The 50-year-old Virgin (Please post first time comic con advice here!) 2 2

[Black_Adam]

It may seem incredible to some, but in 40+ years of collecting comics I have never been to a Comic Convention! 

Don't get me wrong, I've been to a handful of local shows here in Vancouver BC (where the only comic celebrity you are likely to see is Greggy), but I have never been to a true, south of the border, Made in USA comic con like SDCC, NYCC, etc. I've never even been to Emerald Comic Con in Seattle!

But I've been thinking that this is the year to finally cross attending a comic convention off my bucket list. So the point of this thread is: please post your best advice for a first timer!

Thanks in advance. 

Edited May 4, 2023 by Black_Adam

[revat]

There's way better advice out there, but here's some basics:

1.  Bring your own water and (healthy-ish) snacks.

2.  For a big con if you plan to eat nearby for lunch or dinner, try to make reservations.

3.  Bring some cash to make offers for discounts (bring safe amounts).

 

[F For Fake]

Deodorant. For everyone. For you, for the crowd, for anybody passing within 20 feet of the place.

[Black_Adam]

On 5/4/2023 at 10:26 AM, F For Fake said:

Deodorant. For everyone. For you, for the crowd, for anybody passing within 20 feet of the place.

Spray or stick? 

[F For Fake]

On 5/4/2023 at 1:27 PM, Black_Adam said:

Spray or stick? 

Both! You can never have too much!

[Black_Adam]

On 5/4/2023 at 10:28 AM, F For Fake said:

Both! You can never have too much!

Sage advice.

[F For Fake]

My actual, for real, serious advice would be

1. Have a plan of attack- It's true that I'm probably more anal retentive than others, but I like to have a plan for my day. If there are certain creators I want to meet, I try to get a program or look at the website with a floor plan, and I sort of plan out my path for the day. Same for certain dealers I want to hit up.

2. Keep an eye on your wallet, and also backpack if you bring one. Most people at the shows are great, but a handful...not so great. 

3. As @revat said, definitely bring a refillable water bottle if they allow them (most shows do.) You'll be on your feet and on the move a lot, it's good to stay hydrated.

[greggy]

Noob

[Black_Adam]

On 5/4/2023 at 10:36 AM, greggy said:

Noob

When you return from the US with your comic haul how do you declare it at customs? Do you actually ask vendors to provide an invoice? Or just give Canada Customs a value (without documentation) and hope they accept it? 

[greggy]

On 5/4/2023 at 10:39 AM, Black_Adam said:

When you return from the US with your comic haul how do you declare it at customs? Do you actually ask vendors to provide an invoice? Or just give Canada Customs a value (without documentation) and hope they accept it? 

It depends how you are returning.  If you're going through the land border, I would ask the vendor for an invoice (signed amount on a business card works).  However, I always just go through YVR airport and customs at the airport generally just take my valuation, as it's always over the limit and I always pay.  I generally declare in the thousands so they don't really question me.

If you are flying into Toronto or Montreal, get receipts, as they are more picky.

 

[MAR1979]

The 50-year-old Virgin
With all the talk about Comic Sniffing on this forum lately, I'm sure that is rather common 'round these parts. 

 

 

Edited May 4, 2023 by MAR1979

[bc]

Wear very comfortable shoes & clothing, as someone else mentioned, you will be on your feet most of the time.

As @F For Fake said, have a plan of attack going in. If not, do a recon round the con to see what's happening before buying anything.

Expect everything to be overpriced including food, beverages, parking, etc.

Keep your head on a swivel, don't keep all your funds in one place.

Second that deodorant comment.

Have patience with dealers and other con-goers.

Take it all in and enjoy!

-bc

[Black_Adam]

On 5/4/2023 at 10:49 AM, bc said:

 

Expect everything to be overpriced including food, beverages, parking, etc.

 

Except for comics, right? I thought cons were where all the sweet deals were to be found...

[Ken Aldred]

On 5/4/2023 at 6:26 PM, F For Fake said:

Deodorant. For everyone. For you, for the crowd, for anybody passing within 20 feet of the place.

Wise words.

[ramrodcar]

If you are going for more than one day, alternate shoes each day.

[fsumavila]

 

1. Write down a list of books you're looking for. Any convention can be overwhelming due to all the choices, but for your first, I'd recommend making a list and trying to stick to it. Will keep you from overspending. 

2. Give the convention floor a walkthrough before you make your first purchase. The first dealer you encounter may have higher prices than someone in another part of the floor. Shop around and compare prices.

3. Know your budget and stick to it!

4. Go dumpster diving in the bargain bins! you may find something cool for peanuts.

5. Always easier to negotiate with cash than credit cards/PayPal, etc. so hit the bank before you go.

6. If it's a multi-day Con, go on the last day. Lots of dealers are more willing to wheel & deal then -- who wants to pack up everything for the ride home?

 7. Enjoy it! Cons are the best....

 

[seanfingh]

Spend some time really prioritizing your time and your money.  It will likely be overwhelming to your senses. If you don't prioritize, you may strike at one of the first shiny objects and then not have enough dry powder left for the end of show deals or for something else you would have wanted more.  This is not to give you paralysis by analysis but to give you the willpower to not blow your 3 day stake in 3 hours.  Same thing with your time.  If you spend all your time looking at slabs and you never get to the booth with the insane dollar boxes, you may really miss out.

Avoid casinos and strip clubs, unless they are the output of your prioritization. 

[greggy]

On 5/4/2023 at 12:23 PM, seanfingh said:

Spend some time really prioritizing your time and your money.  It will likely be overwhelming to your senses. If you don't prioritize, you may strike at one of the first shiny objects and then not have enough dry powder left for the end of show deals or for something else you would have wanted more.  This is not to give you paralysis by analysis but to give you the willpower to not blow your 3 day stake in 3 hours.  Same thing with your time.  If you spend all your time looking at slabs and you never get to the booth with the insane dollar boxes, you may really miss out.

Avoid casinos and strip clubs, unless they are the output of your prioritization. 

I agree with Sean here.

At my first local show back in the late 80s, I spent like $500 on McFarlane Spider-man where in retrospect, I should have bought bronze age keys as they were relatively cheap back then.

Oh well, learning experience but I did fine after a few duds. 

[*paull*]

I agree with having a plan of attack.  I like to start with looking for particular books and then back off and look for second tier stuff if I can't find any top priorities.  Good deals can be had on the last day of a show.

More advice:
Research prices on books you are looking for in advance.
Don't leave your bags laying around.  Thieves abound.
Bring something firm to put books in... .an LP mailer, etc.
Count pages in books.
Don't overpay just because it's in front of you.
Spend time looking through bins looking at books to learn about new things you didn't know existed. For instance, flip through genre sections.

[Ken Aldred]

On 5/4/2023 at 8:25 PM, greggy said:

I agree with Sean here.

At my first local show back in the late 80s, I spent like $500 on McFarlane Spider-man where in retrospect, I should have bought bronze age keys as they were relatively cheap back then.

Oh well, learning experience but I did fine after a few duds. 

Yup.

Classic mistake of getting too carried away.  Exactly what I did at the first show I went to, blowing my cash on a stack of Conans within minutes.
 

Young and impulsive.

Edited May 4, 2023 by Ken Aldred