|
Post by G on Apr 2, 2013 13:05:14 GMT -5
I never realized how cool this book was until I put it up for sale and had to really look at it. I got it from a dumpster dive a couple years ago so basically I got it for less than $1. One thing I always did with dumpster dives in $1 or less boxes. Pretty much once it got back to about 1984 and prior, if it was a flagship type title Fantastic Four, Amazing Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor, Avengers, X-Men....if it was in good shape (VF or better), I pretty much would pick it up. It's a good way to build a lot of solid issues cheaply. Sure, it is scattered collecting, but it adds up. Now if it is just way too common, I already have it, it's not cool, it literally has NO potential or certainly, it's not in good enough condition, I pass on it. But there is a lot of cool comics in good dumpsters (some people have better dumpsters than others and its best not to waste time in trashy dumpsters) but when you find a good one.....SHOP!!! Anyway, to further expand on this rule. When it gets to the 70's. That rule just expands. I'll buy ALMOST anything IN GOOD SHAPE unless the unless rules above apply. But if it doesn't apply. I'm going to get it. And a book like this one fits what I'm talking about. This is a good $1 or less dumpster dive. I typically find stuff like this all the time and it kicks ass. Now when I got it. I remember stopping on the cover. Immediately liking the art and the sneak peak teaser on the cover (this is how it is done people, god I would kill for covers like this today!). The condition is nice. The condition is good. I personally graded it a VF. And I flipped it to the add stack and moved on and bought it, took it home and filed it away. Now when I actually put it on sale... www.ebay.com/itm/151019296562?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649I actually had to look at it. Man! It's a pretty fucking cool comic! Not only do I dig the cover. But the interior art was done by Rich Buckler. Now, I've always LOVED Rich Buckler art, but I'll be the first to admit, his art varies. Sometimes IT JUST PLAIN KICKS ASS! And other times it looks like he did a rush job and it sucks! But this is KICK ASS Rich Buckler art! Not only that. One the splash page. Down at the bottom. Written small. Is this small caption. Almost like they were kind hiding it. "Black Panther versus The Klan". Then I looked through it. Yes it has like a slavery, Klan thing going throughout. But they aren't really calling it the Klan. They are just acting like its a supervillain kind thing. As you notice. They call him The Soul Stranger. And the Soul Stranger has his Klan of supporters that ride along with him! And it seems they pick on Black People. That is, until Black Panther steps in and takes on the Soul Stranger! In the end. If I would have looked at this when it came out. I would have been about 8 years and I would have that. Damn, that Soul Stranger versus Black Panther was KICK ASS! I would have thought nothing more of it. But as it is today, I'm like "Damn, this is 1970's Marvel going head on into straight up Racism!" Not that I dig that sort of thing. Especially if it is OVERKILL. But this is like kinda rare. And it's pretty damn cool. In the end, I felt it was noteworthy. How in the hell has a comic like this stayed so....so...... Common?!!!?
|
|
|
Post by defiant1 on Apr 5, 2013 23:47:16 GMT -5
All covers from that era are more interesting, more informative, and simply better.
|
|
|
Post by G on Apr 12, 2013 4:32:38 GMT -5
When I grade and scan comic books, it's one of my easier jobs to do in terms of what it demands of me, but it's also one of the most boring. The scanning part of it is monotonous. The challenge is the grading. Grading always worries me. Grading makes me concerned if someone will complain and want their money back. It's easy to sell a book that is in Near Mint or Near Mint Minus. Heck, it's not that hard to sell a lot of books in Very Fine or Very Fine Plus. But I will say once you get to around Very Fine Plus on DOWN, it gets hard to grade. And be in a realm of reasonable to the customer's eyes.
I know there is so many A-Holes out there. You know, the ones who will slam you because you Overgraded. I worry about them. I worry about them buying an expensive book and me packaging it up and shipping it them as quick as I can (which is tiresome) and then they get it and the tiny stress mark that I took .2 off of, I feel like someone will take a 1.5 off of. And then they'll angrily email me and demand their money back. At which point I'll no choice but to say "Sure, send it back and once I have it, I'll transfer the money back to you"....even though I might have already paid a bill with it and the money is gone. I'll have to say that and worry about it in the meantime. And then I get the book back and then I transfer the money back to his account and then instead of giving me a positive or even a neutral. He gives me a Negative and slams my grading and puts out for all to see, that I'm bogus. I worry about stuff like that.
When I was in bootcamp in the Military. They used to always say "1 Ah-Shit ruins 100 Attaboys". And that 1 Negative is to me, going to speak louder than my 300+ Positives.
So, I try and get as close as I can. Knowing full good and well, I'm just like a lot of people claim. I'm NOT a professional grader. Except, I have never made that exclamation on any of my advertisements. I just grade it and have my money back policy which is practically a requirement and I hope for the best. So when I grade. I think of what would be acceptable in peoples eyes to be off? Of course, the higher the grade, the less you can be off. But in general. I always try and be .5 off. Or 1 mark up or mark down. That if someone was to disagree with my grade and it was actually sent in to be graded, my hope would be that it would land within 1 mark of what I advertised. Of course, I am to be spot on. I am for it to be true. But in terms of what is acceptable to a customer. Because I feel the average eBay user has bought comics many times over and gotten books that were graded WAY higher than what they actually were. My agenda is to be close. Very close. As close as I can possibly be. Knowing full well. Im not a professional. And I'm not perfect. I make judgement calls and I make mistakes. When they get that book. I feel like if others screwed them by full grades or more. If I'm within .5 of what I advertised. Or within the next grade higher or lower. I hope that if they thought I overgraded, they'll at least feel like it is close and let it slide just because they have been screwed over a lot worse by others.
Mind you. I aim to be perfect. I want my grade to be right. When I grade it. I believe that is what it is. But I also believe I could be wrong. You see, sometimes I'm not sure. It's not something I can put through a machine and get an answer. It's a judgement. And some defects are harder to grade than others. And that's why I say....Near Mint, Near Mint Minus, Very Fine Plus....Even Very Fine.....Not so hard. But getting below that. Hmmmm....It can be difficult.
Anyway, I didn't make this post to discuss what keeps me concerned as I grade and scan comics for the 500th time. In reality the process is completely boring. So what I do, is while I grade and scan. I listen to podcasts and videos. Things I can learn from. Things that make me think. Things that help my mind expand. And while I was doing that tonight. I listened to this guy.
Now, I'm not advocating him and his beliefs. But I do think he makes interesting observations. He's obviously speaking at a business expo that's clients are concerned about internet sales and generating page views and SEO Optimization and Google Ads and stuff like that. And he's basically cutting through the bullshit and hitting the people with the fact that you can put all the money you want into bullshit like that if you want. It's reaching the people that is important and how you do it is in front of our eyes everyday.
I remember when I worked at Panasonic. I was basically seeing technology take place everyday before it became mainstream everyday use. For instance, We had the first Plasma TV. The first one cost $17,000 for a 42 inch NON-HD set. It only did 480p. But it did sell. And it's amazing where stuff like that is today. I have a 50 inch now that would kick it's ass 50 times over and I paid basically $16,000 less for it like 4 years ago. But the thing is. I was there watching technology right under my nose. And I seen many things come and go. And often I would wonder why didn't I capitalize on those things right in front of my eyes? There is ways to take advantage of what you are seeing.
Well, this guy talks in that kind of nature. It's funny. At the end, the guy has a little Q and A session where he answers 3 questions. And I think the 1st dude asks him how he can capitalize on things and he's running a newspaper. Dude basically opened himself up by saying just that much. Did so in front of a large group of successful wannabees. Its almost funny how he politely/rudely/sarcastically answers him and yet it was great advise and almost common sense.
Sometimes I think I waste away more knowledge than I take advantage of. But every now and then a morsel sinks in....
Anyway.... I thought it was worth the listen. Maybe you won't even get 1 minute into it or not even click at all. But I just wanted to say in my comic page message board, this is my page blog. When I sit and scan comics and grade them....I listen to things I can learn from. Not just on subjects like this. But on many things that have NOTHING to do with making money. But occasionally I listen to stuff like this too...
|
|
|
Post by defiant1 on Apr 12, 2013 23:06:11 GMT -5
The first thing to understand about this guy is that he's adhering to his philosophy as he's "selling it". He believes that a personal connection is important to sell, so he's making personal connections as he's presenting his info. He's right in quite a bit of what he's saying, but he's also selling his concepts so he can be right. Word of mouth has ALWAYS been important, it just has a direct and more significant impact now. As he said, in 6 years all his advice will be considered a tactic and it'll be wrong. In this sense, he's trying to shape the mind of the viewer so that they consider him to be their buddy and he's covered whether his predictions are true or not. He's telling you how to think and he's telling you so that you'll trust him and care about what he says whether the dynamics of marketing change or not. I really advise people to read Harvey McKay's book "How to Swim With the Sharks without being Eaten Alive." He's got a whole book full of sound business advice that predates what some of this guy is saying.
I could comment for hours about what this guy is saying, but it would require context which he correctly says is important. I personally don't feel a revelation about anything he's saying. He's still a salesman and all the logic he uses will still have no persuasion over whether I buy his product or even listen to him in the future.
I'm seeing this because of your post. That is "word of mouth" promotion. He has succeeded in using his own tactic, so in that sense he's not stupid by any means.
I have a different prediction about the future of the web, but he's already allowed for a different future by saying the tactics you need to use will change. I predict a backlash with regards to privacy. I predict laws will start getting implements slowly to shut the door on some of the info that he sees and is using now. I also predict that people will get bored with the current state of the web.
If you like this video format, you should go to the TED site and watch the videos there which cover a wide range of topics that are highly informative and useful.
df1
|
|
|
Post by G on Apr 13, 2013 13:42:22 GMT -5
Well, he is selling books, so yeah, he's selling something. But when people are successful, I sometimes think it is interesting to hear what they have to say. It's funny. He is sitting in a room full or wannabees and probably all of them have the "want to" find a way to get rich quick like him. But the thing is, it wasn't so much that it was quick, it was more a case where his way of thinking is so much different than the herd. That whole room is probably filled with the herd mentality. And here he comes along and just speaks some common sense. It makes everyone watching and listening think "oh, why didn't I think that way. I must be slow." Actually I wasn't looking for this when I found it. I got a nice Nikon DSLR camera awhile back and I try and get into Photography. I am artistic and I want to get better at taking pictures. There is a guy on Youtube named Jared Polin and he has like Millions upon Millions of viewers in which he started free videos 3 years ago giving tips on better photography. He has a big afro on a white guy, so he named his website " Froknowsphoto.com". He is very entertaining and he helps me think more about photography. He has podcasts and when I scan and grade books, I listen to his podcasts. Sometimes he brings in other photographers. Fro is actually a well accomplished Concert Photographer who specialized in black in white. His free approach to photography tips and his entertaining style have gained him quite the following. After 3 years of giving away stuff for free, he finally made a 3 hr video on Basic Photography. He sells it for $67. He is doing quite well. He often explains that very early in his career of utilizing the web, most people were telling him he had to get people to buy things. He had to sell. He had to get into SEO. He had to use Google Ads. Keep giving a snippet and then sell the real content. Instead he just stuck with the plan and kept releasing free videos over and over and over and over. And with it, he gained a following. I think he has like 1200 free videos. After his Youtube has finally made it into the 10s of millions of views, he finally offered the Basic Beginners Guide to Photography. He's doing very well. Well, as I was scanning books this last time, I listened to another one of his podcasts and he had this guy for a guest. I listened to this clip he had attached along with his blog 1st and posted that here. And then I listened to the blog. Its like sitting down and listening to 2 successful people at what they do. 1 in photography who is trying to get his business going by selling basic beginner videos. And another who seen how marketing strategies work and understanding basic human behavior better than most people is a recipe for success. And now he is pushing his books. I didn't bring this guy up to get people to follow him. I thought he was interesting. I appreciate that you listened to it. I like watching and listening to things that help me learn and make me think. I think if you made a Podcast, I'd probably listen to it because you have a unique perspective on things. Basically though, he talks about having respect and how things work. Sometimes you just have to think differently. As he likes to put it, most people approach things like a 19 year old guy trying to make it with a girl. They try and get the home run right off the bat. They try to get the sale from the moment they meet you. They try to use you as what can you do for them? And his way of thinking is....if you do for other people, they'll have a thank you mentality in return. They'll want to support your efforts. They'll stick with you along the way. They'll continue to be with you even after you get big. Sometimes people just want to see what you'll do for them and don't give anything in return. I get sick of that. I just find stuff like this interesting. Yeah, I've heard it all before. Will hear it all again. I just think it's better to repeat this kind of stuff to my way of thinking that listen to someone hitting me up like a 19 year old trying to make it with a girl. I'd rather have the thank you mentality. I enjoy listening to successful people no matter what walk of life it is. Sometimes you can learn off of almost anybody when you let yourself have an open mind and you allow yourself to change the way you're thinking with a 1 track mind.
|
|
|
Post by defiant1 on Apr 13, 2013 15:51:24 GMT -5
I have a friend named Mathew that can buy and sell anything in person. He's interesting, but he doesn't have any tech savvy to translate his abilities online. Most "get rich quick" and "be your own boss" programs are bullshit. Someone runs a business for a year and then discovers that they can make more by telling someone how to run a business. The guy speaking is making money off of people's desires to be rich, not because he's got good business skills. Even if he does have good skills, they align with his personality. It's unlikely he can teach you to think like him. While you can get interesting tips, you'll spend more of your time trying to make them work for you than you will getting the benefits. My parents went from poverty to success. My dad is the best example I have of rags to riches. Seriously though, I think the TED presentations are more applicable and enlightening. The guy you linked to was interesting, but I'd already dissected his message and saw what he was doing by the time it was 1/4 started. www.ted.com/df1
|
|
|
Post by G on Jun 26, 2013 21:23:44 GMT -5
Just put another 30 books up tonight. I actually picked out and graded and scanned the books yesterday. Then I spent most of the day today creating listings. Actually those are probably the two jobs I hate the most but sometimes I dilly-dally getting the work done and it just prolongs the pain. Other times, like yesterday and today, I get on a roll and I just go through it.
Scanning has the ability to put me to sleep, so the key is to kind of do other things that interest me at the same time. I played some online poker and such on Facebook while I scanned and graded books. There have been times where I just get into a world of dread and I let scanning take place over 2 or 3 days. That is when it is not efficient. Yesterday I just kept myself entertained and kept knocking it out.
The key with auctions is to get on a roll. I hate typing up auctions. To me it is the worst job. But I think after doing this over and over, I've developed shortcuts to make the job easier. I find the more I have to type, the longer it takes. Therefore, it's easier when I have a lot of books in higher end shape. Say VF or better. NM is the best. No description necessary. Just say this is the issue # and it's in NM condition. VF/NM to NM- I've pretty much managed to say that there are tiny blemishes (here and there on VF/NM books) keeping it from grading higher. VF to VF+ pretty much the same except there may be 1 fault of note that I need to mention. Often I don't have to.
It's not that bad for VF- but it starts getting bad when you get to about FN/VF and below because at this point you have to start mentioning flaws and describing it a bit. I learned quickly a long time ago, keep it brief. Sometimes I copy and paste off of other likewise graded auctions and change a word or two here and there. I try and avoid anything below a Fine if I possibly can. Of course I'm dealing with Silver Age books in that kind of shape.
I try sprinkling things in. Moderns, Silver, Bronze, Copper. Marvel, DC, Valiant, other books if I have them on this auction. Sometimes I take the stack and determine which books I'll list first and then go through the order I will list them. I'm not sure what works best. I've experimented. Awhile back I was going by the order they got uploaded to Photobucket which generally meant alphabetical order. I found sometimes that left my best books at inopportune times. Other times I did the alphabetical and held my best books for the end. In retrospect, I don't think that is optimal either as it tends to make people bypass your lesser books just to wait for your strong books. Lately, I've been shuffling stronger books throughout at odd times to see if this works better.
I also don't think it is optimal to end a great book at a common time. Like say for instance 9pm or 9:30pm or 10pm. The reason I believe this is I think a lot of the competition does the same thing which means they can't be bidding on your book if they have 25 books they want to be at at the same time. Therefore, I've begun staggering my best books at odd times. I started out thinking 10-11pm EST was the best time to sell books. Sometimes I had books ending after 11. I found that those were dead. I experimented and found my books tended to do better between 9-10pm EST. So I started sticking with that. But as I kept doing this, I often noticed that 9-9:30 appeared to do better than 9:30 - 10pm. So a couple of auctions ago I started aiming for 8:30 - 9:30pm and if I had extra books, they would go to 10pm. However, I would try and make the most optimal books end what seems to be nearest the peak which I find to be around 9:30pm. But in keeping with what I learned, I don't end my best book at 9:30. I try ending it at an odd time like 9:28 or 9:25 or even 9:33. It seems to get more looks this way at the end.
Sometimes I wish I knew these things in the beginning. But you adjust as you go. Today I put up 30 auctions which doesn't sound like much until you actually do it. I did them all today in about a 9 hr window not counting lunch with my girlfriend. So about 8 hrs total. Once again, I was in a rush to get them up today, so most of the books were VF or above to make it easier on me to do. Once I got on a roll, I just whipped right through them. I think I have the process down now. Over the next 2 nights, I have 60 books ending. 30 each night. I'm going to spend tomorrow mowing my lawn and maybe later cutting out cardboards. My yard is huge and my riding lawn mower died, so I have to push mow it. Takes about 4-5 hrs. When the weekend gets here my 60 books will go off sale. I tend to try and get all the packing done by Monday in hopes they go out in Mondays mail. I find customers are happiest when the package arrives quick as they should be. This should leave me Monday - Wednesday to pick, grade, scan and list auctions again. Once you get on the weekly roll, its not that hard. Especially if you stay in front of the agenda. But slack off or get behind and you'll be in burnout city before you know it. Luckily I've been riding a wave of productivity lately. So I'm happy to say I'm currently ahead of the game. Hopefully this will reap rewards in the end and better things lay ahead. I don't know. All I know is I just finished and I feel good about it. Thought about my board and decided to make a post.
Anyway, that's one day in my life as an eBay comic lister.
|
|
|
Post by defiant1 on Jun 26, 2013 21:32:55 GMT -5
I do mot envy the work you have to do to sell all of that.
df1
|
|