Chuck explains his Mile High pricing

[VintageComics]

If you're dumb enough to pay Chuck's prices, you must have stolen whatever money you have because dumb people are always broke. So what Chuck is doing is taking back stolen money that would have been spent on drugs, and gluten-free brownies, and power-bracelets.

 

Imma get you a fedora for that one.

 

It was very eloquent.

 

 

[VintageComics]

Which used car dealer is important to the hobby of owning classic cars?

 

None of them. They're car dealers. They didn't manufacture the cars, they didn't preserve the cars, they didn't restore the cars. They bought low and sold high. None of it matters.

 

Used cars are not a hobby, but I bet if you knew enough about auto collecting you could make a case for certain individuals who made certain cars popular...like race car drivers who put certain models into the spotlight, even though they had nothing to do with their creation.

Wayne Carini is the guru of classic cars.

 

 

 

He has put collecting classic cars back in the spotlight.

 

 

 

No one thinks of him as a used car dealer. They think of him as a classic car historian.

 

What I disagree with about Dupont's assertion is that if someone is a dealer it disqualifies them from being influential in the hobby. In fact, the main reason many people become dealers is because of the passion they have for the art form they are involved with, whether it's classic cars, comics or anything else.

 

And many dealers are also collectors. In fact, I'd venture to say that most are.

 

I know Ludwig Heimrath was a collector as well as a dealer and a race car driver when I worked for him at Heimrath Porsche. I think the same holds true for most comic dealers.

 

 

[BarryAllen]

Which used car dealer is important to the hobby of owning classic cars?

 

None of them. They're car dealers. They didn't manufacture the cars, they didn't preserve the cars, they didn't restore the cars. They bought low and sold high. None of it matters.

 

Used cars are not a hobby, but I bet if you knew enough about auto collecting you could make a case for certain individuals who made certain cars popular...like race car drivers who put certain models into the spotlight, even though they had nothing to do with their creation.

Wayne Carini is the guru of classic cars.

 

 

 

He has put collecting classic cars back in the spotlight.

 

 

 

No one thinks of him as a used car dealer. They think of him as a classic car historian.

 

What I disagree with about Dupont's assertion is that if someone is a dealer it disqualifies them from being influential in the hobby. In fact, the main reason many people become dealers is because of the passion they have for the art form they are involved with, whether it's classic cars, comics or anything else.

 

And many dealers are also collectors. In fact, I'd venture to say that most are.

 

I know Ludwig Heimrath was a collector as well as a dealer and a race car driver when I worked for him at Heimrath Porsche. I think the same holds true for most comic dealers.

 

 

No question that a dealer can have influence over a hobby.

 

The question I think is more pertinent: is Chuck's influence currently a positive one?

 

Bringing a pedigree collection to market (and selling to his large gain) is one thing; the way he runs, markets, acquires new shoppers and drives his business model is another.

 

Do you think Chuck is positively impacting the hobby at current?

[VintageComics]

 

No question that a dealer can have influence over a hobby.

 

The question I think is more pertinent: is Chuck's influence currently a positive one?

 

Bringing a pedigree collection to market (and selling to his large gain) is one thing; the way he runs, markets, acquires new shoppers and drives his business model is another.

 

Do you think Chuck is positively impacting the hobby at current?

 

I saw those questions coming as I typed up my post.

 

Just putting aside the act of finding the greatest comic book hoard in the history of the hobby, and following through with bringing the entire hoard to market, my understanding is that Chuck has had an impact on the hobby after the find.

 

He had double page ads in the 1980's when everyone else was using stamp sized classified ads to sell back issue comics. He thought bigger than anyone else. I was a teenager in the 80's and remember drooling over the ads of back issues when everyone else wanted you to mail away for a catalog.

 

He's had a steady con presence both as a buyer and a seller for 4 decades. Not too many people can say that.

 

His stores in Colorado are legendary - people literally talk about them not only on here (there is a Chuck thread nearly every month, it seems) but also all over the internet, for better or for worse.

 

Remember, nothing happens in a vacuum. You can't accurately calculate how much influence a single person has (or has not) had on a system but Chuck is generally recognized as a mover and a shaker over the last 40 years.

 

I'm not going to say he is as important as Stan Lee or Pop Hollinger but I'm also not going to say he was entirely insignificant. The answer is that he has had some influence on the growth of the hobby as a whole and growth is positive.

[botolo]

I may have missed some replies and I am not sure whether other users have posted the link to the brand new video from Chuck:

 

 

I love the guy even more. To me, he feels like a crazy passionate guy about comics as a medium and comics as entertainment. Also, that store looks amazing. And those metal shelves...fantastic!

 

Go Chuck! I personally prefer to buy comics at a premium price and know that I am supporting such an incredible physical store and such a passionate guy.

[Chip Cataldo]

I personally prefer to buy comics at a premium price...

You're kidding, right? Are you saying you like getting fleeced?

[VintageComics]

I personally prefer to buy comics at a premium price...

You're kidding, right? Are you saying you like getting fleeced?

 

I think what he's saying is that he is OK at paying a little more to get what he wants and to support someone who he believes in.

 

I do the same. I pay a little more to buy something from my LCS (who treats me like family) to support them rather than cheap out and buy it on Amazon or eBay from someone who doesn't give a hoot about me personally.

 

And I do the same with meals as well. I'd rather pay a few buck extra for a nice, handmade meal than cheap out and get a cookie cutter meal made on an assembly line.

[botolo]

I personally prefer to buy comics at a premium price...

You're kidding, right? Are you saying you like getting fleeced?

 

I collect comics mainly for reading. I am not interested in speculating and I am not interested in selling them back. Also, I am not currently focusing on pricey comics. Having said that, most of the comics I am interested into are usually lower than $15/20. Let's say I want to buy some comic books and I find them on eBay at $8 and on MHC at $10, I may choose to buy it at MHC for different reasons:

 

- I would prefer to place one order with one single vendor, instead of placing several orders with different vendors;

 

- I would trust MHC's grading more than a random eBay user. I read here that MHC's grading is not always accurate, but in my experience with them I was never disappointed;

 

- I would save some money on shipping, given that MHC gives you free shipping for orders over $40;

 

- I would get some freebies. For example, right now you can reserve a FCBD comic book for each $10 you spend;

 

- I would enjoy the idea that those $2 more per comic book contribute to the vision of Chuck with his Jason St. megastore and his passion for comics.

 

These are some of the reasons. But, of course, if I need to invest more than a thousand dollars in one single comic book, the above would not apply and I would carefully seek the best deal.

 

[Mmehdy]

VIDEO #5 is here.

 

BARNEY BEAR IS HERE....its the thing that gets me UP in the morning...you have to see the U-tube video.....

 

and here is another classic...I had to "buy the building" there were not gonna rent it....I had to buy it.....to keep this going...you must pay a premium (1000 for a 20 buck book- editorial )....we pay 50 cents for Barney and sell it for two dollars.....nobody else carries these books.....

 

This is getting better and better....chuck gets it up for barney, and the building is the only property available in the United States.....

 

This is great entertainment and don't forget he sent overstreet 2000 pages of info...and they ignored it...call me crazy (ok)-. I want "everything"

[botolo]

 

VIDEO #5 is here.

 

BARNEY BEAR IS HERE....its the thing that gets me UP in the morning...you have to see the U-tube video.....

 

and here is another classic...I had to "buy the building" there were not gonna rent it....I had to buy it.....to keep this going...you must pay (1000 for a 20 buck book)....we pay 50 cents for Barney and sell it for two dollars.....

 

This is getting better and better....chuck gets it up for barney, and the building is the only property available in the United States.....

 

eheh it's interesting to see how bias is everything. You Chuck-non-lovers see these things on the side you have described. The Chuck-lovers see it on the opposite side. The Barney Bear thing makes me smile and think "WOW, this guy loves comics more than I do". The building thing makes me think "Good choice to keep MHC alive and well, I should contribute to this".

 

The beauty of human beings is their diversity, also in the way they think. I welcome your point of view.

[Mmehdy]

 

VIDEO #5 is here.

 

BARNEY BEAR IS HERE....its the thing that gets me UP in the morning...you have to see the U-tube video.....

 

and here is another classic...I had to "buy the building" there were not gonna rent it....I had to buy it.....to keep this going...you must pay (1000 for a 20 buck book)....we pay 50 cents for Barney and sell it for two dollars.....

 

This is getting better and better....chuck gets it up for barney, and the building is the only property available in the United States.....

 

eheh it's interesting to see how bias is everything. You Chuck-non-lovers see these things on the side you have described. The Chuck-lovers see it on the opposite side. The Barney Bear thing makes me smile and think "WOW, this guy loves comics more than I do". The building thing makes me think "Good choice to keep MHC alive and well, I should contribute to this".

 

The beauty of human beings is their diversity, also in the way they think. I welcome your point of view.

 

Be honest with me..Barney Bear does not get you "UP" in the morning.....I hope

[VintageComics]

 

VIDEO #5 is here.

 

BARNEY BEAR IS HERE....its the thing that gets me UP in the morning...you have to see the U-tube video.....

 

and here is another classic...I had to "buy the building" there were not gonna rent it....I had to buy it.....to keep this going...you must pay (1000 for a 20 buck book)....we pay 50 cents for Barney and sell it for two dollars.....

 

This is getting better and better....chuck gets it up for barney, and the building is the only property available in the United States.....

 

eheh it's interesting to see how bias is everything. You Chuck-non-lovers see these things on the side you have described. The Chuck-lovers see it on the opposite side. The Barney Bear thing makes me smile and think "WOW, this guy loves comics more than I do". The building thing makes me think "Good choice to keep MHC alive and well, I should contribute to this".

 

The beauty of human beings is their diversity, also in the way they think. I welcome your point of view.

 

Be honest with me..Barney Bear does not get you "UP" in the morning.....I hope

 

You mean not everyone does a MANNUP for Barney?

[Mmehdy]

The thought occurred to me... Who does chuck think he is talking too... I had to buy the building because they would not rent it to me for any price .. It was the only where house on the planet earth that was available... Oh that's right he is talking to people he is buying from him.....and paying his special wherehouse prices.... That's right

 

 

 

[Timmay]

The thought occurred to me... Who does chuck think he is talking too... I had to buy the building because they would not rent it to me for any price .. It was the only where house on the planet earth that was available... Oh that's right he is talking to people he is buying from him.....and paying his special wherehouse prices.... That's right

 

 

 

It was probably the only location ware Chuck wanted his wherehouse to be.

[jaybuck43]

Also, there is no way Chuck is selling Barney for $2.00. It's not a swipe at chuck but rather a reality of doing business. It needs someone to check it, grade it, inventory it, bag and board it, and price it. Maybe 10 minutes worth of work? Depends on how easy to use their inventory system is. But lets say 10 minutes. Assuming Chuck is paying only minimum wage to his worker, that is $8.23 in CO. So 1/6th of that is $1.37. Add in the acquisition cost, Chuck said his wife paid $0.50 for it, and the bag and board (lets call that $0.05 since I'm sure Chuck gets a great discount on those) and you are at $1.92. So that means if Chuck sold it for $2.00, he makes a grand total of 8 cents on the deal. That 8 cents has to go to pay for the following items Rent (property tax in his case) on the store/Storage location, Electricity for same, HVAC for same, and finally the cost of staff. That is a lot to cover for that 8 cents. O and don't forget, Chucks profit. So either 1) That book is going to be priced much higher 2) Chuck paid much less to acquire (maybe a nickel a book sounds more likely to me) 3) Chuck is violating State law and paying his workers less than minimum wage (unlikely and highly doubt it)

[Bookery]

 

There house.

 

 

[COI]

The thought occurred to me... Who does chuck think he is talking too... I had to buy the building because they would not rent it to me for any price .. It was the only where house on the planet earth that was available... Oh that's right he is talking to people he is buying from him.....and paying his special wherehouse prices.... That's right

 

 

 

Where else could he where house is his is Mile High 2 wherehouse find? Where houses located where houses are are too expensive to house his wares, so that was the where house where he choosed to wherehouse his wares. He needed that whorehouse.

[BarryAllen]

Also, there is no way Chuck is selling Barney for $2.00. It's not a swipe at chuck but rather a reality of doing business. It needs someone to check it, grade it, inventory it, bag and board it, and price it. Maybe 10 minutes worth of work? Depends on how easy to use their inventory system is. But lets say 10 minutes. Assuming Chuck is paying only minimum wage to his worker, that is $8.23 in CO. So 1/6th of that is $1.37. Add in the acquisition cost, Chuck said his wife paid $0.50 for it, and the bag and board (lets call that $0.05 since I'm sure Chuck gets a great discount on those) and you are at $1.92. So that means if Chuck sold it for $2.00, he makes a grand total of 8 cents on the deal. That 8 cents has to go to pay for the following items Rent (property tax in his case) on the store/Storage location, Electricity for same, HVAC for same, and finally the cost of staff. That is a lot to cover for that 8 cents. O and don't forget, Chucks profit. So either 1) That book is going to be priced much higher 2) Chuck paid much less to acquire (maybe a nickel a book sounds more likely to me) 3) Chuck is violating State law and paying his workers less than minimum wage (unlikely and highly doubt it)

 

Thanks for doing the math, but I don't think it was entirely necessary. It is fairly obvious he has huge overheads. The issue on the table is that he has created a monolith of a store that he is now using to "justify" his pricing. A store that is only open on weekends and at best an extremely expensive warehouse largely filled with drek marketed as some grand ambition to acquire all comics to offer them for sale...

 

Did I mention his customer service and staff grading are deplorable.

 

So why shouldn't we criticize him for creating something that needlessly inflates his prices? Why shouldn't we criticize him for using marketing tactics in an effort to take advantage of those who don't know better? Why shouldn't we be critical of a business model is built around feeding his enormous ego and not around his supposed goal of "offering comics to the masses?"

 

If others can buy his BS on video and foam at the mouth at the opportunity to give him their money to sustain a vision no one asked for, why can't we do the opposite?

 

PS - this statement isn't aimed at you JayBuck, but the thread as a whole.

[VintageComics]

The thought occurred to me... Who does chuck think he is talking too... I had to buy the building because they would not rent it to me for any price .. It was the only where house on the planet earth that was available... Oh that's right he is talking to people he is buying from him.....and paying his special wherehouse prices.... That's right

 

 

 

Where else could he where house is his is Mile High 2 wherehouse find? Where houses located where houses are are too expensive to house his wares, so that was the where house where he choosed to wherehouse his wares. He needed that whorehouse.

 

Your wherehouse has a whore in it.

[shadroch]

Bewear, Beware. Bewhere of the big green dragon that sits on your doorstep.

He eats little boys, puppy dog tails and big fat snails

Bewear.