[Groop]Larry and his rant (at least 1 person read it)

[Finn Smith]

Well said, Sean.

finn


>From: "Sean Ferris" <saferris@msn.com>
>To: <groop@groo.com>
>Subject: [Groop]Larry and his rant (at least 1 person read it)
>Date: Sun, 26 May 2002 21:04:17 -0400
>
>I have been involved in comics since 1989 and worked at a comic store from 
>1990 (Freshman year in High School) to 1997. I saw MANY people come in to 
>sell their collections for various reasons, including: "I need the money" 
>but didn't really want to sell [like you], "I'm done with comics", one guy 
>was an obvious drunk and just needed a "fix", and my personal favorite "I'm 
>getting married". Why getting married and having to sell your comics went 
>hand in hand I still don't know. Anyway, in ALL these instances the sellers 
>felt "ripped off" (except the drunk, he just wanted to get ripped). My boss 
>was an excellent store owner and NEVER bought anything he would not make 
>any money on, but at the same time he NEVER took anyone for a "ride" (even 
>the drunk). He paid good money to people based on how fast he could turn it 
>over. If you brought him a silver age collection he would give roughly half 
>"guide", but if you brought him a recent collection he would tell you what 
>he would give, the person would say it is too little, he would offer to 
>"cherry pick", the person would decline, he would tell them to shop around, 
>they would say they would, and by the end of the week they would call and 
>ask if the offer still stands. I know that he was few and far between as a 
>store owner but that is why he was so successful. I know that in your case 
>you were taken advantage of, but I thought someone should tell another side 
>of selling comics to dealers. By the way (for anyone who may be looking to 
>sell), I learned that to maximize the amount of money you will get for your 
>collection, break it into chunks, by this I mean, sell it a little at a 
>time. When a store owner starts thinking about haw much they have to give 
>at one time, they often want to give less (the drunk probably made more by 
>doing this than anyone else). Never make the first offer. Don't be afraid 
>to leave the first store without selling, shop around. Look at their 
>inventory, if they have 10 copies of your best book they will not give you 
>much for it. And remember that a guide is just that, a guide. It is not the 
>final authority, the consumer is. A collectible is only worth what someone 
>is willing to pay for it. And apparently an Image Groo #1 that is slabbed 
>is not worth $75-, but the next time it goes for auction it might be.
>
>I don't think ANYONE read this, but if you did thanks for sticking with me.
>
>Regards,
>SeanGet more from the Web.  FREE MSN Explorer download : 
>http://explorer.msn.com




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