Any Comic Book collectors out there?

[NeuroticAquatics]

I'm actually not a big fan of graded comics. In many cases, it's a gamble to me. The current value of a comic will fluctuate, for better or worse, over time. You could pay $100 now and the price could tank a few years later. I'd rather have that same comic, in good shape, bagged and boarded and stored properly.

 

[cloak]

I don't know, I'm just having a hard time believing that the CGC is selling rotten apples so to say. Especially being that there's a census regarding the amount of a particular comic book that's out there and it's grade. If this was just a little rinky dink shop I could understand that, but from what I've gathered the CGC doesn't screw around.
Maybe I can contact them and see what they have to say about it.

 

[NeuroticAquatics]

I've been out of the comic scene (me collecting) for several years, but I wasn't aware that CGC sold comics or even that they put prices with them. It is a grading service. They basically tell you how close to flawless your comic book is. The different prices would come from the people actually selling the comics and those will vary wildly based on the seller and their reasons for selling. It's kinda like selling corals. I've seen a polyp of Rasta zoas sell for $15 on eBay but locally, I can buy them for 1/3 that.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I'm actually not a big fan of graded comics. In many cases, it's a gamble to me. The current value of a comic will fluctuate, for better or worse, over time. You could pay $100 now and the price could tank a few years later. I'd rather have that same comic, in good shape, bagged and boarded and stored properly.

I agree with you. I only bothered sending a comic to CGC to get graded if I was immediately going to sell it, and I was pretty confident that the grade would help my sale. Otherwise I'd buy them "raw." I liked buying comics off of CGCs forums because I felt like the nerds on there gave accurate grades. If they didn't then the seller was immediately called out. Not something you really get if you're buying on eBay.

 

[cloak]

I understand that people will put different prices on their comics for whatever reason, but isn't there a price guide to what these comics are actually worth though? Especially being that they are graded by the CGC? Just as an example a Barry Bonds signed baseball can go for all kinds of prices, but the one that comes with a certificate of authenticity and is in great condition would be the one you want correct? How is that price determined, supply and demand? See now this is where that CGC census comes into play regarding the known supply of a particular comic book & it's grade. I just don't think they're pulling the prices of these graded comic books out of thin air so to say. Ahhh! Confusing, but fun.

https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?q=spider+man+#1&pubid=&PubRng=

Thanks for the replies btw. :)

 

[Midknightskie]

You right there is a guided price for the condition of the comic. Unfortunately at some point instead of just adding the cost of slabbing the comic to the price of the comic people felt that they could get 2x-5x what the comic is worth raw. This was just simply because the case would ensure that you were getting exactly what was advertised, its crazy I know.
For example DEATH OF WOLVERINE #1 "QUESADA SKETCH COVER" is priced at $175 9.4 grade. You can find a raw copy for about $499. Or a graded copy 9.6 at $279 and 9.8 up at $1349. So you can really see it's what you can get for them not what the price guide says. I have a great example of that.
For a few years a seller on eBay had part of the final crisis set I wanted to buy all graded at 9.8 6 comics he wanted little over $600 for the incomplete set which was outrageous. So I made a fair offer he declined so I watched, over 3 years this set was on eBay for sale once a year I would send him a fair offer and he still wouldn't budge on it. So yes there is a set price guide, does anyone follow it? I don't think so, it's more a matter of what was the highest price someone else has paid for it previously.

 

[NeuroticAquatics]

I feel it ultimately boils down to what someone is willing to pay. IMO, getting a comic graded simply shows the condition it was in the day they graded it. It does not equate to current or future value. Price guides always seemed higher than the "real" street value. A guide can say a comic is worth $5000, but if you can't find a buyer that will pay over $2500, what is it really worth?

 

[cloak]

You right there is a guided price for the condition of the comic. Unfortunately at some point instead of just adding the cost of slabbing the comic to the price of the comic people felt that they could get 2x-5x what the comic is worth raw. This was just simply because the case would ensure that you were getting exactly what was advertised, its crazy I know.
For example DEATH OF WOLVERINE #1 "QUESADA SKETCH COVER" is priced at $175 9.4 grade. You can find a raw copy for about $499. Or a graded copy 9.6 at $279 and 9.8 up at $1349. So you can really see it's what you can get for them not what the price guide says. I have a great example of that.
For a few years a seller on eBay had part of the final crisis set I wanted to buy all graded at 9.8 6 comics he wanted little over $600 for the incomplete set which was outrageous. So I made a fair offer he declined so I watched, over 3 years this set was on eBay for sale once a year I would send him a fair offer and he still wouldn't budge on it. So yes there is a set price guide, does anyone follow it? I don't think so, it's more a matter of what was the highest price someone else has paid for it previously.

Just out of curiosity where did you get these prices fort the Death of Wolverine #1B variant cover, the raw copy etc? Can you show me? The CGC doesn't have them right now.

https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?q=death+of+wolverine+#1&pubid=&PubRng=

 

[cloak]

I feel it ultimately boils down to what someone is willing to pay. IMO, getting a comic graded simply shows the condition it was in the day they graded it. It does not equate to current or future value. Price guides always seemed higher than the "real" street value. A guide can say a comic is worth $5000, but if you can't find a buyer that will pay over $2500, what is it really worth?

If you had the money and were considering buying the Amazing Spider Man #1 wouldn't you want a graded copy that was behind glass, known to be an original and not restored etc? I'm assuming yes, so why should it be any different for a lesser known comic that doesn't cost very much? Don't the same rules apply regardless?
Still trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. ;)

 

[Midknightskie]

Just out of curiosity where did you get these prices fort the Death of Wolverine #1B variant cover, the raw copy etc? Can you show me? The CGC doesn't have them right now.

https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?q=death+of+wolverine+#1&pubid=&PubRng=

Zap-kapow has a price guide for your smart phone which I use very loosely on the fly. I buy the yearly overstreet guide which I like, but I buy a lot of graded books so in the end I make a decision using GPA analysis to gauge what I'm willing to pay. You can even see what a graded copy was last sold for using the ID number on the slab down to how many times it has publicly changed hands each time. I buy to collect so I'm not looking to make a buck but just to pay a fair price. FYI the ZAP-KAPOW numbers are always a bit high and seem to better reflect what most people are trying to sell for rather than what books are valued at.

 

[Midknightskie]

Also that price is for 1c the sketch variant, also looked at that link you posted $150 for a 9.8 1A that's crazy. I have a few of those 9.8 I bought for like $25

 

[Dragonreef202]

Yes I do have a collection of comic books and trading cards as well. I haven't looked at what I may have. May be some $$ I can put towards the reef

 

[cloak]

Zap-kapow has a price guide for your smart phone which I use very loosely on the fly. I buy the yearly overstreet guide which I like, but I buy a lot of graded books so in the end I make a decision using GPA analysis to gauge what I'm willing to pay. You can even see what a graded copy was last sold for using the ID number on the slab down to how many times it has publicly changed hands each time. I buy to collect so I'm not looking to make a buck but just to pay a fair price. FYI the ZAP-KAPOW numbers are always a bit high and seem to better reflect what most people are trying to sell for rather than what books are valued at.

Now if this Zap-kapow is on the level so to say wouldn't the prices listed on the CGC website kind of reflect that or are they WAY off? How many different price guides are out there and which one would be considered the most reputable?

 

[Midknightskie]

Overstreet is the Bible for raw comics far as I'm concerned. GPA is a up to date guide to what graded books are and have sold for in the past. Sadly there is a massive price difference between raw and graded. This doesn't even touch on autographed books as I would only buy graded certified. If you look at zap it shows that 1A for $5. Which is more in line with overstreet, but I take into consideration cost of grading and slabbing about $20 then the seller wants to make a buck right? So I'm willing to pay $30-35. That CGC website you are looking at those 9.8 copies for sale are regular guys selling their books. Just like eBay those sellers set the price not the CGC

 

[cloak]

Overstreet, ok I remember that.

As far as raw comics go I'm sure you've heard that phrase that's sometimes posted here on R2R and other sites regarding corals, "Without a picture it doesn't exist?" Wouldn't this kind of apply to raw comics too? People can talk about having this one or that one all day long, but until there's actual proof or even better a grade the comic is basically just a ghost. Many years ago the sports memorabilia business took a big hit regarding autographs. I remember going to sports cards shows and watching Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays etc sign a ball for like $50 bucks or so and the only proof was the ticket stub to get in. Nowadays all those autographs that were attained without a certificate of authenticity don't qualify anymore. In other words they don't exist.

 

[Midknightskie]

Overstreet, ok I remember that.

As far as raw comics go, I'm sure you've heard that phrase that's sometimes posted here on R2R regarding corals. "Without a picture it doesn't exist." Would that kind of apply to raw comics too? People can talk about having this one or that one all day long, but until there's actual proof and even better a grade it doesn't really exist. I remember the sports memorabilia business took a big hit on this regarding autographs. I remember going to sports cards shows and watching Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays sign a baseball glove for like $50 bucks or so and the only proof was the ticket stub to get in. Nowadays all those autographs that were attained without a certificate of authenticity don't qualify anymore. In other words they don't exist.

The picture reference is defiantly accurate. To give an example I bought a Avengers 32 raw a long time ago, when it arrived I checked it out all the pages were intact. But some Picasso had gone at a few pages with crayon, now can I get my money back? No, but why? Because the grade a seller gives a book is subjective they can only give the facts right, all the pages are off white, no pages missing, fair condition. Sounds good, in hind sight I should have asked are there any markings on any pages?

 

[jlanger]

Does anyone else keep their collection listed on Nostomania.com?
I just went and checked my collection on a whim, and I found that their values have drastically jumped since this thread started earlier this year. Specifically, the DC titles have increased immensely. Is this in response to the new movies bringing in more interest? Or is this just pure speculation? The increased values are seen across the board with publishers and titles, but Nostomania hasn't ever shown such drastic changes in the past.
I'm not banking on the new values being accurate, but it does make one consider selling off their books if these values are legit.

And I'm still sitting on my copies of Batman Adventures #12 and The Batman Adventures: Mad Love.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I don't know what goes into Nostomania, but I would personally only trust prices of items that have recently sold on eBay. To answer your other question, it's entirely speculation. I think Harley Quinn and Deadpool's first appearances are some of the most over-inflated ones out there given the period they came from.

 

[nitrodude]

My Dad has TONS and TONS and TONS of comics from his youth. I mean 20+ 5' long boxes full-All different marvel, dc superhero comics.
He's mentioned a few times selling, But with so many has no idea where to even begin.
Maybe I'll help him dig through all those things one day

 

[Midknightskie]

I tried that site but I prefer the Zap-Kapow! To catalog my collection as it allows me to export my collection in an excel format and then just enter in my own prices. I get my raw prices from overstreet and my graded prices from gpa.