Are ALL Comic Book Shows THIS BAD Lately??? DISAPPOINTED ONCE AGAIN!!!

[@Calgary_Comic_Books]

I’m hosting my first comic show in March (Calgary, Canada). I’m making sure it’s a buyer AND sellers show. Free to enter. $75 table fee. The only requirement of vendors is that 50% of their table has to be comics. I’m trying to get as many new-to-vending vendors as well so we can hopefully get fresh comics that haven’t been brought to every show in the area for the last couple years.

[@patriotcomics]

That sounds awesome! I wish you the greatest success!

[@cardsfan5100]

I wish you great success

[@DEE-o4v]

Here's what YOU should do - Lobby your stupid-ass government to ALLOW American dealers to come over and sell WITHOUT having to pay ridiculous customs FEES on their INVENTORY. I've been dying to do a Canada show for A LONNNNNNG TIME. Years ago, fees would average about $300 (which was A LOT then)...Lord knows what it run now.

[@Calgary_Comic_Books]

@@DEE-o4v I wish I had that power. The custom fees go both ways. I'd love to do an American show (your dollar is so much better) but fees would eat into any profits I'd hope to get. Sound like your new leader is about to make things worse cross border commerce so it might be an even longer time before either of us get to do cross border shows.

[@nickelliott1174]

The first comic show I went to was in 1972 or 73 in the back of a bowling alley with dim lighting and Golden and Silver Age books in stacks and cardboard boxes everywhere. It was glorious!!!

[@bgssmartin2]

The Lakeland Florida con has been like this for the past few years. This is the last year I attend it as they charge 40 dollars for Saturday ticket and is just a Craft Fair of people selling their Etsy products. Only 4 or 5 comic vendors. The upcoming SW con in Ft Myers is the same. Higher priced entry fee and 4 to 5 actual comic vendors. Just seems like a money grab by the people hosting the cons.

[@patriotcomics]

It’s very unfortunate. I miss the good old collectible shows!

[@TwoBrothersComics]

Most of the shows I've gone to the last 2 years have been declining. I even went to C2E2 last year, and the comic scene was dead. Lots of booths with great books, but not many people at them digging or buying comics.

[@jeffstanley6013]

Dude, I would LOVE to have a $10 show in my area. Nothing but $60 con's where the floor space is only 10-15% comic book dealers.

[@patriotcomics]

Oh wow! Most shows I go to are $3-$5 entry. Small scale shows of course. But they are my favorite. I’m not a big fan of large cons.

[@chrischreative2245]

I think the monthly Atlanta show is $5. Nice show at a hotel. Walk around twice and you’re good.

[@patwilliams7362]

​@@patriotcomics same here in the DC area. 90% comics as well. Very lucky. Think it was between $2 and $5

[@cardsfan5100]

@jeffstanley6013 That sucks! I’ve only been to a big con once. Most shows I’ve been to were $2.

[@Joshua-l7g]

Yeah we had a comic con here in Kentucky last week and it was 20 bucks just to get in. Needless to say I didn't go I could spend that on a cool book 😖

[@patriotcomics]

Exactly!

[@joechlystun7979]

i went to a couple smallish shows here in kentucky the last few years and it hasnt been much. still go to the big con in lexington in march and they've still been pretty good!

[@derricktwenty4794]

I went. And it wasn't very good

[@cnote729]

Cool episode....I've been collecting since 8, I'm 53 now...anyways my gripe with comic cons, comic sales etc. When been doing this for so long I just wish these salespeople would with the $1 bin Organize the titles by comic titles and number Keep boxes off the floor.. Tilt the boxes and comics not so packed in tight I feel if they did all that it would make for a greater buying experience, they would sale books more and faster Ijs

[@christopherwilliams2385]

I'm with you, I do all of those things...dollar comics right in the run with the others... my next show is NE Collectibles in Boxborough, MA March 7-9.

[@patriotcomics]

I absolutely agree! Another thing that bugs me is when vendors have comic bags that are not taped and you can’t even flip through the boxes. When I’m selling at shows I take pride in my books even if they’re $1 and I make sure to have thing neat and organized and make it easy for the customer to find what they are looking for.

[@cnote729]

@patriotcomics ahhhhhh yes you get it!...lol I mean I know it's a lot of work to organize $1 books but they would sell so fast.....love your show

[@pauly237]

Thats the problem with cons, they will have the 90's bulk for 50c/1, but even the minor/barely relevant keys will be 50% or more over FMV. I even see obscure non-key horror/cheesecake stuff that should be in the bins but are way overpriced just because they're the "hot" genre.

[@bradforddillman7671]

I’m a tad older than you and used to love coming to comic shows in the Philly area. I used to have this EXACT nightmare the days before the show. Walking around a “comic” show with no comics. Your video footage looked exactly like my bad dream. No joke.

[@patriotcomics]

Yeah I’ve been experiencing either no comic vendors or vendors with no so great inventory and high prices.

[@jjkool48]

I live in the Vancouver area of Canada. Locally there is very little Gold and Silver age comics and if there is, it is very expensive. LCS has junk basically, all new stuff.

[@patriotcomics]

I’m sorry about that. I know it’s difficult in certain areas.

[@delonanderson7701]

Congratulations on your grail bro. I just think so many people got into comics during the COVID-19 period not for the love of the hobby but just to flip books and know nothing about the hobby itself. Now they are stuck with boxes of inventory that is nothing but fluff. Keep up the great content bro

[@JSSBrooklyn]

New subscriber - excellent video and content with insight. Each sales show is certainly hot and cold these days depending on what you’re seeking. Heck even WN streams! Many sellers of all collectibles are still living in COVID era pricing and that is ending for sure. Thanks again for the video. Look forward to next one.

[@patriotcomics]

Thanks so much! 🙏🙏

[@Markus465]

Grand Rapids Comic Con is about $35 to get in but it's a decent show with a lot of comic vendors, among other things. Everything has changed from when I was a kid going to shows mainly due to how expensive things have gotten. Last show I was at there was one vendor who I think still had COVID prices on his books. They were ridiculous expensive. Congrats on the grail!

[@DEE-o4v]

I and my wife tried that show once....every dealer I talked to told me not to do it. We barely made ANY money. Never again. All they seemed interested in buying was $15 prints from the low-grade "artists"........

[@barrysaide]

I hear you Matt. The cost to get into local shows should not be more than $5. The money is made back in cost of tables. I've become -- not by choice -- someone who spends less at shows. If someone is charging what they were a year ago on the same book for the most part, they're doing it wrong.

[@patriotcomics]

Exactly! Thanks Barry!

[@thewalruswasjason101]

When I went it was 90% manga-anime booths. 3 comic vendors

[@michaelsharkey4255]

The days of finding a $100 book in a dollar bin are long gone. Dealers are looking to make money too so there is a fine line between how much of a discount they will go and fair market.

[@christopherwilliams2385]

I have seen too high of a price at shows where I am a vendor too...going through my boxes and I see a book I have at $10...I look over and another dealer has it on his wall for $90, same shape...I made a lot of money at that show.

[@patriotcomics]

That’s the way to do it! I feel like some vendors just don’t want to sell their books so they price way high.

[@VulcanGunner]

Don't feel bad, they have ruined coin and coin shows too. Not enough product, misc stuff and everything was priced high retail. Might as well go to a brick and mortar store.

[@ctuck8644]

I only have 2 local shows all year here in SC but love both. Highlights from last Nov. include a gradable Inhumans 5 in a dollar bin and high high grade Wolverine 88 for $12. Starting to get super stoked for the next one at the end of Feb. !

[@patriotcomics]

Sounds like a great show!

[@21Million]

When i do a show in portland, my sales is no better than the fee for the show. 8 hours work no profit. my $1 books are all hand picked best books from other peoples 50 cent bins w/ new bags and boards. go figure. im so only asking .25 cents profit.

[@patriotcomics]

I know what you mean! I stopped bringing too many dollar bins to shows. It’s too much work lugging heavy boxes for no profit. I’ll only bring a couple that I know have $5+ books in them. So people will actually feel like they’re getting a deal.

[@SkullyTheHypnoSkull]

Conventions are too expensive these days with entry fees, and vendors pay tons of money for booths so they have to charge lots of money for stuff.

[@patriotcomics]

Yes that is very true.

[@DEE-o4v]

Very true....as a dealer, you can't believe the booth fees. We are VERY particular on what shows we do nowadays...

[@Johnthecomicguy]

This inspires me for us to do OUR conventions. I know you, Kevin and I will be competitive around here. I can’t believe I’m saying this but after hearing this, I’m sort of glad I had the work meeting that day and couldn’t meet up with you guys. We’re going to at least offer a great comic convention option for shoppers!

[@patriotcomics]

Absolutely!! 🙌🙌🙌

[@comicscrypt3438]

The last couple of shows I've been to in the last 2 years are more of a pop culture show than a comic book show. There's actually been fewer comic book sellers than what there used to be. I've noticed most don't have dollar boxes anymore and the ones that did the majority of the books in the boxes was like you said indies and DC and most where books from the last 5-8 years

[@2ndbestbob]

Oh mate, you guys don't realise how lucky you are. I'm in England. Not too far from London. We have nothing like as many comic book shops or shows as you. Charity and antique shops also never have comics. Enjoying your videos. Cheers. 🫡

[@Dragomo-David]

I stopped going myself. I don’t know why people think when they ask for a book of $20 140 like to sit and then when I ask him, he said I can negotiate and I said no thank you he said why not I said it’s OK and he keep persistent and I had to tell him I could go for $20 on eBay and now he got off upset

[@patriotcomics]

I’ve have that happen many times as well!!

[@ScarecrOmega]

The shows I go to the most popular tables are the ones with solid books in 50c/$1 bins and ones with large collections with FMV prices or better. Dealers that overprice are ALWAYS the least popular that I rarely see anyone buy from and I don't know how they make any profit.

[@patriotcomics]

Yes exactly! As a dealer, I would not over price books that drastically. They’d never sell.

[@OuterWorldsComics]

I’ve been to 3 local shows here. 1 was straight comic con. Found great deals. Met some cool people. Next one was an indoor garage sale. Picked up some good deals. Last one was toys and comics and again, I got some great deals. I’ve been pleasantly surprised because I expected what you’ve been experiencing.

[@patriotcomics]

That’s what I love to hear! It sounds like you’ve been having some great luck with these shows! I’ve been to a lot of great shows locally as well, but these last couple ones have been pretty rough. Thanks for watching brother!

[@scotttemple320]

The cost to get into most comic shows is ridiculously high. I won't spend money to spend money.

[@patriotcomics]

Exactly!

[@jkellogg2]

I’ve lost a lot of my anxiety about talking pricing strategies with sellers. I’m sorry if they are stuck but I don’t particularly care insofar as if we’re talking about buying something now, if you’re not going to price at least 10% below the average of last 3-6 months of eBay sold sales then I’m going to need you to explain to me how your business is meant to work.

[@patriotcomics]

I agree! ☝️

[@KevinV-tq8xz]

Which Houston store ?Bedrock city?? New to your channel brother love it.

[@patriotcomics]

Thank you! Yeah I think that was the name.

[@chrischreative2245]

We have a $3 show in Annandale, Virginia but it’s a small show. 75% comics and 25% cards. Very little toys.

[@patriotcomics]

Sounds like a good show!

[@lanlubber8514]

I commented on your other video, there were at least 4 or 5 regular comic vendors that were not there at that show. Where will you be selling? Tom's River?

[@patriotcomics]

Yeah I noticed there were a few vendors I normally see that were not there. A friend of mine sells there normally but couldn’t make that show. I’m selling at the New Egypt show on March 9th. It’s usually pretty decent there.

[@lanlubber8514]

@@patriotcomics cool, I'll try and make it and say hi.

[@JarredSmith-t1b]

I just got TMNT #1 third print CGC 8.0 and after 18 years of collecting comics I am calling it a quits cause I have two short boxes of keys. I did however find a Detective Comics #880 in the dollar bin and the woman looked it up and said it's $300 and I raised hell about her jacking up the price and left and now the shop is closed and I am glad cause that was dirty.

[@patriotcomics]

Congrats on the TMNT book! I’m still hunting for one of those.

[@dwaynesmith9482]

If I paid a $10 entrance fee I would have to leave with something. I don’t mind dollar books, I just hate more than anything dealing with ppl that either really do not know comics at all and think everything they have is worth a lot of money cause its 30 years old. Or think the first price they see on Google or eBay is a indicator of what the value of the book is lol

[@patriotcomics]

I see that way too much unfortunately.. especially with dealers who else antiques and all different types of collectibles.

[@dwaynesmith9482]

@ same for instance this store in my small town has some comics and I found a random Young Avengers #1 un priced, I got excited hoping to pay $3-5, guy whips out his phone and I knew I wasn’t getting any deal if he has to use his phone. He got excited and says “wow this book is worth $290, I’ll have to re evaluate this” I decided if that’s how he is going to do business then I’m just not going back there. Prime example of someone stuck in 2021

[@randallschmitt6904]

You are not alone. I went to a ComicCon in Redding Ca. Last year and no comics for sale. Was very disappointed.

[@patriotcomics]

That’s a shame!

[@DEE-o4v]

Should have been $5 MAX.......One thing I will say is this....people bring what they bring...you have NO control or say as to the quality of what people bring. Some shows have cool stuff, other shows have crap. My booth is always crowded. Why? I bring popular, unique, rare, older, bizarre, different stuff (we deal in art primarily). I'm told that half the reason people come to certain shows I do is because of the unique stuff we carry. You also cannot control what people charge. Best thing to do - is NOT buy from them and they will learn their lesson. Look at it this way - you saved a lot of money.

[@jonathandavis-po6js]

Dude 90s comics rock , thats what i read as a kid , iron man and war machine would fight for days bro

[@patriotcomics]

Not all 90s stuff is bad. I didn’t mean for it to come out like that. But a lot of of those indie titles and Superman books were not so great. Plus a lot of this stuff was printed to oblivion and doesn’t hold much value unfortunately. But there were some good stuff for sure as well!

[@kitescuriosities7717]

I haven’t experienced the over-valuing, as I like to call it, of cards, comics, autographs, toys, and the other things I collect too much. When I do, it’s typically a situation where I’ll find, say 5 things, and one of those will be over-valued and I just politely say, “No thank you,” put it back, and move on. I’ll try to respectfully negotiate, but if the seller won’t negotiate, I move on. Not going to fight someone and wind up being recorded and put on KZbin embarrassing myself.😄

[@jasonmountain4643]

Most of these conventions, including the big ones have turned into venues for people to just sell their random crap. I'd rather save my money of entry and find specific items I'm searching for online.

[@patriotcomics]

I hear ya!

[@DoughnutJunkie]

That’s what going to California comic shows is like. It’s very discouraging. But I love seeing the East Coast comic book shows on KZbin.

[@patriotcomics]

We definitely have good pricing out here on the East Coast. For the most part. Just lately I’ve been seeing a lot of vendors at shows with overpriced books. But the comic book shops out here are amazing!

[@stormshadowctf]

​@patriotcomics where are you out of?

[@DoughnutJunkie]

Not a fan of California high prices, but the booth prices are very expensive.

[@patriotcomics]

Yeah, I’m sure it’s crazy out there!

[@Rkennedy44]

KingKon is the only show I go to every year. It’s all comic vendors so lots of competition and vendors know they have to have competitive pricing in order to move books. If there’s one comic vendor at a con they’ll price their books like it’s 2021 to try and make up for their bad purchase decisions

[@patriotcomics]

I’d like to check KingKon out one day. It’s a bit of a drive for me but I heard good things.

[@BigMoneyGripMCV]

i'm enjoying that comic cons are not 100% comics. Tons of vendors make so much cool custom stuff that I would never think to look for online / ebay / etsy etc. The con prices are getting to be too much... C2E2 is $64 before the price hike next week! Yeesh.

[@patriotcomics]

I love going to flea market type shows where there’s a mix of everything. But whenever everything is priced extremely unreasonable, it gets frustrating. I personally don’t go to large conventions like C2 E2 or New York comic con. Too much for me! Lol.

[@BigMoneyGripMCV]

@@patriotcomics 2x Fair Market Value is stupid, so these cons need to reconsider how much they are charging vendors to set up, or the vendors will stop coming because nobody is buying.

[@jeffstanley6013]

@@BigMoneyGripMCV But con organizers have their own costs to cover too: rent for the convention space, marketing for the con, etc. So it's not like they don't have margins that they need to protect. I'm just wondering when con/show organizers might figure out that bigger is not necessarily better and move out of the overpriced urban convention centers and into the suburban hotel ballrooms.

[@pjizzle5]

Shows have been really bad pricing wise.. This show was GREAT last year but I didn't go this year because their summer show was rough and your video proved me correct. I've been having much more luck at the Cherry Hill & Swedesboro little shows.

[@patriotcomics]

Yeah definitely. Those shows have always been good.

[@Bel_Izeard]

Congrats on getting that 1st appearance of Jonah Hex! Such a great book to find.

[@patriotcomics]

Thanks so much Bel! It’s funny, you’re the first person to comment about this book! It was a grail for me and I’m so happy to finally own one! Appreciate you watching my friend!

[@ronaldbourgeois1255]

Have gone to local show for five dollars and fou nd nothing. Going to local store to get a astonishing tales book and the owner looks them over and no pressure to buy if in bad shape. Had to order through mail for silver age fantastic four and captain america. in october was abje to get some good books.Hard to find silver age in winnipeg canada.

[@patriotcomics]

Yeah it’s definitely harder to find books in certain areas. I’m very fortunate to have a lot of options here in the north east US. but I travel a lot and have seen what’s it like in other areas.

[@mikevucovich157]

FanX here in Utah, should be called the Science Fiction and comic books Arts and Crafts Fair. Because there are few if any comic books.

[@patriotcomics]

That’s unfortunate. I’m seeing that a lot lately as well.

[@DareSB7]

Vintage comics and toys are finite. Unless collectors sell their collection, you would not have supply. Those who are collecting vintage are also lesser than those who collect modern stuff.

[@patriotcomics]

That is true.

[@carymoshman1180]

I don't get why dealers overprice books. If you price them right people will actually buy them.

[@patriotcomics]

My thoughts exactly!

[@matthewbridges6122]

I truly think some vendors just want to show off their key issues without having any intention of actually selling them.

[@jamesshiflette5629]

Oh ya I just went to a local show, and one vendor had a raw ASM 6 that was a 2.5-3.0 at best listed for $1600. I said see ya!

[@patriotcomics]

It’s funny how comic prices are so drastically different depending on the dealer.

[@KingTutJr-w8c]

I just attended a local comic con and it was ok with fair prices! Bought a long box of comics for $100

[@patriotcomics]

There are definitely good shows out there! I’m happy to hear you found a good one!

[@kevinholmes4727]

No parking because of Polar Plunge too

[@patriotcomics]

Yeah! That was a freaking nightmare!!!! lol

[@aaronshamal3961]

Lame cons are bad but I think trying to sell comics at flea markets for convention prices is nuts. Value is subjective but to boom price (essentially soft price gouging) your books is bad practice and turns off the buyers.

[@patriotcomics]

Absolutely!

[@billyrod1980]

Nothing worse in this hobby then getting excited to buy some books for a con and leaving disappointed. I drove an hour to a small con last year and they only had 3-4 dealers. Ended up with just a few low cost run fillers.

[@patriotcomics]

Yeah it's so frustrating when you have high hopes and you end up with nothing!

[@DareSB7]

I guess you can take it as a sign to lessen your spending. Also, look on the bright side, you saved money. And do you really need more comics? Your man cave is already overflowing with a whole lot of nostalgia and whole lot of stuff. Be thankful. You know, when I downsized my collection and when I startednot spending so much I became happier and mentally healthier! I used the money I had saved and took my family on a vacation in Europe.

[@patriotcomics]

That is true. But due to having a KZbin channel and a comic selling business, I need to keep buying.

[@patriotcomics]

But I take my family on vacations as well! 😃

[@marcusmolyneux6422]

You that's crazy that show is charging a $10 entry fee now. The last couple of years it was free entry, 100% not a comic show usually always just 3 vendors.

[@patriotcomics]

Yeah exactly. Was always free when I went that last few years.

[@Vinylrebel72]

I stopped going, they got too expensive…

[@patriotcomics]

It’s true.

[@BH-sy1qt]

Why is there so much hate for 90s books?

[@patriotcomics]

For me personally, I’m not a fan of a lot of story’s and artwork that was happening at that point in time. But also as a collector, a lot of books were printed to oblivion so they do not hold much collectibility or value.

[@kristopherparker6871]

Bummer that the show didnt pan out for you! Luckily you were able to come away with some books for your pc. Keep trying Matt. The good books always come to you eventually.

[@patriotcomics]

Thanks bud! Yeah, you can still find good comics at good deals. You just have to keep hunting!!

[@TheOtakuMike]

Dang that stinks you didn't have a fun time at the show. Hopefully the next show is better

[@patriotcomics]

I probably won’t go back to that particular show. But there are other local shows in my area, which I’m sure will be good! Hopefully!

[@preemptivepmp]

I like you Norem poster!

[@patriotcomics]

Thank you!! 🙏

[@daveassanowicz186]

Nice gold top, look like P90 pickups

[@MediumMicComics]

Hey Matt, I actually love the local NJ shows that I have been going to lately. I think you are in NJ as well but maybe you are South and I’m North. Learning the “game” of comic book show buying (everything is 50% off!! Is it really😂) takes some time but once learned it’s a lot of fun and I usually come home with a lot of books. I do have some local show haul videos up if you want to see what I’m finding.

[@ctuck8644]

I only have 2 local shows all year here in SC but love both. Highlights from last Nov. include a gradable Inhumans 5 in a dollar bin and high high grade Wolverine 88 for $12. Starting to get super stoked for the next one at the end of Feb. !

[@patriotcomics]

That’s awesome! That’s what I love to hear people say about their local shows!