Where Do You Shop?

[beaglegod]

I was just curious as to where others here shop for back issues, in particular Im curious about what online vendors you rate as the best (price , selection ,and service).

If this is an inappropriate question,please just let me know as Im not trying to encourage spamming or anything, just lookin for a good place to hunt down some books.:cool:

Thanks :)

[Mr. Palmer]

mycomicshop.com

I've placed plenty of orders with them - old or new books - and have never had a problem (*knock on wood*). Highly recommended.

[Hintermann]

I live in England, where the calling for the sort of comics that I like is very restricted. There are a couple of large mail order places called Silver Acre Comics & Comicana with whom I have found a some of my wants in the past. Apart from that, it was just luck of the draw in Comic conventions or classified adverts of private collections.

But Internet and E-bay changed all that, opening up the international market for e. If I find a comic that I want on e-bay from a US seller, I tend to look for his/her other items and usually find a few more. That would make the overseas postage worthwhile.

[vazel]

mycomicshop.com and eBay.com

[Metamorpho]

I'll throw in my raves for mycomicshop. Super friendly people to deal with and GREAT turnaround time. eBay can be good too if you check out the feedback (left and received ) on a seller you don't know.

[mrc1214]

I go to MileHighComics.com the prices and shipping are both great. I would recommend checking out their ebay store they have a ton of stuff on there.

[Agentum]

But check the shipping closely, they tried to charge me 10 times the cost once.

[scratchie]

I mostly buy backissues off of ebay.

Mycomicshop.com and milehighcomics.com are both good places to look when you want a few specific issues. Mycomicshop is usually a little cheaper, but Mile High often has cheaper prices in their ebay store than in their regular web store. Both stores often charge above guide for "key" issues in any condition, but you can get a good deal on less highly-sought-after comics (e.g. I got a nice little run of Superboy/Legion from the 70s for about $2-$3 a book without poking through dozens of Ebay auctions).

My local comic book shop also has a fairly decent collection of back issues (better than many in the metro-Boston area). Buying full runs is usually cheaper on Ebay but I've used the LCS a lot for filling in holes.

[mrc1214]

How is mycomicshop.com with shipping???

[scratchie]

How is mycomicshop.com with shipping???Like Mile High, they offer free shipping on orders over $50. My last order was around $30 and the shipping was $4.25.

[Greg Hatcher]

Mostly eBay and shows here. I don't care for online ordering from dealers, but I'm really cheap. Back issues, for us, is more like going to a rummage sale... the fun's in the hunt.

Trade collections and graphic novels I usually get from Dreamland through their eBay store. Discounts from 25-40% and $2.50 to ship unless it's over $25 in which case it's free. The downside is that they only ship media mail twice a month, so if you happen to buy something the day after the bi-weekly shipment, it may take as long as a month to arrive. But getting a new Essential for half-price makes it worth it to me... after all, in most cases I have waited 25-30 years to see how the story turned out, I can stand it another month.

Glancing at the bookshelf I can see most everything I was buying from Marvel in the 70's represented as an Essential collection, and they all came from Dreamland for about eleven bucks each, counting shipping.

The nice thing about using eBay is that if you also sell things there through Paypal, it just stays as a sort of floating comics account. We have taken to unloading other back issues on eBay... doubles, other old things I'm sick of, things like that -- and have almost gotten to the point where the habit pays for itself, the last six months or so. That's the hope, anyway; though I doubt I'll ever catch up to the break-even point, I feel much less guilty about blowing a lot of dough on the old stuff since we started selling. I have another bunch of stuff I have to take digital pictures of and list, probably this weekend.

[Agentum]

In this case you don't know how lucky you are living in USA, the shipping often costs as much as the books for me:D
Only buying trades and hardcovers make it better when buying from the lies of Amazon, they have cheaper shippings than a private person.

I don't want to think about how much i have paid just for shippings for comic books, but there is no other way so....

[mrc1214]

As far as going to stores by me (NYC) i stick to the new stuff. Back issues tend to be exactly book value and im not going to try to haggle because the stores are so big that the prices are set. Also i havent found a place in the city that has back issues from the 70s and early 80s they tend to be heavy on the late 80s early 90s stuff.

[Agentum]

Is there noone selling used books with lower grades?
When i buy used books from america they are often in a nice shape, too good for me.

[Cei-U!]

I buy at shows, shopping mostly in the quarter, 50 cent and $1 boxes... unless I'm looking for something specifically in a higher grade. I also order from Mile High (when they have their deep discount sales). I'm buying one Essential and one Showcase a month from InStockTrades.com. Very rarely I use eBay. I got complete runs of Freedom Fighters and Secret Society of Super-Villains that way.

Cei-U!
Good question!

EDIT: Forgot to mention I only allow myself $40 a month for comics. If I want to spend more than that, as I will at SDCC, I have to go without for one or two months beforehand.

[scratchie]

Also i havent found a place in the city that has back issues from the 70s and early 80s they tend to be heavy on the late 80s early 90s stuff.Check out the "Comic Stores in Manhattan" thread. I've found a lot of back issues from the late 60s through the early 80s at "Silver Age Comics" in the Village (they also have a branch in Queens). Still pretty much book value but good for finding those specific issues you want without paying shipping.

[scratchie]

Is there noone selling used books with lower grades?
When i buy used books from america they are often in a nice shape, too good for me.Lots of people on ebay selling lower-grade books, and sometimes they're even marked that way! :D

[mrc1214]

Check out the "Comic Stores in Manhattan" thread. I've found a lot of back issues from the late 60s through the early 80s at "Silver Age Comics" in the Village (they also have a branch in Queens). Still pretty much book value but good for finding those specific issues you want without paying shipping.

I dont mind paying BV if the issue is in that grade but to charge full BV and the issue is not even close to NM. Ill give an example i was at Midtown Comics yesterday and when i was paying i looked behind the counter at all the high end issues. There was an Incredible Hulk #181 for $1300 now thats top book value the book was in Fine condition at best. I cant stand that. I think sometimes its better to buy off a reliable seller online and odds are you'll save money. But on the other hand with newer stuff Midtown is great because they have a huge selection.

[dan bailey]

EDIT: Forgot to mention I only allow myself $40 a month for comics.

you, sir, are now my hero. unless that was a typo for $400, in which case we're pretty much in the same ballpark ... unfortunately.

[scratchie]

you, sir, are now my hero. unless that was a typo for $400, in which case we're pretty much in the same ballpark ... unfortunately.I'm sure he meant to say "per week". :D

[Agentum]

Lots of people on ebay selling lower-grade books, and sometimes they're even marked that way! :D
hahahaha:D
But not the books i'm buying unfortunatly.
If i wanted comics in real bad shape i should buy GA and SA books.

[dan bailey]

Like Mile High, they offer free shipping on orders over $50.

has mile high raised its minimum? i'm pretty sure it was $40 the last time i used 'em, a couple of weeks ago, though i know the most recent postage increase had chuck talking about going up to $50 somewhere down the line ...

otherwise, i use mycomicshop most of the time -- about 3 times as much as i use mile high, purely because of the former's usually cheaper prices. . i also like the fact that you can peruse your order history & track shipping from their site, which afaik isn't possible with milehigh.

probably i'll be using both of those even more, unless i somehow gain a measure of self-control like my hero cei-u, because the lcs nearest my house just moved to a new location about a mile farther down the highway that's only 750 or so square feet, some 1,250 square feet less (roughly the size of my old house in north little rock!) than his previous spot. that means about, i dunno, 20 shortboxes will be out of the floor for searching through, with the other 250 or so consigned to the warehouse. *choke*

[Hintermann]

I did not know about My Comic Shop, but went to their website and checked it out after seeing all the recommendations. It seems awesome. I have bookmarked the page and will browe it at leisure :) :) .

[DarthAstuart]

i try to buy old stuff very cheap in person...have had some success, although I was very disappointed with Golden Apple here in LA. I heard their 25 cent and dollar boxes were amazing, but to me, they were just pretty good.

otherwise, it's all about the ebay. i've made good use of their favorite searches function to create searches that give me auctions with certain keywords, set between .01 and 9.99, ending in 24 hours or less. that about fits my budget for any one given purchase and allows me the thrill of trying to score deals with that last-second bid. if it doesn't work out, oh well, just try again next time or find the books at a show/shop for cheap.

one thing I've learned in this go-round at comic collecting is that it can pay to be patient!

[LordEd1976]

Guess I'm in the minority because I still go to an actual shop for my comics. The guys that run are pretty good when it comes to holding books. the only problems I've had are with the Rann-Thanagar War Special and the Day of Vengeance Special. Their back issues bins and discount bins are great places to find some hidden treasures. Alot of 80s and 90s stuff but a nice helping 70s comics at decent prices.

I use Mile High to track down old issues of Who's Who and the Marvel Handbook. thanks to them I completed my collection of the first runs of both.

[scratchie]

has mile high raised its minimum? i'm pretty sure it was $40 the last time i used 'em, a couple of weeks agoI think you're correct.

[Reptisaurus!]

Guess I'm in the minority because I still go to an actual shop for my comics.

I do too... as much as possible. I'm fine with paying an extra five bucks on a trade to spend money in the local community.

I buy all my new comics through a shop, and check all the local back issue dealers for my wants before heading to E-bay.

On the other hand some 'o the stuff I'm trying to buy is fairly obscure, and my local dealers aren't always going to have full runs of early sixties Charlton comics in stock. So THEN E-bay, or Mycomicshop.com.

[Cei-U!]

you, sir, are now my hero. unless that was a typo for $400, in which case we're pretty much in the same ballpark ... unfortunately.

No typo. It's $40. Don't make me out all virtuous, though. With a monthly income of <$1200 and bills averaging $1000, that's really all I can afford.

Cei-U!
Thrifty by necessity!

[dan bailey]

if i were to pay estimated tax withholdings like i'm supposed to (said the cbr member whose most recent ex-wife works for the irs), that's about how much i'd be bringing home, alas.

you mean ... you mean ... you actually pay your bills? i vaguely remember when i used to do that.

[Rob Allen]

If you're even thinking about ordering from Mile High someday, sign up for their e-mail newsletter. That's where they give the codewords for their special sales. The current codeword gives you a 30% discount.

[DDM]

Mile High Comics & my local comic book specialty shop

[Josh S]

So far I've been strictly Bedrock City Comics here in Houston, but after I get all the back issues they have of Simonson's THOR run I plan to finish out the run via Mile High Comics.

[Chris CCL]

I've been using Discount Comic Book Service for many months now and I couldn't be happier. In fact it was on these same CBR.com Boards that someone said I should try DCBS out. Thanks to whomever that was.
I even delved into it's sister site In-Stock Trades.
Then November of last year I was contacted by the owners to see if they could sponsor my podcast. I have to say, it was a true honor to form a lasting partnership.
If you haven't tried them out, give DCBS a shot.

Chris CCL

[Metamorpho]

Just a quick note of clarification. If I HAD a LCS I'd definitely patronize them but seeing as the nearest one is about 40 miles away and gas being around 3 bucks a gallon......
Anyway there used to be 3 comic shops in my town and I used to give all of them some of my business because I'd much rather support them and get my new comics on Wednesdays but alas "..and then there were none"

[Connor28]

Does anybody know of good back issue sites based in the uk? They would be helpful for when Im looking for a few specific issues and can't make the $100 mark for free shipping in Mile High or Lonestar.

Thanks

[TheHistorian]

otherwise, i use mycomicshop most of the time -- about 3 times as much as i use mile high, purely because of the former's usually cheaper prices.

For me it's that mycomicshop's customer service is excellent, while mile high's is so incredibly not.

[scratchie]

It's worth noting that mycomicshop's packaging is (IMO) better than Mile High's as well. Mile High will stick boarded comics in the same package with boarded comics and then tape it all up; I've had a situation where I pulled out a comic that I thought had a board with it and it folded over in my hand as it left the stack. Not a big deal as it was a $2.00 issue from the 80s but still, given the obsessive/compulsive tendencies of some comic fans, they should be a little more careful.

Lone Star (mycomicshop) always does a great packaging job with bagged/boarded books and non-bagged/non-boarded books each wrapped in a separate sub-package with plenty of cardboard.

Their weekly sales are much more comprehensible as well.

[Josh S]

I finally ordered from MyComicShop. Thing is, I never saw anywhere to put in the promotional code. Ah well. It was a small order anyway.

[dan bailey]

actually, one thing i *do* give mile high over lone star is that, iirc, mile high bags every comic they send, period, whereas with lone star -- at least with my orders, which i doubt ever contain a single ish costing as much as $5 -- the only things that arrive bagged are comics from the silver & maybe the broze age. they'll bag & board 'em for a bit extra, of course, but i'm too cheap/poor (as i've said before & will say again, if you're gonna be one, you might as well be the other) to go that route.

[Lone Ranger]

1) Ebay
2) LCS - usually Paradise Comics, but downtown stores for convenience
3) Used bookstores - for discounted TPBs and other hidden gems
4) Online services like Doug Sulipa or Lone Star