That's a good perspective.Originally Posted by stroppygoblin
LOL Actually I just went there to see the pricing because it has been so long... and MAN OH MAN your statement... was a under-statement. LOOOOOOOOOLI'd like to give a different perspective on VFB, one given to me by the Anonymous collector whose books I presented in a recent collection thread. Like most of the comments above, I also felt VFB's prices were a little OTT, however I have in the past made a purchase from them. (more on this later).
When Anonymous told me that most of his purchases were through VFB, I expressed suprise and commented on the prices. He told me that he had a very good relationship with Emmanuel (VFB proprietor) and that he purchased from him for the following reasons:
1. He is considered a favoured customer and is always given 'discount' pricing
2. The books he is sold are always of the finest quality
3. For the level of service he gets. Often Emmanuel will search for books on his behalf, acting as a proper dealer rather than just a bookstore. Anything he is not happy with can be returned without question
I think Emmanuel specialises in this type of customer, one who expects a very high level of service and is willing to pay extra for it.
With regards to my own purchase from VFB, I bough a signed copy of Misery during their recent sale (NOTE not the one in the ebay sale mentioned above). It was priced higher than the market value, but the sale included a number of other books including a gift edition of From A Buick 8 which I felt as a package justified the single book price. As some of you may be aware from other postings I have made, there was an issue with the book not being a 1st/1st as described (there were NO issues with the Sig). I contacted Emmanuel and not only did he refund the price of the book (including shipping) he also paid for the book to be shipped back and allowed me to keep the additional volumes. I doubt many dealers would offer this level of customer service.
As with all things in life, you pays your money and takes your choice...
Actually, I forget sometimes that - yes, these books ARE expensive, and if you want a guaranteed sale, and a high-quality product, and buyer protection, then you pay for that privilege.
Like has been said, if you want a great "deal" then you buy on ebay, and hope the description is accurate.
So while his prices are at the high end (obviously), there's an upside for those willing to pay them. It's easy for me to judge the prices since I've been able to find books for much cheaper - but that took a fair amount of effort. I could have traded that effort/time and just bought from him!
Signed Copy of Faithful
Pen color is not his norm...but signature looks right (but very rushed) to me.
FOR SALE OR TRADE
Dark Tower 7 Artist Edition n/a
The Waste Lands 1st Edition in Shrinkwrap $200
1984 Grant Gift Edition of The Talisman $400
Lisey's Story ARC $50
.
.
WANTED
Signed 1st Edition of Storm of The Century (Paperback)
Tippy, I got your PM last week regarding the Joyland sticker. Been trying to reply but you're inbox is full.
Was just to tell you you're very welcome.
Alan.
As you were, folks.
Funko figurine : $26 to ship it to France. That's a killer...
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CLUB STEPHEN KING (french website about STEPHEN KING, since 1992) : on : Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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Is $675 a good price for that Skeleton Crew if you were to win that bid?
HELP ME FIND
Insomnia #459
ANY S/L #459
Others are more expert than I, but it sounds good to me. I think that's right around what they are going for.
"One day you're going to figure out that everything they taught you was a lie."
Last one on ebay sold for $650. Another was sold below $789 (best offer accepted). Those were in October and November.Is $675 a good price for that Skeleton Crew if you were to win that bid?
I paid $590 for one in December and felt like that was a very good price. If I didn't have that one I would be bidding on this one.Last one on ebay sold for $650. Another was sold below $789 (best offer accepted). Those were in October and November.Is $675 a good price for that Skeleton Crew if you were to win that bid?
Thanks guys
HELP ME FIND
Insomnia #459
ANY S/L #459
Perhaps tippy4 would be interested in this inscribed (to Rick):
Skeleton Crew by Stephen King (1985, Hardcover)
$14.99:
Stephen King Firestarter The Dead Zone Salem's Lot New Sealed 3 Book Set
$15.99:
Stephen King Sealed Set Bachman Books Thinner Tommyknockers
$399 BIN ($35 shipping-cheap):
300 copy, traycased KNOWING DARKNESS Artists Inspired by Stephen King - BIN $399
$850:
Stephen King & Tabitha King Signed Ltd Rainy Season #43/100 By Lance Brown Rare
'Claburn'...
What do you expect for a dollar?'Claburn'...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Doctor-Sleep...item338a0ece21 Is this iegit?
I would say it's okay. It's pretty typical of King's later signatures.
John
Yes it is....but if you are in the market for one...I can sell you one for $265 shipped in the U.S.
Email me at ornate1@aol.com if you are interested.
Rick
FOR SALE OR TRADE
Dark Tower 7 Artist Edition n/a
The Waste Lands 1st Edition in Shrinkwrap $200
1984 Grant Gift Edition of The Talisman $400
Lisey's Story ARC $50
.
.
WANTED
Signed 1st Edition of Storm of The Century (Paperback)
Amber, I'd trust Tippy LOTS more than an eBay seller. I've bought a number of items from him and have never been disappointed.
John
Thanks I am trying to make up my mind on this one or IT
Ditto here for Tippy, no worries with him at all. As for Doctor Sleep or IT, there are more flatsigned Doctor Sleep's around than IT, but if condition is important to you then you may want to wait for one in Fine/Fine condition (and be ready to pay for it).
Might I ask what your collecting interests are? If you're just getting started and don't really have a specific thing in mind, I'd say see what catches your fancy but don't go overboard because you'll probably change your mind down the road. I started with proofs & arcs, moved into remarques, then got the S/L bug, and those go along with the trades and paperbacks. I think the one thing I don't have is flatsigned! I have a nice little well-rounded collection, but don't really pursue one single avenue ... if I really like something and can afford it, I get it. If I can't afford, guaranteed it will come up for sale again some time in the future.
Don't buy on impulse and don't go broke buying!
WANT LIST: Any SK #186; Dark Man Unbound 1st Proof; FDNS Unbound 1st Proof; FDNS Black Tape Spine Proof; FDNS Unbound Color Proof
They come up every so often, but you're not going to find one for $275. Other than David at Betts and the folks here, your best bet might actually be getting a 1st/1st and then going to a King event to try and have him sign it ... you know then there's no doubt he signed it.In all 100% I speak True honesty I want a flatsigned copy of The Gunslinger in hardback. I want that more than any other book of his, I know I can get his books as I find them but that 1 is what I LONG for
WANT LIST: Any SK #186; Dark Man Unbound 1st Proof; FDNS Unbound 1st Proof; FDNS Black Tape Spine Proof; FDNS Unbound Color Proof
As already discussed, for the price of a 1st/1st my signed 2nd is available
"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
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