• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

GA COMIC BOOK Collecting in the Financial crisis of 2020
3 3

Started by Mmehdy,

889 posts in this topic

bluechip

bluechip

Posted
Posted (edited)

Are subscriptions no longer a thing?    And if not, is it because mail can't guarantee a comic will arrive in 9.8 condition and not enough buyers can conceive of buying a comic just to read?  

Publishers may need to adapt.   And perhaps CGC can offer a service, getting them directly from the publisher and sending them out slabbed,

Edited by bluechip
Link to comment
Share on other sites
bluechip

bluechip

Posted
Posted
On 4/1/2020 at 1:43 PM, Cat-Man_America said:

I’m inclined to agree that the recovery will be on a much shorter time span than the Great Depression.  That said, comic shops don’t have to be tethered to a single source of comic book distribution.  Comics make up less than 50% of what most modern retail comic shop stock.  Comic shops sell, games, hardcover books, action figures, costumes, collector supplies, etc.  Heck, Bedrock City even sells breath mints! Note: It wouldn’t surprise me if Richard started offering cloves of garlic as an option to social distance from Covid-19 and vampires.

If Diamond went belly up, something would take it’s place to meet the demands of physical comic collectors.  If every major goes full digital, then there’ll probably be a rise of new indies producing comics on that quaint paper medium.  While I do see the growth of digital as gradually shifting away from paper, it isn’t a quantum shift and it isn’t likely to disrupt collecting. Generational differences notwithstanding, collecting is in our DNA and paper is still a staple in the collecting world.  

BTW, in the Great Depression, disposable paper products reached their zenith after the dollar tanked.  I’m not suggesting that a 30’s financial equivalent is likely to repeat, but if it did laptops, iPads and iPhones would be costly luxuries for some folks, and electronics require a power source.  That’s why electronic media probably won’t replace print media across the board anytime soon.

In any case, it’ll definitely be interesting watching the changing dynamics as this unfolds.  Great discussion, Mitch. (thumbsu

The Great Depression actually saw the birth of comics as a medium, and experienced exponential growth and popularity.   Similar growth occurred in all entertainment mediums, including film, theater, vaudeville and radio (advertiser supported).

Not so sure how the Depression years were for antiques and collectibles, though...  

Link to comment
Share on other sites
lou_fine

lou_fine

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Robot Man said:
3 hours ago, Tri-ColorBrian said:

CGC seems to be an "essential" service...lol but mycomicshop.com has shut down temporarily due to COVID 19.  Go figure...

CGC is in FL. I rest my case...

Well, I assume they must have moved all of their graders out of their closed in virus infected facilities and onto the sunny wide open beaches of Florida then.  :cool:

I guess the PQ on these latest slabbed books will now start coming back as "well-tanned" then.  lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mmehdy

Mmehdy

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, bluechip said:

The Great Depression actually saw the birth of comics as a medium, and experienced exponential growth and popularity.   Similar growth occurred in all entertainment mediums, including film, theater, vaudeville and radio (advertiser supported).

Not so sure how the Depression years were for antiques and collectibles, though...  

" The US coin market held reasonably firm through the depression" as people filled in holes in penny boards during the 1930's.I do not believe that GA/SA comic book collecting especially in the GCG era of collecting/speculating can really compare to that.. It is a good question to ask however, the last great depression hit us hard for 10 years. This depression is gonna hit harder in terms of unemployment but in quicker amount of time. It might even be called when we get out this a "Flash Crash" and I hope it turns out this way. I saw something interesting today as I went to my bank and that branch and I went to another and that was closed...no signs directing a branch was open...this could be the way things are gonna be for a while, if any GA collectors do not know how use that ATM or the banks website I would learn now. By going ATM it limits a bank run. In the prior depression, there was a" bank holiday". It just seemed to me a bit different out there, today.

 In terms of selling, we might revert to the old days of comic book collecting. Trading...which is not a bad thing at all...you could value the books pretty easy and you are not limited to a buyers ability to pay. If things get really tough out there, this might be the way to go to get rid of  your dupes and material you can live without. The best way to do this is trade up as I think quality material will not decrease as much and will come back sooner price wise. Again, as a member above just posted 4 good GA books that he purchased from a dealer at a very attractive price...I would contact them...We have Bedrock, Gator and a whole host of other members who have AMAZING stock and besides being cool they have always been very reasonable and fair to deal with. Given these uncertain times, I have no doubt  they would continue to do so.

Remember that GA is "GOLD".

 

Edited by Mmehdy
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tri-Color Brian

Tri-Color Brian

Posted
Posted
16 minutes ago, Mmehdy said:

" The US coin market held reasonably firm through the depression" as people filled in holes in penny boards during the 1930's.I do not believe that GA/SA comic book collecting especially in the GCG era of collecting/speculating can really compare to that.. It is a good question to ask however, the last great depression hit us hard for 10 years. This depression is gonna hit harder in terms of unemployment but in quicker amount of time. It might even be called when we get out this a "Flash Crash" and I hope it turns out this way. I saw something interesting today as I went to my bank and that branch and I went to another and that was closed...no signs directing a branch was open...this could be the way things are gonna be for a while, if any GA collectors do not know how use that ATM or the banks website I would learn now. By going ATM it limits a bank run. In the prior depression, there was a" bank holiday". It just seemed to me a bit different out there, today.

 In terms of selling, we might revert to the old days of comic book collecting. Trading...which is not a bad thing at all...you could value the books pretty easy and you are not limited to a buyers ability to pay. If things get really tough out there, this might be the way to go to get rid of  your dupes and material you can live without. The best way to do this is trade up as I think quality material will not decrease as much and will come back sooner price wise. Again, as a member above just posted 3 great books that he purchased from a dealer at a very attractive price...I would contact them...We have Bedrock, Gator and a whole host of other members who have AMAZING stock and besides being cool they have always been very reasonable and fair to deal with. Given these uncertain times, I have no doubt  they would continue to do so.

Remember that GA is "GOLD".

 

Assuming you are talking about me and not someone else who posted 3 books, which one of the "4" books I posted above is not "great"?  hm

Link to comment
Share on other sites
tabcom

tabcom

Posted
Posted
On 4/1/2020 at 2:17 PM, Mmehdy said:

The previous depression  lasted 10 years and it took a WWII to get our attention out of that mental and physical downturn. Since that time, everything has increased in s terms of speed in our lives.

If I understand you correctly, WW3 should arrive sooner, rather than later?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mmehdy

Mmehdy

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
16 minutes ago, tabcom said:

If I understand you correctly, WW3 should arrive sooner, rather than later?

I hope we never see that day, but we should be able to get out of this mess without WW3. I hope we have gained  more humanity, or more intelligence since 1939-1945 to find another solution. Hopefully we can overcome this soon and keep out GA/SA comic book collections intact.

Edited by Mmehdy
Link to comment
Share on other sites
batman_fan

batman_fan

Posted
Posted

I do think we will start to see a decrease in prices but I am not sure when.  There are several books I am watching and prices are getting close to where I would expect them to close.  The last CLINK auction seemed to have some incredibly strong prices but a few that seemed to under perform (GA Batman's).  I am also watching a piece of artwork that is currently at 1/5 where it should hammer but it is still 3 weeks away from closing and these items usually do their big run-up at the last day.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
batman_fan

batman_fan

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, lou_fine said:

Is this a copy and paste from a post you made just prior to the end of the recent CL auction since I seem to remember the same sentiment from that post at the time?  hm

No, its new but similar sentiment.  Seems like maybe some weakness but not across the board yet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
bluechip

bluechip

Posted
Posted
On 4/3/2020 at 2:26 PM, Mmehdy said:

" The US coin market held reasonably firm through the depression" as people filled in holes in penny boards during the 1930's.I do not believe that GA/SA comic book collecting especially in the GCG era of collecting/speculating can really compare to that.. It is a good question to ask however, the last great depression hit us hard for 10 years. This depression is gonna hit harder in terms of unemployment but in quicker amount of time. It might even be called when we get out this a "Flash Crash" and I hope it turns out this way. I saw something interesting today as I went to my bank and that branch and I went to another and that was closed...no signs directing a branch was open...this could be the way things are gonna be for a while, if any GA collectors do not know how use that ATM or the banks website I would learn now. By going ATM it limits a bank run. In the prior depression, there was a" bank holiday". It just seemed to me a bit different out there, today.

 In terms of selling, we might revert to the old days of comic book collecting. Trading...which is not a bad thing at all...you could value the books pretty easy and you are not limited to a buyers ability to pay. If things get really tough out there, this might be the way to go to get rid of  your dupes and material you can live without. The best way to do this is trade up as I think quality material will not decrease as much and will come back sooner price wise. Again, as a member above just posted 4 good GA books that he purchased from a dealer at a very attractive price...I would contact them...We have Bedrock, Gator and a whole host of other members who have AMAZING stock and besides being cool they have always been very reasonable and fair to deal with. Given these uncertain times, I have no doubt  they would continue to do so.

Remember that GA is "GOLD".

 

 

On 4/3/2020 at 2:26 PM, Mmehdy said:

" The US coin market held reasonably firm through the depression" as people filled in holes in penny boards during the 1930's.I do not believe that GA/SA comic book collecting especially in the GCG era of collecting/speculating can really compare to that.. It is a good question to ask however, the last great depression hit us hard for 10 years. This depression is gonna hit harder in terms of unemployment but in quicker amount of time. It might even be called when we get out this a "Flash Crash" and I hope it turns out this way. I saw something interesting today as I went to my bank and that branch and I went to another and that was closed...no signs directing a branch was open...this could be the way things are gonna be for a while, if any GA collectors do not know how use that ATM or the banks website I would learn now. By going ATM it limits a bank run. In the prior depression, there was a" bank holiday". It just seemed to me a bit different out there, today.

 In terms of selling, we might revert to the old days of comic book collecting. Trading...which is not a bad thing at all...you could value the books pretty easy and you are not limited to a buyers ability to pay. If things get really tough out there, this might be the way to go to get rid of  your dupes and material you can live without. The best way to do this is trade up as I think quality material will not decrease as much and will come back sooner price wise. Again, as a member above just posted 4 good GA books that he purchased from a dealer at a very attractive price...I would contact them...We have Bedrock, Gator and a whole host of other members who have AMAZING stock and besides being cool they have always been very reasonable and fair to deal with. Given these uncertain times, I have no doubt  they would continue to do so.

Remember that GA is "GOLD".

 

"Flash Crash" might just catch on.   There is little reason that this downturn would not reverse itself quickly in the event of a faster-than-expected vaccine.

In the more likely event it will take longer for a vaccine, there are many industries which will be able to adjust.  Most office work can be done at home.  A good deal of manufacturing can be accomplished with increased hygiene protocols.  Much of entertainment can be skewed temporarily toward home usage.   Sports and concerts, theatrical events (including theatrical releases for films) will not recover fully unless and until there is a vaccine.

What we may see in the weeks and months ahead is a reckoning regarding the role of government in aiding people and/or industry.   The countries which have stricter controls over the movements and behavior of people, and which take a more proactive (and constructive) role in their economies will see their manufacturing sectors increase, as they will be able to return to something approaching normal operations more quickly than those countries which cannot or will not impose hygiene regulations (and especially not those which equate saving the economy with maintaining the pre-virus heights of corporate profits and executive bonuses).        

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
batman_fan

batman_fan

Posted
Posted
8 minutes ago, bluechip said:

 

"Flash Crash" might just catch on.   There is little reason that this downturn would not reverse itself quickly in the event of a faster-than-expected vaccine.

In the more likely event it will take longer for a vaccine, there are many industries which will be able to adjust.  Most office work can be done at home.  A good deal of manufacturing can be accomplished with increased hygiene protocols.  Much of entertainment can be skewed temporarily toward home usage.   Sports and concerts, theatrical events (including theatrical releases for films) will not recover fully unless and until there is a vaccine.

What we may see in the weeks and months ahead is a reckoning regarding the role of government in aiding people and/or industry.   The countries which have stricter controls over the movements and behavior of people, and which take a more proactive (and constructive) role in their economies will see their manufacturing sectors increase, as they will be able to return to something approaching normal operations more quickly than those countries which cannot or will not impose hygiene regulations (and especially not those which equate saving the economy with maintaining the pre-virus heights of corporate profits and executive bonuses).        

 

 

We got the "work from home" email three weeks ago.  After working from home the CEO said everyone needed to be back in the office.  Week two we worked out a plan for people to return to the office to work.  We started executing the plan this week.  Lots of super pissed people, nervous people, etc.  but the message was pretty clear "your job is contingent on you coming in the office".  We were deemed "essential" because we design products for infrastructure communications (wired and wireless).  The company is providing hand sanitizer, temperature monitoring, etc but that doesn't guarantee people won't get sick. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
3 3
Go to topic listing