SETTING UP AS A DEALER AT A COMIC BOOK SHOW / FIRST TIME EVER

[@kevinmccarty157]

No prices on books I move on to the next booth.

[@grimlyfiendish5579]

5:56 what a ridiculous thought process dude. When I go anywhere and nothing is priced I'm instantly turned off and realize it will be a uphill battle with some crazy person to hammer out a non Ebay price 🤣 I like you're videos but you are a little nutty haha.

[@Stickygoose]

Cool

[@CollectorAuctions]

I'm glad the no-price model worked for you. I'm one of those that would have passed on this kind of set-up as I am always worried that the prices will just come back priced to high and it forces you into negotiations. I get the point of those that price too high but it let's you pass them by immediately.

[@Stickygoose]

I may price some stuff next time

[@CollectorAuctions]

@@Stickygoose if I find a dealer and the marked prices are reasonable to start I'm more likely to stay and buy more. But that's just me I'm sure you learn more as you go.

[@FishThatDavidBlaineSwallowed]

@@Stickygoose It depends on the dealer.. My first time visiting my LCS as a young lad was quite the experience! The dealer had Uncanny X-men #150-#500 for sale and I made an offer of 500 bucks as a joke. He accepted and made a customer for life! Still buying there 10+ years later!

[@FormerfishsFinds]

I feel like the no-price model goes against your idea of making the sale easy to make. I don’t even look at booths that don’t have some sort of pricing. I’ve run into situations where dealers throw out a high enough number that I feel like I just wasted my time.

[@Gamma-RayesComics]

Some dealers, especially wall items, throw out ridiculously high prices because they don't really want to sell the book. They want to keep it there for eye candy to draw people in. Those books they have no intentions of selling. Of course, if someone is crazy enough to pay the price that the dealer has marked, well.... lol

[@hoardershide]

If I see a table with no prices I don't even stop.

[@Stickygoose]

I’m glad so many people stopped at mine

[@Gamma-RayesComics]

I wish you the best of luck. It does sound fun. And meeting collectors and getting your face out there will hopefully bring in more books, more sales, and new friends.

[@jon6309]

Hmm I don’t like when comic book deals don’t list a price but at the same time I can see where you are coming from as the seller. I would have segregated the books based on price range before hand and probably used color coded stickers to help me keep track of the price ranges I looked up before trying to sell them.

[@mikem3543]

Awesome! Congratulations on your first show! Sounds like you had a blast.

[@wheremyheadat]

That looks real great!

[@philliptyndall6005]

Thanks for sharing. I set up for the first time a few months ago. Wonderful experience. I love your booth set up. You’ve given me some great ideas. Thanks again.

[@Stickygoose]

Thanks hope the next one goes great

[@TimboToys]

You’re putting yourself out there, making mistakes and learning from them. Kudos to you. Keep it up.

[@Stickygoose]

Thanks 👍

[@BobBoozle]

Congrats on a successful show. Your display looked good. To be honest, I skip tables with no prices. I like going through boxes with a running total in my head but I get your pricing strategy.

[@Stickygoose]

I will take it into consideration for the next one

[@lafanfarlo4872]

> You gotta make everything easier for the customer > Actually you know what, make them play guess what's the price for the books they pick up Yeah nah.

[@Stickygoose]

Wasn’t a guess…it’s an offer

[@michaeld4648]

@@Stickygoose The whole point is that if you want to make it easier on the buyer, having your books competitively priced will help. Your logic on how you priced your books sound great, just show the price beforehand. Too many times I have seen shops on price their books and wasted a lot of time waiting them to figure out a price. Making things easier on the customer is not just having payment options.

[@Hydrus96]

Great video glad you had such a great time and doing your best to keep comics alive!!

[@Stickygoose]

Thanks for positive vibes

[@Mr_Rob_otto]

I suspect that a lot of dealers who have overpriced wall books don’t really want to sell them. They use those books to entice customers to their booth, and if some sucker wants to pay the inflated price, all the better.

[@Stickygoose]

That’s exactly what it’s about

[@Gamma-RayesComics]

You're exactly right. I've talked to dealers that admit to this exact thing. It's the same as putting cool items in a store window. It's the allure that brings you in.

[@darrensmith9564]

Looking forward to seeing your experience at the next show. Tables in my area are close to $100 a table.

[@Stickygoose]

the next one im going to is 125

[@lowratehitman]

Thank you for sharing this experience, in which i will be setting up at my 1st show in march, and it is a lot to consume.

[@loumonoph]

Gratz on the fist show. I started selling at smaller shows years ago. They are great you get to talk about what you love all day and make money doing it. But I would suggest pricing because it will scare some buyers away because not all collectors are very social and want to haggle over price or even know the going price of the book they want. But if you price your books to sell they will. I always price my cgc the day of the con just so I know the price is fair. But some vendors use their wall to attract buyers because most people there want to see the book on the walls but don't have the money. But they will then start looking though your bins. I would Also suggest writing down all the books that sell just so you can keep track of them. Don't do it for cheap bins though just write down the amount of books. try to bring help. So you can leave the booth and have a extra pair of eyes for people trying to steal. Have seen it done several times. And always bring drinks and food with you it can be a long day.

[@martinnewiss5769]

You should put prices on and not expect the collectors do it for you

[@Stickygoose]

Martin would you like to tell me how much you think the book is worth 5 bucks 20 bucks for the 100 dollar book?

[@martinnewiss5769]

@@Stickygoose thats your job certain shops were doing this to customers pick up a comic with a price on it and get to the counter where they would go on eBay then charge you more ??

[@Stickygoose]

That’s not at all what I’m doing I explained that in the video.

[@sonic31century1]

The no-price listed model does not work for me. You should have had some boxes that are your dollar boxes. Some boxes are your $5 boxes. Some boxes are your $10 boxes. After that, your next price point should be your wall books that are all various higher prices based om market value. Your method makes impulse buys impossible. I like $1 boxes because I can count up the books I am going to buy and know how much they will cost even before I would have gone to you to pay. Same with the $5 and $10 boxes.

[@sonic31century1]

Another reason you no- price model does not work is it forces people to have a conversation with you as you figure out if the price people offer to pay is fair. Many people these days seems to have social anxiety and having a conversation with you about fair market value of comic books might trigger it. Plus your model is time consuming.

[@Stickygoose]

Didn’t take that into consideration thanks for bringing that to my attention

[@BobBoozle]

Good point on impulse buys.

[@m.p.sutherlandjr.6905]

Define like this idea! Non-priced big books perhaps (maybe over $20 or so?) and a lot you want to really just get rid of in 1-$10 boxes is cool.

[@MattMatt77]

Yeah me to. But for a understandable reason. I'm on the Spectrum so talking isn't great. If I can afford it I will buy it. If not I put it back. The hole wheeling and dealing I do know "normal" people like. But isn't great for me. Because the times I do talk. The seller gets made because I say to much facts. I guess as a good example there's a seller on eBay that has something for sale I decided to ask him what he dropped the price by $10 or would meet me for a local sale. He went on and on saying that my offer is a lowball offer and the item that I'm looking to buy souls for all day for his asking price. I showed him that he recently but that same item up for sale three times and it didn't have any bids whatsoever and if I was to buy that item for his that for his asking price it would be the same price I'm willing to pay if I was to meet him in person. So now he blocked me on eBay...

[@dannyplaza5474]

Very cool video! It’s great to get the dealer perspective

[@Stickygoose]

It really is!

[@shawnmichaud4484]

I skip booths with no prices or prices so high i dont even want to throw an offer. If priced within 10-20% ill throw out a fair market cash offer.

[@vintiquesokc]

I use a combination of priced and no price models. at bigger shows I have 2-3 tables full of unpriced things that are all make me an offer because I just want it gone, most of my organized inventory is priced though but always room to negotiate. and $15 for a table??? Would love a show around here with a set up price like that... this weekend one table $150. But like you said it is enjoyable, and the money we make will help buy the next deal that comes along.

[@mpcjunkie72]

it's funny how some dealers/sellers love to bring up current eBay prices. We all know, or should know, that it's not what it's selling for but what it has sold for. Plus you take that sold price and deduct 15-20% and that's what a seller pockets. Give that savings to the buyer and everyone wins! very simple, Good video - I'm glad it was a great experience.

[@justinbirchletters]

Happy to see another collector from the 304 on KZbin. Great video!

[@Stickygoose]

Represent the 304

[@cardsandcomics]

When I set up as a dealer I try and sort comics by price and create a $1 long box, $5 long box etc. Once I get above 20 I indvidually price those but pull all the over $100 books into either wall books or put them in one box. People love to dig in the dollar and $5 boxes and sometimes you miss something but thats the fun of it. However, I would never stop at a dealer with larger books for sale that did not either have them priced or could quote me a price. My time is too valuable to waste on someone who has to look everything up on eBay.

[@Gamma-RayesComics]

Exactly. I agree. I have gone to comic book shops when I'm on trips and I end up spending more time with the dealer looking up books for prices, then the time it took me to shop for the books in his store. That's just lame.

[@josephbarbera9220]

Thanks for giving your input on selling comics in a convention. There are so many variables that come to play in this type of selling environment. You really have to be able to think on the spot and react quickly to a potential buyer. It’s completely different from selling in a store where everything is laid out and time is on your side. Also tough when you are by yourself.

[@Stickygoose]

It is mentally and physically exhausting

[@brettsadler4211]

Lol. You really talk with your hands! Haha.

[@Dewfanatic]

I wanted to check this show out. Had to work not even 10 miles away the entire day. Hopefully next time.

[@Stickygoose]

That’s a bummer man maybe next time!

[@GENOTALKSCOMICS]

Appreciate you sharing your experience and glad you enjoyed it. As someone who's been going to conventions for several years now, there have been multiple times when I've walked up to a booth, glanced at prices and immediately knew I wasn't gonna buy anything from them. You can spot overpriced books quickly and not even bother looking over too much more there. Wish you much success!

[@shadowman8786]

For me, if I take time to dive into 4 or 5 comic boxes for a good browse, then I need to see prices. I do not want to keep asking the price of everything. A marked up dollar bin informs immediately.

[@Charles-ow3fo]

That's awesome that your first show was a great success!! If I was local, I would've loved to stop by the Sticky Goose booth :) Great approach with asking what customers are into and what their interests are, that really does prompt a good interaction to display what you have to offer! Noice!

[@Stickygoose]

It is honestly the best way possible to approach the interaction in my opinion

[@Rebel_ScumComics]

$15 to set up is nuts

[@jacobbornowsky4013]

Great to hear goose!! Was wondering how many people under 20 buying books?? Just an estimate thanks for your time

[@Stickygoose]

Actually had a couple. good kids too gives me hope

[@maskedsnow2324]

Hello great video. What shelves are those for the statues?

[@Stickygoose]

Not sure

[@rgi_comics]

Everyone has a different business model that they prefer. Having said that, I think you are potentially losing customers by not pricing in advance. I typically spend hundreds of $$$ when I go to a show and I only have one rule. I will not shop at booths with no price on the comics. I am not necessarily looking for a specific book. I generally just look for value. If I have to go through an additional step in the process of having to ask the proprietor the cost, I’m out. Just something to consider for next time.

[@Stickygoose]

I will definitely take it into consideration

[@Gamma-RayesComics]

I'm the same way. Sometimes I just want to look at the price, consider what I want to pay. If I feel comfortable enough with the table to make a different offer I will. But if I don't, then I'll either pay the price if it's decent, or move on. I know this was a smaller show, but at larger conventions/shows, it's impossible to talk to the dealer sometimes when there are 20 other people all wanting to talk to them, haggling them, and getting prices. I want to browse, find, and decide. There are a lot of tables, and if it feels the least bit inconvenient to buy a book, then I move on.

[@jthomascruz4890]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I have never been a dealer myself but am wanting to go to a small local show like you did sometime later this year. Sharing your experience is not only inspiring but helps the next person that wants to step into dealing address questions that they might not have thought of until after the fact. I really like the fact that they set up that show at a local mall as that really should help out with the incidental foot traffic.

[@Stickygoose]

You can do it! Thank you for saying that as well

[@charlesschapers1624]

WOW that is a lot of stuff to drag to a show, I did my first show in 30 years this past December., it sure is a lot of work, you got a lot of good stuff there, and yup I did the same thing no prices, my next show is this coming March, and I have been spending so much time, pricing everything this time.

[@ericheinke2865]

Do the Charlotte Comicon in the near future. Been there for buying books. How do people get in touch with you if they are looking for books.

[@Stickygoose]

I’m not sure if Rick will let me set up there or not

[@mart767comics]

Great video! Keep up the great work.

[@Stickygoose]

Thanks Martin

[@geekouttherapy7788]

Congrats on your experience. What a great set-up...and yes its super tough to do this alone. #thegrind

[@Stickygoose]

I will not be alone next time that’s for sure

[@jackb8008]

Congrats on your first show! You are obviously ahead of the game in a few areas....first, taking multiple forms of payment in the "digital" age is extremely helpful! In addition, just taking the time to greet/speak to your potential customers is more than I see at some major conventions. I always find it awkward when I'm shopping at a booth where no one has greeted me or spoken to me and basically treats me like I'm some sort of bother to them. Regarding overpriced books...I've seen this for years, however, I think the COVID effect has elevated prices to a level we've never seen before in the comics hobby. Looks like this is starting tro change now. Thanks for the great video.

[@Stickygoose]

Thank you so much for the positivity

[@calebleland8390]

It really sounds like it was an awesome time. I'd be interested in trying my hand at it some day. Definitely a lot of work, but the experience would be great. Glad you enjoyed it, brother.

[@Stickygoose]

I highly recommend it!

[@heroescollectibles]

Cool video.. The No Pricing books probably works at that small of a show, If set up at a bigger show you can and will lose your mind trying to keep up with the flow of potential customers approaching your table asking “How much is this?” a dozen times. Then there will be a boatload of potential customers that will be totally turned off by the no pricing of books, Some may even get vocal about it which might cause some frustration for you or embarrassment. Also, It’s a bad look when you have to continuously check for value to make sure your not giving the book away if a buyer makes what sounds like a low ball offer. There are so many variables while set up at a show and not having any information or prices on the books shouldn’t be one of them. Obviously sell however you choose to, From being a seller and working along side of sellers that have been doing this for years, I’ve never heard unpriced books or asking customers to make an offer was in any way a better way but kudos to you if it’s working. What I like to do is mark on the backing board what year the book was issued, Any relevant information such as - 1st appearances, Which printing, Whether it’s a variant/incentive distribution book or opinion of condition while noting any tears or stains. Sounds like a lot of work but I’ve never had a buyer later tell me a book had unknown damage or wasn’t what they thought it was. I generally price the books within fair market value and always inform I’m open to best offers while discussing the book they are interested in. Offering better deals for multiple books purchased and cash payments always get better deals. Just noting what works for me. Good luck out there and hope to run into you at a future show.

[@robertplancarte9178]

Awesome video bro. I hope everything went well for you and you unloaded a lot of books🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@Stickygoose]

It was a blast can’t wait for the next one

[@scottrogers2186]

Agree with you that dealers having inflated prices on books turns me off. That just shows they are lazy or disconnected. However I am more turned off by no prices on books and will not even engage with those dealers. Yes, it takes time but books should be priced at roughly market price and the buyer/seller can negotiate from there.

[@Stickygoose]

Thanks for watching

[@d-rawkz6323]

Where can we find out where your going to be doing your shows? I reside in the Huntington area so if you are going to be around I’d like to check out your stuff.

[@Stickygoose]

to be honest I dont think I will ever promote on my channel where I will be. There are a lot of people that dont like your boy stickygoose

[@ronaldbourgeois1255]

Saw a video of flea market where they showed one book that were three copies of prices from $25 to $42 for a ten dollar book.

[@Stickygoose]

Doesn’t surprise me

[@m.p.sutherlandjr.6905]

That is so awesome! I’d love to be a seller at something one day.

[@Stickygoose]

You can do it!

[@Vp-jt3vl]

Great video buddy!

[@Stickygoose]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@arthurgarza7093]

Bro, where you get those art short boxes

[@Stickygoose]

I got ‘em at a comic shop

[@dansxmencomics]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I think it’s a great idea to get that broad perspective between dealer and collector. Has this experience changed anything about your perspective as a buyer/collector?

[@Stickygoose]

It has made me realize how FUN it is to be a dealer I had no idea! They all seem so grumpy I assumed it was miserable lol

[@dansxmencomics]

@@Stickygoose awesome! 😆

[@COFFEEWITHJIM]

I have two hard rules of a Comic Con as a buyer- 1.) you have to price your books, 2.) you HAVE to make them accessible - not jammed so tightly into the bin I can't flip through them easily. Actually a third would be get the cosplayers OUT of my way.

[@Mr.ju4ncho]

Good luck on the other side of the table !! 👍

[@Stickygoose]

It went very very well

[@Numminz]

I would walk away…I find I sell more by pricing everything fairly so buyers see the good deals and are encouraged to buy more. I also make it clear if you make a stack…I will take more off. Word will get around that you’re fair and they will buy.

[@ToXiC_Mav2121]

Hey do you have any tips at all for someone wanting to open a shop I have always wanted do do this and am trying to starting up my own shop

[@Stickygoose]

Don’t do it

[@shawnmichaud4484]

Don't...do a little market research and you'll quickly be talked out of it

[@testiify6112]

What show was this if you don't mind me asking? I live in WV near Parkersburg if you know where that is, been super hard to find shows near me, looks super fun.

[@Stickygoose]

It was at retro reset

[@timscimeca978]

Cool video. Man, there are some comic shop owners that are anti-social and it's diffucult to talk about comics. If your going into a business like comics, you should be social. lol. I wish I could start up a comic shop, but takes $$$, and Im located in Stillwater, OK and Im not able to move to a good sized city, so Im on ebay. Anyway, great videos

[@adventurehouseauctions7730]

If I see no prices...I assume a couple of things...first - they are completely unprepared to be a dealer. Second - is this dealer sizing me up to decide on what price they'll quote - either way...I'm probably ignoring the books and moving on. If you want to give your customers a good deal...price them as a good deal. You'll get more positive reactions that having to hassle through a no price book.

[@deronforeman1764]

Personally, I rarely buy from anyone that doesn't have prices listed. Seeing prices allows me to judge whether it's worth my time to dig through their stuff.

[@gregorychiasson7739]

You had a good strategy it worked so it was successful

[@Stickygoose]

Bingo!

[@Papa5murf1]

As a comic book customer, If im walking past a no- price stall, my first instinct is that stall is asking too much, thats why they aren’t displaying prices.

[@Stickygoose]

In this case I was asking too little

[@Papa5murf1]

@@Stickygoose Yeah but you are the exception, i'm just saying from the perspective of the customer, they will assume you are asking too much and just walk by, coz that's usually the case when you don't see a listed price. That's where you get the expression " if you have to ask then you can't afford it"

[@Krasniysharigg]

6:00 but did you think about those who passed, didn’t see the price and thought “nope, there aren’t even prices here, I won’t ask the price of each product, btw it’s probably overpriced, that’s why there is no price tag.” As my life experience and statistics (customer surveys) suggest, this is the most likely outcome of events. You lose more customers this way than if they didn't like the price tag. P.S. although it may also be related to your target audience, perhaps in your niche people like to spend time finding out the price (albeit I doubt it, because it's counterproductive)

[@christophertomasello1227]

I'm glad to know price Model work for you... but it never works for me. When I've been wandering around all day and my feet are killing me, the last thing I want to do is say:" hey how much is this"

[@fanboyMatt1215]

Well said on the price gouging I see it all the time

[@ronaldbourgeois1255]

I wish I’d been there as we don’t have many shows as you do the ones we do are over priced.

[@Stickygoose]

We don’t have very many either

[@JeffPowell-dv1rp]

At these shows when books aren’t priced I walk away. I’m not wasting time asking a price on 10-50 books.

[@AleksanderKorolev]

I met you! Grow that beard back asap! Your face was looking a little cold. Such a friendly guy. On my way home I felt odd that I never introduced myself. You gotta price your books too man! I refuse to haggle for prices, tell me what you want for it and if I think it's fair I will buy it. If its overpriced I will say over priced and move on to the next vendor with prices. - Ghost Rider person

[@Stickygoose]

Hey man! Thanks for coming by and watching the video!

[@Sammmmmmmm617]

Glad you had an awesome time! Since you set up as a Good Dealer, does that mean next time you will be an asshole/rip off dealer? You have to experience being both of them 😆

[@Stickygoose]

Hahahahaha

[@prestonwilliams2956]

I know where this is retro reset

[@CorleyCollects]

not priced = not buying from you.

[@Stickygoose]

Ok

[@xordoom8467]

I don't buy anything that isn't priced and I'm a Whale Buyer who buys a lot of books and expect a deal with the amount of stuff I purchase...

[@J-man1017]

Wow u.think that ur telling us stuff that any person should know with or without selling its common sense lol

[@Stickygoose]

What?