eBay

marwo507547 · ‎10-07-2024

So, I am a comic book collector to some degree although these days I tend to buy omnibus instead of individual comics books but I've been collecting for a long time now.

One of the interesting things about buying comincs on ebay that I have seen so far:

Prices - the prices of comics vary wildly from the generally acceptable prices to some outrageous prices. An example Alpha Flight #1 (1983) in near mint condition generally is worth about $30 give or take but here on ebay I've seen the exact comic but in lesser condition (VF) being sold for over $100. Now that is some outrageous pricing for comics. And then there is the filler comics that you generally get as not all comics are worth something and at times the price for these comics vary wildly from the generally acceptable to the crazy over price - I wonder if anyone will actually buy these over priced comics that are generally fillers.

I guess what it boils down to - If the comic book sells at the price listed then it is a good price. If it doesn't sell then perhaps some adjustments need to be made to the prices.

That is not to say that there are not good prices for comics there are and I've even bought a few to add to my collection.

Condition of comics on ebay - what is interesting at times is what sellers consider good to very good; fine to very fine; to near mint. As a collector I generally have an idea of what I consider NM and the other grades that are used to determine the condition of the comic but at times I wonder if some of these sellers really know what they are doing when they mention grades of the comics that they are selling. I've seen comics that are advertised as F but in reality should be VG or G due to the amount of spinal cracks/stress on the comic. But condition of comics as someone might say is subjective to the individual and that might be true to some degree but if stress damage is obvious then perhaps the condition is not as high as you advertise it is - lucky that images can help determine for the buyer the condition of the comic to some degree but even then images are not perfect but without actually seeing the comic with the naked eye - images are the best that can be done.

What it boils down to for those interested in buying comics is if the images don't reveal enough of the condition then ask the seller for more clarity before buying the comic.

Selection of comics - wow there is a huge selection from gold to silver age to copper age to modern comics from Marvel to DC to independent and others; so, if comic books are your thing then ebay has a huge selection in one place.

CGC - for me at least this is quite annoying as it makes a perfectly good comic that should be enjoyed into an overpriced plastic card - if you don't read it and enjoy the art and story then really whats the point in collecting comics. CGC has made comic books way over priced and made it less about enjoying the medium.

reallynicestamps · ‎10-08-2024

Now that is some outrageous pricing for comics.

Some people dream in technicolor.

Look at the Sold listings on the left of the Active listings to see what things actually sell for.

For giggles, look at Beanie Babies, Searching Highest Price first. Then look at the Sold prices.

what is interesting at times is what sellers consider good to very good; fine to very fine; to near mint.

I sell stamps, and I hear you.

Although there is an illustrated annual catalogue grading and pricing all the stamps of the entire world since 1847.

It's in 12 volumes which cost about $200 each. Annually.

mrdutch1001 · ‎10-08-2024

similarily all can be applied to a variety of other collectibles...

it's all relative whether it be comics, stamps, vinyl, books, sports cards, etc,etc,etc.

It is BUYER BEWARE and buyer BE AWARE!

marwo507547 · ‎10-08-2024

Continuing with this thread of buying comics on ebay:

Another thing I noticed as I roamed ebay:mystery boxes

Mystery boxes have to be the most unusual way to buy comics - literally it is a gamble - you pay on average $20 or more plus shipping for 5-10 unknown comic book in unknown condition - yes it might say the age ie that is silver or copper or modern or even have the character names ie Spider-man -- but there are so many worthless comics from the Marvel and DC not to mention the independents - that is seems to be such a weird way to spend your money - well that's my opinion.

Another obvious thing you might notice when you are shopping for comic books is where you are purchasing them - the USA, Canada or even the UK. Remember that there are more comic books from the USA with perhaps better prices or deals but remember there is the currency difference between Canada and the USA plus the added shipping cost is more expensive from the US - so in the end unless you happen to find an amazing price (or that special comic book that you cannot find anywhere else) that over comes all these negatives of currency and shipping is it really worth purchasing the comic book from the USA?

mrdutch1001 · ‎10-08-2024

"is it really worth purchasing the comic book from the USA?"

Only the buyer can make that decision based on a specific item, with specifically detailed fully described & best photographic images, at a specific time, from a specific seller....

marwo507547 · ‎10-21-2024

Another funny thing I noticed when you see/read the condition of an item - is the "acceptable" condition. Who is this meant to be acceptable to?

Does acceptable mean - you can read it and see the art - therefore it is acceptable - there is no writing or damage to the pages? I see the condition "acceptable" and view in to see the condition - and the amount of damage it has certainly is not acceptable to me as a collector but it is readable and you can still enjoy it regardless of all the cracks and creases in the comic.

Does it mean - acceptable to a collector? Unless the comic book is hard to find silver or gold age comic then anything else should be in VF or better at least from the prospective of a collector of comics in my opinion.

On a slight tangent -- As I was flipping through ebay I noticed a set of novels - that were incredibly damaged - very worn and read with spinal cracks and creases to the cover - for a novel - it is readable the damage doesn't take away from the novel as it is readable and you can still enjoy the story but if you are a collector of books - I would definitely not buy it in that condition - it was as if the seller had just bought it from a yard sale or the 50 cent bin and decided to sell it on ebay. The funny thing was the seller wrote that it was "acceptable" - which was quite funny I thought but hey sure it was acceptable if you just wanted to read it so I guess the seller was correct as well.

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎10-21-2024

@marwo507547 wrote:
Another funny thing I noticed when you see/read the condition of an item - is the "acceptable" condition. Who is this meant to be acceptable to?
Does acceptable mean - you can read it and see the art - therefore it is acceptable - there is no writing or damage to the pages? I see the condition "acceptable" and view in to see the condition - and the amount of damage it has certainly is not acceptable to me as a collector but it is readable and you can still enjoy it regardless of all the cracks and creases in the comic.

Does it mean - acceptable to a collector? Unless the comic book is hard to find silver or gold age comic then anything else should be in VF or better at least from the prospective of a collector of comics in my opinion.

On a slight tangent -- As I was flipping through ebay I noticed a set of novels - that were incredibly damaged - very worn and read with spinal cracks and creases to the cover - for a novel - it is readable the damage doesn't take away from the novel as it is readable and you can still enjoy the story but if you are a collector of books - I would definitely not buy it in that condition - it was as if the seller had just bought it from a yard sale or the 50 cent bin and decided to sell it on ebay. The funny thing was the seller wrote that it was "acceptable" - which was quite funny I thought but hey sure it was acceptable if you just wanted to read it so I guess the seller was correct as well.

@marwo507547

If it is a condition provided by eBay they vary from site to site. (Example that comes to mind: On dot com a movie can be marked previously viewed. On ca they can't. There are a number of other examples). From a sellers listing perspective condition is ENTIRELY subjective. One person's acceptable may be another person's drop in the dumpster. A number of years ago I worked for a custom sign manufacturer. Every sign was very unique. Only mass produced...up to a point. Ask for consensus on any sign made and opinions would ALWAYS vary. From Awesome to redo(piece of fill in the blank).

When it comes to comics and similar for many sellers being able to afford professional grading is very expensive. Only large sellers, experts in the field can grade close to accurately. You can even get variances between 2 graders. It's entirely subjective. You can only base your opinion on what you see. If you are unsure, never hurts to try to ask for more photos or see how cooperative your seller is with providing more info. Then let your conscience be your guide and make your decision accordingly. Are you buying just because you want to read or is it going in a personal collection? Those criterias may matter more for 1 buyer vs another.

Lastly, years ago on eBay making a purchase on eBay was a contract between seller --- to list an item to the best of their ability and describe as accurately as possible and the buyer, to read a listing in its entirety, look at all the pictures and be in agreement with info BEFORE clicking accept or submitting a bid. It's next to impossible as a seller or even a buyer to be 100% expert on everything. I list in a multitude of categories. Research backwards and forwards. I may make an oops from time to time. It was never done intentionally. (Some sellers may not care or rely on eBay's AI for creating listings. Usually you can tell the difference. Personally, I prefer a seller that makes an effort with their listings and is willing to answer questions if I ask one.) Personally it would be better when it comes to return reasons there were more applicable possible reasons vs the slim selection that are now there. Buyers remorse? C'mon, get serious!!!

-Lotz

PS. Just my opinion on opinions. Your and others opinions "may" vary!! 😉

marwo507547 · ‎11-01-2024

Still on the topic of condition of comics:

I noticed recently that at times someone uses NEW label to describe the condition of the comic book - so when that label is used to describe it you expect a near mint/mint condition comic book. What was in the picture was a comic book with enough spinal ticks and cracks to make you wonder if the seller reviewed the condition and how it was described before posting - it was definitely not new as it was described if you reviewed the pictures.

On the subject of new I also noticed new comics also being posted - meaning comics that have just come out recently in the past few weeks or months. It makes me wonder does anyone really buy these recently released comic books from ebay - as they are more expensive than what you would pay if you bought it from a comic book shop plus the cost of shipping it.

On a slight tangent -- There was one manga series (Japanese comic) that was being listed and I thought cool a deal maybe as it was listed as used but very gently almost like new - unfortunately it was more expensive than ordering it from Amazon or whatever book store you use (which you can do by the way as it is a series that is still coming out at the moment) and then you add to the cost of shipping which is expensive (books are expensive to ship as they weigh a lot even soft covers) and you have to wonder at the listing and if someone would actually buy it from ebay.

Do you buy new items from ebay when you can buy it new from let say Amazon especially if it is readily available still.

mrdutch1001 · ‎11-02-2024

The world is not perfect, humans are not perfect, and sellers are not perfect...comic books are not perfect ...there is no perfection anywhere in this world so need to keep hammering on that thought that what you believe to be a certain condition should be the ultimate for all...

Time to accept, adapt,adjust to sellers as they are, to how various sellers describe the condition of comics, and not how you want them to be....

And if you don't like what you see on eBay, you do have the choice to pass 'em on by and seek your perfectionist ideals elsewhere...

BTW in a previous lifetime, many,many years ago, I owned a very small shop that sold used books & both new and used comics.... so been there, done that....