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advice for new collectors
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Started by chrisfuccione,

186 posts in this topic

MatMarvelV1

MatMarvelV1

Posted
Posted

As a collector / dealer, who originally got into comics for the sheer love of it, I would recommend a few of the following:

 

(1) Collecting comics is very much like collecting art, you must have an eye for it - be aware of potentially hot artists, buy popular artists work before they die and sell it quickly afterwards.

(2) It's much easier collecting with a partner to reign in those expensive, honestly...it will make money, purchases. If you must buy it though, you better make damn sure it makes a profit

(3) Don't start collecting after you get married - they just think you're spending money for the sake of it! angel.gif

& why..oh why are you on the computer again / at that convention this weekend / on the phone again - it wasn't like this when we first got married, makepoint.gif

(4) Personal Enjoyment / Legacy - Collect to please youself and to leave your loved ones something. I started off with very little and ended up with enough to keep my family in clothes and have a personal collection that will be passed on to my sons (If they're lucky) 893crossfingers-thumb.gif

(5) Ignore mates / friends / extended family members who think you are a 'Geek', illustrate to them 'Comic Art Potential'. It worked for me - Now there are very few dissenters, and plenty who want to buy shares! ( Or be a director of external sales or something!!) sorry.gif

(6) For the love of God enjoy yourself & disregard all the rest, strive to be the best and achieve those goals you thought were out of reach. acclaim.gif

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cortez

cortez

Posted
Posted

Buy & Collect books you'll enjoy.

 

Study Comic Reference Books (Overstreet; Comics Value Annual; Comic Buyer's Guide; etc.)

 

Avoid books with the words "Special Collector's Issue" on the cover (Collectors Items just happen and aren't created)

 

Diversify shopping outlets for your comics. Include Thrift Shops, Antique Stores; Flea Markets; Garage and Estate Sales. (Many Deals Can Be Found This Way.) Also Check Public Library Sales.

 

Affiliate with other collectors; online forums; LCS dealers etc.

 

Most of all....Have Fun & Happy Hunting!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

Cortez

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superman20

superman20

Posted
Posted
Don't buy raw off of ebay unless you want a reader.

 

Well I got a subscription of an ebay dealer, and so far its benn realy good, he now grading and he send me the best book he has(9.8-9.6) and when Im not happy with a 9.4, he send me another 1 for free, no questions asked.

 

thats what I call customer service. (thumbs u

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gernblanston

gernblanston

Posted
Posted
Don't buy raw off of ebay unless you want a reader.

 

Well I got a subscription of an ebay dealer, and so far its benn realy good, he now grading and he send me the best book he has(9.8-9.6) and when Im not happy with a 9.4, he send me another 1 for free, no questions asked.

 

thats what I call customer service. (thumbs u

 

I have just been burned too many times. Everyone selling on ebay does not overgrade, but I would say 75% of them do based on the number of books I receive in worse shape than described. I have also been surprised by undergrading, but it is rare. (shrug)

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superman20

superman20

Posted
Posted
Don't buy raw off of ebay unless you want a reader.

 

Well I got a subscription of an ebay dealer, and so far its benn realy good, he now grading and he send me the best book he has(9.8-9.6) and when Im not happy with a 9.4, he send me another 1 for free, no questions asked.

 

thats what I call customer service. (thumbs u

 

I have just been burned too many times. Everyone selling on ebay does not overgrade, but I would say 75% of them do based on the number of books I receive in worse shape than described. I have also been surprised by undergrading, but it is rare. (shrug)

I agree on that, (thumbs u

 

they overgrade only to make more $$$$, doh!

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esquirecomics

esquirecomics

Posted
Posted

I recently participated in a video series that was specifically designed for new comic book collectors.

 

All About Comics on VideoJug.com

 

There are numerous categories that are addressed:

 

Types Of Comic Books

Comic Book Terms

Comic Book Ages

Comic Book Publishers

Choosing Comic Books

Buying Comic Books

Collecting Comic Books

Preserving Comic Books

Comic Book Resources

Comic Book Grading

Comic Book Certification

Comic Book Pricing

Comic Book Pedigrees

Comic Book Selling

Comic Book Alterations

 

Some of the questions that are addressed (in videos from 25 seconds to 2 minutes in length):

 

What is a 'graphic novel'?

What is a 'pulp magazine' or 'pulp fiction'?

What is 'manga'?

What are the different types of comic book covers?

Why do collectors refer to the specific era of a comic book?

What is the most sought after era of comic books?

How often are comic books published?

What are the different genres of comic books?

Which comic book titles should I choose to collect?

What are the most popular modern comic book titles?

Which comic book titles have the most potential to turn a profit?

Are local comic book dealers more trustworthy than Internet dealers?

What are the pros and cons of buying a comic book collection?

What are the pros and cons of buying comic books individually?

What makes a comic book valuable?

When did comic book collecting become popular?

How do you become a comic book collector?

Should I insure my comic books?

How should I handle a collectible comic book?

Where is the best place in my home to store comic books?

What does the 'Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide' provide?

What are some tips for attending a comic book convention?

How do I grade my own comic books?

What does a comic book certification company do?

What are the pros and cons of comic book certification?

Should I expect to get paid Guide prices for my comic books?

How do I set a price for my comic books?

How do I get the best sale price for my comic books?

Where can I purchase pedigree collection books?

How do I know if a book is from a pedigree collection?

What are the pros and cons of selling my comic books individually?

What are the pros and cons of selling my comics as a collection?

Who should I sell my comic books to?

What are the pitfalls of selling comic books?

Should I sell my comic books at a convention?

How does restoration affect a comic book's price?

Should I use tape to repair my comic books?

What is comic book 'color touching'?

What is comic book 'de-acidification'?

Do I need to disclose comic book alterations before a sale?

 

These videos are primarily meant to educate individuals who do not know a great deal about comics and collecting. Personally, I was quite pleased with the results (although the editors did get some facts wrong such as saying I was an advisor to the coveted Overstreet Comic Book Grading Guide which, although true, was obviously meant to be a reference to the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide!).

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Varfleet

Varfleet

Posted
Posted
I recently participated in a video series that was specifically designed for new comic book collectors.

 

All About Comics on VideoJug.com

 

There are numerous categories that are addressed:

 

Types Of Comic Books

Comic Book Terms

Comic Book Ages

Comic Book Publishers

Choosing Comic Books

Buying Comic Books

Collecting Comic Books

Preserving Comic Books

Comic Book Resources

Comic Book Grading

Comic Book Certification

Comic Book Pricing

Comic Book Pedigrees

Comic Book Selling

Comic Book Alterations

 

Some of the questions that are addressed (in videos from 25 seconds to 2 minutes in length):

 

What is a 'graphic novel'?

What is a 'pulp magazine' or 'pulp fiction'?

What is 'manga'?

What are the different types of comic book covers?

Why do collectors refer to the specific era of a comic book?

What is the most sought after era of comic books?

How often are comic books published?

What are the different genres of comic books?

Which comic book titles should I choose to collect?

What are the most popular modern comic book titles?

Which comic book titles have the most potential to turn a profit?

Are local comic book dealers more trustworthy than Internet dealers?

What are the pros and cons of buying a comic book collection?

What are the pros and cons of buying comic books individually?

What makes a comic book valuable?

When did comic book collecting become popular?

How do you become a comic book collector?

Should I insure my comic books?

How should I handle a collectible comic book?

Where is the best place in my home to store comic books?

What does the 'Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide' provide?

What are some tips for attending a comic book convention?

How do I grade my own comic books?

What does a comic book certification company do?

What are the pros and cons of comic book certification?

Should I expect to get paid Guide prices for my comic books?

How do I set a price for my comic books?

How do I get the best sale price for my comic books?

Where can I purchase pedigree collection books?

How do I know if a book is from a pedigree collection?

What are the pros and cons of selling my comic books individually?

What are the pros and cons of selling my comics as a collection?

Who should I sell my comic books to?

What are the pitfalls of selling comic books?

Should I sell my comic books at a convention?

How does restoration affect a comic book's price?

Should I use tape to repair my comic books?

What is comic book 'color touching'?

What is comic book 'de-acidification'?

Do I need to disclose comic book alterations before a sale?

 

These videos are primarily meant to educate individuals who do not know a great deal about comics and collecting. Personally, I was quite pleased with the results (although the editors did get some facts wrong such as saying I was an advisor to the coveted Overstreet Comic Book Grading Guide which, although true, was obviously meant to be a reference to the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide!).

 

Great videos!

 

If you don't mind, I would like to link to the them from my personal site.

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s-man

s-man

Posted
Posted

BUY WHAT YOU THINK IS COOL! :cool:

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Bro

Bro

Posted
Posted

Related to getting your collection covered under home owner’s insurance policy, they require that you have the collection appraised. How/where would you get a collection appraised???

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redneckley

redneckley

Posted
Posted

I have been what I would call a comic book saver. I read lots and lots of comics, put them in plastics and then into long boxes. I have been at it for years. But in reality I have just started collecting them in earnest for just a few years now. I have looked at what I want and have started picking up graded comics. While I have many, many log boxes and file cabinets full of comics just now have I been really working on getting them better organized and cataloged. I must say that I have been enjoying them much more. After reading through all the posts, the best advice I have read is: Collect what you like to read. If you enjoy reading them, then any monetary value that they retain is a bonus.

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