They bring what they can to a con. People buy what their pocketbook will afford. Sometimes it's not a match made in heaven. End of story. Class warfare only complicates a simple equation.

 

I don't need Bob to kiss babies and shake hands, as long as he grades as accurately as he always has.

 

This past year, I bought about 100 1966-69 midgrade Marvels from Bob, and he was helpful with the purchase and amenable to reasonable offers.

 

 

[musicmeta]

No Baltimore is where you go when you love comics and dealers make money.

 

 

I'm going to try next year to attend the Baltimore con. I've been hearing how comic book centric it is for years.

[musicmeta]

Last time I checked Baltimore wasn't owned by Wizard so I'm not following your comment.

 

 

referring to Philly, you guys from the upper part of the country need to remember things arnt as high priced down south here. You and Dale are 2 of the biggest dealers but have priced yourself out of the market for buyers "who may be mid level down to lower level" buyers. The hobby is killing itself with all the pressing of books, and over pricing. Charlotte and Balt are the only true comic shows, All dealers have 3/4's of the same books and compete for a small number of buyers.. Your comments about Charlotte and its lack of "profit" make you look greedy and may be a reason people tend to spend there money at other booths. Heroes con is well run and draws true comic fans. i will spend 500-800 over the next 2 days, if a dealer cant or doesnt appreciate the small customer i'm sorry. And i am bringing 3 other people with me in the car that will be buying.

 

Interesting! I've bought books from Bob a few times and was very pleased with what I paid for them….VERY PLEASED! Not too high to me!

[VintageComics]

And I've been to Charlotte. It's nothing great so don't get all high and mighty about it. NY kicks its butt.

 

Isn't it just a matter of taste?

 

Both shows are terrific shows for some people. I've been to both shows as a buyer for years and have never had a disappointing show.

 

Charlotte does attract a LOT of creators / artists. Artist's alley is as large as the rest of the comic booth area.

 

People will just gravitate towards shows that work for them.

[Flaming_Telepath]

Have you ever bought from me? Dale and me are overpriced for the low to mid priced buyer? Not sure I agree with that comment since I am more open to selling lower grade books than giving away high grade.

 

Overpriced? I do shows around the country, I travel to the UK. I am very aware of the markets I am selling in. I can pull up sales trends on every show I've done. I make notes on each convention so I know what to bring. I speak to promoters and some even (OMG) seek my opinion. The CEO of wizard asks me at every show how I'm doing sales wise, they are open to suggestions. Marc Nathan cares how I do at his show. So does Reed.

 

Greedy?

 

I don't appreciate the small customer?

 

3/4 of the other dealers have my inventory, that I would like to see.

 

You are lucky I'm not standing in front of you with these comments because clearly you don't know me one bit.

 

I did Charlotte for 3 years in a row and the sales trend was down year over year. Tried the show 6 years later with the same result. I run a business not a charity. I can give away books for free which is what I was doing setting up at the show after expenses.

 

As far as the South pricing goes I'll say this

Food costs are not much different

 

Taxes are lower

 

Gas is cheaper but very close in price to Jersey so that's a wash for me

 

Housing is cheaper

 

Salaries are less. If Salaries are less I'm pretty sure that affects peoples disposable incomes.

 

Comic Keys are not cheaper in Charlotte. In fact I would think that dealers in Charlotte would pass along their cheaper cost of living to me when I buy from them. I'm still waiting.

 

Bless your heart is the southern term for Go F#### yourself in NY.

 

Porno mustaches never go out of style in Charlotte either.

 

 

 

Yep bought from you , but never again.. You chose to degrade and trash the city of Charlotte and its people along with Shelton and the Heroes show.. You always come off as rude... point proven again in your last post above.. You act as if we should get on a knee and bow to you that you have to our area and the Heroes show... Well your NOT GOD, again maybe why you come off as rude at shows and with no personality, you act as if we should pay your house payments,pay the car and vacation trips.. I said you priced yourself out of the lower market, the kids with only a few bucks to spend, the early 20's buyers with limited funds.. I never was talking about HIGH grade books,, but its clear your ebay store is high priced along with the show prices.. dont blame Charlotte for you having to rent a van,stay in a nice hotel,eat good food and then not sale but only 2500 at Heroes,, I know sellers that sell upwards of 30K some years,, i've sold at charlotte and even the 1 man team have pulled in 5k,, nobody loses at charlotte maybe not to your liking.

 

Just as in your post above, says, your not a CHARITY, nice choice of words again.. If you see the cost of living and the gas is cheaper as you state why would you expect to make the same here as compared to northern shows< my point again you feel we should grace the almighty .. And your comment as to "if i was standing in front of you"" ,, again RUDE and cocky,, but i can say you wouldnt like it.. My whole point being in my first post,, you post about your sad story at Heroes and then still want people to buy from you.. I'll give you a clue,, not all other dealers like you , maybe you overlook that.. you would think you would keep your orig post to yourself but you chose to bash the city,its people and the promoter of one of the two better shows..

 

And bless myself from NY ,thats what you said, a big ' F" me from you ,, and a stupid jab at porno mustaches ..

 

Well i chose not to say my 2 words to you,,, you are a classless act and a poor voice for the hobby ,, your the very reason this hobby is dying off,, and i hope to never been the type person you are when i grow up ..

 

Anybody who honestly has this opinion of Bob simply isn't paying attention.

 

To anything.

 

[VintageComics]

Methinks that Charlotte charm just mistakes New York City bluntness and humor as aggression.

 

The town is great, the people are interesting but some books just don't sell in Charlotte. Just like some Charlotte dealers probably wouldn't do well in NYC.

 

 

 

 

[DrWatson]

For those of you who don't want to pay those huge prices the northern big-shot dealers like Bob and Dale charge, and don't appreciate having your porno mustaches mocked by some sissy Yankee, there is a simple alternative....

 

....shop at Bedrock City.

 

We are at Heroes this weekend in booth 420 and 422. Please come shop with us. We didn't even sell $1000 of our reasonably priced, quality merchandise yesterday. For now we will blame that on our booth placement (we did decide to attend late). But if we don't see some improvement today and tomorrow then we will have to blame it on the frugal citizens of Charlotte. So come on and protect the civic reputation of North Carolina by shopping at Bedrock City in booth 420 and 422!

I bought a t-shirt for $10!

[skypinkblu]

I think you are reading Bob wrong, I'm basically a lower grade collector. He absolutely knows that, he's always been cordial, pleasant ...and I've gotten quite a few treasured books from his less than high grade boxes.

 

Of course he doesn't always bring those, but when he does, it's a treat.

 

He's not a carnival barker, but he's very pleasant...I even have a great picture of him smiling...that I'm going to find and post one day;)

 

 

[batman_fan]

I always find dealers like Bedrock, Dale, Bob, Harley, etc. always have a wide range of books at all price levels and therefore appeal to virtually all levels of collectors

[VintageComics]

...I even have a great picture of him smiling...

This can't be real.

[Dale Roberts]

Have you ever bought from me? Dale and me are overpriced for the low to mid priced buyer? Not sure I agree with that comment since I am more open to selling lower grade books than giving away high grade.

 

Overpriced? I do shows around the country, I travel to the UK. I am very aware of the markets I am selling in. I can pull up sales trends on every show I've done. I make notes on each convention so I know what to bring. I speak to promoters and some even (OMG) seek my opinion. The CEO of wizard asks me at every show how I'm doing sales wise, they are open to suggestions. Marc Nathan cares how I do at his show. So does Reed.

 

Greedy?

 

I don't appreciate the small customer?

 

3/4 of the other dealers have my inventory, that I would like to see.

 

You are lucky I'm not standing in front of you with these comments because clearly you don't know me one bit.

 

I did Charlotte for 3 years in a row and the sales trend was down year over year. Tried the show 6 years later with the same result. I run a business not a charity. I can give away books for free which is what I was doing setting up at the show after expenses.

 

As far as the South pricing goes I'll say this

Food costs are not much different

 

Taxes are lower

 

Gas is cheaper but very close in price to Jersey so that's a wash for me

 

Housing is cheaper

 

Salaries are less. If Salaries are less I'm pretty sure that affects peoples disposable incomes.

 

Comic Keys are not cheaper in Charlotte. In fact I would think that dealers in Charlotte would pass along their cheaper cost of living to me when I buy from them. I'm still waiting.

 

Bless your heart is the southern term for Go F#### yourself in NY.

 

Porno mustaches never go out of style in Charlotte either.

 

 

 

How did I get dragged into this? I am not at Philly and I am doing fine selling at Charlotte.

 

Not sure who you are, but I will be glad to try and make you a good price on something at my booth, if I am able to do so. I carry books from 9.8s down to 7.0 on Silver Age. I have never wanted to sell the low grade stuff, so yes, my stuff may be on the upper end, but that is due to the grades.

 

And for the record, last year was my best year selling ever, and this year is on pace to surpass that number.

 

And I will agree with Bob about 1 thing, you can count on one hand the number of dealers that carry the amount of high grade material that him and I carry in our inventory.

[Dale Roberts]

Have you ever bought from me? Dale and me are overpriced for the low to mid priced buyer? Not sure I agree with that comment since I am more open to selling lower grade books than giving away high grade.

 

Overpriced? I do shows around the country, I travel to the UK. I am very aware of the markets I am selling in. I can pull up sales trends on every show I've done. I make notes on each convention so I know what to bring. I speak to promoters and some even (OMG) seek my opinion. The CEO of wizard asks me at every show how I'm doing sales wise, they are open to suggestions. Marc Nathan cares how I do at his show. So does Reed.

 

Greedy?

 

I don't appreciate the small customer?

 

3/4 of the other dealers have my inventory, that I would like to see.

 

You are lucky I'm not standing in front of you with these comments because clearly you don't know me one bit.

 

I did Charlotte for 3 years in a row and the sales trend was down year over year. Tried the show 6 years later with the same result. I run a business not a charity. I can give away books for free which is what I was doing setting up at the show after expenses.

 

As far as the South pricing goes I'll say this

Food costs are not much different

 

Taxes are lower

 

Gas is cheaper but very close in price to Jersey so that's a wash for me

 

Housing is cheaper

 

Salaries are less. If Salaries are less I'm pretty sure that affects peoples disposable incomes.

 

Comic Keys are not cheaper in Charlotte. In fact I would think that dealers in Charlotte would pass along their cheaper cost of living to me when I buy from them. I'm still waiting.

 

Bless your heart is the southern term for Go F#### yourself in NY.

 

Porno mustaches never go out of style in Charlotte either.

 

 

 

Yep bought from you , but never again.. You chose to degrade and trash the city of Charlotte and its people along with Shelton and the Heroes show.. You always come off as rude... point proven again in your last post above.. You act as if we should get on a knee and bow to you that you have to our area and the Heroes show... Well your NOT GOD, again maybe why you come off as rude at shows and with no personality, you act as if we should pay your house payments,pay the car and vacation trips.. I said you priced yourself out of the lower market, the kids with only a few bucks to spend, the early 20's buyers with limited funds.. I never was talking about HIGH grade books,, but its clear your ebay store is high priced along with the show prices.. dont blame Charlotte for you having to rent a van,stay in a nice hotel,eat good food and then not sale but only 2500 at Heroes,, I know sellers that sell upwards of 30K some years,, i've sold at charlotte and even the 1 man team have pulled in 5k,, nobody loses at charlotte maybe not to your liking.

 

Just as in your post above, says, your not a CHARITY, nice choice of words again.. If you see the cost of living and the gas is cheaper as you state why would you expect to make the same here as compared to northern shows< my point again you feel we should grace the almighty .. And your comment as to "if i was standing in front of you"" ,, again RUDE and cocky,, but i can say you wouldnt like it.. My whole point being in my first post,, you post about your sad story at Heroes and then still want people to buy from you.. I'll give you a clue,, not all other dealers like you , maybe you overlook that.. you would think you would keep your orig post to yourself but you chose to bash the city,its people and the promoter of one of the two better shows..

 

And bless myself from NY ,thats what you said, a big ' F" me from you ,, and a stupid jab at porno mustaches ..

 

Well i chose not to say my 2 words to you,,, you are a classless act and a poor voice for the hobby ,, your the very reason this hobby is dying off,, and i hope to never been the type person you are when i grow up ..

 

I've never had a dealer -- any dealer, tell me they enjoyed Charlotte to sell to people. As a buying show, several have mentioned that they think there is plenty to make money and score from the folks, but selling to the public, most will tell you it's a mediocre show for sales. That's just the way it is, so their expectations are adjusted.

 

Things were off to a slow start in Philly, but today they picked up with sales to the public. I'd love to hear from dealers in Charlotte saying they did gangbusters in selling to the public, but whether you want to hear this or not, it is not a well thought of area for comic sales.

 

Of course, one of the issues is that the artist lineup is strong and a good deal of the money does go there.

 

I do great at Charlotte. Almost every year I do gang busters, or at least pretty close. It is one of my favorite shows in the country. I have not missed a Heroes Con since 1995 and won't miss one in the future if I am physically able (prayers for a speedy and complete recovery Bob).

[skypinkblu]

...I even have a great picture of him smiling...

This can't be real.

 

He and Moondog had their arms around each other...as a matter of fact, you were at that very show.

 

I posted it somewhere;) it's off my phone though.

[VintageComics]

...I even have a great picture of him smiling...

This can't be real.

 

He and Moondog had their arms around each other...as a matter of fact, you were at that very show.

 

I posted it somewhere;) it's off my phone though.

 

Oh, I've seen Bob smile. I'm just trying to keep the myth going that he doesn't.