I have been waiting for a nice ASM 129. LCS got one in. Sent it out to be graded. Came back a 6.0. They were asking $1400. I said $1100. They said ok. I drove over to get it. It was completely warped in the inner well. Not only side to side warping but seemed to be top to bottom. All four corners of the inner well were in different spots. I pointed it out and they agreed. I had to pass. If I am going to drop that much money I don’t want warping.
5 Likes
When is PSA starting grading comics? Seems like they have a golden opportunity with how bad things are going with CGC and how CBCS seems to always snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
1 Like
Word on the streets is that PSA should have an announcement during SDCC. Some people have seen the new labels (the Comic Doctor, a presser who got a tour with PSA). Says the new label is really nice and that people will be pleased with it. He’s in the business of pressing books so he could be biased but others have seen the new labels and have echoed the same thing. I’ll believe it when I see it, the current design is godawful.
Frankly I’m pleased that PSA is taking their time with this and have listened to feedback before )aunch.
3 Likes
The question for me is, will this spark the graded comic collecting niche, or water it down even more? It’s like, I want to send PSA some comics to spite CGC, but I truly think slabbed books are still downward trending.
1 Like
As long as PSA doesn’t damage books, they’re one better than CGC.
3 Likes
I agree with this. We were setup at a local show on Saturday, and the chatter at the show with customers and other dealers is that people want slabs less and less and only want raw. I have been noticing this trend over the course of the last year at the shows. This past March was quite the anomaly as at one of the larger shows out in Indiana, I did sell 15 slabs over the course of the 3 days, but then a place like C2E2 I didn’t move many slabs but it was more raw books.
5 Likes
Flippers understand that the full known value is already established with slabs. Both the flipper (seller) and buyer know this, and they know what that value is.
However, a flipper can use their expertise in raw grading (not all that hard tbh) + be able to negotiate a raw book purchase offer by haggling condition, so they can realize a profit margin, ultimately.
Combine that with CGC’s well-known problem with bending books and the already small population of slab buyers are turning their heads away because of this bending/damage. Not to mention the B.S. that there isn’t a difference between 9.6 & 9.8 generally. There’s enough data out there demonstrating a substantial amount of modern 9.6’s going to 9.8’s upon re-sub.
That’s because (in theory) a book in the slab commands market price…essentially there isnt much room to question…at least the seller will dig in their heels even if the book was over graded.
So with that, the buyer is beginning to think they can get a better deal for a raw book…however if they don’t know how to grade accurately, they’re likely buying lower grades books at prices higher than they would have paid slabbed.
You gotta have an idea how to grade…or just be good at lying to yourself that you got a better deal of an unslabbed book even though you really didn’t.
1 Like
Now THIS is a mega-hit.
THIS is how one makes money, still.
2 Likes
Wow. $0.75 for Queen Sonja 10; I need that.
I’m surprised you don’t have that one already with all its tentacle goodness.
That is absolutely ridiculous. The ASM’s alone have to be worth 3-4 times what you paid. And there are recent moderns mixed in? How did the store get these?
2 Likes
Collector or flipper, that’s a nice haul.
2 Likes
It’s a huge store where people trade in their stuff (movies, cds, books, comics, instruments, video games, toys, etc.) for store credit. Some Spider-Man books should get $50 to $70 bucks. I was shocked that the Batman book (222) is the best book. Think I can get $100 because it’s the first appearance of the Beatles in comics. Crazy.
1 Like
100% flipping.
1 Like
Well, they’re not referred to as the Beatles in the book. So technically not them. Would have been copy write infringement.
But we all know that’s them. Like, c’mon man!
Neil Adams cover too? Dennis O’Neil script? It’s in my want list.
1 Like
That is an amazing haul. That JSC ASM for .90 cents or whatever. Any pre-100 ASM cheap should always be grabbed. Well done.
3 Likes
I think I just bought it from you so I’ll have it soon 
1 Like
I’m assuming that’s the case. Congrats!