ARE COMIC SHOPS DOOMED? ARE MIDDLE AGED MEN THE ONLY FOLKS BUYING COMICS?

[Red Hook]

You do realize that his main posts are just copy and pastes from his blog, right? They're just lead-ins to get you to his free info and then.....WHAM....the commercials for his book?

 

Hey, if YOU wrote a book about this stuff and popped a link in your sig, I'd probably be one of the guys in line to buy it. Cause you have board cred. When a brand new guy shows up just to sell his blog/info/website/book (and it's ultimately all the same) I don't cotton to it. Heya?

[Illiterati-migration]

You do realize that his main posts are just copy and pastes from his blog, right? They're just lead-ins to get you to his free info and then.....WHAM....the commercials for his book?

 

Hey, if YOU wrote a book about this stuff and popped a link in your sig, I'd probably be one of the guys in line to buy it. Cause you have board cred. When a brand new guy shows up just to sell his blog/info/website/book (and it's ultimately all the same) I don't cotton to it. Heya?

 

Okay, well if you want to hate on the guy because he's new, then that's another thing entirely. I was taking issue more with the "snake oil salesman" comment (meant more in the "humbug" meaning, I think), primarily because... well, I already said why, didn't I?

[Aman619]

Alan C doesnt even have his facts straight in his premnise above, about the movies...The success of todays comics movies were LESS due to the characters comicbook existence than to all their OTHER media exposure: Spidey is a household name for over 30 years. XMen was the highest rated after schiool TV show a generation ago. This exposure is far beyond the lousy 100k readers of the comics each month and fueled the movies' successes.

 

THAT plus they were pretty well made. A lousy movie about the most popular or famous chracters would have died opening weekend.

[Red Hook]

You do realize that his main posts are just copy and pastes from his blog, right? They're just lead-ins to get you to his free info and then.....WHAM....the commercials for his book?

 

Hey, if YOU wrote a book about this stuff and popped a link in your sig, I'd probably be one of the guys in line to buy it. Cause you have board cred. When a brand new guy shows up just to sell his blog/info/website/book (and it's ultimately all the same) I don't cotton to it. Heya?

 

Okay, well if you want to hate on the guy because he's new, then that's another thing entirely. I was taking issue more with the "snake oil salesman" comment (meant more in the "humbug" meaning, I think), primarily because... well, I already said why, didn't I?

 

I hate him because he's new! I don't need another reason, do I?

[Illiterati-migration]

You do realize that his main posts are just copy and pastes from his blog, right? They're just lead-ins to get you to his free info and then.....WHAM....the commercials for his book?

 

Hey, if YOU wrote a book about this stuff and popped a link in your sig, I'd probably be one of the guys in line to buy it. Cause you have board cred. When a brand new guy shows up just to sell his blog/info/website/book (and it's ultimately all the same) I don't cotton to it. Heya?

 

Okay, well if you want to hate on the guy because he's new, then that's another thing entirely. I was taking issue more with the "snake oil salesman" comment (meant more in the "humbug" meaning, I think), primarily because... well, I already said why, didn't I?

 

I hate him because he's new! I don't need another reason, do I?

 

Naaaah. Hate on, Hater!

[whetteon]

 

I think I just wet myself a little.

[Alan C-migration]

I find it interesting that only 1 or 2 people have responded to my question about comic shops. It seems that a number of folks have been distracted and offended by my sig line...and for those people I sincerely apologize if you've been offended. Now, don't get me wrong, I WILL continue to to include my sig line as everyone else on this board does, has a right to do and as I have below. I would ask that if you do find it distracting that you look past it as I do when I see other sig lines in other forums.

 

But I would be a heck of lot more interested in your responses, debates, disagreements and push back on the content of my posts and questions.

 

So, now that a few of you have had lots of fun at my expense ...can we get back to the question of whether comic shops doomed? I'm a middle aged man, am I the only one reading them or have I misread the kids of today.

 

Thank you and best,

Alan C

 

How I Stopped Settling For Chump Change For My Comics on eBay

www.comicbookgoldmine.com/11-freeblog.htm

 

4 Steps I'd Take To Turn $1000 Into $10,000 Selling Comic Books on eBay

www.comicbookgoldmine.com/10-4steps.htm

[Illiterati-migration]

You're the target demographic, buddy.

[Tomega]

Everyone seems to be nice to you and just taking a few jabs. Let me change that. Get lost, we do not want your uneducated, uninformed opinions and bullsh_it offers on " how to make $10000 on eBay. " Everything you have posted has an ulterior motive to further your sales agenda. You are dealing with a very tight knit, educated community here so I can say with all certainty - we do not want you here if you are going to post nonsense.

[Darrell F]

Everyone seems to be nice to you and just taking a few jabs. Let me change that. Get lost, we do not want your uneducated, uninformed opinions and bullsh_it offers on " how to make $10000 on eBay. " Everything you have posted has an ulterior motive to further your sales agenda. You are dealing with a very tight knit, educated community here so I can say with all certainty - we do not want you here if you are going to post nonsense.

 

Amen.

[Red Hook]

How many copies of that book have you actually sold? Just curious.

[rob_react]

I find it interesting that only 1 or 2 people have responded to my question about comic shops. It seems that a number of folks have been distracted and offended by my sig line...and for those people I sincerely apologize if you've been offended. Now, don't get me wrong, I WILL continue to to include my sig line as everyone else on this board does, has a right to do and as I have below. I would ask that if you do find it distracting that you look past it as I do when I see other sig lines in other forums.

 

But I would be a heck of lot more interested in your responses, debates, disagreements and push back on the content of my posts and questions.

 

So, now that a few of you have had lots of fun at my expense ...can we get back to the question of whether comic shops doomed? I'm a middle aged man, am I the only one reading them or have I misread the kids of today.

 

Thank you and best,

Alan C

 

How I Stopped Settling For Chump Change For My Comics on eBay

www.comicbookgoldmine.com/11-freeblog.htm

 

4 Steps I'd Take To Turn $1000 Into $10,000 Selling Comic Books on eBay

www.comicbookgoldmine.com/10-4steps.htm

 

Hi, with those ludicrous sites you come across like a snake oil salesman. If you want to open a real dialog with the forum stop trying to sucker people with get-rich-quick schemes. We have an assortment of high volume and high $$ ebay sellers, Overstreet Advisors and staff, top collectors and other really knowledgeable people here with literally thousands of years combined experience buying and selling comic books. If you expect us to look at the contents of your sites and not laugh our butts off at you, you are completely and utterly clueless.

 

I hope that explains the reality of the situation a little better.

[Alan C-migration]

Tomega, thank you for your feedback I do appreciate your opinion.. I look forward to lots and lots of discussions on this board in the future...

 

Thanks,

Alan C

 

 

How I Stopped Settling For Chump Change For My Comics on eBay

www.comicbookgoldmine.com/11-freeblog.htm

 

4 Steps I'd Take To Turn $1000 Into $10,000 Selling Comic Books on eBay

www.comicbookgoldmine.com/10-4steps.htm

[rob_react]

I look forward to lots and lots of discussions on this board in the future...

 

You're not going to get any discussion here. Scammers and snake oil salesmen are not welcome here.

[Illiterati-migration]

I look forward to lots and lots of discussions on this board in the future...

 

You're not going to get any discussion here. Scammers and snake oil salesmen are not welcome here.

 

Like Krighton?

[rob_react]

I look forward to lots and lots of discussions on this board in the future...

 

You're not going to get any discussion here. Scammers and snake oil salesmen are not welcome here.

 

Like Krighton?

 

I haven't followed that thread (or that poster) very much at all. Is there a recap somewhere?

[Buck Biggins]

Get rid of this guy. He has already started several threads and never follows up on them. This is the first one he has posted 2 or more times. This guy is here to push his agenda. Throw the bum out.

[Illiterati-migration]

I look forward to lots and lots of discussions on this board in the future...

 

You're not going to get any discussion here. Scammers and snake oil salesmen are not welcome here.

 

Like Krighton?

 

I haven't followed that thread (or that poster) very much at all. Is there a recap somewhere?

 

It's a similar scenario. Semi-clever marketing in order to drum up business. There's no recap that I know of...

[Red Hook]

How many copies of that book have you actually sold? Just curious.

 

So, like how many copies of that book have you actually sold?

[Red Hook]

Negotiating with Comic Buyers & Getting The Price You Want For Your Comics At Comic Book Conventions

 

Here are their eleven ways to counter the most popular tactics that comic buyers use when visiting dealer tables at comic shows::

 

_ Tactic 1: "Take it or leave it."

 

· What you should do:

- Walk away from the deal but leave a way to get back in contact. For example: "Need time to think it over; I'll get back to you." Or, "That's not what I'm looking for right now; why don't you get back to me."

 

_ Tactic 2: "Sorry that's all I've got."

 

· What you should do:

- Don't believe it--don't acknowledge.

- Ask, "What else are you interested in?"

- Change the shape of the deal. For example: "What about taking this $5.00 comic for $3.00 along with MY price for the comic you want, to close out the deal?"

 

_ Tactic 3: "You gotta do better; your price seems high."

 

· What you should do:

- Ask, "How much better?"

- Ask, "If I can do better, will you buy it?"

- Limit your authority ("My hands are tied").

- Sell the strengths and benefits of your offer. ("This is the only near-mint copy available at this convention," or "This is right in line with its value in the price guide.")

 

_ Tactic 4: "What if ... buy three, will you toss in this comic as an extra?"

 

· What you should do:

- Don't be afraid to say "no."

- Don't give in too quickly or easily. (Ask, "Why that comic?")

- Don't let "giving in" become a pattern. (Say, "Okay, since you're buying three copies, I'll do it just this once." Then reinforce the purchase the collector just made by saying, "Thank you. You really got a good deal there.")

 

_ Tactic 5: Price nibbling, or "Would you take $12.00 for that ($18.00) item?"

 

· What you should do:

- Ask, "Are you making an offer?"

- Repeat your price and justify it. (Example: "This is the only mint copy here.")

- Ask, "Is $12.00 the best you can do?" and follow up with "Why is that?"

 

_ Tactic 6: Playing dumb (as a way to get more information about how low you will go on your prices)

 

· What you should do:

- Clarify by asking, "What specifically do you want to know?"

- Repeat the facts and your prices--give no new data.

 

_ Tactic 7: "How much are you willing to take for that Batman #150?"

 

· What you should say:

- "I'm willing to take the best offer. What's your offer?"

 

_ Tactic #8: "I need time to think about that price."

 

· What you might do:

- Push the idea that the clock is running. Example: "I can understand your hesitation. However, the price is good only until I reach my break-even point at this convention--and I'm almost there--then it goes back to its original price."

 

_ Tactic #9: "I'll give you five minutes to accept this offer; once I walk away from this table the offer is no good."

 

· What you should do:

- Don't get defensive. Ask, "Why the deadline?"

- Let him know the deal isn't that important to you. Example: "Given the importance of this deal, the deadline is immaterial to me. However, I'd be happy to continue to discuss the best price with you."

 

_ Tactic #10: Threats/tantrums (... yes, believe it or not, this does happen)

 

· What you should do:

- Ignore or defer: "Won't even take you serious on that."

- Restate emotions: "You seem angry."

- Ignore: Move on to the next buyer.

 

These situations don't happen all the time--but they do happen. When all else fails, try asking a direct question. You will be amazed at how often a buyer is willing to pay. A lot of people just want to get the "haggling" over with. They come right down to their bottom line immediately.

 

_ Tactic #11: "It costs too much."

 

Now we get to the biggie, the one you'll probably hear most often. It's the one you've got to learn to overcome if you're going to make money at conventions.

 

"It costs too much" can mean two very different things:

 

a) "I can't afford it."

b) "I don't think it's the best use of my money."

 

· What you should do to overcome "It costs too much" (i.e., "I can't afford it").

 

Recognize that the comic world is filled with collectors who want comics but cannot afford them. Some of these are certain to find their way to you. You do not want to offend these people, but you can't waste your time with them either. They must be handled in such a way that they come to the conclusion that they cannot afford to buy without your telling them that. If you tell them they are not able to buy, they may well be humiliated. In this case, they'll both never become customers of yours and may well spread negative press about you and your "shoddy" business. You don't need this.

 

With these collectors then, you should do the following:

 

- Thank them for their interest in your high-priced

comics.

- Point out its benefits.

- Then qualify them: "Would you agree, Jim, that this Fantastic Four #4 is in the best condition you've seen at this price?" Pause for an answer. "Can you tell me whether you are in a position to go ahead and get one today?"

 

The collector who is not financially able to go ahead will let you know. Their voice will break. They will look away from you. They'll falter in some way or another. You'll know then that the problem has nothing to do with your comic but with them. In such situations, your job is to break off this contact as graciously as possible and as quickly as possible without in any way offending the person before you:

 

"I can tell, Jim, that you need some time to think about this. Don't worry. It's a big decision, and I don't want you to feel pressured in any way. Write down my name and number. Just drop me a note or call when you're ready to move ahead on this. I know you'll be happy with the comic and I'm anxious to make sure you own one."

 

Then end the discussion quickly.

 

Many dealers, after becoming aware that they are dealing with a collector who doesn't have the money, go out of their way to insult this person. Don't fall in this trap. When people are ridiculed they are three times as likely to tell other collectors about their experience than if they are made happy. You can't afford this negative word-of-mouth publicity, especially since it doesn't take much longer to be nice than to be nasty. Even if they don't have a money, their friends might. Keep this in mind.

 

But it is, of course, the other objection that you should really concentrate on:

 

"It costs too much" ("I don't think this is a good use of my money").

 

Under these circumstances, your job is clear. You've got to show the collector that what you are offering is reasonable and does meet his needs or wants sufficiently strongly to justify him in spending his money.

 

Here are some ways of doing that:

 

- Use minimizing words such as "only" (It only costs $8.00); "low" (The price is a low $8.00); "mere" (It will cost you a mere $8.00); and so on. Such phrases suggest to many collectors that the price is reasonable.

 

- Tie the price in with a strong description of all the benefits that suggest the collector is getting a super value for the money. Example: "Now the price for this fine-condition comic with milk-white pages, glossy cover, and tight spine is only $85.00."

 

- Suggest possible prices that are higher than the price you're selling it for, which will sound low by comparison. Example: "You would probably pay $200.00 for a book in this condition, or at least $150.00? Well, all it will cost you now is $85.00."

 

- Offset your high price by emphasizing the comic's future value. Example: "This (30.00) book has doubled over the last 3 years. Because of demand and its scarcity, it will at least do that over the next 3 years, and you'll double your investment."

 

- Offset your high price by emphasizing savings. Example: "If you want this ($200.00) book, I'd buy it now. When the new price guide comes out in two months, you'll have to pay 20% or $40.00 for this same book. Buy now and you can save yourself $40.00 if not more."

 

- Cite an Overstreet oversight based on your own opinion. Example: "Overstreet really missed the boat on this ($75.00) book. You cannot find these anywhere, and if you do you'll easily pay double what I'm asking for this book. The price guide has undervalued this book."

 

- Cite your volume of sales. "Yes, these Wolverine #1s are priced high. However, we've sold 75 already at this price, and at this rate I won't have any left by the end of the convention. I'd pick up some now."

 

FINAL TIP:

 

Because one of the things you must learn to do in order to make big money at conventions is to handle objections--especially about your prices--keep an Objections Log. This is a list of all the objections that collectors give you and your answers to them. Most of us are not very quick on our feet. "Winging it" doesn't help us. It hurts. So be prepared. Whenever you hear an objection from now on, write down your best response. Refine it until you are sure you have the best possible response.

 

Don't let the simplicity of these techniques fool you.

They work!