My road to success (Moving Update 2) 8 8

[uchiha101]

Here is an example of what to do.

 

Deadpool 2 is coming out in 2018.

 

Hulksdaddy had a whole box of NM #87 2nd prints for sale.

 

I've worked with Dave on a fair few deals.

 

Dave should be noted as a superb boardie - great buyer, great seller. He grades accurately, sells at fair prices, and pays promptly when buying.

 

And he's a top bloke!

 

I got the whole box of 120 books shipped to me for $400

 

Prices have ranged (already) from as low as $1 to as high as $19 for a copy (raw).

Dave accurately graded them as an average of 9.4 (Box was pretty much undisturbed).

 

Slabs of 9.8 copies have a maximum (to date) sale price of $134 with a minimum of $13 according to GPA

 

So what to do?

 

I wait.

 

Wait until Cable is cast.

 

 

Wait until the trailers start.

 

 

Sell, as the most successful dealers say, on the sizzle, not the steak.

 

I asked my good friend Joey, to slab 10 copies that he guarantees as a 9.8.

 

My cost will be about $45 each after postage to Australia.

 

So to summarise:

 

Total cost books plus 10 slabbed 9.8's = $850

 

I expect to sell all raw copies for an average of $15 each (hoping for more)

 

I expect to sell each slab at an average of $120 each (hoping for more)

 

Total sales:

110 x $15 = $1650

Slabs 10 x $120 = $1200

 

Total sales = $2850

Cost = $850

 

Total profit after all fees (deduct $200 for fees) = $1800.

 

That is the minimum I expect to get.

 

We all know about movie fever - it could be twice as much as that.

 

One thing is for certain - I cannot lose money on this deal. At $850 total, I need to sell each book for only $7 to break even, and that includes 10 slabbed copies.

 

Looking forward to the next 'big thing' is not rocket science - just most won't talk about it.

 

It's not big money, but it certainly will allow me to put down a deposit on a book I want to keep, and all for the effort of pushing buttons on a keyboard, and boxing up some slabs in the appropriate manner.

 

To put in perspective, I expect to make 3 times more profit in one deal, that you have managed to lose in 3 years - and you have turned over $20000....

 

And this deal was here, right on these boards, and available to you to grab.

 

Buy $3-4 books BEFORE the sizzle. And then sell.

 

Surely after 3 years you must have grasped that the whole bloody idea is to buy books before they get "hot" - not when they do.

 

Does this take time and patience - yes. But if you want to acquire a great keeper collection, this is the way to do it. I love the thrill of the chase on deals, auctions, boot sales etc - but you have to work for it.

 

I'll probably get flamed for this post - but dude - this is how, at your level, you should be thinking.

Leave the big books to the experts.

 

(probably $2!)

 

 

That's quite a way of think and I'll be adding it to my watchlist. I didn't buy that deal for two reasons: I didn't see it and I don't have the money at this time. Also you do the kinda deals I want to learn to do consistently well any really and not lose money on it.

 

 

I don't have an opinion on whether that guy will or will not meet his minimum profit estimate, but even if he doesn't, he has built in a HUGE amount of cushion to ensure that he doesn't LOSE money. And he's betting on the general market, which is a million times more predictable (though no guarantees) than your ability find undergraded keys, or find already hot comics that hopefully haven't reached their maximum hotness, or your ability to match coverless non-megakeys with their covers.

 

Do you seriously think about all of these things? Are you equipped to?

 

Procurement - You have to think like a businessman making an investment, not some dude buying a few comics. How much seed money do I have, how much available cash to I want to have available at any one time? What are my desired rate of returns? What are my expected minimum rates of returns? How long do I expect turnover time to be on this specific investment? How does turnover time affect my desired and expected minimum rate of return? What are the risks (scamming, customs, return fees if I'm not satisfied, not the grade I hope for), and what values do I assign to those risks? Are there any other costs that need to be spent to prepare any items for sale (slabbing, pressing, signing). Real dealers

 

Inventory - What are the costs of holding inventory (space, insurance, security, opportunity cost)? How long should you hold it if it hasn't sold when you wanted it? If the price is on the way up should you sell or wait? Howabout if its on the way down? Should I turn something over at a less than optimal price so I have more available cash?

 

Selling - Pricing, venue, terms, fees, Rate of return, taxes, customs, translations. Returns, scams, insurance, shipping.

 

 

 

 

 

Let me simplify that:

 

 

Buy low, sell high

 

Yes

[Foley]

To be honest up until 2-3 months ago I haven't been giving it as thought as I do recently an when I buy things I asses the grade, see what it's worth raw or gpa, ask about half to 75% of that, I check what I can make the most money on when I buy and how quickly I can flip it and also shipping and import fees since they are expensive here.

 

Gabe, I want to ask you to do something, just as an exercise I think might help with your attention to detail.

 

Can you re-write the above (sentence? paragraph?) using proper grammar and punctuation? I'm honestly not trying to be a jerk here. Starting with small things like this might help you take more pride in what you produce, whether it be at work, in your personal life, etc.

Edited October 5, 2016 by Foley

[revat]

To be honest up until 2-3 months ago I haven't been giving it as thought as I do recently an when I buy things I asses the grade, see what it's worth raw or gpa, ask about half to 75% of that, I check what I can make the most money on when I buy and how quickly I can flip it and also shipping and import fees since they are expensive here.

 

Gabe, I want to ask you to do something, just as an exercise I think might help with your attention to detail.

 

Can you re-write the above (sentence? paragraph?) using proper grammar and punctuation? I'm honestly not trying to be a jerk here. Starting with small things like this might help you take more pride in what you produce, whether it be at work, in business, etc.

 

Great idea.

[W16227]

Some quick thoughts -

 

 

______________________________________

 

You have been attempting to do this for more than 2 1/2 years - 2 1/2 years ago you were asking for a repro cover for the JLA 1 you purchased.

 

This was after the whole - who will consign things for me time - as well as the "do I need to bag and board comics for sale" threads.....

 

In reality - not like this is years - or makes much difference in the story - but attention to detail is what makes that extra $$$$$$$.

 

_____________________________________

 

Resist the urge to answer many posts. In some cases you are only feeding trolls - in others, you are answering questions 25 times. No mater what - you re scrambling yourself up more if you are trying to give everyone an answer.

 

_______________________________________

 

See above - you have answered the question of how you are accounting for items like shipping several times. If the person consistently asks - send them the link to your last post about it.

 

______________________________________

 

Expenses - you probably are in the ballpark with some - probably well off with others.

 

Example - your computer blew up. You need a computer to do this job. You have to buy a new computer - so you will need to think of a fair % to use for an expense and this goes against profits. Same for scanner. Camera. Blacklight. GPA. Overstreet. The tools of the trade.

 

Comic Con - did you not attend one? - if your intentions were business related at all - this counts against profit.

 

Travel - how many times have you taken the bus for comics?

 

Any credit card interest?

 

So may little leaks that can crush you.

 

_______________________________________

 

Grading

 

One example you gave of a book that was not selling at a reasonable cost - you stated the board graded.

 

Your TEC - I had to point out to you at least 2x that you had listed 4 separate grades for the book before you reduced that to 2.

 

These are the kind of issues that lead people to believe you are not that good a grader. No idea how to fix them other than really learning and showing you know how to grade. I read your new TEC description- do you really think it is the same grade as before ?

 

________________________________________

 

You keep taking about getting scammed Being scammed is the failure mode - part of the result. You were scammed/lost money, The root cause (what caused the failure) - is POOR DECISION MAKING. This is a pattern we still see - with the latest ASM issue.

 

________________________________________________________

 

The budget you are on is a good thing - bit stop any buying for the time being to identify a real plan for the money - while learning how to sell using your existing stock. I have you a strategy a long time ago for the IG 1 books - same thing applies but with smaller numbers. Get 2 on the market now - over the next year as the movie builds add more. There is no reason to wait and try to sell all at once.

_______________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because I was starting and didn't know things like that The JLA #1 cover was because I wanted to complete the copy I had but got impatient. The cosigning was because I didn't know how to pack the comics and didn't want to throw them away,and the bags and boards I asked about because I've had ebayers ship to me without bag and boards so I thought that was the right way

 

Questions: Even with my memory problems I know I answered some questions multiple time but I don't know where I answered them exactly and if it's a obvious troll thing to me I don't answer.

 

Grading: Yes I still think it's the same as before since the thing that was added was that damage that it got to the corner and I also added the tape pull and that robin has his hand erased a bit.

 

Scamming: I know and emotions play a big part in the decisions I make

 

Budget "I don't have the IG #1's anymore and haven't for a long time but I did have a plan with them, to sell some off and hold the rest.

 

Comic con: I went to a comic con but it wasn't business related I never been to one and wanted to go.

 

Tools of the trade: I buy the camera before I started comics, the laptop for both business and personal, I got overstreet for free and I'll add gpa which was a really good deal.

 

 

 

man - forgot to add in that you should not respond to my post - but since you did -

 

The JLA cover and consignment - I am establishing that you have been trying to make money with comics for more than the 2 1/2 years you claim. You started trying to make $$$ in this game right around the time I did. The difference - I researched a LOT and used what I learned. Which one of us is making $$ and which one is still losing on recent deals?

 

TEC grading - book was listed as a 2.0/2.5 with no staple pull - now listed at same grade with FC detached at one staple - might think that 2.0 is more appropriate? Added creases and such might not further degrade - but a popped staple is a major flaw that was not on the book to begin with.

 

Comic Con - you are trying to be a comic book dealer - went to a con - and do not think it is an expense?

 

I was not able to go to WW Chicago - but I made it to the collectors dinner. This is networking with other dealers and can be considered a business expense. I will probably not include it in the year end taxes for various reasons - but if I had gone to wizard world you can be sure that I would have it listed as an expense.

 

Your computer blew up - did you buy a new one or get the other one fixed? part of this is an expense for a business. Things like the camera - if you already had it - then great not really an expense - but having to replace it? - yep.

 

 

 

still waiting for a pic of "janet" in a bikini

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BlowUpTheMoon]

To be honest up until 2-3 months ago I haven't been giving it as thought as I do recently an when I buy things I asses the grade, see what it's worth raw or gpa, ask about half to 75% of that, I check what I can make the most money on when I buy and how quickly I can flip it and also shipping and import fees since they are expensive here.

 

Gabe, I want to ask you to do something, just as an exercise I think might help with your attention to detail.

 

Can you re-write the above (sentence? paragraph?) using proper grammar and punctuation? I'm honestly not trying to be a jerk here. Starting with small things like this might help you take more pride in what you produce, whether it be at work, in business, etc.

 

Great idea.

 

It really is.

[seanfingh]

 

Let's get ChrisinBaltimore in here!

[BlowUpTheMoon]

[Logan510]

Let's get ChrisinBaltimore in here!

 

Does he know the sizzle comics to buy?

[uchiha101]

[quote=uchiha101Sure and you're not being a jerk but I'll give it a shot

 

To be honest, up until 2-3 months ago I haven't been giving it as much thought as I do now. When I buy things I assess the grade, see what it's worth raw or gpa, and ask about 50-75% of that .I check what I can make the most money on when I buy and how quickly I can flip it. I also take into consideration shipping and import fees and they can easily make or break you]

 

Gabe, I want to ask you to do something, just as an exercise I think might help with your attention to detail.

 

Can you re-write the above (sentence? paragraph?) using proper grammar and punctuation? I'm honestly not trying to be a jerk here. Starting with small things like this might help you take more pride in what you produce, whether it be at work, in your personal life, etc.

 

 

Done

[ft88]

I'm not sure which hurts more

 

watching uchiha101 trying to make a go of it

 

or

 

watching posters here attempting to help him make a go of it.

 

Each one seems to be an exercise in futility with a dedicated refusal to give up.

[revat]

I'm not sure which hurts more

 

watching uchiha101 trying to make a go of it

 

or

 

watching posters here attempting to help him make a go of it.

 

Each one seems to be an exercise in futility with a dedicated refusal to give up.

 

Hurts more to watch Star Wars Ep 2.

[Kenners]

I'm not sure which hurts more

 

watching uchiha101 trying to make a go of it

 

or

 

watching posters here attempting to help him make a go of it.

 

Each one seems to be an exercise in futility with a dedicated refusal to give up.

 

Hurts more to watch Star Wars Ep 2.

 

.. .that's something I need to improve on. My emotions definitely get in the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry, Gabe.

[revat]

I'm not sure which hurts more

 

watching uchiha101 trying to make a go of it

 

or

 

watching posters here attempting to help him make a go of it.

 

Each one seems to be an exercise in futility with a dedicated refusal to give up.

 

Hurts more to watch Star Wars Ep 2.

 

.. .that's something I need to improve on. My emotions definitely get in the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry, Gabe.

 

Gabe is Anakin Skywalker?

[uchiha101]

Some quick thoughts -

 

 

______________________________________

 

You have been attempting to do this for more than 2 1/2 years - 2 1/2 years ago you were asking for a repro cover for the JLA 1 you purchased.

 

This was after the whole - who will consign things for me time - as well as the "do I need to bag and board comics for sale" threads.....

 

In reality - not like this is years - or makes much difference in the story - but attention to detail is what makes that extra $$$$$$$.

 

_____________________________________

 

Resist the urge to answer many posts. In some cases you are only feeding trolls - in others, you are answering questions 25 times. No mater what - you re scrambling yourself up more if you are trying to give everyone an answer.

 

_______________________________________

 

See above - you have answered the question of how you are accounting for items like shipping several times. If the person consistently asks - send them the link to your last post about it.

 

______________________________________

 

Expenses - you probably are in the ballpark with some - probably well off with others.

 

Example - your computer blew up. You need a computer to do this job. You have to buy a new computer - so you will need to think of a fair % to use for an expense and this goes against profits. Same for scanner. Camera. Blacklight. GPA. Overstreet. The tools of the trade.

 

Comic Con - did you not attend one? - if your intentions were business related at all - this counts against profit.

 

Travel - how many times have you taken the bus for comics?

 

Any credit card interest?

 

So may little leaks that can crush you.

 

_______________________________________

 

Grading

 

One example you gave of a book that was not selling at a reasonable cost - you stated the board graded.

 

Your TEC - I had to point out to you at least 2x that you had listed 4 separate grades for the book before you reduced that to 2.

 

These are the kind of issues that lead people to believe you are not that good a grader. No idea how to fix them other than really learning and showing you know how to grade. I read your new TEC description- do you really think it is the same grade as before ?

 

________________________________________

 

You keep taking about getting scammed Being scammed is the failure mode - part of the result. You were scammed/lost money, The root cause (what caused the failure) - is POOR DECISION MAKING. This is a pattern we still see - with the latest ASM issue.

 

________________________________________________________

 

The budget you are on is a good thing - bit stop any buying for the time being to identify a real plan for the money - while learning how to sell using your existing stock. I have you a strategy a long time ago for the IG 1 books - same thing applies but with smaller numbers. Get 2 on the market now - over the next year as the movie builds add more. There is no reason to wait and try to sell all at once.

_______________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because I was starting and didn't know things like that The JLA #1 cover was because I wanted to complete the copy I had but got impatient. The cosigning was because I didn't know how to pack the comics and didn't want to throw them away,and the bags and boards I asked about because I've had ebayers ship to me without bag and boards so I thought that was the right way

 

Questions: Even with my memory problems I know I answered some questions multiple time but I don't know where I answered them exactly and if it's a obvious troll thing to me I don't answer.

 

Grading: Yes I still think it's the same as before since the thing that was added was that damage that it got to the corner and I also added the tape pull and that robin has his hand erased a bit.

 

Scamming: I know and emotions play a big part in the decisions I make

 

Budget "I don't have the IG #1's anymore and haven't for a long time but I did have a plan with them, to sell some off and hold the rest.

 

Comic con: I went to a comic con but it wasn't business related I never been to one and wanted to go.

 

Tools of the trade: I buy the camera before I started comics, the laptop for both business and personal, I got overstreet for free and I'll add gpa which was a really good deal.

 

 

 

man - forgot to add in that you should not respond to my post - but since you did -

 

The JLA cover and consignment - I am establishing that you have been trying to make money with comics for more than the 2 1/2 years you claim. You started trying to make $$$ in this game right around the time I did. The difference - I researched a LOT and used what I learned. Which one of us is making $$ and which one is still losing on recent deals?

 

TEC grading - book was listed as a 2.0/2.5 with no staple pull - now listed at same grade with FC detached at one staple - might think that 2.0 is more appropriate? Added creases and such might not further degrade - but a popped staple is a major flaw that was not on the book to begin with.

 

Comic Con - you are trying to be a comic book dealer - went to a con - and do not think it is an expense?

 

I was not able to go to WW Chicago - but I made it to the collectors dinner. This is networking with other dealers and can be considered a business expense. I will probably not include it in the year end taxes for various reasons - but if I had gone to wizard world you can be sure that I would have it listed as an expense.

 

Your computer blew up - did you buy a new one or get the other one fixed? part of this is an expense for a business. Things like the camera - if you already had it - then great not really an expense - but having to replace it? - yep.

 

 

 

still waiting for a pic of "janet" in a bikini

 

 

 

Well, I don't respond to troll posts. I didn't even know you started at the same time as I did so you're doing an amazing job and according to what the grading guide says The cover and centerfold may be loose and staples may be degraded, missing or replaced that was my reasoning for the grade but if you think it will sell faster at a 2.0 I'll change it.

 

Hmmm not sure about a full-blown dealer yet but making profit on the side yes, I went to the comic con because I was excited and never went to one before and it was a total waste of money. The laptop is half personal and half business so would I add 50% to my expenses? and I didn't replace the camera I still have and use it.

 

Not sure what Janet looks like but you guys really seem to like her.

[uchiha101]

I'm not sure which hurts more

 

watching uchiha101 trying to make a go of it

 

or

 

watching posters here attempting to help him make a go of it.

 

Each one seems to be an exercise in futility with a dedicated refusal to give up.

 

It hurts the boardies more since they don't know why I do what I do so I explain it to them.

[uchiha101]

I'm not sure which hurts more

 

watching uchiha101 trying to make a go of it

 

or

 

watching posters here attempting to help him make a go of it.

 

Each one seems to be an exercise in futility with a dedicated refusal to give up.

 

Hurts more to watch Star Wars Ep 2.

 

.. .that's something I need to improve on. My emotions definitely get in the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry, Gabe.

 

Haha since I like star wars I got the joke but for sure my emotions are something I'm working on.

[uchiha101]

I'm not sure which hurts more

 

watching uchiha101 trying to make a go of it

 

or

 

watching posters here attempting to help him make a go of it.

 

Each one seems to be an exercise in futility with a dedicated refusal to give up.

 

Hurts more to watch Star Wars Ep 2.

 

.. .that's something I need to improve on. My emotions definitely get in the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry, Gabe.

 

Gabe is Anakin Skywalker?

 

Emotion wise yes, it's thanks to you guys I haven't completely destructed myself.

[Kenners]

Well, I don't respond to troll posts. I didn't even know you started at the same time as I did so you're doing an amazing job and according to what the grading guide says The cover and centerfold may be loose and staples may be degraded, missing or replaced that was my reasoning for the grade but if you think it will sell faster at a 2.0 I'll change it.

 

Hmmm not sure about a full-blown dealer yet but making profit on the side yes, I went to the comic con because I was excited and never went to one before and it was a total waste of money. The laptop is half personal and half business so would I add 50% to my expenses? and I didn't replace the camera I still have and use it.

 

Not sure what Janet looks like but you guys really seem to like her.

 

Gabe, can I politely ask you to respond to the comment you made which I bolded? I'm not being facetious, but .. do you know that Grading should accurately represent the book, not which number will make it sell faster?

 

I'm wondering if perhaps you haven't got to grips with what Grading actually means applied to a comic book.

[uchiha101]

Well, I don't respond to troll posts. I didn't even know you started at the same time as I did so you're doing an amazing job and according to what the grading guide says The cover and centerfold may be loose and staples may be degraded, missing or replaced that was my reasoning for the grade but if you think it will sell faster at a 2.0 I'll change it.

 

Hmmm not sure about a full-blown dealer yet but making profit on the side yes, I went to the comic con because I was excited and never went to one before and it was a total waste of money. The laptop is half personal and half business so would I add 50% to my expenses? and I didn't replace the camera I still have and use it.

 

Not sure what Janet looks like but you guys really seem to like her.

 

Gabe, can I politely ask you to respond to the comment you made which I bolded? I'm not being facetious, but .. do you know that Grading should accurately represent the book, not which number will make it sell faster?

 

I'm wondering if perhaps you haven't got to grips with what Grading actually means applied to a comic book.

 

I do realize that and I grade as accurately as I can to make sure people are happy. Thay said I've had this comic for a while with four watchers and having a more accurate grade will sell it faster.

Edited October 5, 2016 by uchiha101

[Kenners]

Well, I don't respond to troll posts. I didn't even know you started at the same time as I did so you're doing an amazing job and according to what the grading guide says The cover and centerfold may be loose and staples may be degraded, missing or replaced that was my reasoning for the grade but if you think it will sell faster at a 2.0 I'll change it.

 

Hmmm not sure about a full-blown dealer yet but making profit on the side yes, I went to the comic con because I was excited and never went to one before and it was a total waste of money. The laptop is half personal and half business so would I add 50% to my expenses? and I didn't replace the camera I still have and use it.

 

Not sure what Janet looks like but you guys really seem to like her.

 

Gabe, can I politely ask you to respond to the comment you made which I bolded? I'm not being facetious, but .. do you know that Grading should accurately represent the book, not which number will make it sell faster?

 

I'm wondering if perhaps you haven't got to grips with what Grading actually means applied to a comic book.

 

I do realize that and I grade as accurately as I can to make sure people are happy. Thay said I've had this comic for a while with four watchers and having a more accurate grade will sell it faster.

 

Okay, thanks. I saw that and I did a double-take If it's Graded accurately, maybe lower the price to make it more palatable to a potential buyer? Lower the price = it'll sell quicker.