How Do You Let Them Down Gently?

[chrisco37]

Take him the OSPG and the Grading Guide. Show him they are worth very little. Use eBay to back it up.

[Griz]

I see these on Craig's List all the time:

 

"For sale: About 1200 MINT condition comics from the 80s and 90s. $3500 or best offer. Will not respond to lowball, pennies-on-the-dollar offers."

 

I had a boilerplate somewhere that I would send, talking about huge print runs and speculation, et cetera, but now I don't respond at all to these types of ads.

 

I'd say talk to the guy about print runs and the bust, and the difference between an OS price and an actual price.

 

To me, OS is the price you should expect to pay for a comic that is sitting, sorted, bagged and boarded in someone's comic shop, waiting for you to buy it. It includes the overhead of all that and the ease of filling a hole in your collection by pulling it out of a lot of other well-organized comics.

 

When I try to explain to people selling collections that they are selling in bulk and can't even expect to get half guide for their stuff, it can be a hard sell.

 

Like the other guys said, though, it doesn't have to be all bad news. A comic's worth is what the buyer and seller agree it is. Negotiating one by one on eBay (or something) is going to make the books "worth" a lot more than as a big lot.

 

I second that, I won't even look at Craigslist anymore precisely because of that, ridiculous seller expectations. I call it the "Antique's Roadshow Phenomena." Because of TV shows and stories, many people think their junk is worth thousands.

 

I actually wouldn't use an Overstreet in this case, as even this my over-inflate the sense of value; the eye may wander over to the NM prices, which are rarely realized on modern books. I think E-bay is a more accurate and direct way of demonstrating value.

[KEY ISSUES Comics]

It's a tough situation and I don't know how to deal with it. Many people believe you are trying to rob them blind when you offer less than guide for a collection, or less than NM prices.

 

I was offered a 3 box collection last summer. The highlights were: high grade copies of HULK #181, DAREDEVIL #131, 158, and some nice UNCANNY X-MEN in the #105-141 range + a very low grade GIANT-SIZE X-MEN #1. Those are the highlights. The bulk is made up of NEW TEEN TITANS, NEW MUTANTS, MAGIK, X-FACTOR, etc...

 

In other words, more than 75% of the stuff is common, but he thinks that selling $4 guide books for half guide is a deal (I sell most of those for $1 or less!!!!), and he is convinced most of his UNCANNY X-MEN are NM+++ as he believes his HULK #181 to be (I think it's a 9.0 tops, but I could be wrong, but it's not a CGC 9.6 - has a thin vertical scratch through the Hulk logo on cover, and a narrow dust shadow (?) along the bottom of the back cover).

 

The comics were once his brother's and he knows NOTHING about comics, but wants to get rid of them so he looks on Ebay and only sees what he wants to see - the CGC 9.6 and higher prices. Try negotiating for a small lot of relatively worthless (in dollars that is) comics that includes the HULK #181 he thinks is 9.6 and you think is 8.5 to 9.0.... Big $$$ difference! I told him to send in the HULK to be slabbed since it is worthwhile, whether 8.5 or 9.6, and we can use it as a reference for his other books. Better yet, I offered to bring some of my CGC books over, but he wants nothing to do with it.

 

Another case of people thinking comics are the fast track to riches. If so, most of us would sell most of our 10,000+ comcis overnight without effort and become millionaires, right?

 

It's a tough one - we WANT those comics, but we're not going to pay unrealistic prices for them, and the people with them just don't believe us,

 

Good luck!

[kidcolt]

I am also a big vintage card collector (Hockey, baseball, basketball) and I get the same thing all the time. People started collecting in the early 90's when the cards (and comics) had that collectors boom. Its hard to explain to people who have invested tons of money that their cards have little to no value. I always try to explain that it is a hobby and that its about more then monetary value. I also try to explain to them the different factors that affect the market....conditions, supply and demand etc. I also have come across guys who have a ton of old cards and think just because they are old that they must be worth a fortune. Again I explain that there are a ton of factors to consider condition, popularity, teams, rookies, SP etc....most understand but are dissapointed.

 

I think the best way is to be honest and explain that money value isn't everything. Explain to him how the comic market really works and how the internet has changed it. Even if he is dissapointed with your info I am sure he will respect your honesty.

[KEY ISSUES Comics]

It's a tough situation and I don't know how to deal with it. Many people believe you are trying to rob them blind when you offer less than guide for a collection, or less than NM prices.

 

I was offered a 3 box collection last summer. The highlights were: high grade copies of HULK #181, DAREDEVIL #131, 158, and some nice UNCANNY X-MEN in the #105-141 range + a very low grade GIANT-SIZE X-MEN #1. Those are the highlights. The bulk is made up of NEW TEEN TITANS, NEW MUTANTS, MAGIK, X-FACTOR, etc...

 

In other words, more than 75% of the stuff is common, but he thinks that selling $4 guide books for half guide is a deal (I sell most of those for $1 or less!!!!), and he is convinced most of his UNCANNY X-MEN are NM+++ as he believes his HULK #181 to be (I think it's a 9.0 tops, but I could be wrong, but it's not a CGC 9.6 - has a thin vertical scratch through the Hulk logo on cover, and a narrow dust shadow (?) along the bottom of the back cover).

 

The comics were once his brother's and he knows NOTHING about comics, but wants to get rid of them so he looks on Ebay and only sees what he wants to see - the CGC 9.6 and higher prices. Try negotiating for a small lot of relatively worthless (in dollars that is) comics that includes the HULK #181 he thinks is 9.6 and you think is 8.5 to 9.0.... Big $$$ difference! I told him to send in the HULK to be slabbed since it is worthwhile, whether 8.5 or 9.6, and we can use it as a reference for his other books. Better yet, I offered to bring some of my CGC books over, but he wants nothing to do with it.

 

Another case of people thinking comics are the fast track to riches. If so, most of us would sell most of our 10,000+ comcis overnight without effort and become millionaires, right?

 

It's a tough one - we WANT those comics, but we're not going to pay unrealistic prices for them, and the people with them just don't believe us,

 

Good luck!

Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention his lot includes 7 WOLVERINE #1 (Miller mini) that he grades as NM+++ (they all have writing in ink on the back covers, spine stress, and the faded printing defect alogn the bottom of the front cover ). Yeah real NM++++, and we all know these get NOWHERE near guide in raw NM-, or even slabbed...

 

He thinks they add $75.00 x 7 to the value of the collection *sigh*.....

[skybolt]

Another thing that bothers me with co-workers is that they're too nosy when it comes to your personal business. One time I was trying to show this guy at work how to list his comic books on Ebay, so I referenced some of my own listings. Of course, the guy turns around and e-mails my Ebay handle to several people in the office. Now I get some nosy co-workers that know nothing about comics stopping by my desk and asking why I spent $500 on a comic book with a seductive female cover (good girl art). I'm this close to telling them to mind their own *spoon* business.

[Wally's Comics]

sit him down and gently explain that his collection is pure slop...

 

if he don't like it apply as many left hooks as necessary

until he does...

 

 

no need to thank me,

glad to help.

 

 

[Mr. Zipper]

I don't even want my family knowing my collecting habits, let alone co-workers. A few of my colleagues know that I like to collect "memorabilia" including comics, but that's as far as I go.

 

I made the mistake of helping my mother sell some junk on ebay so she learned my ebay name. Months later she calls to scold me and ask why I am selling PORN(!) on ebay (It was a lot of 10 or so old Playboys )

 

If I didn't already have several years of flawless feedback built up, I would have changed my name that day.

[spidrvacc]

I dealt with this at my old job all the time. People would find out I collected and either say A. I got some great books if you want to take a look and buy them. and they are superman 75, dazzzler 1 , xforce 1 spawn 1 and I have to tell them i dont have that kind of cash () or the one who say B. i got my kids college fund here ( same 10-20 books) and I try to tell them they are worth about $20 and they give me the "your just trying to get my stash from me for nothing " line.

 

This sounds like that famous thread we had on here back in the day , the kid was trying to sell his collection and wanted thousands for what was worth only maybe $700 and he was afraid to let another member here come to his house as he was afraid of getting knifed. He just thought we were telling him his books had no real value to 'steal' them from him.He was adimant his books were the worth a fortune. eventually he listened and lowerd the price (he seemed like a good kid in the end), did we ever find out what happened to his collection??

[Dick Pontoon]

Another thing that bothers me with co-workers is that they're too nosy when it comes to your personal business. One time I was trying to show this guy at work how to list his comic books on Ebay, so I referenced some of my own listings. Of course, the guy turns around and e-mails my Ebay handle to several people in the office. Now I get some nosy co-workers that know nothing about comics stopping by my desk and asking why I spent $500 on a comic book with a seductive female cover (good girl art). I'm this close to telling them to mind their own *spoon* business.

 

Ttppttthh! You sent $500 on a girlie funnybook? Tell us more!

 

I'm curious about the fate of these collections after these folks eventually realize they're not going to sell them for bags of cash. Do they just never sell and expect the books to appreciate further? Or do they finally realize they can't retire on their comics and sell them at real world prices?

[Mac Man]

*In my best Kartman voice* Screw you guys- that Dazzler #1's going to the top some day, you'll see!

 

[Dick Pontoon]

I dealt with this at my old job all the time. People would find out I collected and either say A. I got some great books if you want to take a look and buy them. and they are superman 75, dazzzler 1 , xforce 1 spawn 1 and I have to tell them i dont have that kind of cash () or the one who say B. i got my kids college fund here ( same 10-20 books) and I try to tell them they are worth about $20 and they give me the "your just trying to get my stash from me for nothing " line.

 

This sounds like that famous thread we had on here back in the day , the kid was trying to sell his collection and wanted thousands for what was worth only maybe $700 and he was afraid to let another member here come to his house as he was afraid of getting knifed. He just thought we were telling him his books had no real value to 'steal' them from him.He was adimant his books were the worth a fortune. eventually he listened and lowerd the price (he seemed like a good kid in the end), did we ever find out what happened to his collection??

 

Didn't Shadroch go over there and stab him before walking out with the lot?

[mica]

Ya know we could start generating some false hype and create an artificial demand for these books.

 

Oh wait ... that's been done to death.

[Mr. Zipper]

I dealt with this at my old job all the time. People would find out I collected and either say A. I got some great books if you want to take a look and buy them. and they are superman 75, dazzzler 1 , xforce 1 spawn 1 and I have to tell them i dont have that kind of cash () or the one who say B. i got my kids college fund here ( same 10-20 books) and I try to tell them they are worth about $20 and they give me the "your just trying to get my stash from me for nothing " line.

 

This sounds like that famous thread we had on here back in the day , the kid was trying to sell his collection and wanted thousands for what was worth only maybe $700 and he was afraid to let another member here come to his house as he was afraid of getting knifed. He just thought we were telling him his books had no real value to 'steal' them from him.He was adimant his books were the worth a fortune. eventually he listened and lowerd the price (he seemed like a good kid in the end), did we ever find out what happened to his collection??

 

Didn't Shadroch go over there and stab him before walking out with the lot?

 

Well, he is a member of NOD, and I've heard those people are capable of anything.

 

[Stronguy]

I got cornered by a contractor at work a few years ago. He noticed I had the cover to some random National Comics (Uncle Sam fighting some Nazi skeleton or some such nonsense) and he told me he had a few old comics. I told him to bring them in and I would look them over.

 

As I recall he only brought up 10-15 book but there was an ASM 14, Avengers 4 and several other nice early Marvels, all about 6.0. Needless to say I was shocked. I offered him some money but he politely declined... so I brough him som mylars and boards so they would remain in decent shape.

[Dick Pontoon]

I'm going to hate myself in the morning, but here's the thread in question, the POWAMAN COLLECTION!!!

[mica]

I'm curious about the fate of these collections after these folks eventually realize they're not going to sell them for bags of cash. Do they just never sell and expect the books to appreciate further? Or do they finally realize they can't retire on their comics and sell them at real world prices?

In about 20 years a lot of these books will end up in the trash. After a trip to the LCS and the great disapointment that follows when they hear from the LCS owner...many will probably dump them or give them to toddlers who won't know how to store them and voila they get trashed (eventually just takes longer).

 

So perhaps if that scenario happens over and over then they might one day be worth Overstreet prices, but the collectors of the future probably won't care...so back to square one.

[Point Five]

This sounds like that famous thread we had on here back in the day , the kid was trying to sell his collection and wanted thousands for what was worth only maybe $700 and he was afraid to let another member here come to his house as he was afraid of getting knifed. He just thought we were telling him his books had no real value to 'steal' them from him.He was adimant his books were the worth a fortune. eventually he listened and lowerd the price (he seemed like a good kid in the end),

 

I forgot about that thread (actually I think it was a couple of threads)! That was a riot.

[spidrvacc]

 

I just took a look and he sold his first comic , not sure if it was part of his big collection. That thread was a classic.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270107435849

[Sharkey]

I don't even want my family knowing my collecting habits, let alone co-workers. A few of my colleagues know that I like to collect "memorabilia" including comics, but that's as far as I go.

 

I made the mistake of helping my mother sell some junk on ebay so she learned my ebay name. Months later she calls to scold me and ask why I am selling PORN(!) on ebay (It was a lot of 10 or so old Playboys )

 

If I didn't already have several years of flawless feedback built up, I would have changed my name that day.

 

 

If you're gonna peddle smut, you need to change your handle to UNzipper69....