How do you sell a large Comic Collection [Archive]

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George Smiley

04/11/2006, 17:08

I have about 20 of the long boxes of comics. I also have a two year old and a shortage of space. I'd like to sell the comics but I have questions about the best way to go about this process. Everyone suggests E-Bay.

Is E-Bay a good way to sell a comic collection? Have any posters here had success selling a collection of about that size via E-Bay? Is there a better way?

After the sale is made how do you go about delivering the comics. I live in Southeast Georgia so if the buyer lived near me I'd just load everything and take it to that person. Since a nearby buyer is unlikely what is the best method to ship the boxes? Is the US Mail or a service like UPS reasonable? What would it cost to ship a box of comics that size? Is there a discount to ship 20 boxes? Will the Post Office or UPS come to your house to pick up the boxes? What would I need to do to the boxes to make them transportation-worthy? How do I address the issue of who is paying for the shipping of the comics? Do I make the deal and then just casually mention that the buyer is paying blank dollars for shipping? Should I make it clear initially that I expect the seller to pay for shipping?

Aeturnus

04/11/2006, 17:11

I'm interested in mid-70s to mid 80s Batman comics. LMK if you have any.

Parallax_LE9

04/12/2006, 15:58

I don't know about cost, but I'll tell you for something as large as a box of comics, definately UPS. It may cost a bit more, but most people are willing to pay for it since it's usually better cared for. If not, I'd definately encourage shipping insurance.

deadshot042

04/12/2006, 17:04

I would suggest selling the different comics as lots. Comic collectors are usually looking for a certain series and more likely than not, will not want to spend a large sum of money on a lot where they only want half of the issues. Aeturnus mentioned that he is interested in Batman from the '70s and '80s. You can probably find a fair price with him and shipping should not be too bad.
If you do decide to sell your collection in lots, there are a lot of comics from the '80s that I am interested in and would be happy to work out with you. I'm sending you a PM right now.
As far as where to sell them goes, I would put a thread in the Sale & Auction Forum first. Then later on you could sell on EBay, if you want to make the time commitment, or you could have a dealer sell them as seperate lots on EBay for a commision.

Ring_Slinger

05/02/2006, 22:49

you never know, but you could post a list of all your issues here, and see what happens. i myself am a huge comic nerd and i could always waste...spend...INVEST my money in more back issues. just a thought.

Mr_JTR

05/19/2006, 10:16

and don't forget to check a buyer's guide to make sure you price them properly.

Mr_JTR

05/19/2006, 10:16

dont' want to sell your pristine copy of Detective Comics #27 for a buck, now do you? ;)

.

andyrich

05/24/2006, 13:40

I sold a huge comic inventory on e-bay, about 50 short boxes worth. But this was before I had my children, I don't know if I could do it this way now. First get an idea of what you have. This doesn't have to be a computerized inventory or anything, just a basic idea. Think about what people want to buy. Single key issues and complete runs. Complete runs can also be artist/writter runs if they are popular ones. (One of my best lots was a complete Grant Morrison run on Doom Patrol) Separate any of those. Incomplete series, but in sequential order (Amazing Spiderman 253-288 for example) should be organized in small lots, 5-10. Everything else group in lots that make sense ie-all your X-Factors, or if you only have two or so, throw them in with another lot of all mutant books. Random lots are usually garbage and will get you a minimum bid every time. If nothing else group them by company, but understand, you'll be lucky to get your minimum bid on these. Once you've decided how many lots you are going to have, (and with 20 long boxes, you will probably have at least 200) get yourself organized. Decide which lots you want to put up each week. 20 is a resonable number for a first timer. Dont' try to put up 200 lots in a day, you'll never keep track of it all. Make sure all of your lots relate to each other if you can, you want bidders buying multiple lots from you. Make sure you figure out shipping beforehand. Technically, I don't think you are allowed to ship comics media mail, so do so at your own risk. 5-10 boarded and bagged comics will cost around $3 First Class and $4 priority. With priority, you can get free boxes. The USPS will even ship them to you for free. Make sure you mention in your auction descriptions that you are selling multiple lots over multiple weeks, and allow buyers to hold off on paying until other auctions have finished if they ask, encourage them to pay you and then hold thier lot until they are finished shopping. You want repeat customers who can pay. Feel free to PM me with specific recommendations if you want.

Andy

Mr_JTR

05/25/2006, 04:43

Technically, I don't think you are allowed to ship comics media mail, so do so at your own risk.

I just recently sent out VIA USPS a huge box to someone I know, all comics. They wouldn't let me send it Media Mail.

George Smiley

05/25/2006, 09:14

JTR,
Was the large box you sent a large comic book box?

What was the approximate shipping cost and what shipping "level" did you send it?

jetteraf

07/10/2006, 13:39

I just recently sent out VIA USPS a huge box to someone I know, all comics. They wouldn't let me send it Media Mail.

Couldn't you get the book rate?

Ro-gan

07/13/2006, 12:55

George Smiley

07/14/2006, 11:12

My best advice to you:

MANY comic books and/or runs aren't worth anything anymore.

Take out all your comics that are worth jack and find a local orphanage or other children's home. Donate them. The institution will give you a form for that allows you to officially claim the gift as a tax donation that you can claim on your income tax.

The institution should even let you put down the price you consider your comic book donation is worth and then they will sign off on it.

I did this last year during Thanksgiving. I donated over 1,500 comics and claimed $3,000.00 on my taxes as a donation.

I never thought of that. That seems like a good idea.

How does it work on your taxes though? Does the IRS just subtract $3000 from your net income and then determine your taxes? I'm trying to understand how this works.

I've had moderate success selling my comics in the past to comic stores because I've had desirable runs of a series (eg: initial Claremont/Byrne run on XMen, Miller's run on DD, Perez's initial run on Teen Titans, etc.). I currently have complete runs of almost alll of the Ultimates stuff, I'm ready to sell it and it seems to be popular with my students and shows some demand on EBAY.

Ro-gan

07/15/2006, 15:04

How does it work on your taxes though? Does the IRS just subtract $3000 from your net income and then determine your taxes? I'm trying to understand how this works.

That I couldn't tell you. I don't do my own taxes. I have someone who knows that kind of stuff do it for me.

All I know is that for charitable donations to work in your favor on your tax claim is that they have to be over a certain amount. And, that certain amount is somewhere in the ballpark of over $800 or more.

I currently have complete runs of almost alll of the Ultimates stuff, I'm ready to sell it and it seems to be popular with my students and shows some demand on EBAY.

Sell the Ultimate stuff on eBay. That will be worth your time.

The best way, though, is to sell the issue #1's and #2's separately. Then sell the rest as one huge chunk.

I.E.: Ultimate Spider-Man--

Auction 1: USM #1
Auction 2: USM #2
Auction 3: USM #3 to current

The same woul then go for the other Ultimate titles you have. Except the mini-series. Sell them as one lot.

Donaldblake

08/04/2006, 09:25

I have a run of Thor books about 193-502 plus annuals and a few mini series if anyone is interested. As a few mentioned here piecing it out into lots on ebay is about the best route to go to try and maximize your profits. I also never thought about donating it, which may end up being the route I take as well.

ToaKazi

08/31/2006, 23:21

If anyone has issues 1-12, 17, or 40 of ultimate spiderman and would like to sell or trade them Please pm me I would love to get this collection done before bendis goes.

SITHSPAWN

09/19/2006, 17:39

I might be interested in your earlier Ultimate stuff. What other comics do you have? PM me if you have an idea and might consider getting rid of some here.