Always happy to see a new Keston video. Excellent tips for beginners. I'd add having a friend who also wants to collect and then seeking out ways to buy in person can really help new collectors. There's nothing like taking a short road trip with a pal to hunt for comics even if you don't end up buying anything.
Nice concise information. Remember folks collect what you like even if a book is deemed worthless. Half of my collection is old 80's stuff that never really took off but is stuff that I loved as a kid.
Thanks, Slappy! Yeah, I hear ya. I created a video a few months on the topic of buying what makes you happy. If ya got a few minutes, check it out and let me know what you think. ua-cam.com/video/OGO2Vno_qqI/v-deo.html.
Shane! Thanks brother. I've had a couple people make this request for a new Top 25 video. I've got a really big book coming into my collection in a few weeks. When that comes in, I'll be justified in making a new Top 25 video :-)
I like your info. Good tips. I do believe that there are some excellent vendors out there, so once ppl are comfortable with these tips they can expand their vendor choices.
Hey Keston ! Great info & a neat way to present it. But I must say, I relish the Danger Zone, Purple is my favorite color & I'm not good at listening ! Ha ! Oh yeah, I dont own a single comic book, I watch just to hang out with my buddy K. Talk to ya later
Hi, DumDumDugan! Good question. That's a recommendation for beginners because signatures add another layer of complexity to pricing. In other words, what premium should someone add to the price of a comic for a signature is complex depending on whose signature(s), the condition of the comic, and so forth. Like pedigrees or restored books, I think signed books can be a fulfilling part of the hobby. I encourage folks to pursue them once they have a command of the fundamentals.
Tip for beginner: only buy what you enjoy reading, do your research, don’t get into spec books, only buy from reputable online stores with return (on line purchases), stay very far from Heritage/ Comic link auctions!, be prepared to lose money initially, don’t get caught up in hype from UA-camrs.
Hi, Murray. I agree with all your tips except for staying away from Heritage and Comiclink. I've bought and consigned many, many times with each. My personal experience has been excellent with both. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Hi Bruce Wayne! Thanks for the comment. In a few weeks, I'll be talking about advanced skills. Page quality will be emphasized more. Personally, I'm ok with cream to ow for gold and silver, but I know and respect a lot folks who play a tight page-quality game :-)
@@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842 Yes, My AF 15 has OW pages, but that book with no chipping, perfect wrap and ow/w+ is very hard to come across. My Detective 40 has Brittle Pages, but hey, it's a Det. 40 ! I usually try and steer away from low quality PQ but some books you just have to live with it.
Hi Bruce Wanye...so true. I've got a book I'm eying that has slightly brittle pages, which ordinarily would bug me. But this book ain't no silver-age key :-)
CGC is a scam unless you're positive it's a 9.0 or above because of their grading system. Their .5 and .2 grading system makes everything under 9 much less valuable than they should be. I sent in a ASM #252, there are no ticks and a tiny cover blemish, it was sent back to me as an 8.5. I've brought it to dealers and asked them if they think it should be an 8.5 an all said no it was higher, some saying it should be a 9. The .5 system makes comics like this much less valuable, whereas if it were graded with the .2 system it would be an 8.8 and I could get a more reasonable price. I won't send comics to them again until they stop the two-tiered grading system and with the scandals surrounding them, maybe never again.
@@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842 It has the names of the story, art and cover people. First Appearance of the black costume. White Pages. I've thought about cracking this one open and resubmitting, but not worth it to me.
There are additional grading notes too. If you enter in your CGC certification # here, that may give you insight regarding what defects CGC took off for. It's free. www.cgccomics.com/certlookup/
@@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842 I got a coupon out of a Wizard magazine when CGC first started and sent them ASM #252, #100 and hero-for-hire #2 all for the price of one. Thanks, I'll look them up.
Thanks for the comment Patriot CSA. In my humble opinion, I think many common and not-so-valuable books were slabbed in the hopes the owner could flip them for a fortune. On the other hand, I won't pay more than $1,000 for a raw book. The risk of restoration or undisclosed problems is just too high for my taste.
Always happy to see a new Keston video. Excellent tips for beginners. I'd add having a friend who also wants to collect and then seeking out ways to buy in person can really help new collectors. There's nothing like taking a short road trip with a pal to hunt for comics even if you don't end up buying anything.
Hi, Waz. What a great piece of advice!
Your videos are getting better and better! Very clear, informative, and interesting. Thanks Keston!
Madge! Great to hear from you my friend. I hope to see you soon. And, I hope the Avengers 1 finally comes your way ...which it will!
Great video and helpful for newer collectors. Good job and keep bringing more videos out like this!
Thanks for the kind words, CT!
Nice concise information. Remember folks collect what you like even if a book is deemed worthless. Half of my collection is old 80's stuff that never really took off but is stuff that I loved as a kid.
Thanks, Slappy! Yeah, I hear ya. I created a video a few months on the topic of buying what makes you happy. If ya got a few minutes, check it out and let me know what you think. ua-cam.com/video/OGO2Vno_qqI/v-deo.html.
Thanks Keston! Always bringing good info and strategies to keep in mind
Appreciate it, Dan! Always good to hear from you.
Love these. Love when I see it in my timeline!! Keep it coming Keston.
Thanks, MB. I'm hoping to have the sibling video out later this month: How to go from an Intermediate to advanced collector :-)
Always brings it well produced and concise
Great video and content. As always very informative.
Much appreciated it, Roy!
Great video Keston. Super random request... We need an updated Keston's Top 25 comics. I'd love to see more of your PC.
Shane! Thanks brother. I've had a couple people make this request for a new Top 25 video. I've got a really big book coming into my collection in a few weeks. When that comes in, I'll be justified in making a new Top 25 video :-)
@@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842 Looking forward to it
I like your info. Good tips. I do believe that there are some excellent vendors out there, so once ppl are comfortable with these tips they can expand their vendor choices.
Thanks, Barry. I’ll have another video coming out in late July or early August on advanced tips! Will definitely make that point!
Another great video. Really got to do your research to get what you want.
Thanks, Don't Sleep! Definitely got to prepare on the front end of a purchase :-)
Really enjoy your videos. Thanks for posting!
Appreciate the kind words, brother!
Good stuff! This will help a lot of people 😊
Thanks for the kind words, my friend!
Great video!
Thank ya, VV!
Hey Keston ! Great info & a neat way to present it. But I must say, I relish the Danger Zone, Purple is my favorite color & I'm not good at listening ! Ha ! Oh yeah, I dont own a single comic book, I watch just to hang out with my buddy K.
Talk to ya later
Ah, Tom. You are too kind. Hey, some people thrive in the danger zone :-)
Just curious why you recommend not buying a yellow label cgc signature book?
Hi, DumDumDugan! Good question. That's a recommendation for beginners because signatures add another layer of complexity to pricing. In other words, what premium should someone add to the price of a comic for a signature is complex depending on whose signature(s), the condition of the comic, and so forth. Like pedigrees or restored books, I think signed books can be a fulfilling part of the hobby. I encourage folks to pursue them once they have a command of the fundamentals.
You should move step 8 up to 1. ☺
Haha. Thanks, PBales. Doing my best to provide some value before asking for the sub :-)
Tip for beginner: only buy what you enjoy reading, do your research, don’t get into spec books, only buy from reputable online stores with return (on line purchases), stay very far from Heritage/ Comic link auctions!, be prepared to lose money initially, don’t get caught up in hype from UA-camrs.
Hi, Murray. I agree with all your tips except for staying away from Heritage and Comiclink. I've bought and consigned many, many times with each. My personal experience has been excellent with both. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
@@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842don’t get caught up with UA-camrs except for Keston 😂
Thanks, MB haha
Happy 4th of July
Thank you, Dan!
Step #9 Don't buy silver age comics with less than off-white to white page quality :)
Hi Bruce Wayne! Thanks for the comment. In a few weeks, I'll be talking about advanced skills. Page quality will be emphasized more. Personally, I'm ok with cream to ow for gold and silver, but I know and respect a lot folks who play a tight page-quality game :-)
@@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842 Yes, My AF 15 has OW pages, but that book with no chipping, perfect wrap and ow/w+ is very hard to come across. My Detective 40 has Brittle Pages, but hey, it's a Det. 40 ! I usually try and steer away from low quality PQ but some books you just have to live with it.
Yes, please don't buy them. Leave them for me. 🤣
@@CosmicTrekker haha!
Hi Bruce Wanye...so true. I've got a book I'm eying that has slightly brittle pages, which ordinarily would bug me. But this book ain't no silver-age key :-)
Yeah good info….but I’m not that type of collector. I buy what I like…..not worth or speculation.
Thanks, Timothy for the comment. I made a video on just this topic. Let me know what you think! ua-cam.com/video/OGO2Vno_qqI/v-deo.html
CGC is a scam unless you're positive it's a 9.0 or above because of their grading system. Their .5 and .2 grading system makes everything under 9 much less valuable than they should be. I sent in a ASM #252, there are no ticks and a tiny cover blemish, it was sent back to me as an 8.5. I've brought it to dealers and asked them if they think it should be an 8.5 an all said no it was higher, some saying it should be a 9. The .5 system makes comics like this much less valuable, whereas if it were graded with the .2 system it would be an 8.8 and I could get a more reasonable price.
I won't send comics to them again until they stop the two-tiered grading system and with the scandals surrounding them, maybe never again.
Hi, Aiki Dragon. Thanks for the comment. Just curious. What did the grader notes say?
@@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842 It has the names of the story, art and cover people. First Appearance of the black costume. White Pages.
I've thought about cracking this one open and resubmitting, but not worth it to me.
There are additional grading notes too. If you enter in your CGC certification # here, that may give you insight regarding what defects CGC took off for. It's free. www.cgccomics.com/certlookup/
@@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842 I got a coupon out of a Wizard magazine when CGC first started and sent them ASM #252, #100 and hero-for-hire #2 all for the price of one. Thanks, I'll look them up.
Easy ....( Don't buy graded) comics!!!!! I only buy raw property graded comics between two parties involved 😊
Thanks for the comment Patriot CSA. In my humble opinion, I think many common and not-so-valuable books were slabbed in the hopes the owner could flip them for a fortune. On the other hand, I won't pay more than $1,000 for a raw book. The risk of restoration or undisclosed problems is just too high for my taste.