Part Two Of Barry Pearl's Tales Of The Marvel Age...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

A Secret You Don't Know: 

This was told to me, in confidence, by a big New York City comics dealer:  There eventually comes a time when a big or valuable collection has to be sold.  Often it is an aging collector, or, sadly, his widow, his children or a companion after the collector's death.

For argument's sake, let us say he has a collection worth $100,000.  The family will call in the five or six big dealers thinking they'll get five or six separate estimates and bids on the books.  Wrong!  The dealers know each other and conspire to get the books at the lowest price.  They call and consult with each other on these big items and agree that instead of offering $60-80,000 for a $100,000 collection, they'll all offer a ridiculous $10,000 or thereabouts.  So after getting five or six "fixed" bids the family feels that's what the comics are worth and sells them for that price. Now the dealers split the collection and for $2,000 each they get $20,000 worth of comics.

I'm sure that this goes on I many major cities, so it's better to get some bids from major stores that are outside of your area. 

Consignment:  Consignment means leaving comics in a store with a stranger and with no advance payment.  This is great for the store because they lay out no money and have no risk whatsoever. You'd receive a percentage of what the store sells them for, but would have to trust them that they're telling you the truth about the amount they sold for. 

In 2004 I walked into a neighbourhood "nostalgia" store which had a ton of comics and also toys, games and memorabilia.  I didn't mention my collection, but my friend's 10 year old son, Sean, did.  He told the owner that I had all the old Marvels. 

The owner wanted them on consignment, which is how he sold his merchandise.  I said I wasn't interested, and the 'back and forth' went on for quite a while until we left.  I was back in a couple of weeks later because Sean wanted a specific toy.  Again the owner spoke as if I'd promised him something and said he was expecting delivery from me the following week.

The store closed down at the end of the month.  His landlord told me that he was looking for him for back rent and the people who'd given him toys, games and magazines on consignment were looking for him also.  He'd left without paying them.  Had I done something stupid I would've been out a fortune.  So be careful when you go to sell your comics. 

Joe's store:

So I started buying comics at Joe's store and I saw how sleazy some of these guys get.  I hate seeing people ripped off at any time, but I really hate it when I see kids ripped off. 

It was 1975 and I'd come in to pick up my weekly comics.  A young man came in with an early copy of Daredevil and wanted to sell it for about $40 or so.  Joe told him that it was in bad shape and that Daredevils don't sell.  He offered him $10, take it or leave it, which the guy took.  By mere coincidence, the next Wednesday I was back in the store when someone wanted to buy it.  Joe told him the copy was in great condition and that Daredevils sell fast so he better take it before it was sold.

He did - for $60.  And the moral of the story?  I'm sure you don't need me to spell it out.  See you next time.

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