The 5 WORST Things About Being A Comic Book Dealer

[@robertbanning6393]

Been in the business since 87, everything you've said was spot on

[@ComicBookInvestments]

I guess these complaints are just part of the industry

[@theohoekstra1244]

By and large, the books I sell are between $50 - $70 each (slabs), and runs at about $1 a book. When I get a build up of fluff, I do a garage sale with 50 cent bins, dollar bins, and $10 to $15 dollar slabs for my mistakes in my screening or what books to grade. I can't live off it, but it helps fund the hobby, have fun, and recoup a little vs. total loss.

[@Encarte69]

And this is why my collection consist of 4 short boxes and a bunch of REAL key/resellable slabs.

[@bobsmith1520]

*Warning*. Incoming message of encouragement :) Dave, I’ve been subscribed to your channel for a couple of years now. I REALLY appreciate your content. AND, I literally have a stack of 7 slabs that I keep meaning to send to you to sell on your website. It’s been sitting on my desk for months :) I appreciate, REALLY appreciate, your ethical stance in this industry. Keep on keepin’ on my brutha!!!!

[@ComicBookInvestments]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed my content for many years :) and more to come

[@BrianLCS]

How do you price books when you buy them? Do you use a certain % of FMV?

[@ComicBookInvestments]

I price them at fmv.

[@michaelemond7315]

I knew you were a comic book dealer! And that shirt would have let me know if I didn't know beforehand. ;)

[@braddock8433]

Hey Dave great insight. What’s the typical growth on major keys comics, over 5-10years? Thanks!

[@ComicBookInvestments]

On normal years 2-10%

[@runamuck316]

Same thing with real estate. Some people hold delusional prices in their head of what they think their house is worth.

[@deathmetalmadness4642]

I enjoy any comic book content but to be honest I collect n didn't even consider them being worth much, I got into them cause I just love art n great storytelling plus I always found it hard to retain info from novels, the art really helped me remember the story, infact the art is more important for me n I hate modern Marvel art, could be the colours don't pop as much, not much originality going around, jaded but the older stuff still floats my boat but man everythings dropping, hope you guys didn't get into the hobby just to make money, thats why we are here, remember these guys who went out of business had you over a barrel ready for penetration without the Diddler baby oil, just to own that low grade key insanely overpriced, boohoo, now they know how it feels to be priced out of something they love, making a quick buck, no sympathy for they guys, not ripping on Dave, he was always a calmer head who admitted said shit was going to happen when comic Tom was pushing you with increased fomo, ah shit man, i love the hobby but the bubble was going to pop, covid didn't help i guess

[@ComicBookInvestments]

Yes. If you love the book then buy what you love. Buying with the intention of selling it at a higher price or what you paid for it. That takes a different mind set

[@deathmetalmadness4642]

@@ComicBookInvestments That's your world Dave, not mine, I meant no offence bud, you were the guy that was more even handed on what you thought n I respect that 👍 you weren't trying to push it to the moon untill it collapsed I mean, you said these books were over priced at the time n that's why I subscribed n never left plus you can sing n are a rocker like myself 😂

[@theohoekstra1244]

Finally, go to a dealer who trades in your level of books. They have a customer base built on what they sell. I would never bring my inventory to this channel because I don't deal in Grails/high dollar 5 figure books. I want a dealer who moves low level books: 50 - 500 dollar books. Dealers have customer bases and you need to find the right dealer for your inventory.

[@ComicBookInvestments]

I deal in all price points. From $1 to $100k

[@iancherry746]

Interesting and insightful. Your company has been doing well and I like the new auction section! I appreciate how well it works (Kinda wish Canada had something like it). I mean I know there is ebay but you know what I mean. Out of curiosity do you ever see Collectors Comics becoming Collectors Paradise with cards and toys etc.? Not saying you should but its something I see comic shops have turned into to gain a broader audience.

[@ComicBookInvestments]

Yes. It’s in the eventual plans

[@verified893]

Congrats on the family. I didn't know you had a child or were expecting.

[@elizabethscott584]

Love the shirt!❤

[@timreierson26]

Dave, it sounds like trading is a very inefficient process for you. Why not just avoid them altogether, or lay out your specific parameters for a trade so the trader knows in advance what you need to do the trade, and won’t be surprised if you reject it upfront (before you waste a lot of time)?

[@ComicBookInvestments]

I usually do. But every trade I go in hoping it can work out. Because I want the customer to be happy and get the book they want.

[@jasonbrazier2864]

Great video!

[@theohoekstra1244]

I also have a hard line between what becomes PC , and everything else. My PC is She-Hulk, Rogue, Pitt, Deathblow, Robotech, Grendel, Lobo, Groo the Wanderer, Elfquest, and a couple of other titles and some standalones. Things have to get very, very bad before I reach out to buyers for those. My selling supports adding to/improving my PC

[@elizabethscott584]

Thanks for being real!!

[@terryhrach9450]

Good content man 😎👍🏻

[@comicbooknarcissist]

The problem with dealers is say regarding your story about collections not worth anything is they say that same thing even when the books are not "junk." They use a pennies-on-the-dollar approach, so selling to dealers should be a last resort. The only possible use for collectors working with dealers is to use them for targeted trading for stuff you don't want or to upgrade. He says trades are not fun, but they are the only shot at getting a reasonable deal.

[@ComicBookInvestments]

This is why I built an auction platform and I have the lowest seller fees. So I just tell people to put it in my auction for only 5%. That’s how you get the most value for your comics

[@oscaralcantara3039]

Collect what you love to collect the real deal

[@cincinnatuscincinnatus8541]

Venom 3 was so good. Go see it!

[@ComicBookInvestments]

Really?

[@goldschool9050]

Dealers have to swindle to survive

[@judesjunkcomics3283]

Nope..... it's the same in every sales field. You either act like a sales person ... or you act like a consultant.

[@gorgeousgeorge5173]

Just curious Dave, do you do any Whatnot auctions, and if not, why not?

[@gorgeousgeorge5173]

I am going to start selling my huge collection in 5 years when I retire from my day-job and just exploring options for my end-game. Thx

[@gorgeousgeorge5173]

I like how you stress its a different mentality as a dealer, vs collector. You need to move product, not sit on it. Some really valuable insights here.

[@Rye-l1i]

I don't think he has the time that it takes to be dedicated to doing a WhatNot channel. It is a grind.

[@gorgeousgeorge5173]

@@Rye-l1i Yes, and Dave has his own auctions as well and is established in his space Just wanted to pick his brains as to how he best markets himself.

[@Rye-l1i]

@gorgeousgeorge5173 I hope he answers your question. I do think he just let's his product speak for itself. He only charges 5% and handles everything from start to finish, I think that makes him by far the cheapest auction site out there. I think by keeping that low fee, he gets a lot of books. I believe he also has his website set up that you can have your own personal page with all your items if you do buy it now.

[@stampscapes]

You own your own business of selling comic books. Don't you just sit around reading comic books all day and just work whenever you want to? Lol. I'm kidding as I'm self employed too.

[@ComicBookInvestments]

I do read a comic every once in awhile though. If a book peaks my interest retest

[@pulp420]

Good day to be a TSLA shareholder.

[@ComicBookInvestments]

Yes it is. Up 20% on the day.

[@judesjunkcomics3283]

Toxic clients

[@braddock8433]

You don’t keep a PC for yourself?

[@ComicBookInvestments]

Very small one

[@FallenHeroEM1]

Might take more effort but I find it's easier to sell 10 $1000 books than 1 $10000 book.

[@ComicBookInvestments]

Depends on the book. An af 15 sells quick. A obscure books not so much