• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Fantastic Four #39 - #40 Question
2 2

12 posts in this topic

I am trying to make a deal with a person to buy FF #39 and #40 in CGC 8.5. He want $675 for #39 and $485 for #40. He is willing to give me a 10% discount if I buy both issues, which would result in a total of $1,044.

I mentioned that these prices seemed a little high. According to GPA, the last sale of FF #39 CGC 8.5 was $456, which occurred in November, 2021. Also, according to GPA, the last sale of FF #40 CGC 8.5 was $336, which occurred in October, 2021. I told that I would be willing to pay $850 for the pair. This led to him "explaining" that GPA doesn't keep up with FMV. To me, if a book sells for $456 on November 14, 2021, that pretty much establishes that FMV for that book is somewhere near to $450.

Both of these books look quite nice, and FF #39 has to be one of my favorite SA covers. I would really like to get both books, but I don't want to pay $250+ over what <I> consider to be FMV. Granted, I'm not up to speed with the FMV of books, as I am a collector and not a dealer.

So, what should I do? Should I try to continue to negotiate, even though I think that this option is doomed to failure? Should I bite the bullet and pay close to $1,000, which I believe is at least $200 over FMV? Or should I say, "Thanks, but no thanks."

Any input would be appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It might be a tad high but if the books are nice and you plan on holding them and you can afford it, I say go for it.  
I doubt you’ll get him down to your number.  Maybe offer 1k.  There’s also a “convenience factor” (imo) for getting them both at once (if you want to try and rationalize it further).  

I’ve paid above GPA a number of times and it’s always worked out.  But I typically hold my books.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would probably pass personally.  

20%+ over current GPA seems pretty high. I know you would be hanging onto them so in the long run, it would likely work out, but that's a few hundred $$ that could go towards other books. 

They are common enough that you shouldn't have to wait too long for other opportunities, you just might lose the chance to buy the two books together. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/2/2021 at 3:30 AM, namisgr said:

I've always been leery of basing pricing as a seller and the decision of whether to pull the trigger or not as a buyer on the basis of the 'last GPA recorded sale'.  It's a single data point, after all.  Books show considerable fluctuation in sale price realized from one sale to the next and the next.  Selling venues differ.  Eye appeal differs.  Page quality differs.  Selling formats and the sizes of potential buyer pools differ.

For books like these with moderate prior sales data to draw from, I'd look at the 90 day and sometimes even the one year averages on sale price alongside the most recent sale.  I'd also see if there are copies of these two FFs in similar grades available for sale elsewhere.  Finally, I'd weigh the price to buy them against the opportunities currently available to buy other comics high up on the want list.  And I'd never mind deciding to pass on a purchase over the price, as there are so many cool comics that another buying opportunity is probably just around the corner.

 

Here are the sales of an FF #39 CGC 8.5 since January, 2020:

03/13/2020 - $250, 07/28/2020 - $331, 12/25/2020 - $425, 07/25/2021 - $432, 11/14/2021 - $456.

It's clear that this book in grade 8.5 doesn't change hands very often.

Here are the comparable books currently on Ebay:

FF #39 8.5 (the book I am looking at)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/274947023430?hash=item40041ea246:g:P38AAOSwv3FhQSC3

FF #39 PGX 8.0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/274225362199?hash=item3fd91af517:g:G0wAAOSwpr9eK9mY

FF #39 CBCS 7.5 - Verified Stan Lee signature
https://www.ebay.com/itm/313760912015?hash=item490d9b928f:g:37sAAOSwsJthmFOu

FF #39 75 with C-1 restoration
https://www.ebay.com/itm/274968141802?hash=item400560dfea:g:zT8AAOSwtT5hVRjr

The last completed sale of this book in any grade was a 7.5 C-1 restoration for $195
https://www.ebay.com/itm/313670118146?hash=item4908322b02%3Ag%3AAP0AAOSwM0FhO8qo&nma=true&si=Pisb%2Bkmli1fYjj8Ckw%2BhMqw8ycM%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Right now, I think I am going to have to pass, because his asking price is just too high.

 

Edited by Math Teacher
Link to comment
Share on other sites

ComicConnect has a #39 8.5  currently at open auction ending 12/15. There is a 9.2 copy in the same auction too. There is a 7.5 #40 in this same auction. Here are links to the books:

ComicConnect - FANTASTIC FOUR (1961-96; 2003-12) #39 - CGC VF+: 8.5

ComicConnect - FANTASTIC FOUR (1961-96; 2003-12) #39 - CGC NM-: 9.2

ComicConnect - FANTASTIC FOUR (1961-96; 2003-12) #40 - CGC VF-: 7.5

Edited by Jaylam
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/2/2021 at 1:18 PM, Jaylam said:

ComicConnect has a #39 8.5  currently at open auction ending 12/15. There is a 9.2 copy in the same auction too. There is a 7.5 #40 in this same auction. Here are links to the books:

ComicConnect - FANTASTIC FOUR (1961-96; 2003-12) #39 - CGC VF+: 8.5

ComicConnect - FANTASTIC FOUR (1961-96; 2003-12) #39 - CGC NM-: 9.2

ComicConnect - FANTASTIC FOUR (1961-96; 2003-12) #40 - CGC VF-: 7.5

Thank you for pointing these out to me. I will definitely be keeping my eye on those auctions.:golfclap:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/4/2021 at 1:15 PM, Math Teacher said:

FYI - I officially decided to pass. Thank you for all your advice. :applause:

39 and 40 are a classic story arc, but as 1965 Marvels, they aren't scarce in grade. The 39 is a bit tougher with the dark cover, but the 40 was always "gettable". If this is for investment, I'd be more focused on 9.2 on the 39 and 9.4 on the 40. Putting in a want list with @blazingbob and @metropoliscomics might help. Both of those entities carry that type of stuff, provide time pays, and don't usually put what I call "museum prices" on their inventory. GOD BLESS...

-jimbo(a friend of jesus)(thumbsu

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
2 2