How to Start Selling Raw Comics 0

[Tafkap]

For the past 6 months or so I've been selling CGC books on Ebay. 

Sorting through all my comics today I realize that the vast majority are not going to be worth a trip to CGC but there's still stuff there.

So how does one sell raw books on Ebay (or here?)

Do you find that you need to offer returns?  I notice some people on Ebay don't offer returns on raw books? 

Is it better not to give a grade?  Or just always give a lower grade?

What's the most cost effective way to make sure that books get safely to the customers?

What's the best way to pack the comics?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Doctor Dositheus]

Sell them in small lots with a relevant "sweetener" in each lot to help move the drek.

[csaag]

Plenty of YouTube videos on packing comics  showing how to make a "brick"

Many listings of drek lots offer Media Mail, which gives you the cheapest shipping, but allows the Post Office to open them up for inspection and send them back to you as ineligible.   Your other options are 1st class (13 oz)  or Priority.   I sometimes use Pirate Ship which offers cubic Priority mai prices

EbayBuyers can return items regardless of your policy. 

[theCapraAegagrus]

6 hours ago, Tafkap said:

For the past 6 months or so I've been selling CGC books on Ebay. 

Sorting through all my comics today I realize that the vast majority are not going to be worth a trip to CGC but there's still stuff there.

So how does one sell raw books on Ebay (or here?)

Do you find that you need to offer returns?  I notice some people on Ebay don't offer returns on raw books? 

Is it better not to give a grade?  Or just always give a lower grade?

What's the most cost effective way to make sure that books get safely to the customers?

What's the best way to pack the comics?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I can't really answer which market would be best for you, but I'll answer a few of these.

• If selling on eBay, it doesn't really matter, because they typically side with buyers under most disputes. I think that offering returns nets you a larger customer base. "No returns" is a possible yellow flag for some consumers. If selling elsewhere, again, I think that offering returns opens up your customer base. They'll feel safe in knowing that, if for whatever reason something goes wrong, you will take care of them.
• It's better to give a grade range if you know how to grade. If that isn't the case, then you need to take detailed images so that the consumer can examine for him/her self. If you grade, be conservative more than anything. If you're between 6.0-6.5? Go with 6.0 every time.
• I have never had a problem with bags, boards, and good ole packing peanuts. I've never bought less than 10 comics at a time, though. They're usually taped together, and I never expect to keep them in the bags they arrive in.

I hope that this is helpful.

[Tafkap]

On 11/19/2020 at 1:00 AM, Doctor Dositheus said:

Sell them in small lots with a relevant "sweetener" in each lot to help move the drek.

Good idea.  I've got quite a few sets of the dreck. 

[Tafkap]

On 11/19/2020 at 3:30 AM, csaag said:

Plenty of YouTube videos on packing comics  showing how to make a "brick"

Many listings of drek lots offer Media Mail, which gives you the cheapest shipping, but allows the Post Office to open them up for inspection and send them back to you as ineligible.   Your other options are 1st class (13 oz)  or Priority.   I sometimes use Pirate Ship which offers cubic Priority mai prices

EbayBuyers can return items regardless of your policy. 

Comics would be eligible though?  Wouldn't they?  

[Tafkap]

On 11/19/2020 at 4:28 AM, theCapraAegagrus said:

I can't really answer which market would be best for you, but I'll answer a few of these.

• If selling on eBay, it doesn't really matter, because they typically side with buyers under most disputes. I think that offering returns nets you a larger customer base. "No returns" is a possible yellow flag for some consumers. If selling elsewhere, again, I think that offering returns opens up your customer base. They'll feel safe in knowing that, if for whatever reason something goes wrong, you will take care of them.
• It's better to give a grade range if you know how to grade. If that isn't the case, then you need to take detailed images so that the consumer can examine for him/her self. If you grade, be conservative more than anything. If you're between 6.0-6.5? Go with 6.0 every time.
• I have never had a problem with bags, boards, and good ole packing peanuts. I've never bought less than 10 comics at a time, though. They're usually taped together, and I never expect to keep them in the bags they arrive in.

I hope that this is helpful.

Thanks.

 

Are Gemini mailers necessary?  

Edited November 20, 2020 by Tafkap

[csaag]

5 minutes ago, Tafkap said:

Comics would be eligible though?  Wouldn't they?  

Comics do not meet the eligibility requirements for Media mail. But there is such a volume of them being sent that way that most of the packages get delivered, at least that's been my experience

[Tafkap]

6 minutes ago, csaag said:

Comics do not meet the eligibility requirements for Media mail. But there is such a volume of them being sent that way that most of the packages get delivered, at least that's been my experience

Thanks. Have you really had them open your packages?  

[revat]

5 minutes ago, Tafkap said:

12 minutes ago, csaag said:

Comics do not meet the eligibility requirements for Media mail. But there is such a volume of them being sent that way that most of the packages get delivered, at least that's been my experience

Thanks. Have you really had them open your packages?  

quite rare, but not so rare that it would be shocking for it to occur.  

But i've also heard anecdotally that some jurisdictions or offices do it more than others.  It's kinda like speeding while driving, do what you gotta do with the understanding that if you get caught you simply pay the price and move on.  

 

[csaag]

9 minutes ago, Tafkap said:

Thanks. Have you really had them open your packages?  

On 2 occasions out of about 75 shipments

[jokiing]

On 11/19/2020 at 3:30 AM, csaag said:

Plenty of YouTube videos on packing comics  showing how to make a "brick"

Many listings of drek lots offer Media Mail, which gives you the cheapest shipping, but allows the Post Office to open them up for inspection and send them back to you as ineligible.   Your other options are 1st class (13 oz)  or Priority.   I sometimes use Pirate Ship which offers cubic Priority mai prices

EbayBuyers can return items regardless of your policy. 

If you use shipping through ebay , 1st class shipping is up to one pound

[fifties]

I've been selling raw GA books on eBay since 1998.  I don't do slabs.

Grading; as mentioned above, grade conservatively, only if you know what you are doing, and have some experience in it.  Show scans of the FC & BC, and at least one interior page, so they can see the PQ.  If unsure, don't even offer an opinion of the grade, and instead state something to the effect of, "grading is subjective.  Please use the scans to make your own determination".

Returns; if you post "no return" and they open up a NAD claim, eBay will send them a shipping label and take it out of your PP account total. If you accept returns, often the buyer will have to pay for return shipping himself, depending on his reason for wanting to return it.

Shipping method; material with retail advertisements are not allowed to use Media Mail.  Given that practically all comic books do have advertising, even if it's 70 years old,  they don't qualify.  Additionally, it takes seemingly forever to arrive at it's destination.  And the cost difference between Media and First Class is minimal.

Packing; I sleeve, and then sandwich my books between two pieces of corrugated cardboard, taped all four sides.  Then insert into either a 9 x 12 or 10 x 13 Manila envelope, and use package sealing tape on BOTH ends.  I also use a stamp bought from one of the stationary stores (Staples, Office Depot, etc.) I can't remember which, that states in large letters, "DO NOT BEND".  It's stamped in red ink, twice on the front and once on the back of the package.  I always ship via First Class.  The weight for one comic this way is usually six ounces, well under the limit, at a cost of around $3.60.

I have never had either a lost item, a damaged one, nor a return in 22 years doing it this way.

[Tafkap]

4 hours ago, fifties said:

I've been selling raw GA books on eBay since 1998.  I don't do slabs.

Grading; as mentioned above, grade conservatively, only if you know what you are doing, and have some experience in it.  Show scans of the FC & BC, and at least one interior page, so they can see the PQ.  If unsure, don't even offer an opinion of the grade, and instead state something to the effect of, "grading is subjective.  Please use the scans to make your own determination".

Returns; if you post "no return" and they open up a NAD claim, eBay will send them a shipping label and take it out of your PP account total. If you accept returns, often the buyer will have to pay for return shipping himself, depending on his reason for wanting to return it.

Shipping method; material with retail advertisements are not allowed to use Media Mail.  Given that practically all comic books do have advertising, even if it's 70 years old,  they don't qualify.  Additionally, it takes seemingly forever to arrive at it's destination.  And the cost difference between Media and First Class is minimal.

Packing; I sleeve, and then sandwich my books between two pieces of corrugated cardboard, taped all four sides.  Then insert into either a 9 x 12 or 10 x 13 Manila envelope, and use package sealing tape on BOTH ends.  I also use a stamp bought from one of the stationary stores (Staples, Office Depot, etc.) I can't remember which, that states in large letters, "DO NOT BEND".  It's stamped in red ink, twice on the front and once on the back of the package.  I always ship via First Class.  The weight for one comic this way is usually six ounces, well under the limit, at a cost of around $3.60.

I have never had either a lost item, a damaged one, nor a return in 22 years doing it this way.

Good information.  Thanks.