Hi Swagg! Personally, I compare my purchases to Ebay sold items. That gives me a realistic perspective of what people are actually paying at that present time as opposed to what price sellers would like. Also if I am in no rush to sell, I will list my book at what price I want whenever the tv/movie hype hits. It may take awhile to sell but again I'm in no rush.
For sure. Sold items are def the true indicator of the books value. But I still utilize lowest price buy it now because it indicates to me what I can offer the market - and a potential buyer who is looking to find the best deal at that time.
Your examples assume conditions that exist irregularly or unreliably on Ebay. Unless an item is from a Top Seller/Legacy Ebayer ... priced markedly less than _virtually all_ of the others listed ... AND ... there's a current stream of steady demand (for that item/at that price/at that time) ... your item's doomed to Ebay's "elephant graveyard" of stagnant listings.
It’s easy to get caught up in buying a book in person, whereas the patient buyer would weigh the options and determine if it can be found for cheaper on eBay. The main difference is that in person you can get a better idea of condition of the book.
Thank you Brother. I've been lugging around my collection for over thirty years now and I've really been having a hard time with pricing. I mean, I paid .25-1.00 for these comics when I was a kid so figuring out profit is interesting. Thanks for the insight.
I would also recommend to make a spreadsheet that contains the following fields for you to document over time: Issue# Purchase price Desired exit/sale price Then make a separate section with: Total invested Total Profit Made Total collection networth based on FMV
Great rule and examples! I try to buy bargains, but I don't always succeed. I need to start selling some books so the hobby will pay for itself. Thanks as always for the great stuff, Swagg!
This is why it's better to buy first appearances of characters that have been popular for decades instead of chasing spec books. They are much more likely to hold value and it's less stressful to feel like you have to sell at a certain time. For example, your Avengers 1 is much more likely to hold value in 10 years than a spec book. Spec books could be more "fun" but they are much riskier.
Thanks Swag. Makes sense to always be able to at least “return” a book, if not sell higher. I’m thinking of selling some books for the first time to Marie Kondo my collection and this is helpful going forward.
Yeah I do take into consideration taxes/fees when I’m doing my actual book keeping. But as a general rule I don’t sweet the exact price it sells for. I just try to gauge what the easiest available book is currently being sold at to the market and use that as a guide to my decision.
I’m definitely guilty of over paying. Came across a copy of Icon #1. Wanted it so much I payed $50 for it. It’s priced all over the place on eBay, but I definitely took a L.
When I got back into the hobby 12 years ago after a 20-year absence my personal strategy was to first buy only slabs of the Marvel Silver Age major keys (plus GSX-1 and Hulk 181). I only lack FF-1 and ASM-1. My hobby has evolved into an investment with the drastic increase in values.
Interesting video. Personally, I can't imagine anybody asking higher prices than what's on eBay, but I suppose it's possible. Liquidity is a key point that you bring up. My rule of thumb: expect to lose 50% on your purchases if you decide to sell. That way, you keep your expectations safely realistic and will buy only what you like.
Hey y’all…Swag knows this too, but remember: Don’t forget about eBay fees and packaging/shipping costs when recouping funds on an investment. Example: If you buy something for $40.00 and sell it for $40.00 on eBay while breaking even on packaging/shipping fees, you’ve still lost money bc eBay takes a cut on the sale. So you need to adjust your prices accordingly. Sometimes to move a book you only break even or take a loss. Hopefully, a small one.
I try to have the hobby pay for itself and usually succeed. But the odd time I buy an expensive book ( $500.00 - $1500.00 is expensive to me ) because I see the market shifting and I know it has room enough to grow that I cannot lose long term - even if it puts me in the hole for a while short term.
Good rule. I find it gets tricky with shipping. Living in Canada, I have to pay through the nose for shipping and it takes a lot of books out of consideration. For some book, it's hard finding a comparable grade. I also find many buy-it-nows have books listed for far, far more than FMV. Some are crazy high. Perhaps some sellers are hoping for a FOMO-fueled impulse purchase, after all, all they need is one person to accept the price. Or maybe it's set high as a negotiation tactic. Someone makes an offer and the actual price is a little lower.
Hey, for February 2022 I currently am selling to any Canadian 🍁 🇨🇦 customer for 1/2 shipping fees in honor of the Canadian truckers’ #FreedomConvoy. I generally ship First Class for $19.95, so it’ll be basically $9.95 for First Class shipping, but the 1/2 off applies to other shipping services too. If you spend $200.00+, I’m happy to negotiate lower shipping rates too, but we’d need to talk one-on-one. So if you see anything you like on my eBay store or IG, keep that in mind. #HonkHonk 🇺🇸
I'm new to collecting comics. I've gotten a few, like Superman's New 52 issue 32, etc. (preowned). My question is, do you just collect comics, or do you read any of them? Or do you buy dupes to read?
Makes sense if you see comics as an investment instead of something you love to collect just to collect. I'm the later art and story means the most to me. I've always just bought or traded for something that I liked. I used to get laughed at for going through a 50 cent or dollar bin. But I have found some good stories doing so. Basically I dislike a "market" being a means to buying something as a hobby. That takes the joy of the art out of it for me. Maybe I'm alone in this thought process but it's me.
Yes I would. eBay sold is for sure the best way to figure out what a book exactly sells for, but kinda what I was getting at in the video…I just am concerned with what price I will need to hit in order to be the most competitive price out there (essentially the lowest buy it now). That way I’m offering the market the “best option”
Hello. Just bought coverless avengers #8. "Buy the book not the grade". My kind of entry price. Not real high on the book. Had to have it. I got it at a price i can afford.
EBay's over priced. That why comic collecting not fun anymore.i go buy real prices .to many trying to sell stuff way more then it's worth thinking they have gold . if it's worth 1000 in 9.4 then in 1.0 it's a 35 dollar book that on ebay probly buy now for 75. U lose in the end .
Buying a book for $10 and selling on eBay for $20 for a $10 profit is inaccurate... eBay takes a cut for using their forum and then shipping has to get paid for... so if you are flipping and you are only spending $10 you will need to sell for above $20 on ebay (because of the cut and added cost to buyer for shipping)... flipping comics is a little bit more difficult than just buy for $10 ebay for $20 collect $10 profit...
Excellent golden rule. As someone who runs a sales space, I generally try to round down to the nearest five dollars when marketing my books based off of eBay prices. It helps find buyers good deals & I move large amounts, so it helps me stay liquid.
Have you seen what comics are going for on claim sales? It's crazy. I wish those transactions were documented. They don't follow many of the comic market rules and norms.
Hi Swagg! Personally, I compare my purchases to Ebay sold items. That gives me a realistic perspective of what people are actually paying at that present time as opposed to what price sellers would like. Also if I am in no rush to sell, I will list my book at what price I want whenever the tv/movie hype hits. It may take awhile to sell but again I'm in no rush.
For sure. Sold items are def the true indicator of the books value. But I still utilize lowest price buy it now because it indicates to me what I can offer the market - and a potential buyer who is looking to find the best deal at that time.
Its pretty impressive how many of any given book there is on ebay not selling at around the same price.
There's a site called WorthPoint that's been around a long time and does a nice job aggregating Ebay sales info.
Unfortunately, the hobby doesn't pay for itself for me, because I almost never sell anything.
I do the same thing but I go a step further…I go on eBay and see what a particular book actually sold for in the past few months.
Your examples assume conditions that exist irregularly or unreliably on Ebay. Unless an item is from a Top Seller/Legacy Ebayer ... priced markedly less than _virtually all_ of the others listed ... AND ... there's a current stream of steady demand (for that item/at that price/at that time) ... your item's doomed to Ebay's "elephant graveyard" of stagnant listings.
It’s easy to get caught up in buying a book in person, whereas the patient buyer would weigh the options and determine if it can be found for cheaper on eBay. The main difference is that in person you can get a better idea of condition of the book.
Thank you Brother. I've been lugging around my collection for over thirty years now and I've really been having a hard time with pricing. I mean, I paid .25-1.00 for these comics when I was a kid so figuring out profit is interesting. Thanks for the insight.
Another great video swags. LFG
I would also recommend to make a spreadsheet that contains the following fields for you to document over time:
Issue#
Purchase price
Desired exit/sale price
Then make a separate section with:
Total invested
Total Profit Made
Total collection networth based on FMV
Great rule and examples! I try to buy bargains, but I don't always succeed. I need to start selling some books so the hobby will pay for itself. Thanks as always for the great stuff, Swagg!
I tend to do the same however, I’ll sort or filter through what has sold to see those ended sold items to date. Great video. Thanks for sharing.
This is why it's better to buy first appearances of characters that have been popular for decades instead of chasing spec books. They are much more likely to hold value and it's less stressful to feel like you have to sell at a certain time. For example, your Avengers 1 is much more likely to hold value in 10 years than a spec book. Spec books could be more "fun" but they are much riskier.
I'm crossing over from Sports Cards. I found my niche in the comics, it's so many variables and a lot stuff under the radar....
Thanks Swag. Makes sense to always be able to at least “return” a book, if not sell higher. I’m thinking of selling some books for the first time to Marie Kondo my collection and this is helpful going forward.
Yes, Sold listings are a good benchmark.
Did you consider taxes?
Yeah I do take into consideration taxes/fees when I’m doing my actual book keeping. But as a general rule I don’t sweet the exact price it sells for. I just try to gauge what the easiest available book is currently being sold at to the market and use that as a guide to my decision.
Good video, thanks! One thing that you might have mentioned is the eBay fees associated with selling.
Some really good tips! Thanks!
I’m definitely guilty of over paying. Came across a copy of Icon #1. Wanted it so much I payed $50 for it. It’s priced all over the place on eBay, but I definitely took a L.
Hey swagglehaus. What comic book stands do you have for your wall?? I’ve been looking for them for my room and can’t find them anywhere
When I got back into the hobby 12 years ago after a 20-year absence my personal strategy was to first buy only slabs of the Marvel Silver Age major keys (plus GSX-1 and Hulk 181). I only lack FF-1 and ASM-1. My hobby has evolved into an investment with the drastic increase in values.
Interesting video. Personally, I can't imagine anybody asking higher prices than what's on eBay, but I suppose it's possible. Liquidity is a key point that you bring up. My rule of thumb: expect to lose 50% on your purchases if you decide to sell. That way, you keep your expectations safely realistic and will buy only what you like.
Hey y’all…Swag knows this too, but remember: Don’t forget about eBay fees and packaging/shipping costs when recouping funds on an investment.
Example: If you buy something for $40.00 and sell it for $40.00 on eBay while breaking even on packaging/shipping fees, you’ve still lost money bc eBay takes a cut on the sale. So you need to adjust your prices accordingly. Sometimes to move a book you only break even or take a loss. Hopefully, a small one.
I try to have the hobby pay for itself and usually succeed. But the odd time I buy an expensive book ( $500.00 - $1500.00 is expensive to me ) because I see the market shifting and I know it has room enough to grow that I cannot lose long term - even if it puts me in the hole for a while short term.
Good rule of thumb for sure
Good rule. I find it gets tricky with shipping. Living in Canada, I have to pay through the nose for shipping and it takes a lot of books out of consideration. For some book, it's hard finding a comparable grade. I also find many buy-it-nows have books listed for far, far more than FMV. Some are crazy high. Perhaps some sellers are hoping for a FOMO-fueled impulse purchase, after all, all they need is one person to accept the price. Or maybe it's set high as a negotiation tactic. Someone makes an offer and the actual price is a little lower.
Hey, for February 2022 I currently am selling to any Canadian 🍁 🇨🇦 customer for 1/2 shipping fees in honor of the Canadian truckers’ #FreedomConvoy. I generally ship First Class for $19.95, so it’ll be basically $9.95 for First Class shipping, but the 1/2 off applies to other shipping services too. If you spend $200.00+, I’m happy to negotiate lower shipping rates too, but we’d need to talk one-on-one. So if you see anything you like on my eBay store or IG, keep that in mind. #HonkHonk 🇺🇸
I'm new to collecting comics. I've gotten a few, like Superman's New 52 issue 32, etc. (preowned). My question is, do you just collect comics, or do you read any of them? Or do you buy dupes to read?
😝 awesome introduction!! Love it! Good tips and advice. Need to find a comic shop that will take crypto for payment. Thanks for great content.
Makes sense if you see comics as an investment instead of something you love to collect just to collect. I'm the later art and story means the most to me. I've always just bought or traded for something that I liked. I used to get laughed at for going through a 50 cent or dollar bin. But I have found some good stories doing so. Basically I dislike a "market" being a means to buying something as a hobby. That takes the joy of the art out of it for me. Maybe I'm alone in this thought process but it's me.
Nice comment you’re not alone I collect vintage comics regardless of investment value keep on hunting
“They call me chicken little. They call me bubble boy.”
Haha, such a great movie!
What if its a rare book with little to no sales history?
Almost impossible to find a deal nowadays. Everyone just does a quick search on their phones to look at recent sales.
Makes perfect sense. Why pay more than the most active market in the world dictates
would you say its a better comparison to go by ebay "sold" instead of regular ebay listings to determine FMV of the raw comics?
Yes I would. eBay sold is for sure the best way to figure out what a book exactly sells for, but kinda what I was getting at in the video…I just am concerned with what price I will need to hit in order to be the most competitive price out there (essentially the lowest buy it now). That way I’m offering the market the “best option”
can you make a vid on if you should buy graded or raw comics?
I got to start selling some stuff
Hello. Just bought coverless avengers #8. "Buy the book not the grade". My kind of entry price. Not real high on the book.
Had to have it. I got it at a price i can afford.
Sure is an up and down ride Swag-and I was so sure Paste Pot Pete would hold his price 😂🤣
Where’s the signage?
I wonder because of the task master did you send anything to get signed by George Perez
EBay's over priced. That why comic collecting not fun anymore.i go buy real prices .to many trying to sell stuff way more then it's worth thinking they have gold . if it's worth 1000 in 9.4 then in 1.0 it's a 35 dollar book that on ebay probly buy now for 75. U lose in the end .
My Personal strategy is to buy for cover price right off the rack... never pay more than cover price.
Buying a book for $10 and selling on eBay for $20 for a $10 profit is inaccurate... eBay takes a cut for using their forum and then shipping has to get paid for... so if you are flipping and you are only spending $10 you will need to sell for above $20 on ebay (because of the cut and added cost to buyer for shipping)... flipping comics is a little bit more difficult than just buy for $10 ebay for $20 collect $10 profit...
You know what I meant…I was just doing the quick math as an example because math is hard. 😄
@@Swagglehaus all good 👍 love your video bro
Excellent golden rule. As someone who runs a sales space, I generally try to round down to the nearest five dollars when marketing my books based off of eBay prices. It helps find buyers good deals & I move large amounts, so it helps me stay liquid.
I got as far as Buy what u like To get Rid of it on EBay…very confusing!
I buy what I like, but it doesn’t generate money lol.
Have you seen what comics are going for on claim sales? It's crazy. I wish those transactions were documented. They don't follow many of the comic market rules and norms.
Technically, you'd want them to be 15% less than ebay to pay for the fees - then add your time for wrapping it up, walking to the post office etc.
sound advice
Don't forget ebay fees. They are ridiculous for sellers.
first 1k!
Apart from anything else you can buy off ebay in your pants on the couch with a coffee. Hunting raw in the wild is time and effort.