How do you keep track of your collection?

[abysslord]

http://comicbookrealm.com/ and an excel sheet.

[SpeakerDad]

I used Comicbase for quite a few years. It's really great if you are into new comics and want pricing info (both are updated automatically with yearly subscription)...has a great database of old comics as well. Big program, expensive and not easy to synch portable devices.

I changed to Collectorz.com's CLZ Comics program about a year ago and love it. No pricing or new comics updates but it has a great database and a built in synch feature that allows me to keep the database current between multiple devices. I love being able to carry my entire collection on my ipad. Highly recommend it.

[Rob Allen]

I still have the paper-and-pen notebook that I started in about 1973, but last year Cei-U! graciously transferred the data to a Word document.

FYI, the folks at the GCD have plans for a new track-your-collection application. Some programming is underway, I think. It's likely to be called 'my.comics.org'.

[Ish Kabbible]

I'm a real old-school collector owning a literal ton of comics. Back in 1978 I purchased some packages of Collector's Index Cards. Each card could handle 100 issues of a title, back of the cards for any notes. Still use them to this day,photostating blank cards so not to run out.I just never wanted to spend all that time transposing info to Excel spreadsheets or other programs. And I would never trust any cloud-based operation after what happened to DVDSpot and my movie collection

[The Valeyard]

Back in the late 90s, I created a template in FileMaker that I use to catalog everything. I update every time I buy something new.

[dupersuper]

I'm a real old-school collector owning a literal ton of comics.

You weighed your comics?

[hondobrode]

Well, one time I was figuring the weight per long box for a shipping estimate from Los Angeles to Oklahoma City, and came up with an estimated 70-75#/box.

If that's true, then 27 boxes would equal a ton, in which case I would have a ton too.

[The Black Guardian]

With fairly consistent results
- short boxes (full): 26-27 lbs.
- long boxes (full): 42-50 lbs.

The new drawer boxes probably weigh a bit extra.

Anyway... I keep my comics on a leash, these days. That's my only method of keeping track. I stopped inventorying years ago.

[Ish Kabbible]

With fairly consistent results
- short boxes (full): 26-27 lbs.
- long boxes (full): 42-50 lbs.

The new drawer boxes probably weigh a bit extra.

Anyway... I keep my comics on a leash, these days. That's my only method of keeping track. I stopped inventorying years ago.

Paper stock makes a big difference on the weight of long boxes. With 1980s and earlier comics, long boxes are a manageable 50 lbs. With more current books, I dread lifting them. Plus the fact I store Graphic Novels in them as well. And yes, I do have several tons of books. My landlord was once worried about the weight of my collection. That along with the space they took had me move the bulk of my collection into storage

[Jezebel Bond]

Hmmm, if I catalogue maybe 20-25 books daily on my Comics Pro package...I should be finished in about 6 months or so...

[Christopher Cross Is God]

I have a Word document that, in one incarnation or another, I've been maintaining since 1986, which in turn is based on a handwritten tally begun in the summer of '75. Yes, I'm a dinosaur but a dinosaur with a complete and accurate inventory of his collection. At this point, shifting it all to Excel or some other online database app would be more trouble than it's worth.

Cei-U!
I summon the Old School!

I go basic by using a Word document, also. I have everything alphabetized, but separated by companies (DC, Marvel, Valiant/Dark Key, "Other"), which correlates with how I store my comics in boxes. Then I have a "want list" at the very bottom.

If you have a large collection, IMO it's essential to have a list compiled so you don't buy doubles of what you already have. Even while having a list compiled, on very rare occasions I make that mistake. I can't imagine how often it would occur if I didn't have a list put together.

[mrc1214]

[QUOTE=Christopher Cross Is God;16464523

If you have a large collection, IMO it's essential to have a list compiled so you don't buy doubles of what you already have. Even while having a list compiled, on very rare occasions I make that mistake. I can't imagine how often it would occur if I didn't have a list put together.[/QUOTE]


It happens all the time to me. I have a lot of multiples because I didn't keep a list. I have to figure out how to use Excel, I have no clue at all how to.

[Christopher Cross Is God]

It happens all the time to me. I have a lot of multiples because I didn't keep a list. I have to figure out how to use Excel, I have no clue at all how to.

Just use Word like I and a couple others do.

For example, I'll have all my titles listed on their own lines:

Batman Incorporated #1-8
Batman, Incorporated (vol 2) #1-6

And when I acquire issue #7 for vol 2, I'll simply change the 6 to a 7.

You can do funky tricks with Excel, but I started out using Word because I didn't like the aesthetic look of Excel, and I never bothered changing when Excel became more advanced.

[TheHistorian]

I maintain a want list and to be read list. Those are accurate. I don't have a list of what I own and have already read. I really need to get a spreadsheet going. Gah!