blazingbob

On 4/9/2024 at 9:46 AM, The humble Watcher lurking said:

I only really focus on two markets AI and weight loss diabetic drugs. So far so good. 

Of course both are doing well until someone in the AI sector posts a lousy quarter or guidance.  And frankly the weight loss diabetes drug bonanza is one class action lawsuit away from disaster since we haven't seen long term effects of using diabetes medication for weight loss which is not what it is intended for.  And this is coming from someone who follows the tech sector and biotech sector very very closely.    

On 4/8/2024 at 3:28 PM, darkstar said:

Just an all around terrible take and atrocious comparison to the videogame market. This is reactionary nonsense due to price spikes and overall instability in a virgin market. Evidence of an actual pump is nowhere to be found. Where is the hype? Where is the young, outside money moving into the market? There is little evidence of either of those things. Pulp content here on the boards? Nearly non-existent. Same thing to be said about Youtube and your social media platform of choice.  

Windy City Pulp was this past weekend, fewer than 5 dealers had graded pulps, and I would estimate 90% of the people in the room were in their late 40s or older. It was the same show that it has always been. 

Graded videogames were around for years, being bought and sold for understandable prices by collectors, before any sort of manipulation set in, the market depth and interest simply was not there. That market wasn't seen as an investment opportunity until Heritage made the false press release about the Super Mario Brothers sale and then conveniently announced they would start selling graded games.  

I believe the gaming market was a blend of auction houses spiking up prices,  grading company "investors" spinning scarcity since no census existed,  a hype machine gone wild,  "supposed sales" that seems to defy reality and a general lack of transparency into who was really buying this stuff.  

With the pulp market it is a niche market,  there is a good collector base but lets not forget that once grading starts and $$$ numbers get thrown around reality goes out the window.  Like any other asset if the price hits a number that makes you go "hmmmm" maybe sell some of those treasured pulps into the strength.  

I'll take the FF #20

I'll take the AS #19, 36

I'd give your local UPS driver a tip just as a thank you even though he probably had nothing to do with the recovery.

I expect that most of the overgraded books already in holders will now become "suspect" supported by my new 25% dealer discount to become customer service again.  

On 1/16/2024 at 11:13 AM, namisgr said:

Also, shoveled the three inches of snow that fell overnight.

That was my workout of the day.  Followed up with a cup of coffee.

I kept hitting refresh over and over again until the page restored.

Powered the PC over and over again just like tech support recommends.

Cleared my cache over and over again.

Powered my router off and on because that is what the problem is.

Thank you for the people commenting on my consignment service.

My consignment fees are 10% up to $9999,  8.75% up to $99,999, 7.5% over $100K

I do not charge you the seller paypal fees etc.

If you have any questions you can always message or give me a call.

On 1/8/2024 at 2:34 PM, ADAMANTIUM said:

 

Do y'all come to Dallas at all? I have noticed maybe the same 6 comic dealers that are the usual, so I assume they get something out of it, while there are only 4 or more that rotate out and or aren't "local" per se.

I was just curious the "climate" of the Dallas area when it comes to comics and cons, or if like New Orleans was on the way out?

 

My plan for this year is to do Bedrock's texas show in Houston.  

On 1/8/2024 at 12:07 PM, ChiSoxFan said:

I completely understand.  New Orleans has a lot to offer outside of the show, but if you're looking to make money and you're selling higher-end books, it's likely going to be a loss for someone doing so.  I remember you had an amazing selection of books when I saw you at the last show I was at that you were, and I just didn't see buyers like that while I was at the show that would have appreciated what you would have had to offer.  As you pointed out, you can sell off of your website easily and not leave your home and make more money that doing all of the work and putting in the expense that setting up at a show requires.  If you're setting up at Charlotte, and I end up making that trip, maybe I'll see you there. 

I don't know what good the survey they gave is going to do, but I'm guessing based on who I saw wandering the hall this weekend that the vast majority of people who answered put down something other than "comics",  It's a vicious cycle, unfortunately -- dealers don't do the show because they're not making money due to a lack of actual buyers, and the potential buyers in the area (like myself) don't go to the show because we know there won't be dealers with actual comics worth buying.  I don't know how that changes, unless the show organizers think it's an issue and offer an incentive for more comic dealers to do the show -- which I'm guessing is something that won't happen.

 

You are absolutely correct.  Your post and possibly mine will unfortunately "influence" collectors into not going to a show.  I am not badmouthing the show by the way.  I like New Orleans but the economic reality is that it is not profitable.  There is NOTHING emotional about the numbers.  I can't do shows based on HOPE someone shows up to buy what I'm selling.  Multi day events don't treat dealers like celebrities,  they treat dealers as a economic revenue stream to bring in the celebrities.   

Sorry for my short reply.  I loved doing New Orleans but it was always to travel,  enjoy the local cuisine and hopefully make some money.   

Unfortunately,  I don't make money at the show,  therefore I don't do it.  

If I want to give away $3500 for free I can do that behind my computer and not drive to Louisiana which is what I'm in the hole at minimum to do a show.  
It is nice to see that Fan expo finally is asking their attendees why they are there.  

I would love to see a breakdown of responses to see what percentage of the show is there to buy comics.  

Just seeing this.  Hope you get better Jim.  

Aladair was a long term collector and I've know him 10+ years.  Mostly a Marvel collector.  

I apologize if I haven't seen a thread about this but I just found out today that a very very good customer over in the UK passed away a few weeks ago.

He had been battling a brain tumor,  I spoke to him last in October and he seemed to be getting better.

For those who knew him he was a wonderful person,  had a good sense of humor. 

I always enjoyed our conversations,  he would call and chat and I'd see him at the UK shows when I was over there. 

I genuinely will miss him a lot and it hurts a lot that he is gone.  

I have gotten a lot of bad news about very close friends in the last 2 weeks. 

From this hobby/business I have met a lot of people that I would never have met in my life.  Each one provides experiences and insight into things I would have never did when I was just a manager at Verizon. 

The holiday season has been rough with all the bad news. 

Bob

I didn't sell him a lot of books but I'm sorry to hear about this.

I wish people would sometimes take the emotional "Comics" out of the equation and think of them as a commodity that money can be made off.  

There will always be the "yard sale mentality",  antique collector out there.  

Chocolate or strawberry Quik?  Good question.  I used to like the chocolate,  never liked the strawberry