I'm So MAD!!!!

[@michaelcheck-r6i]

Ok Dude. That 9.8 that sold for 55k was my brothers. It was a REAL auction. He hit it hot you did not. Word!

[@nicholaspreston4417]

Sounds like the two people in the world that really needed that book already got it in the 9.8 and the 9.6. The person that bid up the 9.8 bought the 9.6 when it was available and that was it for the market

[@HomelessCanadaMike]

I agree with you likely a case where Heritage bid up their own books to get submissions, when you look at the history of that book 9.6 and 9.8 6 years ago were going for 10% of the recent "sales" This is a tactic Heritage uses to get more submissions. Goldin does this to but on more common books so it is far more obvious.

[@Fin-gj2th]

It's an auction, there is no guarantee on anything.

[@DanSchawbel]

Your transparency here is remarkable.

[@ComicBookInvestments]

Thank you. I’m assuming that is a good thing

[@TagsHobby]

I think it touches on a different aspect of you and your business/ journey. We all make mistakes, just learn and keep moving forward. Trust in you and your brand. ​@@ComicBookInvestments

[@tshew1]

If he was being transparent, he would have said whether he won/lost on the transaction overall. Two lessons.. don’t be greedy and don’t count money that you don’t have in hand. Also, bad-mouthing another company is NOT a good look.

[@jacobbornowsky4013]

@@tshew1the book was 9k when he bought it he made a whole video about it during the Covid bubble when everything was going to the “ moon”!!’ Yosagi after all was gonna have a Netflix show!! 😆

[@tshew1]

@@jacobbornowsky4013 so if he ihad paid 9K (which I’m doubtful), he still TRIPLED his money. Umm, most people would be more than happy with that kind of return.

[@Fin-gj2th]

You can always restart your day, even in the chaos, you can restart, with a fresh cup of coffee and start all over again! Adjust your mindset, and continue in peace.

[@miguelcuevas2976]

Yeah all this screams money laundering and fake bids.

[@Doc_Dooom]

I think the underbidders were the auction house. You should see the recent video Swag did with that investment guy.

[@punyhuman67]

Never trust a company that has had questions about their integrity before.

[@jacobbornowsky4013]

I think I remember the video when you got this book.. wasn’t it for like 9k?? If so I think you did really well

[@slickjolly]

Sorry to hear this, man. Obviously really affecting you. One of my biggest worries about having a high value comic books. It centralizes the risk in a very small quantity. I hope that you can mentally find a way forward.

[@omarnagi3489]

I took a big loss myself today. I had the ASM 194 9.8 with the yellow strip error. I thought it would come in at least $8-$10k, but certainly higher than a regular 9.8 of course, which is about $2500. This is potentially the only copy in this grade and condition (white pages) in existence (VERY hard to find in any grade.) What did it sell for? $2400😭😭😭 I literally collapsed on the floor when it sold for that. The only reason I was selling it was to make some needed money, so it was an extra hard gut punch, since this was easily my most valuable book.

[@davidsamuelson2089]

Does CGC recognize that as an error?

[@User8vfjhejf]

@@davidsamuelson2089 No and it's not really an error...All it is, is the red printing plate cracked and broke off when the press was running, extremely common occurrence in printing

[@Fin-gj2th]

Should of sold it yourself and sat on it bro. But like the last commenter said, it's not a error, it's a mishap in printing. Regardless, I would just of let the thing sit than auction it off to the vultures

[@omarnagi3489]

Thanks for the replies. Whether or not CGC recognizes it isn’t really the point. Comic book buyers do. Whenever these sell, it is always for a significant premium. A 3.5 just sold last month for $282, a book that would normally go for about $100. And that was from 9 bidders on eBay. I trusted the professionals because I thought they would attract deeper pocket buyers than a random eBay auction by some random eBay seller. I sold it because I needed the money. I’ll learn from it and move on.

[@Fin-gj2th]

@@omarnagi3489 just like the video that Dave made, you can't NOT price a book and then, nonetheless let it go to auctions and expect the same results. Do you not understand that? They call it RISK and rolling the dice for a reason. If you play the game, you just might loose mate. Lol.

[@WhiteArtsMagic]

the one above 50k was probably money laundering

[@crossbronxcollectibles9127]

Life has taught me to always bet on yourself

[@Cincinnatijames]

The problem with an obscure book like that is being third out the gate selling it. Obscure books have few buyers looking for it and two of the major sharks were already satisfied. But also, Stan's copy probably should have been given the premium treatment, Heritage facilitator should have calling up all the previous bidders and selling them on it. But also again, have more faith in yourself. Build your buyer rolodex so when you have a rarity, you can make those calls.

[@pulp420]

I used heritage once for selling during their early years. Needless to say I never used them again. Sorry for your loss.

[@WhatDoesEvilMean]

The only thing I can think (assuming everything is above board) is just a lack of promotion. That’s definitely possibly a missing piece between some books going higher and other books going lower. Not just heritage’s promotion of their auctions but also the people who are putting their books up. And then of course there’s just luck (good or bad). Hopefully because this sale happened something will come up that you have the capacity to buy. 👍

[@michaelsaia997]

I stopped buying from Heritage last year. Crazy money coming from god knows where and almost all winners overpay. So sorry about your loss David. I totally understand your thinking going into the auction minus without the no reserve based on their previous sales numbers for the book (it's like taking the insurance on a hand of blackjack). Off topic question: How much would you value an ASM #255 Newsstand, Double cover CGC 9.6? Just got this one back and don't want to overvalue. I was thinking like $399.

[@Penny_Man_of_Mo]

Heritage is super suspect. Ever since the WADA, million dollar Mario cartridge, and all the shadiness that accompanied was laid out by Karl Jobst I will always be suspicious of Heritage.

[@spinnerrackstudios]

Very sorry to hear about this. I don't trust the auction houses or sellers using the auction houses. A number of years ago, there was a big blowup on the CGC original art boards regarding some art sales on Heritage. Shill bidding by people associated with the seller was suspected as I recall. Swagglehaus just did a video with a guest regarding the need for regulation of the auction houses. Hard to figure out if there were any shenanigans going on in your case -- it sounds like you might have just had some really bad luck? But it does beg the question, what happened to the underbidder on that recent 9.6 sale? Personally, I will never use Heritage as a seller because of the excessive fees. So-called 20% buyer's premium is nothing more than additional seller's commission (for a total of 30% seller's commission). Highway robbery in my opinion.

[@malus911]

Thats a real kick in the balls. Tough break. Shake it off and carry on. Cheers.

[@robertbanning6393]

I had a friend who worked for them and he told me both them and goldin always seem to have suspect shit on some of their auctions.

[@davidsamuelson2089]

Heritage is not great for moderns in signature auctions, or non-white pages, or resto books. The big money goes to real tough stuff - OA or truly rare non-resto old books.

[@hipoopy777]

Seems fishy to me. I've always wondered about Heritage auctions sold prices. Some of the previous sales have been fishy for sure.

[@davidsamuelson2089]

Automatic just came out with a vid where he gushes & giggles about new record prices from that Heritage auction.

[@FireflyComics]

I had a bad day too. I sent an already slabbed by CGC Marvel Masterpiece captain America card to CGC for the Jusko signing. CGC had already graded it a 10. CGC cracked it out and regraded it a 7. Ugh

[@Mskedu47]

I recognized your book, I honestly thought it was going to sell for around $10k. Risk with auction is limited time window for an obscure book to find a specific buyer but you tried for months to sell it buy it now so I think you got the real market value.

[@GravelRacer1]

A book is only worth what someone is willing to pay at that particular moment in time. Especially for high value books. People incorrectly assume that their book is worth $50k because the last one sold for $50k. That $50k buyer has their book already, so they are not looking for another anymore. Under bidders probably lost interest. This is a trap almost all collectors fall for, including people who buy books worth millions.

[@RobertMatteis-pe7vh]

Hey Dave, yes today is the real let down because my Superman 1 restored only sold for $40,000 that was not good at all!!! on the other hand I only paid $12,500. I was trying to get a nice dodge challenger. I don’t think that’s going to happen now because I’m not a bartender anymore..☹️☹️☹️

[@timhall5382]

Bizarre

[@ccculture9681]

Jesus, honesty like this makes me grow a big rubbery one.😁

[@travismoriarty669]

I cant imagine the disappointment. Sorry this happened to you.

[@RobertMatteis-pe7vh]

Hey Dave, think about this maybe we should have went to Comic Link. It’s too late now.. because they got $60,000 for a Superman 1 4.5 restored with trimming and I only got $40,000 with Heritage 5.0 no trimming restored..🤯🤯🤯

[@RPRsChannel]

*_Usch...._* *_Well, it's $55K+20-30%, so it's even more._*

[@terryhrach9450]

Oooouch dude I totally felt that , almost as if I lost out .. I refuse to buy off heritage anymore

[@Hofftimusprime1]

Comics are real hit and miss right now. The economy is pretty wishy washy.

[@larryhoover2965]

You were grasping and trying to dump a book that nobody really wants to spend that kind of money on.

[@prehistoricturtlesaurus5309]

Everything about this is what makes me so disgusted about where the hobby has gone. Grading would be a good way to assure buyers they aren't getting a dud book, but instead people play this moronic lottery and sucker's buy into it. Oh, a 9.8 should be worth 20k more than a 9.6?!? On a book that could easily be resubmitted and be a 9.6 because of the whim of the grader. Oh no, I didn't get an extremely over blown price on a book when the economy sucks. Dude, you tripled your money on a niche book. I mean, I love it and so do other usagi fans, but it's not on the radar of most collectors. Most people with the dough to buy a 9.8 albedo 2 aren't even fans, they're just vultures looking for a rare and valuable book to invest in. Honestly, I can only hope for more of this. The 9.8 premium is a joke and it deserves to die out, CGC needs to lose enough face to actually be humbled enough to put out a good product, and fly by night speculaters need to go find other things to invest in.

[@MetalBum]

They’re overall good at grading and better than trusting a collector to grad their own book. There’s too much bias when someone sells for them to grade higher. It’s better than nothing and a free country. Your choice to use CGC or not and your right to criticize too

[@michaeldriver6519]

I feel for you, I got burned too a couple years ago with some antique cars I sold at the “largest” car auction. Even the auctioneer was upset at what happened…I 2nd guessed myself too but I took it as a very costly learning experience.

[@donaldvonglitchenberger4108]

i feel ya man. my spectacular spidey 9 sold for 3 dollars at auction on ebay last week

[@leaveittocomics8127]

There's a 9.6 on shortbox for 33000. Crazy.

[@rayjones4616]

You play the game, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, that's life kid.

[@MIKEYC123]

Brother Dave I think you did the right thing by not putting it into your auction cuz scruples my man Scruples you have them as far as the book I put a lot of Art in auctions things I think will do well do horrible sometimes things I think will stink bring big money just depends on the day and who's watching thanks Dave for your honesty

[@pbales8951]

I'm so sorry to hear this. These Heritage Auctions prices have been all over the place lately... many books selling at record prices while others are fetching way below their FMV. Such a volatile market lately. I have a bunch of relatively low value slabs I'd like to sell, but I'd get pennies on the dollar right now.

[@rodolfomolano984]

Auctions are a 50/50. Should of believed in yourself in your own auction. 1 Bird in the hand worth more then two in the bush

[@michaelsharkey4255]

Heritage and other auctions houses want books to sell for as much as possible. It hurts their profit margin if it sells for less. It is a little surprising that it sold for under FMV but that’s the risks of auctions.

[@georgeskuros7373]

Your insight about the industry is appreciated. Your auction terms are fair to sellers. A little more promotion of your site to common collectors like myself will eventually get everyone's attention and participation as inhouse bids at certain auction houses seem a possibility.

[@Hectekk]

I remember you showing that slab. Didn't it have some small flaws that even surprised you that it got a 9.8?

[@comicpizza8905]

real sorry to hear that dude!

[@JamesHoward-l4o]

Yeah. Believe there's something fishy. I would have thought of the same thing. Just some bad luck I guess.

[@Steampunk_Star_Raisin]

The market is down in comics right now with a looming recession and massive layoffs from tech companies. I think the big money people are holding off money for hard times...

[@LasVegasCollectibles]

Agreed. Big money waiting for large price decreases in assets to take advantage

[@NobodyI991]

9.6 FF #1 $2.04 million. The money is definitely there for books, that more than a handful of people want.

[@300baud]

"there is still a 61.8% chance of a U.S. recession sometime in the next 12 months"... That being said, I've been hearing about this "looming recession" for like 5 years now and it hasn't happened yet.

[@timreierson26]

Really? Big money spent a ton of dough today during the Heritage auction. Market isn’t down for people that have money to burn.

[@Steampunk_Star_Raisin]

@@timreierson26 It depends on the book. That is a very niche market for a comic book...

[@Voxclamantis]

can you set a reserve on Heritage so it doesn't go beneath your desired floor? Bummer!

[@timelkins3537]

I’m completely ignorant about how Heritage auctions work…too bad you can’t have a reserve price like on eBay.

[@derekrice5203]

It’s such a niche book it’s hard to really gauge a true market value when only using heritage sales. Great book but I could name 50 less rare books I would rather have over it. Personally I would have kept that as a PC book, like you said, it was basically a 1/1. Sorry for your loss.

[@ComicBookInvestments]

Ya I was hoping to use the cash for other more important things.

[@LUIZS87]

They're well known especially compared to your new company. Better known companies have and will always continue to get the bigger money

[@marcusmolyneux6422]

Proves that heritage is sketchy and they probably drive their own prices up within the company

[@txmoney]

Couldn’t you set up a reserve? A minimum starting point of “X” or no sale!

[@eggplantcomics8336]

Well depending what you paid maybe it's not that bad

[@mikes6368]

Straight up I would of kept it on your website for a buy it now, all the major auction sites definitely shill bid and play games Unless the market is VERY HOT …. never auction especially niche books

[@snpydiznogg]

I think it’s the market… bad time to sell not heritage… look at those Neal adams Batman 9.8s there’s like 9 of 227 last sale was 41k… I bought that… now it’s at 19k… only book that did well was GSX1 in 9.8

[@omarnagi3489]

For what it’s worth, I think it would have been worse for your business if you had sold it from your website. Say you sold it for same price or even slightly higher. You would have made a little extra money on this sale, but taking a reputational hit in the end. The perception then would be your auction service is vastly inferior than Heritage, which just got $35k for a 9.6. Now the talk is that ridiculous 9.6 Heritage sale (which is really the source of the problem, setting an incorrect perception of value). If you ask me, the sale price is probably STILL too high (very little known 80’s comic character, no pop culture footprint, nowhere in TMNT category, which even that had a weak sale today). And the subject of this video would then be how stupid you were in NOT selling it on Heritage! 🤣

[@kenny_numbers]

Great point!

[@surfcitycomics672]

So this is something that has been brought up before about heritage that they change the algorithm so not that many bitters can see your book. And the thought process is someone they know or works for Heritage will acquire it for a cheaper price. Those guys can suck it.. there have been so many times they’ve been manipulated Books on there to change GPA

[@brychology]

We have to take the good with the bad Dave. I’m sure you’ve had some great sales and profits too, never forget that. I can understand why this one stings though. Also, those other two sales sound very fishy after seeing what this sold for.

[@BigMoneyGripMCV]

Buyer: "Yay i won a Heritage auction for 500k.".... Heritage: "That'll be 2.3 Million Dollars plz". Seller: "I made 200k"

[@ronmoreau7021]

That's $28750 more than what I could afford, To me that was an astronomically great price for a new book. don't worry be happy. I'm sure you didn't have that much into the book. The solid offers suck though, I'll give you that .

[@chicosuave2966]

Sorry about your luck David. Hopefully everything will work itself out for you.

[@coldbloodedclowns6797]

That book will be on HA in the next year.

[@davidsterling1659]

I want to look at it like a traffic accident David, you did your research and had a fair expectation of what the book should have got. I would be surprised if you paid tens of thousands less possibly when you obtained the book, but either way. You are tops in my book!

[@Ready4Wednesday]

Just pull a whatnot and don't ship the book

[@von6164]

Why wouldn’t you roll the dice with yourself? You can control the marketing, reserve and the pay date

[@Doc_Dooom]

There are only a few people who want that book for that kind of money. So if a 9.6 and 9.8 sold recently you should wait a while. Also ebay gets tons of eyes so you could have put it there with a best offer option.

[@ComicBookInvestments]

I did have it on eBay for over a year. Got nothing

[@davidsamuelson2089]

You’re never selling $30k+ moderns on eBay

[@michaelemond7315]

Are you telling me Heritage charges sellers 20% for a buyer’s premium AND they charge the seller fees on top of that? What the hell?

[@johnwycough1955]

Like you said, such a niche book that only certain people would be interested in. With such other titles already in this premiere auction, i would have waited to put it in one where it was a main attraction. Also, its still a 'boom' book that was way overpriced to begin with i think. But i can understand the thought.

[@philcamacho127]

Very sorry, David. We all take a gamble on investing, but it's shameful if HA was duplicite on the first two sales of the same book. It would be difficult to prove, but no one would blame you if you lost faith in them and decided not to use their services again. Just trust your smaller auction house to continue to do well and gain the trust of more customers and be patient. Good luck! 😊

[@CRATEtv]

They've been bidding on their own items for years. Welcome to the party...

[@preemptivepmp]

I buy huge books like that but I don't know anything about that character. I try to stick with Marvel and maybe some DC.

[@sirrickthe2nd583]

Damn, sorry for your loss. Definitely seems like possible shill bidding, on the other books.

[@comicbookninja5268]

Too bad you couldn't use a reserve price.

[@eugeneinong880]

Not a good time for auctions right now

[@MarcSpectorComics]

Not true. Actually there were some record prices set today on heritage

[@JediFarce]

Should have put a reserve on the price

[@spinnerrackstudios]

Heritage does not allow reserves in their auctions.

[@very_awake]

Heritage is shady… there are rumours of bid shillings there. I would not be surprised if someone from Heritage snagged your copy.

[@anthonypidone4453]

Big lesson. How much did you have into it ? Did you make money from what you paid. This is a great lesson moving forward.

[@jacobbornowsky4013]

Yes he made a video about this book during the Covid bubble when yasagi was all the rage because of a upcoming Metflix show ( that bombed) he bought the book raw for 9k… he made a killing

[@BrooksSeanRobinson]

I think it’s just a bad time to move big dollar books, most collectors are pulling back until the economy improves

[@lag9]

You might be the only seller that doesn’t shill bid their own books on Heritage. Lol

[@2hugebros241]

Yes the other two prices they had on heritage on the 9.8 and 9.6 was not real!!!!!!! Now you follow me. I’d be massively upset and don’t blame you

[@horvathsogranfume658]

HA definitely is shady

[@johnmoran6418]

Remember you showing that book on one of your vids about a year ago and you had high hopes then, onwards and upwards buddy, it'll all level itself off in the end

[@AgentDeCamp4]

Why didn’t you set a reserve price?!?!?!

[@ComicBookInvestments]

You have to pay them to have a reserve

[@jeffkeller9009]

I had a bad auction on e-bay,My item should have sold for about 1,000. got only 400, that is the last item I have sold in awhile.

[@bennettbennettsb]

You should have just put it in your own auction and then if you don't like what it's going to sell for get someone you know to bid on it and just cancel everything pretty sure no one would ever know

[@MarcSpectorComics]

You're basically describing what these big auction houses are doing

[@User8vfjhejf]

Dude, you only have 10K into it, you did fine, just not what you were expecting. It had a bad day, you should have waited till Jan-April

[@TheSameoldjoe]

I'm so sorry for your loss and disappointment. Given the book's background and past sale data, you made a viable decision to use Heritage. You were not reckless or uninformed. Sometimes, the best-laid plans of mice and men mentality bite us.

[@ComicRonin]

Can you not set minimums??

[@rogueafett190]

Seems like the is something shady going on with that auction…

[@statueman5363]

Market is down across the board why even risk it now, that hard up for some funds….

[@Dragomo-David]

What I learned from this video that the day that I decide to sell my book I’m going to use you thank you sorry for the loss

[@RobertMatteis-pe7vh]

Wow, I had to make another comment you never ever know what you are going to get with any auction. Supposedly Comic Link sold Superman. 1 4.5 restored trimmed recently for more than $60,000.. my copy was 5.0 restored professionally no trimming I got $20,000 less.. yes it’s a bad day today I guess for you also.

[@starchild6347]

Are you not allowed to place a reserve price on your book….like on eBay?

[@ComicBookInvestments]

I think you can but you have to pay

[@DochVTAKCD7]

Sounds like you let greed dictate your actions and went against your own instinct. Cope harder and let this be a lesson for you in the future.

[@leerogers5318]

I call Shenanigans!

[@comicwarriors3735]

Did you consider trading it for more liquid books?

[@eugeneinong880]

Do you wish you took the offers or just lesson learned