I believe Alec who recently joined the site does business with VFB.
I believe Alec who recently joined the site does business with VFB.
He does and feels he has had nothing but great service from them.
"A real limited edition, far from being an expensive autograph stapled to a novel, is a treasure. And like all treasures do, it transforms the responsible owner into a caretaker, and being a caretaker of something as fragile and easily destroyed as ideas and images is not a bad thing but a good one...and so is the re-evaluation of what books are and what they do that necessarily follows." - Stephen King
For the record.. I never said VFB's had bad service. I just feel David's is top notch as well. And a more honest man... not sure if you could find one!Originally Posted by stroppygoblin
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Insomnia #459
ANY S/L #459
Well, of course we all agree that David's honesty is absolutely above reproach.For the record.. I never said VFB's had bad service. I just feel David's is top notch as well. And a more honest man... not sure if you could find one!
But unless one has actually dealt with Emmanuel (and I actually sold to him years ago) I don't think it's that fair to say he's "a more honest man." We all feel that way about people we know personally.
I would buy from David first and foremost, above anybody. Tippy would be #2. But that's because I've had a couple dealings with both of them.
Emmanuel I did sell too years ago, and he was certainly an easy person to deal with.
We seem to have digressed somewhat... The question was never about honesty or who is the better seller.. The question that was asked was "why would you buy from VFB when there prices are so much higher" my original response was trying to answer that question.
"A real limited edition, far from being an expensive autograph stapled to a novel, is a treasure. And like all treasures do, it transforms the responsible owner into a caretaker, and being a caretaker of something as fragile and easily destroyed as ideas and images is not a bad thing but a good one...and so is the re-evaluation of what books are and what they do that necessarily follows." - Stephen King
I work for an organisation that sells our services/prducts at a bit of a premium compared to our competitors, based on the theory we provide better service etc and so our Members will see value in the additional cost. I think VFB runs on that same theory but even understanding/accepting that premise wouldn't entice me to pay those prices. The service I receive from Betts is brilliant and I just don't see where VFB could improve on the service to the degree to support their price differential.
TBH comparing ANY Book dealer to David is unfair. David is foremost a Stephen King collector like the rest of us and although I'm sure he likes to make a profit, it doesn't seem to be his driving force behind why he runs Betts. (I realize I am effectively speaking for David here, which is not my intention, just my opinion). His prices are amongst the lowest out there for SK collectible books and we are damn lucky to have him.
If you compare VFB to other Book dealers, then the prices dont look quite so sky - high.
Disclaimer - I am not affiliated with VFB in any way, I merely like to play Devils advocate sometimes. I also think we should get back on topic...
"A real limited edition, far from being an expensive autograph stapled to a novel, is a treasure. And like all treasures do, it transforms the responsible owner into a caretaker, and being a caretaker of something as fragile and easily destroyed as ideas and images is not a bad thing but a good one...and so is the re-evaluation of what books are and what they do that necessarily follows." - Stephen King
Fair call Simon
To kinda put it back on topic, as the thread is about assessing market value - how many here when asked what market value is for a book would agree that a sale through VFB's is a fair representation of the current value? Usually we get recent Betts sale data (thanks Mr RT), recent sales through this site, and the odd eBay reference. We don't normally hear "VFB sold this book for $x, and so $x can be considered market value...."
If VFB ever sells that IT for $1,750 or the Signed Revival for $450, I would not consider that FMV. I would consider it fortunate for VFB.
Ah now thats a better question! We do use Betts prices a lot here as Market Value, but in reality is that a realistic true free market price? Members here tend to align themselves with Betts prices when selling their own books, sometimes slightly lower if they are competing against a Betts sale, sometimes a little higher for a book that no-one else is selling right now, but more or less around the recent Betts sales figures.
Outside of this forum, could that same book be found for the same money - or even less? I very much doubt it. Ebay has it's markup and sellers take that into account, Book Dealers also add their own premium too.
I would look at the figures posted here as "Fair Market Price "within this community"
Thoughts from others?
"A real limited edition, far from being an expensive autograph stapled to a novel, is a treasure. And like all treasures do, it transforms the responsible owner into a caretaker, and being a caretaker of something as fragile and easily destroyed as ideas and images is not a bad thing but a good one...and so is the re-evaluation of what books are and what they do that necessarily follows." - Stephen King
Fair market value is always going to be what someone is willing to pay. We all use Bett's as a rough go to for value because that is who we all buy from. My problem is who in their right mind would pay $1795 for an S/L IT? Mine was perfect and HALF that price. Not to mention... all of use research, ask, and carefully price a book should we want/need to sell it. How many people really would go to VFB and just clic "buy" drop it in their cart and pay? Someone uneducated? Obviously that is the case. Not that they are stupid but not educated in the pricing that is out there for these books. I just had a conversation on a collecting group with a fellow who told me Bett's pricing was "way to high"!!!!!! Where is he buying? I want to know... it just shows he is uneducated in pricing as well. Emmanuele HAS to know about Bett's... I know he does as David deals with him. So why does he mark them up so much? Is his service worth twice the going rate for that IT S/L? I would have to say no.. it sure isn't. His business model only shoots itself in the foot by losing customers to every other avenue available for King books. I NEVER go there... does anyone else here stop by other than to shake your head at the pricing?
So, my thoughts on "Fair Market Price "within this community"???? Guess I am just glad to be able to say... I am in THIS community. Whether there is spots to get books lower... OR higher... trust, honesty and dealing with friends makes this the place to be for me.
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Insomnia #459
ANY S/L #459
I agree with much of what you say, but the words "fair" and "market price" don't really go together. What is "fair" is relative to what a buyer can get. While I have never purchased a book from VFB, I frequent the VFB website and I am impressed with what appears to be a finely run book selling enterprise. If VFB can get those prices, then all the power to them. I think that sometimes, just because we belong to this community and know David at Bett's, that we assume all collectors must surely know what we know. Truth is, most buyers don't know about this website, or many others. Many buyers use ebay to find out what "market price" is, which is a shame because of all the fake signatures selling their, most of which sell below what many of us would call a "fair market price." VFB, Bett's, heck, any reputable bookseller, must admit that it's these fake signatures bring down the price of everything and thus create confusion as to what a "fair market price" really is. I hope this is not too repetitive with other's thoughts.
Just throwing this out there, but when I went to the, Austin signing of the 400 attendee's there were 5 that were from or familiar with this site. We spoke with quite a few folks and they had never heard of TDT.Org. Yet they were all King fans. Webstar, is probably onto the real answer in that many fans are simply uneducated in what a FMV can be to a serious collector who is a member here. Do the math, this site represents about 100 serious collectors (give or take) and King has how many million fans? Take a percentage (say 10%) of those fans (say 1 Million for arguments sake) and call them "collectors" and you'd easily be talking about 100,000 people (probably much more). I would submit that those folks generally utilize at best ebay as a guide to pricing. As mentioned above, this site and it's community is a distinct advantage/disadvantage depending on whether you are the seller or buyer. Just a thought.
28 in 23 (?)!!!!
63 in '23!!!!!!!!!!
My Collection: https://www.thedarktower.org/palaver...ion-Merlin1958
The Houston Astros cheated Major League Baseball from 2017-18!!!! Is that how we teach our kids to play the game now?????
What's the Current Market value for a back on topic post?
Current value for a signed "Revival"?
28 in 23 (?)!!!!
63 in '23!!!!!!!!!!
My Collection: https://www.thedarktower.org/palaver...ion-Merlin1958
The Houston Astros cheated Major League Baseball from 2017-18!!!! Is that how we teach our kids to play the game now?????
$159
Thanks, RF
28 in 23 (?)!!!!
63 in '23!!!!!!!!!!
My Collection: https://www.thedarktower.org/palaver...ion-Merlin1958
The Houston Astros cheated Major League Baseball from 2017-18!!!! Is that how we teach our kids to play the game now?????
Not $450? Are you sure? lol
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Insomnia #459
ANY S/L #459
Priceless. (That's a word used alot around my house. It helps that my wife works for the credit card company that likes to use that slogan)
I check Bett's daily and I check VFB......never. I guess that tells me how I feel.
But the marketplace must agree with both or they would be gone.
WANTED:
Roadwork USA 1st PB
Mr Mercedes signed will pay $675
Two rep points?
Can i get a price for a lettered edition of Battleground? Thanks.
Also, the promo cardboard truck for Maximum Overdrive. Thanks!
I sold a copy in March for $1,500.00. Not sure what others have sold at?
This year Betts sold one for $1500.00 and last year I also bought one for the same amount on eBay. I hadn't seen one before that for quite a while.I sold a copy in March for $1,500.00. Not sure what others have sold at?
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