I'm going to be utilizing one of the biggest online sales resources to do my diving - eBay.
Most comic book collectors just shuddered hearing me say that. Purists have alot of disdain for eBay comics because grading is typically subjective and the US Postal Service is not always very gentle on packaging. I'm not really worried about either aspect in my journey.
What I do have to be careful about is my budget. Here's a quick recap:
1. Buy backissues
2. Fill holes in runs/collections
3. around $20 in purchases
No.3 is where I have to be careful. I could easily pick up several comics from different sellers on ebay for $20, but with varying shipping and handling charges I could end up with a total purchase of $40 of more easily. So how am I to avoid spending more on shipping than the comics I buy? Here's a great tip for anyone else out there looking to buy bulk comics on eBay:
Buy all your comics from the same seller.
Most comic book dealers on ebay provide reasonable or combined shipping on multiple purchases. Even if their price on a certain issue is several dollars higher than another dealer, the combined shipping could be the deal breaker. Its important to recognize that. There could be tons of copies of a certain comic with a buy it now! price of .99, but at $5.00 s/h, you're better off paying $1.99 for that comic with $2.00 s/h. Now, this is just for filling holes in backissue runs. If you're a serious collector looking for top quality cgc-able copies, then paying for pricer s/h from a seller you feel is trustworthy is definitely the right thing to do. For me, though, I have to recommend that anyone just looking to fill holes in runs with no regard for strenuous grading go to one dealer and work from there.
I've bought comics off ebay many times and I've never been disappointed. From golden age on up to modern I've been satisfied every time. I've even sold several comics on ebay and always gotten positive feedback. So I'm happy with going this route. I've already chosen my eBay store - Mile High Comics.
Folks familiar with comic book history will recognize this store. Easily the largest backissue supplier of comics in the world. Their eBay store is gigantic, over 100,000 buy it now! auctions at the moment. I've bought from them several times and I couldn't be happier - comics packaged nicely for mail, grading that is strict, and always willing to help if there's a problem with your order. I've ordered several books only to find out they actually did not have the item I requested. I was promptly refunded my money, AND GIVEN A $20 VOUCHER TO USE in their eBay store to purchase more comics. I've easily bought $60 worth of comics from them just on vouchers. You can't beat that with a stick.
Later this week I plan on picking my comics. Got some things in mind - might get brave and spend over $10 whole dollars on one comic. :GASP! Stay tuned!
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