Needing some advice on selling my comic collection

[Teh Bonz]

Hi all.

I'm not too sure how to go about this. Essentially, I'm looking for some advice on how to sell my comic book collection (US comics only).

I'm nervous about selling something that is so close to my heart. I've been reading comic books since I was 5 years old. Almost 40 years later, I've built up an extensive collection (only modern age, sadly), but we're running out of space and we could also use some spare cash. It seems a shame to leave my collection to rot in the loft, so I thought I'd put feelers out. I'm wary of online auction sites, so if anyone has any advice on how else to go about selling my stuff (the complete collection, not just individual titles), that would be greatly appreciated.

Apologies if I've posted this in the wrong section - I'm a newbie here.

Cheers.
Bonz

[Jeff Brady]

Okay, first off, your collection isn't worth much. A few rarities aside, somewhere around 50% off cover price. Most modern age stuff is still relatively easy to find.

Second, only big convention dealers or Mile High Comics are willing to purchase entire collections.

Your best bet is to break up your collection into lots (like a full run of JLA vol 4 or whatever) and sell them on ebay.

Don't be afraid of ebay. It's really not that bad.

[Teh Bonz]

I had a feeling they wouldn't be worth too much, which is fine - I collected second, enjoyed reading them first. ;)

I do have a few goodies that could sell individually I guess - a signed Bendis print, signed Batman sketch by Joe Orlando, that sort of thing. A pity to break it all up, but needs must and all that.

Thanks for that info, very useful indeed.

[tony ingram]

This really isn't a good time to be trying to sell. There are currently more people trying to sell collections than there are trying to buy them, in my experience, and I've been dealing in comics since about 2005. This has been the worst year so far, for me. I'm having to turn down stuff I'd have bought for a third of guide price two years ago because I know I won't be able to resell it. My advice would be to wait for the market to pick up a bit-which means waiting till the economy picks up a bit.

[Eric Chang]

You'll be able to get a lot more money not selling everything together. Break them up into titles/runs and throw em on eBay. Might be a hassle but yeah.

[Teh Bonz]

Thanks all, good advice and much appreciated. ;)

[dupont2005]

If you want to sell the entire collection without breaking it up, the most you will get is about $50 per longbox on Craigslist. It could take a year before someone is willing to take them off your hands at that price.