Hi, I guess a little introduction is needed.  First I can't claim to be a master comicologist or any such notion just a very big fan which should be what comics is supposed to be all about.  I am also a Reader/Collector so primarily I don't sell YET but I am considering doing just that mostly to spread the joy that they have brought me.  Lastly what I mean by my title is that for everything offered there is an alternative.

I want people to understand that this is a hobby and that it is not something to be ashamed of to read a comic, just think of it as reading a great novel with some fantastic art thrown in for visualization purposes.  Now to my topic and first on my list is slabbing your comics.  What slabbing means is to have your book graded by a professional and sealed in a rigid plastic container for prosperity to hopefully keep it forever in mint condition.  There is the primary option and that is to have it done by CGC but you have to submit your book through an official dealer or join their SOCIETY and submit directly.  The alternative here is that they are not the only ones who do this there is also a company called PGX which does this as well without joining anything or submitting through an authorized dealer, you submit it directly and the only difference is who do you trust.  If you are so  inclined submit a book to each and when they are returned inspect them yourself and take them around to your favorite local store and have them judge what you have because they are not always right even at the professional level and as long as you are very close with both graded books then judge who you think you should trust.  Before making any decisions first check out their websites online they are easily found in a general search they are both informative sites and give a great deal of information.  A final thought on this would be that when these comics were created did the writers and artists have it in mind that you read these books or just buy them and store them as an investment mostly I am referring to a brand new book remember there have been ACTION number ones and DETECTIVE number twenty sevens found in a very high grade shape from a time when this service did not exist, all it takes is that you love your books and respect them.

There is an ancient proverb I believe credited to Lao Tzu that goes "the longest journey starts with but a single step" and this holds true with comic collecting.  So if you are just starting irregardless of the reason start by collecting what you love and by that I mean author, artist or quite simply a great story no matter who wrote or drew it.  What I mean is that when starting alot of people are keyed mostly by a local comic shop to go heavy into the main publishers such as Marvel, D.C, Dark Horse and Image.  These are great companies that strive to offer a great product but always start by purchasing a Previews magazine from your local comic dealer and take the time to read it all or as much as you can as just about all comics are given a small bio of the upcoming issues and you can mete out what interests you.  When doing this don't worry about collectibility just what interests you as there are many indepent companies with some fantastic stories and sometimes the bonus of a popular writer/artist putting it all out there from his/her heart. 

I'm sorry I didn't mean to get off on a rant "yes I did" but it was just to acclimate you to some strategies to arm yourself with before bidding at Ebay so that your experience with Ebay is a positive experience.  Now the hunt is on for a title suggested by friend or one that caught your eye but is out of print which will be referred to in some publications as OOP as the acronym for this.  This brings us to the bidding and when you search you can do this by simply typing in what you want in the search box and then you are given the alternatives usually of where and or who to buy from.  Don't buy from the first one you see, to avoid disappointment look at each offering and also a reputable seller will recommend that you check out their feedback for a reference which is highly recommended.  Keep in mind that Ebay is a fantastic example of the free market and a great many things can sell at a great variety of prices so it is easy to grab a fantastic deal on a book that may in general sell way higher in a store. 

Nowhere is caveat emptor more applicable than online purchasing but being well armed with information your buying experience should be an enjoyable one and prone to less heartbreak than you might expect.  My intention isn't to suggest that you do business with one person/dealer or another but to offer alternatives to doing just that.  I can't claim to be an expert but a simple collector with a great love for the hobby and some of the mistakes I have made over the twenty or so years that I have started collecting again.  I know, I know this isn't a very long rant but I firmly believe in the KISS rule here (Keep It Simple Stupid) and usually if I'm reading a guide I don't want to read a long time expert or dealer droning on and on, not that they are not right or full of great advice but read them when you have time and can absorb it all so you retain it not when you don't have time a forget and regret. 

My final thought on this is that there are alot of very big dealers that have store space on Ebay that have a very good reputation in the retail market so check out their store for comparisons and also for product as they quite often offer a better deal on Ebay than they might in their store.  When first starting bidding on Ebay, when you receive your product always and I can't stress this enough always leave feedback be it positive, negative or neutral as this will help all concerned.  A dealer will be inspired to find a better alternative to shipping or selling and a buyer may be inspired to find a better way to purchase such as faster payment options etc.  Also when leaving feedback as a buyer you may want to show some kindness as the postal service is the postal service and can lose some things so if insurance is offered consider taking it.  I hope this helps all who read it as it may be somewhat amateurish and naive but if it helps just one purchase I think mission accomplished and to quote see ya in the funny pages.