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So, you’re waiting for the next Comic Convention in your area. And you’ve been outbid time and time again on eBay auctions. To make matters worse, your Local Comics Shop (LCS) is slow to restock back issues!

Meanwhile you’ve got a wantlist as long as your arm and your favorite hobby is stalled.

What do you do? Do what I do. Check Craigslist.

It’s as easy as:

Step 1. Go to http://www.craigslist.org

Step 2. Look at the right hand column > find your home state and the closest city or town

Step 3. On the left there will be a “search craiglist” box > select “for sale” in the drop down choices > type “comic” in the box

Step 4. Scan through the results for people selling collections > look for garage sales and people who say that they are trying to get rid of a large collection

That’s it! This method has been panning out over and over again. Recently, there were two sellers with silimar circumstances. There was a death of someone close and each person just happened to be collecting comics for the last twenty years. The sellers knew that the collections meant a lot to their brother/friend, but they didn’t know what to do with the 20/50 boxes of comics that was sitting in their house. So, they put word out on craigslist and it was first come, first served. We will not say what was found at these sales, you can use your imagination to fuel your own hopes should you try this method. But it can be said that the price paid was pennies-on-the-dollar for hundreds of Very High Grade (in some cases very hard to find) comics.

Surely, it need not be said, but just a reminder not to try to rip off little old ladies. If the seller has an NM Amazing Fantasy #15 and says, “I have no idea what this is worth” there is a course of action that may work. Tell him or her that the book(s) is worth a lot of money and that you can’t afford that price and make an offer. You are not under any obligation to quote the going price, because unless you are a retailer-type professional or sitting in front of the results of every sale in the last year, that answer will not be fair to either of you. Just invite the person to do their research and let you know if they accept your offer.

In both cases mentioned above, the sellers were computer savvy and had already researched the collections enough to know that they should just try to unload the whole thing rather than do more research.

This tried and true method has been great for adding to the collection and where did the inspiration come from? From Chuck Rozanski over at Mile High Comics. In his “Tales from the Database” column he spells out the basics:

How To Invest In Comics

Buying Comics In Bulk

Good Luck!!!

As the summer continues to heat up, so too does the comic convention season. In June, we were able to catch the last day of WizardWorld Philly and this month, luckily, the Atlanta Comic Convention. For those who are convention goers – you know the drill. Show up at a large convention (Any of the Wizard shows and San Diego especially) and prepare for the media onslaught that follows. Video games, dancing Storm Troopers and Kevin Smith doing his best “Where’s Waldo.”

At the smaller conventions, however, the tone can be very different. Those lucky enough to have a regional Con, that has been organized by local retailers or hobbyists, may be in for a treat. While some out there may have shows that constantly showcase the same tired sellers with the same tired stock, that is not always the case. The Atlanta Comic Convention is the perfect example of it done right. Those who show up for this seasonal event see a lot of familiar faces, but that isn’t all there is. They have a list of alternates who fill in when designated sellers drop out. This guarantees a fresh atmosphere from time to time. And I doubt that any of the dealers are not out getting new stock for the next show in-between dates.

By all means attend the San Diego Comic-Con International this weekend. Meet and support some up-and-coming artists and production houses, see your favorite stars and shop for the hottest back-issues. Just don’t forget that we have to bring that enthusiasm home to keep the hobby alive. To do that, I encourage those who don’t attend regular shows to visit

http://www.comicbookconventions.com/conventions.htm

and find out if there is a local show coming soon. And remember, take a friend!