Bronze/Modern - What Are You Submitting?

[comicinvestor-migration]

I've been watching the window shrink on Bronze and Modern books, and everytime I get a pack ready for CGC, I notice that buyers are zoning in on certain series (Byrne X-Men for one) and not just "buying more of everything". The CGC risks are increasing daily for CGC submissions.

 

So what comics (other than no-brainer keys like Hulk 181, Iron Man 55, etc.) are you guys sending in?

[greggy]

I'm still doing it because I bought most of my Bronze books in the early to mid 1990s so my investment is low. However, I am getting down to my personal copies of my Marvels so I will have to decide if it is worthwhile to have them graded just to keep. But...there appears to be sufficient demand with some board members that it may be worth it just for me to slab and trade for other books that I want! I can make money on any of them because my investment is so low. Don't know about the others.

[comicinvestor-migration]

I'm no tjust talking about the "initial investment" as I've also got reams of stuff that I've collected since I was a whippersnapper in the 70's. I'm just talking about the grading fees, shipping (to Canada sucks as you already know), EBay fees, etc., etc.

 

I've seen a ton of really nice non-key books just slide off the chart without a bid at $15-$20. Byrne X-Men are still doing okay, so I might just stuff a boxful of 20 prime ones and send those in.

[hogations]

I think the early Byrne X-Men are worthwhile, but the later issues are starting to drop in price quite a bit (unless you feel the copies are 9.6 or higher).

[delekkerste]

The CGC market is so laden with pitfalls and susceptible to the "flavor of the month"

syndrome that it's difficult to send in books and expect the market to be receptive to

them when you get them back a few months from now.

 

I think I'm going to slab some Hulk #34s for resale, but that's about it. Other than

that, the rest of the slabbing will be done for my personal collection - slabbing the rest

of the 2nd Miller DD run and some nice early 1980s stuff (stuff that might not be worth

much except on a personal level...I love those Simonson Thors and Paul Smith X-Men,

for example). Speaking of which, I love all these 1983-1984 gems that Comgeek and

Diceguy are pulling out of the woodwork on eBay. I can't believe they had 3 Thor #340

CGC 9.8s (I won one last night)...I had spent countless hours in search of the perfect

Thor #340. And they even have an X-Men and the Micronauts #1 CGC 9.8!! Ah,

memories of youth, on sale cheap!!

 

Gene

[comicinvestor-migration]

I wouldn't send a Byrne X-Men in that I thought wouldn't have a shot at 9.8, unless it's a NM 108 or 109.

[drbanner]

Why do you ask? Are you really considering sending books in, or are you just using the question as a guise to comment on the market? If you would have sent in a batch when you first started talking about it, you would probably have them back by now!!!

 

Anyhow, I will assume this is a legitimate question and you want to sell some dupes - any bronze/modern key in 9.4 or better will likely garner you a return greater than the grading fee. Also, any '75-'80 book with low census numbers are good candidates since the grading fee (including shipping/insurance) amounts to less than $13/14 each if you send in a batch of 20-25 books. And they say they're currently on-time for Moderns (one month turnaround)!

 

For example, I recently got back Ghost Rider 10 9.8 WP. There have only been 3 copies of this book graded, and this is a semi-key Ghost Rider book - origin retold and a classic Hulk cover - the 9.6 copy (OW/W) sold recently for a $140 BIN. The Byrne X-men are modern books, as are the Miller DD's, so you could easily search ebay to see what 9.6/9.8's are going for - good luck!

[hogations]

Very nice

[comicinvestor-migration]

Yeah, it's a real question and the reason I didn't send them in last time is that I took the money (as kind of an experiment) and bought more Bronze with it. The deals were just too good to pass up, so I made the call.

 

Now I'm back to square one and some things have changed. I have a pretty good idea on what to submit, and I was just wondering if there are any emerging trends that look to be good deals.

 

My main issue is that while I have a ton of nice 71-74 books, the $20-$25 grading fee (not to mention the wait) is a joke for all but Keys IMHO, and I'm only looking at Modern 1975 and up. That's an area I don't follow as much as early-Bronze, so suggestions are welcome.

[drbanner]

while I have a ton of nice 71-74 books, the $20-$25 grading fee (not to mention the wait) is a joke for all but Keys IMHO, and I'm only looking at Modern 1975 and up.

 

That's a good rule of thumb, but I would definitely look to see if any of your 71-74 books match up with "holes" in the census - remember ye olde law of supply and demand!! As evidence of the phenom, witness the 9.4 1970 Wonder Woman I recently sold for nearly 8x guide...

[comicinvestor-migration]

Maybe, and I may take a quick look. I know some books I have (like a couple of NM Marvel Two-in-One #1's) would sell quick, but I'm not sure I want to sell them.

 

At some point CGC has to base their $15 rate more on value than on era. A 1974 book worth $50 NM costs $25 to grade, while a $250 1975 book only takes $15? Ah, the benefits of dealing with a monopoly....

[murph0]

I haven't sent in any moderns and never will..don't have any bronze books that I need to know the grade on..my bronze either consists of CGC'd books or ASM books that I already know the grade on.

 

Brian

[scottish]

My next few shipments will be Modern, but I have no rhyme or reason in regards to what I send in. Probably some generic, middle-of-the-run DDs, Hulk (get that Keown run graded) and some early Modern books.

 

I agree that any other tier is just too expensive (and economy too friggin' long) for anything other than keys.

 

I'm waiting on my economy shipment received on 8/26/02 - Christmas? S'okay as I like receiving packages in December anyway.

[murph0]

scottish, I sent in books that were received about 5 days before yours...I'm hoping for January..but not betting on it..the turn-around times are getting SLIGHTLY better..they really need to do something about it..the way it is right now they're basically using the turn-around time for economy as a deterant so that people will use the higher (and more expensive levels)..they may be doing this intentionally or unintentionally but either way it's happening and thus slowing down Economy even more

 

Brian

[drbanner]

I haven't sent in any moderns and never will.

 

Yeah, I wouldn't send them in either if I wasn't looking to sell...shouldn't you be in TX!?!?

[murph0]

I leave at 3 (and don't worry, greggy, I'll be bringing my laptop so I can keep my #1 spot). Not in a real rush anymore as I think I'm gonna pass on most of Cage's books as they seem to be going at a premium...and I'm not gonna pay a premium just cause he owned 'em. :\

 

Brian

[drbanner]

I hear ya...I was in on his Hulk 4 until y-day, but alas, I see that I'm out of the running now

[greggy]

It doesn't matter Lord Thanos, I will still make money on those books despite all those costs. However, like I said, most of them will probably be not for sale. Hmmm, except maybe my extra Hero for Hire 1 currently at CGC! I wonder who wants that book!

[comicinvestor-migration]

Yeah, I wonder. Any idea on the potential grade?

[greggy]

Oh, I know but only a crazy would even consider catching up to you. You would just be "sick" for a few days so you could have your esteemed number "1" position. Like, who really gives cares except you because you make such an effort to mention it? I post on what I want to post on and not to catch up to anyone because ultimately, who gives a [!@#%^&^]? Maybe you?

 

Now, please end this constant reminding because I'm sure you have something more relevant that you can be proud of! I sure hope so!