Keston, thanks for pointing out these overpriced comics. Those specific examples are definitely not worth what those sellers are asking. For that amount of money, you can own far more historic and rare comics.
Hi, Robert. Yeah, that's my take on it too. As many viewers have pointed out, just because something is rare doesn't mean it is valuable...but I do love a rare book that has significance :-)
Great video, Keston! A few months ago, a FF #110 green printing error sold for $5400 and I thought to myself 'you could get a FF #1 0.5-1.0 for that.' But I suppose if someone's spending that much on a variant or error, that person probably already has the real mccoy. Either way, it's fun to think about what you could have instead of something else - kinda like an opportunity cost analysis
Hi Derek! Good point. Definitely. Yeah, some folks love the printing errors. That’s cool. To each their own. You know me, I like rare from the mainstream comics that were lost by attrition :-)
Hi Wahoo. I hear ya. That's what my thought was. I think a few posts, which aren't criminally inaccurate, could lure someone in thinking they are getting a similarly-named mega-key.
I love looking at bizarre overpriced comics and wondering about the seller’s motivation. I tend to ascribe these things to one of five factors… 1. It’s a joke - The seller decided it’d be funny to have the highest-priced copy of such-and-such on the market; 2. The seller’s completely ignorant and hopes someone else is, too - hey, if they wait long enough, maybe someone’ll pay this insane figure they arbitrarily threw up there. 3. The seller’s out of step with reality and honestly believes that their personal assessment of the comic’s value is legit. (There used to be a shop like this in my town.) 4. The seller’s drunk and posting without thinking. 5. It’s part of a money-laundering scheme. I can see the appeal on the front end of things, but it seems like there’s some chance the IRS would catch up to the seller, querying if the seller paid appropriate taxes on the sale, and perhaps questioning the fair market value of the item that was sold.
Hi, Tom! Excellent points. Those are good hypotheses. Number 5 is interesting. I tend to think most such listings aren't that nefarious. Good point you made...yeah, having prices too high would likely bring greater attention to the laundering scheme, which any smart criminal would try to avoid.
1) If you list a book and someone ebay messages you and wants to buy the book offline, and you agree, then take the book off of eBay, eBay will research why you took that book down, then they can read messages and see you made an offline deal, so combat that, you price the book so high, so one will pay it and your account stays in good standing (Info confirmed by eBay rep + experianced this) 2) Fishing for the highest offer 3) List major keys to bring traffic to your other listings, people will check out to see what else you have
Hi, DJ. Yeah, that's definitely an issue with books that have few sales. You get a couple high sales then "all the sudden" the book is worth more. I always try to use a little common sense in addition to looking up the sales figures. I don't buy if I can't understand why a book has become expensive.
Hi rocket. Excellent question. I would assume it is Stan Lee but don’t know how to verify that. He was such a regular at cons and was generous when it came to providing autographs.
Keston, thanks for pointing out these overpriced comics. Those specific examples are definitely not worth what those sellers are asking. For that amount of money, you can own far more historic and rare comics.
Hi, Robert. Yeah, that's my take on it too. As many viewers have pointed out, just because something is rare doesn't mean it is valuable...but I do love a rare book that has significance :-)
Great video, Keston! A few months ago, a FF #110 green printing error sold for $5400 and I thought to myself 'you could get a FF #1 0.5-1.0 for that.' But I suppose if someone's spending that much on a variant or error, that person probably already has the real mccoy. Either way, it's fun to think about what you could have instead of something else - kinda like an opportunity cost analysis
Hi Derek! Good point. Definitely. Yeah, some folks love the printing errors. That’s cool. To each their own. You know me, I like rare from the mainstream comics that were lost by attrition :-)
Cgc should have labeled it "X-men Vol.2, #1"!
Good point. I think that would have been a good call.
That X-Men 1 is crazy. I guess the seller is hoping some poor fool thinks that it's the original X-Men 1.
Hi Wahoo. I hear ya. That's what my thought was. I think a few posts, which aren't criminally inaccurate, could lure someone in thinking they are getting a similarly-named mega-key.
Some sellers (like these) just put up absurdly high prices hoping they'll fool someone who has little knowledge about comics.
Thanks, Doc. I agree. Either a noon trap to make money or attention.
As always enjoy your videos. I did go back to the recommend at the end . Can you do an update of the books that got aways....
Hi, Jesse! I have gotten a few requests for another video. I’ll go through my buying archives and see what I can come your way with!
I love looking at bizarre overpriced comics and wondering about the seller’s motivation. I tend to ascribe these things to one of five factors…
1. It’s a joke - The seller decided it’d be funny to have the highest-priced copy of such-and-such on the market;
2. The seller’s completely ignorant and hopes someone else is, too - hey, if they wait long enough, maybe someone’ll pay this insane figure they arbitrarily threw up there.
3. The seller’s out of step with reality and honestly believes that their personal assessment of the comic’s value is legit. (There used to be a shop like this in my town.)
4. The seller’s drunk and posting without thinking.
5. It’s part of a money-laundering scheme. I can see the appeal on the front end of things, but it seems like there’s some chance the IRS would catch up to the seller, querying if the seller paid appropriate taxes on the sale, and perhaps questioning the fair market value of the item that was sold.
Hi, Tom! Excellent points. Those are good hypotheses. Number 5 is interesting. I tend to think most such listings aren't that nefarious. Good point you made...yeah, having prices too high would likely bring greater attention to the laundering scheme, which any smart criminal would try to avoid.
I know the X-Men listing mentioned here, seller had it on Mercari too 😂 I called them out on that BS!
Hi J…yeah the listing a tad on the ridiculous side.
Very fun video!!!
Thank you, Alex. I say that Sho-gun Warriors 1, no grade provided, for five figures. That's when I knew I had to make the video :-)
The comic book-hunting caveman had me chuckling way too much. : )
Glad you, enjoyed the caveman, Waz!
Some of the best videography in comics here. And analysis 🧐
Always appreciate the kind words, MB!
1) If you list a book and someone ebay messages you and wants to buy the book offline, and you agree, then take the book off of eBay, eBay will research why you took that book down, then they can read messages and see you made an offline deal, so combat that, you price the book so high, so one will pay it and your account stays in good standing (Info confirmed by eBay rep + experianced this)
2) Fishing for the highest offer
3) List major keys to bring traffic to your other listings, people will check out to see what else you have
Hi, Bruce. Number 1 is really interesting. Hadn't thought about that.
Yep, these type of sellers aways think there are buyers out there dumber than them.
Haha. Good point VV. I do feel bad for beginners. Sifting through similar-looking or similar-sounding books can be tricky/overwhelming.
Well ...the more someone pays, the higher the books's value goes up.
Hi, DJ. Yeah, that's definitely an issue with books that have few sales. You get a couple high sales then "all the sudden" the book is worth more. I always try to use a little common sense in addition to looking up the sales figures. I don't buy if I can't understand why a book has become expensive.
Speaking of Stan Lee signatures, do you know if he signed the most comic books? Also who's 2nd and 3rd?
Hi rocket. Excellent question. I would assume it is Stan Lee but don’t know how to verify that. He was such a regular at cons and was generous when it came to providing autographs.
@@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842 Any guess who might be after him?
Offer Up is worse😂
Every once in a while, one of these extreme priced books sells. Money laundering or ignorance?
Hi, Shane. Yeah, exactly. Weird, stupid, or nefarious. It’s got to be one of them.