This isn't strictly comics related but it was comics that made me think of this:
Would you say something if you thought someone was getting ripped-off?
This came to mind about 2 weeks ago when I was at a comic book convention. A guy came up to the booth I was working, and told me how he bought a 4 part mini-series for $80. I couldn't think of any series that short worth that amount of money (maybe this Claremont/Miller Wolverine one?). I assume a dealer had it marked up that high because Simon Bisley was the artist, and he was at that convention, hoping to find a sucker. I didn't say anything at the time, since it was too late at that point. (For the record that series sells for $8 total in NM). I saw another dealer had the whole Reign of the Supermen story for $64.00. I figured if I made the effort I could put the whole thing together out of 50 cent boxes.
I think if I actually saw that guy buying that mini for $80 I would have said something. Would you?
Replies
Vendors have the right to charge any price they want on any book they sell but the collector has the right to give his opinion on said price to any who would ask or witness the transaction about to happen.
Actually if you're buying back issues at a convention or comic shop you're unfamiliar with, a little research goes a long way.
I think that whatever you're buying in this world it's smart to have an approximate idea of how much it's worth.
I can think of another miniseries worth that much: Grant Morrison's Flex Mentallo. The recent reprint radically recolored it, so I imagine it hasn't hurt the resale value of the individual issues.
But to answer your original question: I would certainly say something if asked. I'd feel funny butting in on a transaction I happened to be witnessing because I was nearby.
But would you step up and say something?
As a capitalist I agree a seller absolutely has the right to sell anything at any price he wants to. Juist as I have a right to call BS on it.
Philip Portelli said:
I think I would, yes. I'd tell him that I think he was overcharged, but I would try to keep specifics out of it. I don't think there's anything he can do right there (or ever) to remedy the situation, but he should be able to go home and look up those books online, and see what the difference in price is. He should know that that guy is a predatory dealer, and not to do business with him again. (But that's a conclusion I'd let him draw for himself.)
I feel the same way about rent-to-own centers that are accused of "ripping people off" because the customer ends up paying far more than what an item is worth. I call bull. I expect people to be able to do math, and realize this for themselves. They make a conscious choice in the matter.
I also feel the same way with the tobacco companies. Yes, they screw people over. But only because the people bend over for them. I think tobacco companies deserve every penny they get, because people are willing to give them money to feed their addictions.
If this guy was charging a hundred thousand dollars for a copy of Demon Knights #6, and someone came and actually bought it, then this guy deserves every penny he gets.
I'm sorry; I am a bleeding heart liberal, but to me, this is just common sense.
This reminds me of a discussion many years ago. Someone had the opinion that a certain baseball player wasn't worth the amount of money he had just been given to sign a contract. I said that I can't do what he can do. If I could I would tell you whether or not I was worth it. Then again, if someone is willing to pay me twice as much to do the exact same job why wouldn't I take it?