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| Buying Older Comics | |
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| Topic Started: Dec 15 2007, 07:45 AM (232 Views) | |
| Geaghs | Dec 15 2007, 07:45 AM Post #1 |
Singh Leader
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I was just wondering how you guys work out what a comic is worth? I am always paranoid about buying comics online because I feel like I am getting ripped off. I do have copy of Johnson's price guide but I am sure I have read somewhere that the prices in this are inflated as well. With the amount of phantom comics available from different websites (if you look hard enough) and with my desire to expand my collection, i just want to make sure I dont get ripped off. |
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"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." - C.M. Schulz "And all my friends are f*** ups, but there fun to have around" - You Sound Like Louis Burdett, The Whitlams | |
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| JD | Dec 15 2007, 10:20 AM Post #2 |
Evil Genius
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Well, as with anything it really depends on how much you are willing to pay. When concerned with Phantom comics there are price brackets I set for myself depending on the issue number. I wouldn't spend more then $8 on an issue in 900s for example. But then there are exception to that rule, if it's an A issue I'd go up to $12 or so or if it's in the early 900s I might spend a little over $8. It's a personal thing. It is hard. Johnson's guide isn't really that good so you have to try and guess sometimes. Look at the condition of the book, is it nice and flat or bashed around a bit? How rare is the issue? How much is it desired by other collectors? All of these things come into play. There really isn't a set rule you just have to go with your gut in my experiance. |
 
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| Trimmer | Dec 15 2007, 02:06 PM Post #3 |
Singh Leader
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There are a heap of Frews on e-bay at the moment. 1000s-1400s are going for $2.50 for regular issues in mint condition (Buy now). In regards to pricing, the prices on e-bay are heavily inflated most of the time, but on odd occasions bargains are obtainable. I have recently been trying to replace some of my poorer looking issues in the 400s and I find that prices for comics in very good - near mint condition can range from about $15-40, it just seems to depend on the interest in any one week, personally I think issues in this range are worth $15-25, + taking $5 postage and handling into account. Nonetheless, as I stated above some buyers want to pay a bit more than this so I just say good luck to them as it will take a looooooong time for them to recoup their outlays - especially since most of my 400s were originally purchased for between $5-10. 
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| The Phantom is Dead. Long Live The Phantom! | |
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| JD | Dec 16 2007, 12:07 AM Post #4 |
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Evil Genius
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After the 900s issue prices just get way to much for me so I set myself a goal of getting every issue from 900 on. Once that is done I might replace a few issues as Trimmer is doing. It is hard though. I've been trying to get all of the 900s for almost 5 years now. It takes money and time and usually don't have a lot of one, if not both. Just set yourself a goal and try and stick to that. One word of advice though, NEVER buy a back issue without holding it in your hands first or getting detailed photos. Just because the seller says it is Near Mint in condition doesn't mean it is. You don't want to spend $10 on a comic that is worth $4. |
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| Geaghs | Dec 19 2007, 06:05 PM Post #5 |
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Singh Leader
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Thanks Guys, I will keep all this in mind when purchasing.
I am trying to do the same thing but from 1000 onwards and then I plan to work backwards. Slowly and steadily of course. I also plan to to try and buy the issues I am currently missing from Moonstone (hopefully only 2, 7 & 10 now, I may have found a copy of number 1) and then look at starting to buy the Gold Key/King/Charlton series. I may need to win Lotto to achieve all this though. |
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"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." - C.M. Schulz "And all my friends are f*** ups, but there fun to have around" - You Sound Like Louis Burdett, The Whitlams | |
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| JD | Dec 20 2007, 07:11 AM Post #6 |
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Evil Genius
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Yeah, buying back issues isn't cheap. I need roughly 20-25 issues to complete my collection from #900 on and everytime I've priced it it's been anywhere between $150 - $200! So yeah, not cheap. I take it slow myself. I try and save up a bit over time (and it can be a long time) and go and buy back issues at places I know I can get them. Or, sometimes, I just stumble upon them in places you wouldn't expect and grab any issues I can. Part of the fun though is the thrill of the chase. I always get so excited when I find a back issue I need! 
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| Geaghs | Dec 20 2007, 12:57 PM Post #7 |
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Singh Leader
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Same here. I can't wait to see if Moonstone #1 is availble form the place I am trying to get it from. I find that I get into cycles where I won't buy any older issues for months and then I will max out the credit card buying everything I can find.
I did this a 5-10 years ago. I was wandering thorugh the Victoria Markets in Melbourne and I stumbled on this stall that was selling a heap of older Frew Comics for about $1 each, they all weren't in great condition but I was trying to start my collecting again at the time, so it didn't matter. I only brought about 20 comics (as I was younger and $20 was a lot of money for me at the time) but I still look back and wish I had just gone nuts. |
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"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." - C.M. Schulz "And all my friends are f*** ups, but there fun to have around" - You Sound Like Louis Burdett, The Whitlams | |
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| jamie | Dec 25 2007, 07:40 PM Post #8 |
Thug
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Comic book stores are the way to go for any issues from 1000 onwards. Most comic book shops have a ton of Phantom back issues from then. Ebay is also really good. I stopped collecting for a couple of years and missed pretty much all of the 1300 series, and have been filling that gap. I go on Ebay nightly and go through all the Phantom's and just bid $2 on every comic I dont have, and usually I'll end up winning at least half of the auctions. Sometimes you can get some good bargains, I recently bought 15 from the one seller, and only paid 99 cents each, and they were all in mint condition. |
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| Geaghs | Dec 26 2007, 10:20 AM Post #9 |
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Singh Leader
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I wish someone would open a comic book store in Wagga. If i ever win lotto it is one of the first things I would do. Sure it probaly wouldn't make money (which is probably why nobody has opened one in Wagga) but if I win lotto I plan to live of the interest. My nearest store would be in Canberra which is about 2 and half hours away (there could be one in Albury-Wodonga but again that is 2 hours away). I will be in Sydney for a week over New Years so I may try to check out a few while I am there. I think I will be mostly looking for storage items at the moment though.
I have had a look at E-Bay but i think I will have to hold of for a while until i pay of some of my credit card debt. Christmas presents can be so expensive. |
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"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." - C.M. Schulz "And all my friends are f*** ups, but there fun to have around" - You Sound Like Louis Burdett, The Whitlams | |
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| JD | Dec 26 2007, 11:14 AM Post #10 |
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Evil Genius
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If you are in Sydney, be sure to check out both Comic Kingdom and Kings Comics. Comic Kingdom is probably your best best for back issues. The store is a bit..manky, but don't let that put you off. Kings Comics is a brilliant store and while they may not have as many back issues all their stock is in top condition and if you are interested in comics outside of the Phantom the place will make your drool! Comic Kingdom can be found at 71 Liverpool Street, Sydney (just a few blocks from the QVB) Kings Comics is at 310 Pitt Street, Sydney. Hope that helps.
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| Geaghs | Dec 26 2007, 11:38 AM Post #11 |
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Singh Leader
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Thanks Dougy. i will definately check them out. |
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"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." - C.M. Schulz "And all my friends are f*** ups, but there fun to have around" - You Sound Like Louis Burdett, The Whitlams | |
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7:01 AM Nov 26
