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Post by ThatGirl on Aug 30, 2009 16:51:22 GMT -5
I need some advice from anyone who knows a lot about comic book collecting. We have a very large collection of comics. They have been put away in storage about 20 years. We have recently needed to find more income, so we want to sell the comics.
Some of them are quite rare and some are worthless. They range in years from the 50's to the mid-70's, with a couple from the '30s and '40s.
I've been going online to price guides and getting high and low prices for them, of course depending on their condition. I've tried contacting a local shop, but they want $100 per hour just to give us advice.
My husband says to just make a fair estimate of value and put a few on eBay to "test the waters".
Any thoughts on this?
Thanks!
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Post by toddacross on Aug 30, 2009 17:20:23 GMT -5
I have collected comics for many years. First off, don't let them go ultra cheap at a garage sale. I did and kick myself for doing it. Best thing to do is compare prices on Ebay and test the waters, so to speak. Then try putting up some 'sets' of 3 or more to see what happens. The market was so saturated years ago it's tough to sell comics unless they are from the 30's, 40's, or 50's. Try buying a Wizard magazine. It is mostly for comics and has a price guide in the back for quick reference.
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Post by ThatGirl on Aug 30, 2009 18:06:28 GMT -5
Ok. Thank you! Oh I definitely was not going to go the garage sale route.
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Post by toddacross on Aug 30, 2009 19:13:42 GMT -5
I went the garage sale route a few years ago for basically quick cash. I had 12 long boxes full and knew the hassle of trying to get the amount I would have wanted out of them.
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Post by ThatGirl on Aug 30, 2009 21:02:45 GMT -5
I'm just going to try putting a few on ebay and just see what happens.
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Post by MelMac on Aug 30, 2009 22:25:38 GMT -5
Definitely do not just sell in a garage sale or do on consignment at a store. If you have a really rare comic, then that could really cost you.
And, like Toddacross said, there is a huge saturation of comics from the past few decades, but not '30s, '40s and '50s. Been to a lot of antique stores, and the ones from '60s onward are going for about $1/comic just to get rid of them.
If the comics from the earlier decades have been taken well care of (near if not mint condition, in sleeves), you may fetch a lot of money depending on what type of comic is is. Some comics aren't even made anymore (the actual comic or comic company), some have characters that spurned into another (and more common) character, and other factors.
I'd say test the waters carefully and - if you have a few - look at antique stores to get at least a rough estimate. e-Bay here may be a good option simply because if you do have a rare one, then you might really have a bid war (downside would be that "buy it now" button - but I don't use e-Bay to know if you can deny that feature in a bid).
(If you can PM me some of the titles of the comics - especially older ones, I might be able to help you as far as the rarity of the comic. I've been to a few antique stores that have sold comics - or do - that are classic ones and can give you a rough estimate. Now, if I can't, I'll let you know too).
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Aug 31, 2009 19:16:20 GMT -5
I would definitely compare prices at places like Ebay. I would peruse some antique stores and see what they have as well as antique websites. You might go to a small scale comic book shop and see if they will help you. Some stores are better about it than others.
Of course, I collect things so I am interested in what all you have. Sell to friends and family first. ;D
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Post by ThatGirl on Sept 4, 2009 0:52:36 GMT -5
Ok. I will get a list together. So far I have managed to go through 200 of the 2-3,000 comics! Most of them are lower end but there are a few that have potential!
I looked at the others on eBay and they really are cheap! Very disconcerting!
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Sept 8, 2009 17:14:48 GMT -5
Wow...that's a lot. I will try and contact some of my comic friends and see what they say.
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