Comic Con sellers seem to be in the wrong business. SMH

[loadstone]

I feel that convention promoters should only charge dealers $100-500. The brunt of the cost should come from fans. If a show is charging $1k-5k for dealer tables then the con should be free for all fans. Double dipping is severely cutting into the buying power.

 

As a buyer I want to pay at least 10% profit on moderns and keys to the dealer. However, if the dealer has only a 2-5% margin which is usually the case on GA/SA keys, I'll pay that + 5%. But if the dealer over paid or wants 15% over fmv I'm not interested.

 

Unfortunately a dealer won't advertise what they paid so a buyer must default to a 20% discount offer assuming the dealer marks up everything by 20%.

 

I know the fmv of any book I hunt for. When I find it I will try to negotiate down to 10% below fmv. If the dealer won't at least meet me at fmv, I walk. The dealer doesnt have to go 10% below but if he does, I'm buying more from them. If it's just fmv, then I'm one and done. Ive spent thousands at a couple dealers booths when they've gone 5-10% below fmv. I only assume they had the margin to allow that.

[CKB]

Hey this turned out to be a great thread. Thanks to Bob and the other dealers who contributed. Shockingly, I don't have much to add.

 

I can't say I miss doing everything it took to be a comic show dealer, but I sure do miss selling books at shows. I just want to show up and sell stuff and go home and not think about it until the next con. Wouldn't that be nice?

 

[G.A.tor]

I feel that convention promoters should only charge dealers $100-500. The brunt of the cost should come from fans. If a show is charging $1k-5k for dealer tables then the con should be free for all fans. Double dipping is severely cutting into the buying power.

 

As a buyer I want to pay at least 10% profit on moderns and keys to the dealer. However, if the dealer has only a 2-5% margin which is usually the case on GA/SA keys, I'll pay that + 5%. But if the dealer over paid or wants 15% over fmv I'm not interested.

 

Unfortunately a dealer won't advertise what they paid so a buyer must default to a 20% discount offer assuming the dealer marks up everything by 20%.

 

I know the fmv of any book I hunt for. When I find it I will try to negotiate down to 10% below fmv. If the dealer won't at least meet me at fmv, I walk. The dealer doesnt have to go 10% below but if he does, I'm buying more from them. If it's just fmv, then I'm one and done. Ive spent thousands at a couple dealers booths when they've gone 5-10% below fmv. I only assume they had the margin to allow that.

 

I myself try to buy books at 10% or so below fmv so that I can offer at fmv (just keys, mind you)

 

I appreciate when folks want to buy a book from me and offer 20% below my asking. I can only politely decline. In many cases a buyer can go right to gpa and see what I paid for a book. It's not a dirty secret to me, it's generally readily available info

[1Cool]

I feel that convention promoters should only charge dealers $100-500. The brunt of the cost should come from fans. If a show is charging $1k-5k for dealer tables then the con should be free for all fans. Double dipping is severely cutting into the buying power.

 

As a buyer I want to pay at least 10% profit on moderns and keys to the dealer. However, if the dealer has only a 2-5% margin which is usually the case on GA/SA keys, I'll pay that + 5%. But if the dealer over paid or wants 15% over fmv I'm not interested.

 

Unfortunately a dealer won't advertise what they paid so a buyer must default to a 20% discount offer assuming the dealer marks up everything by 20%.

 

I know the fmv of any book I hunt for. When I find it I will try to negotiate down to 10% below fmv. If the dealer won't at least meet me at fmv, I walk. The dealer doesnt have to go 10% below but if he does, I'm buying more from them. If it's just fmv, then I'm one and done. Ive spent thousands at a couple dealers booths when they've gone 5-10% below fmv. I only assume they had the margin to allow that.

 

I myself try to buy books at 10% or so below fmv so that I can offer at fmv (just keys, mind you)

 

I appreciate when folks want to buy a book from me and offer 20% below my asking. I can only politely decline. In many cases a buyer can go right to gpa and see what I paid for a book. It's not a dirty secret to me, it's generally readily available info

 

Now I know where all the money in the room goes to! Using that math and the expenses you said you had you would have to bring in $50K - $100K before breaking even ($5-$10K in expenses). You obviously have the stock to bring in that kind of cash (and much more) but I can't even get my head around that kind of money in a weekend.

[1Cool]

Can anyone explain the concept of having big ticket books as eye candy in a booth? I can understand having books like IH 181 CGC 9.2 or Hulk 1 CGC 4.0 in a booth if you think you can sell it but the concept of having those type of books to bring in the casual buyers escapes me (and even more confusing is it seems to work).

 

The vast majority of buyers at even big Cons don't have a desire to buy a book in that caliber but they flock to see the books . . why? I don't go to a Porsche dealership to drool at cars and while looking I grab a Honda Civic since I happen to be there. If anything I tend to avoid booths with the ultra high end books since I assume their prices are higher then the guys with mid range books since those are the books I want to buy.

[VintageComics]

The problem is, most people who buy premium books would know to go directly to the source. As a reseller, I'll have to wait for my Hulk#181's to appreciate enough so that I can afford to offer it up at a more attractive price. Not to mention, lots of sellers but simply not enough buyers to accommodate all the vendors at the show.

 

Fan Expo is the type of show many vintage buyers avoid. Like San Diego and some other large shows like Megacon, it's getting harder to get in, the non comic book stuff drowns out the comic book dealers compared to previous years and there is less over all vintage material so the average buyer just goes elsewhere if they have a choice.

 

I live just outside Toronto and decided to go to Baltimore that weekend instead for a much deeper comic book inventory at that show.

 

Don't get me wrong, San Diego as a destination city (or Fan Expo if you live around Toronto) are worth visiting but there are better ways to get bang for your buck if you're on a budget and looking for vintage books.

 

[VintageComics]

Can anyone explain the concept of having big ticket books as eye candy in a booth? I can understand having books like IH 181 CGC 9.2 or Hulk 1 CGC 4.0 in a booth if you think you can sell it but the concept of having those type of books to bring in the casual buyers escapes me (and even more confusing is it seems to work).

 

The vast majority of buyers at even big Cons don't have a desire to buy a book in that caliber but they flock to see the books . . why? I don't go to a Porsche dealership to drool at cars and while looking I grab a Honda Civic since I happen to be there. If anything I tend to avoid booths with the ultra high end books since I assume their prices are higher then the guys with mid range books since those are the books I want to buy.

 

Your post doesn't make sense. Nobody would go to a Porsche dealership looking to pick up a Honda. They'd go looking for a Porsche.

 

The people bringing big books to shows are not lugging around inventory and putting it at risk of theft or loss just to have eye candy. They are obviously bringing their wares to show them to potentially sell them.

[1Cool]

Can anyone explain the concept of having big ticket books as eye candy in a booth? I can understand having books like IH 181 CGC 9.2 or Hulk 1 CGC 4.0 in a booth if you think you can sell it but the concept of having those type of books to bring in the casual buyers escapes me (and even more confusing is it seems to work).

 

The vast majority of buyers at even big Cons don't have a desire to buy a book in that caliber but they flock to see the books . . why? I don't go to a Porsche dealership to drool at cars and while looking I grab a Honda Civic since I happen to be there. If anything I tend to avoid booths with the ultra high end books since I assume their prices are higher then the guys with mid range books since those are the books I want to buy.

 

Your post doesn't make sense. Nobody would go to a Porsche dealership looking to pick up a Honda. They'd go looking for a Porsche.

 

The people bringing big books to shows are lugging around inventory and putting it risk of theft or loss just to have eye candy. They are obviously bringing their wares to show them and potentially sell them.

 

I've heard many times where people said they put high end books on their wall to attract buyers and then say they don't really expect to sell any of them. They are all for show. And I do believe I've heard multiple people say the eye candy helped bring in the buyers even though none of the buyers actually bought any of the eye candy books.

[1Cool]

Can anyone explain the concept of having big ticket books as eye candy in a booth? I can understand having books like IH 181 CGC 9.2 or Hulk 1 CGC 4.0 in a booth if you think you can sell it but the concept of having those type of books to bring in the casual buyers escapes me (and even more confusing is it seems to work).

 

The vast majority of buyers at even big Cons don't have a desire to buy a book in that caliber but they flock to see the books . . why? I don't go to a Porsche dealership to drool at cars and while looking I grab a Honda Civic since I happen to be there. If anything I tend to avoid booths with the ultra high end books since I assume their prices are higher then the guys with mid range books since those are the books I want to buy.

 

Your post doesn't make sense. Nobody would go to a Porsche dealership looking to pick up a Honda. They'd go looking for a Porsche.

 

The people bringing big books to shows are not lugging around inventory and putting it at risk of theft or loss just to have eye candy. They are obviously bringing their wares to show them to potentially sell them.

 

So people put high end books up for people to come look at kind of like I'd go out of my way to drool at a Porshe in a showroom. Based on what I've heard people don't buy the high end books (Porshe) but then grab some of the sellers lesser books (Civic) while they are there. Came in to see the Porshe but left with a Civic. Maybe I'm not much of a impulse buyer but it's not how I typically buy books or cars.

[october]

However, if the dealer has only a 2-5% margin which is usually the case on GA/SA keys

 

2-5% is a razor thin margin, even for keys. I don't know any dealers shelling out $10,000 with the expectation that they will net two or three hundred.

 

If they are out there, PM me. Happy to accomodate!

[Dale Roberts]

However, if the dealer has only a 2-5% margin which is usually the case on GA/SA keys

 

2-5% is a razor thin margin, even for keys. I don't know any dealers shelling out $10,000 with the expectation that they will net two or three hundred.

 

If they are out there, PM me. Happy to accomodate!

 

Yeah, me too. I will sell them all my keys.

[Artboy99]

Can anyone explain the concept of having big ticket books as eye candy in a booth? I can understand having books like IH 181 CGC 9.2 or Hulk 1 CGC 4.0 in a booth if you think you can sell it but the concept of having those type of books to bring in the casual buyers escapes me (and even more confusing is it seems to work).

 

The vast majority of buyers at even big Cons don't have a desire to buy a book in that caliber but they flock to see the books . . why? I don't go to a Porsche dealership to drool at cars and while looking I grab a Honda Civic since I happen to be there. If anything I tend to avoid booths with the ultra high end books since I assume their prices are higher then the guys with mid range books since those are the books I want to buy.

 

Your post doesn't make sense. Nobody would go to a Porsche dealership looking to pick up a Honda. They'd go looking for a Porsche.

 

The people bringing big books to shows are lugging around inventory and putting it risk of theft or loss just to have eye candy. They are obviously bringing their wares to show them and potentially sell them.

 

I've heard many times where people said they put high end books on their wall to attract buyers and then say they don't really expect to sell any of them. They are all for show. And I do believe I've heard multiple people say the eye candy helped bring in the buyers even though none of the buyers actually bought any of the eye candy books.

 

Having a nice wall of great stuff = you are a dealer that has a lot to offer.

It means you have the connections to get a book for your buyer.

 

And there are comic buyers out there that have never seen a Hulk #1 in person, and they are attracted to your booth to see it, then they buy something else.

 

And lastly, anything I bring to a show is for sale if the buyer is willing to pay the price. I have sold Hulk #1, AF 15, ToS 39, and others at comic shows, so obviously there are buyers for those books as well.

[Fan Boy]

I found that the $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 books were selling pretty good but I don't think that we sold a book over $400. We had quite a Few Slabbed books on our Back wall and I think we sold 2. I had some Slabs priced right at GPA and Others 10% over just for haggling purposes.

 

One thing that we were constantly hearing on the Last day of the show was "Chit! I didn't see you guys till now" or "I've never heard of you guys before" We had a one guy tell us that after seeing our books and prices he was immediately feeling buyers remorse from the purchases he just made 15 mins prior

 

I think the main thing that hurt us in making sales on Big Books was the fact that it was our first show and no one knew to even look for us. I guess the more shows we do the more people will get to know us, plain and simple.

 

What you say is true for many vendors like me and others here when I started set up a table 2 years ago with my buddy. Our first time was not bad and many people asked us if we are new or if we owned a store somewhere? Our profits was small. Sold a LOT of $1.00, $2.00 books at this time.

 

Now after 2 years since, we have moved up slowly with better selection and a new wall rack. We get a few returning clients. Many tell us that we give good reasonable prices, grades good, and have some wiggle room on bigger books. Seems they like what we are doing, we must be doing something right.

 

There is one I want ask you about. What about the pre-opening of con shows when only vendors/dealers are checking other tables to seek good deals? Among dealers, we have an unwritten code that a dealer should sell below FMV to allow room for a dealer to make money. Most wants ...let's say, 25%,30% or more?

 

How does the dealer handle this deal without losing money after spending $$ on a book to flip? Use an example ... let say I'd buy a ASM 50 VF 8.5 white pages for $250, half of guide value. Put it on wall rack and mark up at FMV. At a con pre-opening, another dealer spot it and wants offer $300-350 for this book. What do the selling dealer do about that? I am curious about how other dealers do themselves?

[blazingbob]

Who are you talking to?

 

If I wanted "Museum Pieces" I would charge admission for viewing.

[FineCollector]

Can anyone explain the concept of having big ticket books as eye candy in a booth? I can understand having books like IH 181 CGC 9.2 or Hulk 1 CGC 4.0 in a booth if you think you can sell it but the concept of having those type of books to bring in the casual buyers escapes me (and even more confusing is it seems to work).

 

The vast majority of buyers at even big Cons don't have a desire to buy a book in that caliber but they flock to see the books . . why? I don't go to a Porsche dealership to drool at cars and while looking I grab a Honda Civic since I happen to be there. If anything I tend to avoid booths with the ultra high end books since I assume their prices are higher then the guys with mid range books since those are the books I want to buy.

 

Your post doesn't make sense. Nobody would go to a Porsche dealership looking to pick up a Honda. They'd go looking for a Porsche.

 

The people bringing big books to shows are lugging around inventory and putting it risk of theft or loss just to have eye candy. They are obviously bringing their wares to show them and potentially sell them.

 

Remember where 1Cool is coming from. From what I've read, his customers are budget-minded, they're not looking for high grade GA. They're buying Deadpools, Harley Quinns, and minor keys, so they only ever see Hulk 181s at a show.

 

Why else do people have wall books, other than to advertise their booth and attract potential buyers? Flashing some big books tells the general buying public that you're a player. If your wall books are non-key Spideys, Catwoman 1 and a VF copy of X-Men 266, some will ignore the booth, and others will come looking to pick the bones at a deep discount.

 

This is why I don't understand dealers selling keys at 10% off to other dealers before the show. The buyer has all the books that bring the people want to see, and the seller has to sell the scraps in his bare booth. Yes, you've made your money on those books, but you've lost the opportunity to move some lesser books along with those keys (and use the lesser books as a discount, essentially selling the key at full price).

[1Cool]

I found that the $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 books were selling pretty good but I don't think that we sold a book over $400. We had quite a Few Slabbed books on our Back wall and I think we sold 2. I had some Slabs priced right at GPA and Others 10% over just for haggling purposes.

 

One thing that we were constantly hearing on the Last day of the show was "Chit! I didn't see you guys till now" or "I've never heard of you guys before" We had a one guy tell us that after seeing our books and prices he was immediately feeling buyers remorse from the purchases he just made 15 mins prior

 

I think the main thing that hurt us in making sales on Big Books was the fact that it was our first show and no one knew to even look for us. I guess the more shows we do the more people will get to know us, plain and simple.

 

What you say is true for many vendors like me and others here when I started set up a table 2 years ago with my buddy. Our first time was not bad and many people asked us if we are new or if we owned a store somewhere? Our profits was small. Sold a LOT of $1.00, $2.00 books at this time.

 

Now after 2 years since, we have moved up slowly with better selection and a new wall rack. We get a few returning clients. Many tell us that we give good reasonable prices, grades good, and have some wiggle room on bigger books. Seems they like what we are doing, we must be doing something right.

 

There is one I want ask you about. What about the pre-opening of con shows when only vendors/dealers are checking other tables to seek good deals? Among dealers, we have an unwritten code that a dealer should sell below FMV to allow room for a dealer to make money. Most wants ...let's say, 25%,30% or more?

 

How does the dealer handle this deal without losing money after spending $$ on a book to flip? Use an example ... let say I'd buy a ASM 50 VF 8.5 white pages for $250, half of guide value. Put it on wall rack and mark up at FMV. At a con pre-opening, another dealer spot it and wants offer $300-350 for this book. What do the selling dealer do about that? I am curious about how other dealers do themselves?

 

Don't sell it - get it graded and if it comes back a 8.5 you have a $1,000 book. 8.0 is still a $850 book. Has to be a 7.0 before you break even by getting it graded.

[blazingbob]

"Put it on wall rack and mark up at FMV. At a con pre-opening, another dealer spot it and wants offer $300-350 for this book. What do the selling dealer do about that? I am curious about how other dealers do themselves?"

 

Sell it for $350 and make $100. 40% for doing nothing is pretty good and that dealer might have something I want. Like I will never see another AS #50 VF+. If he doesn't reciprocate then that will probably be the last time he sees me. And not to be a blowhard but I think other dealers like my checks.

[blazingbob]

Don't sell it - get it graded and if it comes back a 8.5 you have a $1,000 book. 8.0 is still a $850 book. Has to be a 7.0 before you break even by getting it graded.

 

While you are dealing in specifics I think the poster is using AS #50 VF 8.5 as a example. VF/8.5? Hmm, I believe he meant VF+/8.5.

 

Thankfully you are not my business advisor.

[1Cool]

Who are you talking to?

 

If I wanted "Museum Pieces" I would charge admission for viewing.

 

Nobody specifically - more generality in nature. I've heard it mentioned numerous times over the years but to be specific VGer7 said in his Con write up he noticed more people flocked to his booth when he brought in the higher end slabs as eye candy. It sounds like he sold a couple but most were there casual buyer's viewing pleasure.

[1Cool]

I found that the $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 books were selling pretty good but I don't think that we sold a book over $400. We had quite a Few Slabbed books on our Back wall and I think we sold 2. I had some Slabs priced right at GPA and Others 10% over just for haggling purposes.

 

One thing that we were constantly hearing on the Last day of the show was "Chit! I didn't see you guys till now" or "I've never heard of you guys before" We had a one guy tell us that after seeing our books and prices he was immediately feeling buyers remorse from the purchases he just made 15 mins prior

 

I think the main thing that hurt us in making sales on Big Books was the fact that it was our first show and no one knew to even look for us. I guess the more shows we do the more people will get to know us, plain and simple.

 

What you say is true for many vendors like me and others here when I started set up a table 2 years ago with my buddy. Our first time was not bad and many people asked us if we are new or if we owned a store somewhere? Our profits was small. Sold a LOT of $1.00, $2.00 books at this time.

 

Now after 2 years since, we have moved up slowly with better selection and a new wall rack. We get a few returning clients. Many tell us that we give good reasonable prices, grades good, and have some wiggle room on bigger books. Seems they like what we are doing, we must be doing something right.

 

There is one I want ask you about. What about the pre-opening of con shows when only vendors/dealers are checking other tables to seek good deals? Among dealers, we have an unwritten code that a dealer should sell below FMV to allow room for a dealer to make money. Most wants ...let's say, 25%,30% or more?

 

How does the dealer handle this deal without losing money after spending $$ on a book to flip? Use an example ... let say I'd buy a ASM 50 VF 8.5 white pages for $250, half of guide value. Put it on wall rack and mark up at FMV. At a con pre-opening, another dealer spot it and wants offer $300-350 for this book. What do the selling dealer do about that? I am curious about how other dealers do themselves?

 

Forgetting about the grading option - it would have to depend on how well I knew the other dealer. If it was a guy like Robert on the boards (or others) who always gives me a great deal I'd let him have it for $350 since I made money and we have a good relationship. If it was a guy I see at a few Cons and he will probably have it on his wall for $450 10 minutes after I sell it to him I'll probably say no. I don't see Spiderman 50 VF+s at half guide ever so why leave that much meat on the bone if I probably will not see another anytime soon.