Like we all say…
Buy before the hype, not during.
Stores still pricing and buying books like it’s 2020/2021 are not going to last. The store exclusive variants webstores are starting to crash and disappear…
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Store exclusives are where people cut their spending first in this space.
Online only exclusive shops who do not have Wednesday warriors to rely on will suffer. The comic shops that have weathered decades of booms and busts are those that churned 100s of new releases week over week plus back issues. Not those that bet on selling out this week’s new marvel exclusive.
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Hallelujah!!!
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This exactly… I’d extend this sentiment to 2nd prints as well… if the 1st print has a low print run the 2nd is likely a fraction of that.
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I want to see some liquidations. I only bought one comic during the sales. I spent more money on comics in 2018-2019 than in 2020-2022. I think we are seeing the beginning of the bottom so I’m getting my list ready for next year. The $25-$40 exclusive needs to die and I hope all those stores die with it. 
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“The beginning of the bottom” is a scary notion. I must say that I agree with you, though.
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This has oddly been my best month since July, and second best since May. White Tiger and Walmart 3-packs have propelled me this month. Made some strange sales of things that had been sitting a long time as well.
Everything is still well below last year…a trend seen every month since January.
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I’ve sold a few random things lately. Less about the flash in the pan spec books. Hopefully the boredom of winter and improving economy gets sales moving again in Q1. With gas prices down and my grocery bill beginning to normalize, hopefully people have some $$$ to spend in January.
Swagglehaus did a video at LA Comic Con and spoke to dealers on what they are seeing and selling also other advice.
Key takeaways people buying raws vs slabs.
Gunn effect people seeking out DC books [hell has frozen over 
]
If you bought the top on a blue chip key book hold if you can.
Crypto money not buying comics not a surprise.
Overall good market sentiment video. And all dealers said it was a good time buy … wait it’s always a good time to buy if price is right.
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Raws are always cheaper.
Sellers pricing slabs like it’s 2021…
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It’s astonishing to me how cheap some key 9.6 books are going for. I know it’s not a 9.8, but a deal is a deal.
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It’s because sellers under-value 9.6s…
which is beyond stupid…for them
good for the buyer !
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The spread between 9.8 vs a 9.6 is a head scratcher.
For PC a 9.6 is just for me.
For investment purposes sadly 9.8s are the ones to have also have to pray your grader is having a good day to get a 9.8 
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Was curious just looked at GPA 90day
UF 4 9.8 $1975
9.6 $680
9.4 $535
You see the drop off 9.8 vs 9.6 to 9.6 vs 9.4.
A Value investor buy 3 9.6s copies find the best one to CPR 
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There is definitely ample opportunity to buy slabs on the cheap nowadays. This goes for both 9.8 and 9.6 slabs. It’s just that the delta between the two is so stark I almost prefer a 9.6 sometimes. The UF4 is definitely a good example.
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I’m seeing established shops switching from selling books from all decades to only moderns to keep up with the demand. While it was the trend of the last few years, it left out the loyal customer base who buy silver and bronze among new releases. Two shops that have been around since the 90s in my city stopped buying/selling silver and bronze, one of them closed this year.
It’s weird though - these shops kept up with the demand by getting new releases and limited print, but they did not evolve with technology to post their new inventory online. Both shops have older ownership.
New competition opened in their place and are meeting the demand - new books, getting classics weekly and posting online.
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My shops are leaning more and more into trades, too. They are just a better revenue driver for shops. Now, if we could find a way to make trades more collectible, that might be the sweet spot.
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Even the trades which are technically first appearances (tons in the Star Wars niche which were published first with weekly serialized issues later) are not as desirable as the single issues that followed.
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