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I feel like I’m adjusting to the new prices
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Started by Westy Steve,

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lordbyroncomics

lordbyroncomics

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I think a few opinions on this thread, while all valid, are simplifying things a bit. Remember- this hobby is subjective. Some collectors seriously long for a specific era and so forth. If I could luck into a Giant-Size X-Men #1, would I take it? Of course I would- but I don't ever think about it because it's not what interests me primarily. So is it all "rich" people taking over the hobby? What constitutes rich? It's all different depending on where you're looking. One guy can spend a grand a week on comics- great. Another guy can only spend a hundred a week on comics, except to *him* he doesn't see the "only". It's all in the eye of the beholder.

Buy what your budget allows, what you can afford, etc. There's almost a fanaticism at times brought on by the subconscious due to so much spec talk about grails and s**t. I get it; I would prefer complete runs too. But if I can't get that one book because it's so inflated, I'll find something else I like. Comics are cool that way.

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D2

D2

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On 3/4/2022 at 7:50 PM, Number 6 said:

I’m wondering when CGC will announce the Pandora Pedigree. 


I have actually been saving all of my rubles for CGC’s definitive label series, thy God Almighty’s D*** Collection. 
 

 

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grendelbo

grendelbo

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On 3/4/2022 at 1:47 PM, F For Fake said:

I dig around town, I find something I think is cool, I buy it. I slowly pick away at my runs, but I'm not in any hurry. In the meantime, there are so many comics. SO many. And plenty of cool ones that other people don't care about...yet. That's what you gotta buy!

This pretty much sums up my hobby. I was only focused on runs during my early years and later on there were very few grail books I had to have. I bought what I lucked in to or what peaked my interest. Key books have gotten pretty pricey so the odds of lucking into an extraordinary find now is low. (Although I'm long past due.)

My collection once was probably 8-10K books. Now it's been widdled down to about 1500. I only paid $100 or more for 9 comics. Most of these were $100-150 and the most expensive was $350. They, along with many other books bought on the cheap, have greatly appreciated, but I reached my threshold years ago. I cannot pay hundreds for an issue purchased at it's current value when I paid the same amount for books that now are worth exponentially more. There's just a mental block for me and unless I come across a lot of money, I'm not going to get beyond that impasse.

Here's an example of my reasoning.

20200416_144836.thumb.jpg.1fce2ae94a470a1be3735e22b347afde.jpg

A few of these issues were finds or trades I made as a kid. The rest were purchased before I turned 14. I spent less than $300 for what's displayed.

$300 nowadays will get me Savage She-Hulk 1 CGC 9.0-9.2. That was a $5 book 10 years ago.

Nope. Can't do it.

So instead I appreciate what I have. I occasionally dig through long boxes at the LCS and find books I'll read and enjoy. There will be something unique about them that gives it a place in my collection. I'm content with that. I'm pondering a few niche focuses too.

I could see myself possibly trading though. That seems easier to get my head around than paying today's prices. For instance, I would like to have a mid-grade copy of Marvel Spotlight 5. That's about $2500. I would trade a book (or books) of equal value for it. However, I couldn't sell one to fund a high-priced purchase. That's still a high-priced purchase and a no-no.

Great topic. I've enjoyed reading everyone's take.

Edited by grendelbo
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valiantman

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On 3/4/2022 at 8:54 PM, wisbyron said:

I think a few opinions on this thread, while all valid, are simplifying things a bit. Remember- this hobby is subjective. Some collectors seriously long for a specific era and so forth. If I could luck into a Giant-Size X-Men #1, would I take it? Of course I would- but I don't ever think about it because it's not what interests me primarily. So is it all "rich" people taking over the hobby? What constitutes rich? It's all different depending on where you're looking. One guy can spend a grand a week on comics- great. Another guy can only spend a hundred a week on comics, except to *him* he doesn't see the "only". It's all in the eye of the beholder.

Buy what your budget allows, what you can afford, etc. There's almost a fanaticism at times brought on by the subconscious due to so much spec talk about grails and s**t. I get it; I would prefer complete runs too. But if I can't get that one book because it's so inflated, I'll find something else I like. Comics are cool that way.

As much as I enjoy pointing out that recently printed books (usually variants) selling for $500+ are ridiculous because nothing important happens on the pages inside, the reality is that the longer new books sell for $500+, the more actual keys (from the past 50 years) selling for $500 will look like bargains.

Remember when it was almost scandalous that Harbinger #1 was selling for $100 in 1992?  Comics were $1.25 and anything new getting "hot" sold for about $8 to $10.  It was insane that a recent book was $100.  Now, it's almost insane when something in the "spec talk" is under $100.  People would say, "why would anyone pay $100 for Harbinger #1 when they could have X, Y, or Z key issues from Marvel or DC for the same price"?

The same thing is happening now.  People are actually paying $25,000+ for books printed in 2011.  Suddenly, $20,000 for an actual key from the 1970s looks like a bargain, even if it used to sell for $2,000.

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