Posting Books: FAQ

What are those check boxes for?

The table lists the issues you selected for the selected title. However, before posting you must check the box for each book you wish to sell. Only books that are checked will be posted. To quickly check all books in the list, simply click the "all" link at the top of the column.

What's a variant?

Most issues have only one published version, but some have more than one. A "variant" is any book that differs from the majority of published copies of the same issue. If you are selling a variant copy of a book, it is very important to indicate that to potential buyers. Examples of variants include:

  • Reprints of key issues such as Fantastic Four #1, Avengers #4, etc.
  • 30-cent copies of books where most copies have a 25-cent cover price

Note that restoration, signatures, CGC certification, and other grading details are not considered variant copies.

What if I don't see the title and issue I'm trying to sell?

HGC's inventory database includes thousands of issues from the Golden, Silver, and Bronze Ages of comics. However, from time to time a book comes up that isn't yet in our database. If you don't see the title you're looking for, or if you have an issue number or variant that's not in our database, please contact us. Please keep in mind, though, that we reserve the right not to allow listing of certain books on the site. (In other words, if you're trying to sell that CGC 9.8 copy of Spawn #1, this isn't the place.) In general, for titles that have continued on to the present day, the last issues listed in our database (for example, Amazing Spider-Man #300) represent our cutoff point for what we're willing to carry on our site.

How do I know what grade my book is?

While grading is still somewhat subjective, in recent years the industry has adopted certain widely-accepted grading standards. If you are a dealer or an experienced collector, you are probably already familiar with those standards. If you are a novice collector / seller, it is critical that you familiarize yourself with how to properly grade books. Your reputation as a seller depends in large part on your ability to grade your books. Just as important, by selling your books on HGC you are benefiting from our reputation as accurate and fair graders. If you aren't sure that you can grade your books in a manner consistent with our high standards, we strongly recommend you contact us. Depending on what you're selling, we may be interested in a consignment deal or an outright purchase.

How do I let people know my book is CGC'd?

If you are selling a CGC-certified book, be sure to select "CGC" from the "Grader" list. Your book will appear in all listings by its numeric CGC grade, but you must still use the letter grade when posting the book. For example, to post a CGC 8.5 book, simply select a grade of VF+.

How do I post scans of my book?

After you post the basic information about your book on this page, you'll be able to add scans on the "Selling on HGC" page.

What should I put in the Grading Comments field?

Use the Grading Comments field to indicate any significant details about the book's condition, including:

  • Pedigrees, signatures, etc.
  • Restoration
  • CGC grading comments, such as page whiteness
  • Defects such as tears, loose staples, missing pages, water damage, etc.
  • Date stamps or other writing

Don't hide anything important, but be brief. An example of a clear, concise comment would be:

OW/W pages, date stamp

Note: Please do not use the Comments field to make comments on the issue's contents or publishing history, such as "First Appearance of Doctor Doom," "Scarce," etc.

What's a good price for my book?

Any book is "worth" whatever somebody's willing to pay for it, but there is usally a well-established market value for any particular issue you might be selling. Please educate yourself on the price each book is likely to command before listing your books. Your books will be listed along side other books in our inventory, so be aware that if your prices are too much higher (or too much lower) than ours, you will probably introduce some doubt in buyers' minds. Also, don't forget that buyers will be able to place bids that offer you less than your asking price, so give some thought to what you're really willing to accept before setting your price.

Why doesn't my book appear in the online catalog after I list it?

Be patient ... your book will appear in our online catalog after our next site update, which takes place every fifteen minutes.

How does bidding work?

Once your books are posted, any member of HighGradeComics.com will be able to see them and bid on them. Every bid is automatically sent to you by e-mail and will also appear on your "Selling on HGC" page. If the buyer chooses to offer your asking price for a book, you will be required to sell the book to that buyer. If the buyer offers less than your asking price, you will have the choice of accepting the offer or replying with a counter-offer. Once both sides have agreed on a price, the sale is finalized. If you haven't already done so, you will then be required to send your book to HGC. Meanwhile, we will invoice the buyer for the book and send you your portion of the proceeds (less our commission) once the sale is complete.