Dealers Aren’t Your Friends…! 9 9

[BitterOldMan]

A dealer offered to get me into 2023 SDCC for free and I could crash in his hotel room.  I didn’t take him up on his generous offer.  I have gone on vacation with this super dealer.  
 

Good social skills will get you far in life.  
 

Last year, the legendary Harley Yee called me up from his SDCC booth to find out whether I still wanted a copy of a GA book.  I told him that I had thirteen copies.  He didn’t have to do that, but Harley goes the extra mile for his customers.

I joined the boards after I retired and made many new friends.  Some of them are looking to grab a grail, but nothing is for sale.  Doesn’t hurt to try.

[Nick Furious]

On 8/14/2023 at 8:30 PM, BitterOldMan said:

Last year, the legendary Harley Yee called me up from his SDCC booth to find out whether I still wanted a copy of a GA book.  I told him that I had thirteen copies

Why didn't you want a fourteenth copy?  Poor Harley, probably still trying to figure out why you buy that book from everyone but him, lol.  

Edited August 15, 2023 by Nick Furious

[buttock]

On 8/9/2023 at 9:59 AM, DocHoppus182 said:

7:00 mark 

Discuss….. 

 

 

Oof, I made it 8 minutes in and had to stop.  This guy knows less about comics than the average joe on the street and speaks as though he's an authority.  He thinks dealers are putting books in mylar so that people think they look nicer than they are?  

[Robot Man]

On 8/14/2023 at 6:18 PM, namisgr said:

I've had dealers over to my house.  Does that make them more than acquaintances? 

Maybe depending on their intentions and how well you know them. I have only had a few board members that I know, like and trust come over. Most of my non collecting friends have been here but have no knowledge or interest in my stuff. Makes them smile but I will never divulge prices or value. 

There is a local kid who has bugged me for years to “get in”. He started out by asking what my “best book” (most expensive) was. He is an aggressive flipper who basically wants to get in with his cell phone and take inventory of what he thinks he can cheat me out of to flip. Nice kid, but he has no appreciation of the hobby or understanding of what it takes to curate a collection. I am always cordial with him but give him no information. He will NEVER “get in”…

[ThothAmon]

If it gets me a discount then, yeah, I’ll be your “friend”. Seriously I’ve purchased hundreds of books on these boards and it’s always done the same way, with what I perceived as a fair offer regardless of asking price. Occasionally my perception of “fair” has caused great offense. Not sure how many of the offended were dealer’s as opposed to hobbyists but just because they were asking too much doesn’t mean they couldn’t be my friend. 

[BitterOldMan]

On 8/14/2023 at 8:12 PM, Nick Furious said:

Why didn't you want a fourteenth copy?  Poor Harley, probably still trying to figure out why you buy that book from everyone but him, lol.  

I did purchase one of the copies from Harley.  I am looking for super high grade, and there are not many.

[badback83]

On 8/15/2023 at 12:13 AM, buttock said:

He thinks dealers are putting books in mylar so that people think they look nicer than they are?

Out of all the ridiculous things said in the video, that one actually made me laugh out loud.

[DR.X]

On 8/14/2023 at 11:13 PM, buttock said:

Oof, I made it 8 minutes in and had to stop.  This guy knows less about comics than the average joe on the street and speaks as though he's an authority.  He thinks dealers are putting books in mylar so that people think they look nicer than they are?  

+1

I turned it off after he said, one of the tricks dealers use is putting books in Mylar. I didn't know that was a trick. Here's a news flash for this Einstein. I always have the dealer remove the book I'm looking at. I guess he don't look at the inside for tears, marks, staple attachement, and on and on. You just fall for the Mylar trick, and never take the book out. How dare those dealers use Mylar.

Second, it almost sounds like he says EPA instead of GPA. I didn't know the Environmental Protection Agency, prices comics. He's been to a "few" cons, so he knows his stuff about wheeling and dealing.

[Automatic_Comics]

On 8/10/2023 at 10:34 AM, F For Fake said:

First of all, Youtubers aren't actually people, and should therefore not be allowed in cons.

Yeah, yeah, down with YouTubers 🥸

[Bumble Kitty]

On 8/10/2023 at 9:02 PM, shadroch said:

If you want a friend, get a dog.

If you want an accurately graded book at a fair price- see Bob Storms.

I would like to see Bob dressed up in a dog costume at a convention.  Then I can buy an accurately graded book at a fair price.  Before leaving his booth, I can pat him on the head.  

Would that make a dealer my friend?  

[D Stuart]

On 8/15/2023 at 2:03 PM, Automatic_Comics said:

Yeah, yeah, down with YouTubers 🥸

Boo! YouTubers!!! Boo! 🥸

[Sweet Lou 14]

On 8/14/2023 at 9:18 PM, namisgr said:

I've had dealers over to my house.  Does that make them more than acquaintances? 

I've had Bob over to my house!

And yes, I do consider Bob a friend.  I would say the same for Ted & Lisa Van Liew.  These are people I genuinely trust and care about, and would jump if they needed anything from me.

There are others that I have a great relationship with, even some that I've done work for or whose businesses I've invested in, and there's a good rapport there.  Whether those other relationships quite rise to the level of "friendship" is debatable, I guess ... it depends on where you set the bar.

[blazingbob]

There are so many issues with the Dealers are not your friend video that I wouldn't know where to begin.

First,  Define the term "Deal".  To this video reporter that could mean Dealer Eats A Loss.  Could mean 12 month GPA,  90 day,  last sale GPA or the Overstreet price guide.  I need to be that guy that you can show off the "haul to" where you the viewer can see how many Deals I got from sellers. 

Second,  the main aisle to the side aisle commentary.  Well,  I was a side aisle dealer with main aisle books.  I guess I fall into the "Don't buy from anybody with big ticket books".  

Third,  I'm not exactly sure how teared up I would get if people didn't recognize me from my you tube video's.  I guess in the South it isn't enough to get Is there anything I can help you with?  I've got to tell you that I love watching your video's?

Fourth,  Conflict of interest.  First off I'm not sure I can make a video stating "Dealers are not your friends" when you openly admit that you setup as a dealer.  Your example that both buyers and sellers are "tense" is created by the promoter by the way.  I didn't realize it was my job to soothe that tension by making you some money that covers the promoters cost of you getting in.  My responsibility as a seller is to have the inventory buyers want to buy,  prices that they may want to pay and the ability to get them the books that they need.  The idea that I want to take every dollar out of your pocket is your "perception".  If you operate that way you won't have many customers long term. 

Looking to sell that one big book versus a bunch of small ones?  Huh?  Big book sales normally don't take place at shows but there are buyers who come to see the book and then do the deal in private.  Most big buyers prefer what they buy be private versus showcasing to whoever is at the booth what they have and what they spend.  If you don't treat big buyers with respect they don't buy from you.  Being known as a UNDERTAKER is not a good reputation to have.    

CGC books in Mylar are not a way to make the product look better.  CGC books in mylar or any bag for that matter are because those "tense" buyers don't want scratches on the holder.  God forbid that holder has a rub,  if the book is a 9.8 that outer well that means nothing to the grade better be perfect to.  As others have stated a good dealer should take the book out of any bag it is in.  

And yes I do consider Lou to be a very good friend who I have known for years.  There are a lot of people in this hobby/business that I am friends with.    

 

  

Edited August 17, 2023 by blazingbob

[buttock]

On 8/15/2023 at 9:52 AM, Robot Man said:

Maybe depending on their intentions and how well you know them. I have only had a few board members that I know, like and trust come over. Most of my non collecting friends have been here but have no knowledge or interest in my stuff. Makes them smile but I will never divulge prices or value. 

There is a local kid who has bugged me for years to “get in”. He started out by asking what my “best book” (most expensive) was. He is an aggressive flipper who basically wants to get in with his cell phone and take inventory of what he thinks he can cheat me out of to flip. Nice kid, but he has no appreciation of the hobby or understanding of what it takes to curate a collection. I am always cordial with him but give him no information. He will NEVER “get in”…

I know exactly who you're talking about 

[Lazyboy]

On 8/15/2023 at 4:35 PM, blazingbob said:

My responsibility as a seller is to have the inventory buyers want to buy,  prices that they may want to pay and the ability to get them the books that they need.

Your actual responsibility as a seller is to accurately represent your inventory. The things you mention are things you want to do to have a successful business.

[blazingbob]

On 8/15/2023 at 6:48 PM, Lazyboy said:

Your actual responsibility as a seller is to accurately represent your inventory. The things you mention are things you want to do to have a successful business.

Sorry,  you are correct about this.  Should have noted that also.

 

[southern cross]

On 8/15/2023 at 12:37 PM, Bumble Kitty said:

I would like to see Bob dressed up in a dog costume at a convention.  Then I can buy an accurately graded book at a fair price.  Before leaving his booth, I can pat him on the head.  

Would that make a dealer my friend?  

Wouldn't that technically make him your best friend?

🐶

[oldbsturgeon]

On 8/10/2023 at 6:13 PM, FlyingDonut said:

I need to take a screen shot of that guy so I know when he comes to any table that I'm manning to instantly close for the day. There's NO WAY the sale to that guy would be worth the hassle.

he lives in WV not too far from me. His range appears to be OH, KY, VA and NC based on the videos I have seen of his. He was at the most recent heroes con so if you are there, you will probably see him. He wears a go pro looking camera strapped to his chest and is usually wearing glasses and a hat, so looks a bit different in person than in the videos. 

[FlyingDonut]

On 8/15/2023 at 3:37 PM, Bumble Kitty said:

I would like to see Bob dressed up in a dog costume at a convention. 

That's a different kind of convention. You do you.

[NoMan]

On 8/15/2023 at 2:35 PM, blazingbob said:

There are so many issues with the Dealers are not your friend video that I wouldn't know where to begin.

First,  Define the term "Deal".  To this video reporter that could mean Dealer Eats A Loss.  Could mean 12 month GPA,  90 day,  last sale GPA or the Overstreet price guide.  I need to be that guy that you can show off the "haul to" where you the viewer can see how many Deals I got from sellers. 

Second,  the main aisle to the side aisle commentary.  Well,  I was a side aisle dealer with main aisle books.  I guess I fall into the "Don't buy from anybody with big ticket books".  

Third,  I'm not exactly sure how teared up I would get if people didn't recognize me from my you tube video's.  I guess in the South it isn't enough to get Is there anything I can help you with?  I've got to tell you that I love watching your video's?

Fourth,  Conflict of interest.  First off I'm not sure I can make a video stating "Dealers are not your friends" when you openly admit that you setup as a dealer.  Your example that both buyers and sellers are "tense" is created by the promoter by the way.  I didn't realize it was my job to soothe that tension by making you some money that covers the promoters cost of you getting in.  My responsibility as a seller is to have the inventory buyers want to buy,  prices that they may want to pay and the ability to get them the books that they need.  The idea that I want to take every dollar out of your pocket is your "perception".  If you operate that way you won't have many customers long term. 

Looking to sell that one big book versus a bunch of small ones?  Huh?  Big book sales normally don't take place at shows but there are buyers who come to see the book and then do the deal in private.  Most big buyers prefer what they buy be private versus showcasing to whoever is at the booth what they have and what they spend.  If you don't treat big buyers with respect they don't buy from you.  Being known as a UNDERTAKER is not a good reputation to have.    

CGC books in Mylar are not a way to make the product look better.  CGC books in mylar or any bag for that matter are because those "tense" buyers don't want scratches on the holder.  God forbid that holder has a rub,  it the book is a 9.8 that outer well that means nothing to the grade better be perfect to.  As others have stated a good dealer should take the book out of any bag it is in.  

And yes I do consider Lou to be a very good friend who I have known for years.  There are a lot of people in this hobby/business that I am friends with.    

 

  

did you know this insufficiently_thoughtful_person was filming you? Filming someone with their consent is very telling of the person doing the filming.

Edited August 16, 2023 by NoMan