Harbinger #1 CGC 9.8s on eBay (past and current auctions)

[IMJ]

There was a Harby #1 CGC 9.8 on the bay by seller Comic-Sutra (who I thinnnnkkk might post on these boards). He had an opening bid of $499.95 on his book that just ended in this listing. I offered him $399.99 (that's 400 bucks there people) for it and he turned it down, citing that's lower than other recent Harby sales.

I understand that. But I'm sorry but that's not always the way the market works, although we'd like to bring that kind of fundamental order to things.

In any event, he turned down my offer. And his listing ended without any bids.

Yes, that's ZWH. He is known for his great collection of high-grade books, but can be a bit stubborn on some prices. Not that I'm saying I disagree with him on rejecting $400 for this book, but some of his other books (Maxx Black#3) have been re-listed so many times because I don't think he's a flexible as he could be.

I didn't realize that was him. LOL! I've got a newer ebay account for discreet buying, so he probably didn't know that it was me pursuing the book either. Wild.

Like I told someone else about this, he could've had 400 bucks for the comic book, but he must really need that extra hundo, which shouldn't have broken a sale like this.

[greg]

There was a Harby #1 CGC 9.8 on the bay by seller Comic-Sutra (who I thinnnnkkk might post on these boards). He had an opening bid of $499.95 on his book that just ended in this listing. I offered him $399.99 (that's 400 bucks there people) for it and he turned it down, citing that's lower than other recent Harby sales.

I understand that. But I'm sorry but that's not always the way the market works, although we'd like to bring that kind of fundamental order to things.

In any event, he turned down my offer. And his listing ended without any bids.

Yes, that's ZWH. He is known for his great collection of high-grade books, but can be a bit stubborn on some prices. Not that I'm saying I disagree with him on rejecting $400 for this book, but some of his other books (Maxx Black#3) have been re-listed so many times because I don't think he's a flexible as he could be.

Seller flexibility is calculated directly from "need to sell".

If the need to sell is low, flexibility required is basically zero.

[IMJ]

Seller flexibility is calculated directly from "need to sell".

If the need to sell is low, flexibility required is basically zero.

Hence it's better every time to sell to a market and not based on seller need it seems, where you'd be bottlenecked. At least then you could also have the flexibility to meet the market price most of the time.

Jubei said it best in Ninja Scroll....

[GGSAE]

Of course, but when you've relisted an item 10 or 20 times, with no hint of a chance of a sale, and with it currently being priced far removed from all previous sales, what's the point?

[bosco685]

Of course, but when you've relisted an item 10 or 20 times, with no hint of a chance of a sale, and with it currently being priced far removed from all previous sales, what's the point?

[carter3175]

There was a Harby #1 CGC 9.8 on the bay by seller Comic-Sutra (who I thinnnnkkk might post on these boards). He had an opening bid of $499.95 on his book that just ended in this listing. I offered him $399.99 (that's 400 bucks there people) for it and he turned it down, citing that's lower than other recent Harby sales.

I understand that. But I'm sorry but that's not always the way the market works, although we'd like to bring that kind of fundamental order to things.

In any event, he turned down my offer. And his listing ended without any bids.

I made an offer to him as well when he had it listed a while ago..He might as well have told me to kick rocks!

[Carson]

Sounds like he's not a real motivated seller. WHy would he say "feel free to make an offer" and then not accept a $400 offer on a $500 book? That's only 20% off. If I were him I'd have at least offered 10% off going straight through PayPal as goods. Buyer would still be protected and get the book for $450, the seller gets $450 - 4% in Paypal fees.

[lobo]

Comicsutra is NOT a motivated seller where he HAS to move product. He will stick to his prices for as long as he feels like it. He does get bites on some of those prices so if he keeps it up someone will bite on his auctions soon enough and he knows it. For the record, I can't stand his online persona where ever I may encounter him on the internet and I wouldn't buy the cure for cancer from him if he was selling it. Otherwise I would have gobbled up some of his Harbinger #1s long ago.

[ckb]

Of course, but when you've relisted an item 10 or 20 times, with no hint of a chance of a sale, and with it currently being priced far removed from all previous sales, what's the point?

That certainly makes sense... but I've found the patient seller can get his price on eBay.

I've had an ASM 374 CGC 9.8 up on ebay for months and have fielded dozens of emails on it. All of them wanting $5 off, free shipping, cheap international shipping, free stuff, you name it, I was asked for it. A rule I go by is the more I hear about an item I have listed the less I will negotiate on it. Someone finally bought it over the weekend. I have similar stories for items I had listed for over a year.

Asking $500 for a $400 item, not negotiating much, and paying the $0.20/month to keep relisting it has a point - as a seller you are saying it's worth more than the current going rate. It's waiting for the price to come to you. But I think the main point is to have a high profile item for sale to drive traffic to your store. A buyer may see it and think it's overpriced, but they are likely to see what else you have.

[GGSAE]

Of course, but when you've relisted an item 10 or 20 times, with no hint of a chance of a sale, and with it currently being priced far removed from all previous sales, what's the point?

That certainly makes sense... but I've found the patient seller can get his price on eBay.

I've had an ASM 374 CGC 9.8 up on ebay for months and have fielded dozens of emails on it. All of them wanting $5 off, free shipping, cheap international shipping, free stuff, you name it, I was asked for it. A rule I go by is the more I hear about an item I have listed the less I will negotiate on it. Someone finally bought it over the weekend. I have similar stories for items I had listed for over a year.

Asking $500 for a $400 item, not negotiating much, and paying the $0.20/month to keep relisting it has a point - as a seller you are saying it's worth more than the current going rate. It's waiting for the price to come to you. But I think the main point is to have a high profile item for sale to drive traffic to your store. A buyer may see it and think it's overpriced, but they are likely to see what else you have.

Yes, and I think he's mentioned that to me in so many words, advertising. His Maxx Black#3 hasn't received any public offers (not sure what he's been offered off ebay), and given it's rarity he could probably ask whatever he wants for it, but at what point do you bend on price? And I'm not saying he should drop his ask by half, but maybe come down a little in price to see if anyone presents an offer. Buyers think that a seller who isn't flexible isn't really interested in selling, and hence won't bother at all. Of course, I really wishes he does sell that book at his price, probably more than anyone else except RMA himself - I just don't know when that's gonna happen.

[maraxusofkeld]

If someone wants to buy any of his books, PM him on the CGC boards, he is usually willing to at least discount ebay fees from his total asking price. Worth a shot.

[drmirage]

Off Topic:

Does anyone regret their purchase of this book? Looking back in June of 2009, Univeral Blue Label were selling about $1000 each. At the end of 2009, the books were selling as low as $387. Now in 2012, they are selling between $431-$500 with most $500 BIN / OBO not selling.

Six months ago, I made a local pickup offer for $430 cash for a $500 BIN/OBO listing on eBay which was rejected. I was counter offered with $460, but I declined that offer.

Probably most who own this book at CGC 9.8 have no intention in reselling them, but I was just curious if anyone has regreted their purchase since there's been more unsold copies of this book more than sold copies this year and the last sold price is $431.

There is a total of 93 graded copies now in CGC 9.8 for VH1 Harbinger #1 with 48,000 copies in circulation. (High CGC Count according to Greg's Guide)

[drmirage]

I totally agree with you from re-reading what you said from 2009!

Once this book gets within a reasonable price range I'll try and pick one up for my collection.

Even if a movie is released the hype won't last long and I can't image this book ever getting back to the $1000.00 plus levels.

If people are buying this book on the notion that they're going to make a huge profit I believe they're mistaken. The only people benefiting are the sellers that have access to raw books and are able to find a market willing enough to pay massive premiums for that 9.8 sticker.

I'm confident that more, and more, 9.8's will come out of the wood work and the price will continue to drop, and eventually stabilize, once it's apparent that this book in 9.8 condition really isn't all that scare. This has already occurred with most 9.8 valiant’s.

I think it would be fair to say that VF board members dominate the market and I'm guessing have already satisfied/completed a good portion of their collection(s).

I'm sure that recent sellers are more than thrilled to have someone try and "buy-out" the market and keep the prices up. This will only encourage dealers to happily submit additional books and hope that this collector is still willing to win auctions.

With all the financial difficulties that many of us are feeling right now I’m sure most people have better use for their money then high priced modern books. Plus, like everything else, people where probably buying their collectables with credit and it was only a matter of time until all markets have been effected by the “credit crunch”.

I've already noticed a serious depreciation in all kinds of comics. Some, less dramatic than others.

[bosco685]

Does anyone regret their purchase of this book?

Nope.

[carter3175]

Well, he got his $499..its sold.

[FormerReader]

Well, he got his $499..its sold.

[IMJ]

Well, he got his $499..its sold.

Nice!
I wonder who that idiot -errr- buyer was?

But seriously, it's cool that Zeph got his price - he really held out for that hundred bucks!

[maraxusofkeld]

Off Topic:

Does anyone regret their purchase of this book? Looking back in June of 2009, Univeral Blue Label were selling about $1000 each. At the end of 2009, the books were selling as low as $387. Now in 2012, they are selling between $431-$500 with most $500 BIN / OBO not selling.

Six months ago, I made a local pickup offer for $430 cash for a $500 BIN/OBO listing on eBay which was rejected. I was counter offered with $460, but I declined that offer.

Probably most who own this book at CGC 9.8 have no intention in reselling them, but I was just curious if anyone has regreted their purchase since there's been more unsold copies of this book more than sold copies this year and the last sold price is $431.

There is a total of 93 graded copies now in CGC 9.8 for VH1 Harbinger #1 with 48,000 copies in circulation. (High CGC Count according to Greg's Guide)

I do not regret buying mine at all, actually a fellow board member helped me out, worldsbestcomics! Great books, I'd put it up there with my GS X-men or Hulk 181 in terms of cool books to own.

[IMJ]

I'd put it up there with my GS X-men or Hulk 181 in terms of cool books to own.

What grades do you have those in?

[bosco685]

I'd put it up there with my GS X-men or Hulk 181 in terms of cool books to own.

What grades do you have those in?

9.4s.

[greg]

CGC 9.8 Harbinger #1 listed on Ebay with no reserve: http://www.ebay.com/itm/200855127547" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(lots of slabbed new Valiant books as well, same seller)

[TheVisitor]

CGC 9.8 Harbinger #1 listed on Ebay with no reserve: http://www.ebay.com/itm/200855127547" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(lots of slabbed new Valiant books as well, same seller)

[BloodShot]

CGC 9.8 Harbinger #1 listed on Ebay with no reserve: http://www.ebay.com/itm/200855127547" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(lots of slabbed new Valiant books as well, same seller)

No worries, Phil; I'm now bidding on that slab, too !

[iggy101us]

CGC 9.8 Harbinger #1 listed on Ebay with no reserve: http://www.ebay.com/itm/200855127547" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(lots of slabbed new Valiant books as well, same seller)

Thanks. Added link to 1st post.

Also 1 more 9.8 added to population.

[Chris Campbell]

CGC 9.8 Harbinger #1 listed on Ebay with no reserve: http://www.ebay.com/itm/200855127547" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(lots of slabbed new Valiant books as well, same seller)

Bidding on that one! Looking for my first.