Take Wizardworld Chicago (WWC) for example – I used to think nothing I’d ever see could eclipse it in terms of vendors (comics, video, books, posters) and combined celebrity and artist line-ups. Then I went to San Diego last year, and realized just what a glorified flea market WWC is by comparison.
Still, there are “Vulture Days” (AKA: Sundays) to be relished at places like WWC – when con-goers like myself enjoy scavenging for sales (especially after 2PM) from vendors who’d rather unload their stock at a discount than haul it back home. These final event days also offer buyers the greatest possible leverage, and open the door to haggling (within reason) on a price or two.
Think about it: what’s the worst that could happen here? A vendor refuses to drop a price, and you go to his competition down the row who will probably work with you.
Either way, as a buyer you win.
Out of the goodness of me own heart, here are some other handy con-going tips for wise consumers:
- Always—and I mean always—ask vendors selling bootleg DVDs to test their product for quality before making any purchase. Most will easily oblige; who wants to earn a reputation for screwing their customers? However, if a video vendor does refuse a test screen, then refuse to buy. Believe me, nothing sucks more than buying what you think is a great underground DVD only to find it unplayable upon returning home.
- Bear in mind that almost no shiny object sold at comic cons for a ridiculous price is unavailable elsewhere for less – usually on Ebay.
- Most vendors are nice people. They want to make a sale, not alienate buyers. Yet if any behave like a jerk for any reason, just walk away. No con purchase is worth having to deal with some moron’s Comic Book Guy-like attitude. Let him go home to his mom’s basement surrounded by all the crap he couldn’t unload because he acted like a dick.
Would you buy a near-mint copy of Avengers #198 from this guy?
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