Again, let’s be careful about claiming there’s some widespread, coordinated collusion happening without any hard evidence thereof. It’s far more likely people are just making really poor decisions with their money. A high priced fake sale or two won’t move the market if there are 20 cover price listings not selling.
Dorc is a bit of a phenomenon. We see these from time to time over the past few years. 2nd print books pre-selling for $40 is just bonkers though. Could those be fake? Sure. I’d bet that’s massive FOMO, and the 2nd print, when it’s available, won’t go nearly that high.
The problem is there will never be any hard evidence, one way or the other, of a coordinated attempt. I pretty sure everyone realizes this too. All we have is common sense and intuition. The problem is few have the courage to call it as it looks, especially when it goes against self interest. It is a really bad look to be seen as attempting to suppress a logical opinion on this particular book.
According to your posts, there is widespread collusion in this hobby with just about every book that gets hot, leading to the mindless masses buying up any book at any price. No one actually wanted Dorc. But, fake sellers and fake buyers, apparently working together in some grand scheme, made it seem so incredibly valuable that every comic book hobbyist had to spend whatever dollars to get a copy.
I love me a good conspiracy theory, but I’m not buying this. There are smart people that pay attention to this stuff. We seem to find out about every individual scam artist cracking open CGC books for profit. Are there assholes scamming people in this hobby? For sure. But, to a scale that would alter how comic books shops across the continent buy books? Every shop owner I know is talking about Dorc because of how wildly popular it is. You think an evil, coordinated network of crooks is why people are talking about this book? OK.
Like I said earlier there is never going to be definitive proof. Which is precisely the reason why some of you keep bringing it up. Because you know very well that, minus some one messaging me admitting it, that proof want ever exist. This isn’t a court of law, proof beyond a reasonable doubt doesn’t apply here. All you can do is use logic and reason. But no one here appears to want to do that because it might mess with profits. So I don’t think continuing this conversation is healthy or productive for the above reason.
I’ve got no Dorc in this race, but I’ve been playing this game for a while, and it takes MUCH more than what you are pointing out to really move the needle on a book. Unfortunately, even when it’s blatant, there’s really not much you can do.
We will have to agree to disagree on how much it takes to move the needle. You are right about there being not much I can do. Also I still have a copy of Dorc so me saying these things is not in my best interest. Thanks for reply’s , take care.
It’s funny because one thing you have to remember is that speculation is an echo chamber. Part of my job here is to report on what is hot but also to guess which books based on knowledge what is going to be hot. So in promoting books, I guess I am pumping books. Not meant to be devious or whatever but we do see things talked about here echoed elsewhere. So what is the solution? To stop trying to tip off people in this group to what is going to be hot?
I think intent matters, or atleast the perception of one’s intent. I don’t think showing a book once or giving tips or recommendations is pumping or has any nefarious connotation.