High grade key, or multiple lower grade keys?11802
 Keep your $6.87 bro... not even saving tax with that.
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Cli4dR3D0g private msg quote post Address this user | |
| To get some opinions - if you had X amount of money would you rather get a high grade key, or multiple lower grade keys? Just throwing it out there for discussion. | ||
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 Collector
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Darkseid_of_town private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Multiple lower grade for me if you are referring to books in the say thousand range for one high end copy, rather get three mid grade keys | ||
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Drahcir private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Depends a bit, but I'd generally go after a few mid range condition books over one large. Comes down to what books you're really considering though. |
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Haljordanfan private msg quote post Address this user | |
| High grade for me. I’d prefer to have the best I could afford if the book is readily available. Silver and Bronze Age. Golden keys, anything with an attached whole cover I could get my hands on. |
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 Beaten by boat oars
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Studley_Dudley private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I'm going high. | ||
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 Collector
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andy49 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| one high grade key | ||
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 I don't believe this....and I know you don't care that I don't believe this.
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GAC private msg quote post Address this user | |
| it depends on the dollar amount. are we talking $3k or $10k ? | ||
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 Collector
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doog private msg quote post Address this user | |
| For building a collection, a wide range of lower grade keys, ungraded ideally, which generally gets you the best price. One big expensive book, I would advise buying it graded. Bad thing to miss a flaw on. My silver age keys are generally 1.0 to 7.0 , but because of that, I quickly amassed about all of them. Bronze of course averages higher, and golden, be happy if you find any, even coverless |
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 I’m not an ant. I’m a rootin tootin Hornet!
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Zombie_Head private msg quote post Address this user | |
| High grade key | ||
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 You think I'm joking, I'm not.
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earthshaker01 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| High grade, nothing else is worth it | ||
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 I live in RI and Rhode Islanders eat chili with beans.
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esaravo private msg quote post Address this user | |
| If I had to do it all over again, I would go back in time and buy fewer comics - only the best and highest grade that I could find and afford. I would have a lot less boxes full of books worth $1 to $20, and a lot more valuable keys and other desirable books. | ||
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 Collector
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Yoosh5492 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| High grade! Whats the book you're targeting? |
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crystalphoto private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I always want to get the highest grade I can afford. I feel anything less is collecting quantity instead of quality... just my .02... | ||
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Collector
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Drahcir private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I feel like the budget involved is pretty important here. | ||
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I don't believe this....and I know you don't care that I don't believe this.
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GAC private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @Drahcir definitely!! | ||
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BrianGreensnips private msg quote post Address this user | |
| All depends on my mood. | ||
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 You do know that the new guy brings the donuts, right?
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DWeeB1967 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I tend to buy high grade keys. The good part of that is that the keys I own tend to be really nice. The bad part of that is that I own fewer keys than I would like to own. |
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00slim private msg quote post Address this user | |
| So, with time, I’ve come to realize the importance of going high grade. It was once satisfying to buy VG keys. Now? I really only want VF minimum. I have a few low grade keys I SO wish I’d paid the extra for higher grade on (ASM 129, FF 48, TTA 44). Of course, for some books, a premium grade is unrealistic. Honestly, if you simply buy the highest grade you can realistically afford, you can’t go wrong. Let me say this, though. For moderns, pay the extra for a 9.8. Don’t settle for a 9.6 if at all possible. |
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Keep your $6.87 bro... not even saving tax with that.
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Cli4dR3D0g private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Great feedback! I have been a collector for +30 years but financially I have only been a "collector" for a few years. Sad to say, but the "Bat-wang" is what drew me back into the collecting world. My preferences change often but it is great to get everyone's feedback. I don't have any particular titles, issues, or dollar amount in mind, but have loved comics for as long as I can remember. It's just nice to get feedback from others with the same passion. | ||
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 If the viagra is working you should be well over a 9.8.
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xkonk private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I think it depends on the crowd you're asking. A lot of folks here have been collecting a while, have a decent collection, and at this point a) know what they want b) want something pretty nice. I like @doog's answer; if you're still filling gaps you would probably be happier filling a number of gaps and seeing your list go down. If you're further along in things and pretty much everything is a big buy, then of course you want one big score. | ||
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 Masculinity takes a holiday.
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EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user | |
| If I went to a convention with $1,000 to spend I would get more personal satisfaction from bringing home 6-7 books vs bringing home 1 book. I enjoy shopping until the very end of the show. I enjoy seeking out the multiple books and making the multiple purchases. I love going through them that night (or 3 months later) and remembering what I bought. It might not have the same upside as 1 high grade key, but as long as they are valuable enough to have slabbed I am pretty comfortable that my investment is at least secure. On the flip-side, I do hope to consolidate many of those books into 1 larger value book. But I would not have enjoyed the journey as much if I had saved up my money by not purchasing those books through the years. For me collecting is mostly about the journey, not the end product. |
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 I'm a #2.
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BigRedOne1944 private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by crystalphoto Im in this boat as well |
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 Joined The Club
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Steverogers11 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Highest no doubt. But I don’t want a big collection | ||
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 I'm waiting.... (tapping fingers).Splotches is gettin old! |
Nuffsaid111 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| One high grade key | ||
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 Collector
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Doc_Cop private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I currently buy higher grade minor keys (ASM 194, Nova 1, Marvel Spotlight 28) as examples. Your collection is then diversified, so when the books I've acquired rise in value, I sell them for a profit and parlay them into a bigger key that will remain in my personal collection. And of course what I consider a major key is all subjective. Nuff said.. | ||
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 The Fifth Golden Girl
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sborock private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I have gone both routes and both had their positives and negatives. That said, I have always found, in anything I collect, that the hunt is half the fun, so more books, more fun! There is also something to be said about high end keys. I loved owning major key books, but if you needed money quick, you USUALLY had to take a hit on price if you have not held it for a few years and the market is not at it's strongest. My second copy of Action #1 was sold because we just had a baby and I had quit my job. If I did not need to sell it, I could have got about $20K more by waiting for the right buyer (which takes a lot longer). That was 1997, the profit today would be so much higher. Once again, buy what you love and can afford and you can't go wrong. All that said, the best thing about our great hobby is the amazing friendships we make. I have had some friends in this hobby for over 30 years and I would not trade them for any comic. |
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You do know that the new guy brings the donuts, right?
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DWeeB1967 private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by sborock Ok, Steve... Now you're just BRAGGING!  |
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00slim private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Here’s another thing to consider if you find yourself in a situation where you need to sell: Level of interest in the market/speed of sale. If you have a premium grade sought after key with nice paper quality, interest will be high. People will make FMV offers much more readily because, who knows when another one will hit the market? Even then, will the cost have jumped in the meantime? If it’s a low grade copy, there are more out there. Ease of access lessens the sense of urgency for the buyer. And with the market pool larger, you may have to sell below market to catch a Buyer’s attention. This is a moot point with a Mega Key like Action 1 or Tec 27, but it’s something to consider for most books. |
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CatCovers private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by sborock And we all hate you a little bit now.  |
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CatCovers private msg quote post Address this user | |
| As for the original question, my answer is both. Hear me out. For some comics/series I collect, I put a premium on condition. I want the best copy I can possibly manage. Covers featuring Catwoman fall into this category for me. FF, ASM. I may accept a lesser quality placeholder in some circumstances, but I’m never satisfied with it. For other comics/series, the simple having of them matters more than the condition. I still have standards, of course, but for Tales to Astonish, Tales of Suspense and others I’m perfectly happy with, say, upper mid-grade. This way I can still pursue books I want when money’s a little tighter while keeping my eye out for those things I want in perfect shape. |
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