ENTRY 0018
Occasionally, some of my acquisitions are items that completely surprise me. Seeing the first issue of a magazine at the newsstand. Discovering something like Sci-Fox or The DRINK on the freebie table at a convention.
This was another serendipitous incident. My collection includes a number of items relating to the Sci-Fi Channel, and not too long ago, I did a search using "sci fi channel" as the parameters. As I was looking through the results, I came across a promotional item that the channel did for the San Diego Comic-Con in 2007. The item was a "catalog" of different items appearing in the series Eureka. (I have a similar fake catalog that was produced a few years earlier for the series Invisible Man.)
I put the item on my Watch List while I made the usual inquiry of the seller. In other words, "Do you take money orders?" He said yes, and three days ago, I placed my bid.
The auction ended today, and I was online when it ended. That last hour was just a little nerve-wracking. Even though no one else had placed a bid, I am always more than a little worried that someone would swoop in at the last second to steal it from me. But those last seconds ticked away without any other activity.
Once I confirmed that I was the winner, I quickly sent a request for the total amount, and I received an invoice not too long ago. Of course, with today being Sunday, I won't be mailing the payment until tomorrow.
Today is also my birthday, so this ended up being a nice little present to myself. If only all auctions would end this easily.
-30-
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Last Of The Easy Gaps
ENTRY 0017
I went to the post office this afternoon. I didn't know with any certainty that I would have something waiting for me, but I just had this feeling.
As Obi-Wan Kenobi said to Luke Skywalker, "Trust your feelings." As it turned out, I was right to do so. Inside my mailbox was a key. In the locker was the copy of Angel Scriptbook #5. (Incidentally, the episode script featured in this issue was "Five By Five.")
Well, it couldn't have been anything else; that was the only package that I was anticipating. (And at the moment, I don't have anything else in the pipeline from an Ebay auction or listing.)
I went from there to the library, and I logged on to Ebay to leave feedback. I quickly discovered that the seller had left feedback for me since last night, because my feedback rating was up to 238.
Unfortunately, I think this was the last of the easy gaps in my collection for me to fill. I still have gaps; it's just that it's going to be more than picking up just one or two issues from here. I'll have to check the spreadsheet file to be certain.
But then, that's what makes the whole pursuit of acquisition fun, right?
-30-
I went to the post office this afternoon. I didn't know with any certainty that I would have something waiting for me, but I just had this feeling.
As Obi-Wan Kenobi said to Luke Skywalker, "Trust your feelings." As it turned out, I was right to do so. Inside my mailbox was a key. In the locker was the copy of Angel Scriptbook #5. (Incidentally, the episode script featured in this issue was "Five By Five.")
Well, it couldn't have been anything else; that was the only package that I was anticipating. (And at the moment, I don't have anything else in the pipeline from an Ebay auction or listing.)
I went from there to the library, and I logged on to Ebay to leave feedback. I quickly discovered that the seller had left feedback for me since last night, because my feedback rating was up to 238.
Unfortunately, I think this was the last of the easy gaps in my collection for me to fill. I still have gaps; it's just that it's going to be more than picking up just one or two issues from here. I'll have to check the spreadsheet file to be certain.
But then, that's what makes the whole pursuit of acquisition fun, right?
-30-
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Feedback Returned
ENTRY 0016
As I hinted at the end of yesterday's entry, once I posted the entry, I logged onto Ebay. Well, I first left an email message to one of the sellers informing them that I had received their item. I left a message with the other through Ebay, because I didn't have the email address. Once I left the messages, I left feedback for the items.
You know, it's kind of hard trying to think of a different way of saying something nice every time. Personally, I don't want to sound like I'm leaving a stock message with every auction. And the fact that Ebay only gives you an 80-character limit doesn't make things any easier. In any event, I left the feedback for all of the items.
Earlier today, when I checked Ebay, I saw that my feedback rating was now 237. It looks like the other seller had been waiting for me to leave feedback before doing the same.
-30-
As I hinted at the end of yesterday's entry, once I posted the entry, I logged onto Ebay. Well, I first left an email message to one of the sellers informing them that I had received their item. I left a message with the other through Ebay, because I didn't have the email address. Once I left the messages, I left feedback for the items.
You know, it's kind of hard trying to think of a different way of saying something nice every time. Personally, I don't want to sound like I'm leaving a stock message with every auction. And the fact that Ebay only gives you an 80-character limit doesn't make things any easier. In any event, I left the feedback for all of the items.
Earlier today, when I checked Ebay, I saw that my feedback rating was now 237. It looks like the other seller had been waiting for me to leave feedback before doing the same.
-30-
Monday, September 12, 2011
Another Double Shot
ENTRY #0015
I went to the post office this afternoon. I figured that I should have received Comics Spotlight #4 by today, and I wanted to get my hands on it as quickly as possible.
As I anticipated, when I opened my mailbox, I found a key inside. I went to the locker designated on the key, and was pleasantly surprised when I gave the key a twist. Inside the locker was not one, but two packages.
One of the packages was indeed Comics Spotlight #4. The other package contained the two issues of Charmed; #15 and #21. And both shipments were quite securely packed, which I'm always glad to see.
I did make a cursory check of the shipments at the time, but a more lengthy examination will take place later this evening.
Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go leave some feedback.
-30-
I went to the post office this afternoon. I figured that I should have received Comics Spotlight #4 by today, and I wanted to get my hands on it as quickly as possible.
As I anticipated, when I opened my mailbox, I found a key inside. I went to the locker designated on the key, and was pleasantly surprised when I gave the key a twist. Inside the locker was not one, but two packages.
One of the packages was indeed Comics Spotlight #4. The other package contained the two issues of Charmed; #15 and #21. And both shipments were quite securely packed, which I'm always glad to see.
I did make a cursory check of the shipments at the time, but a more lengthy examination will take place later this evening.
Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go leave some feedback.
-30-
Friday, September 09, 2011
An "On The Way" Sign
ENTRY 0014
After I wrote yesterday's entry, I signed in to Ebay. I received a bit of good news. I noticed that my feedback rating was now 236. I checked my feedback page, and discovered that the seller of Comics Spotlight #4 had left the usual nice words for me.
To me, this is a good sign. It means that they have received my payment, and that sometime early next week, I should find a key waiting in my mailbox when I check my mail.
[EDIT: Oh, I also checked my email a little later; specifically, the account dedicated to Ebay. There were several messages from both the seller and Ebay informing me that the magazine had been shipped, confirming what I had already suspected.]
As Carly Simon once sang, "Anticipation . . . anticipa-a-a-tion . . . is making me wait . . . "
-30-
After I wrote yesterday's entry, I signed in to Ebay. I received a bit of good news. I noticed that my feedback rating was now 236. I checked my feedback page, and discovered that the seller of Comics Spotlight #4 had left the usual nice words for me.
To me, this is a good sign. It means that they have received my payment, and that sometime early next week, I should find a key waiting in my mailbox when I check my mail.
[EDIT: Oh, I also checked my email a little later; specifically, the account dedicated to Ebay. There were several messages from both the seller and Ebay informing me that the magazine had been shipped, confirming what I had already suspected.]
As Carly Simon once sang, "Anticipation . . . anticipa-a-a-tion . . . is making me wait . . . "
-30-
Thursday, September 08, 2011
Another Gap Closed
ENTRY 0013
Over the weekend, I filled in one more gap in my collection. The acquisition target this time was an issue of Angel Scriptbook. This was published by IDW Comics in 2006. Each issue ran the shooting script from an episode of the TV series Angel. Given enough time, I feel certain that they probably would have covered the entire series, but only seven issues came out before the title was cancelled.
The issue I was missing was #5. Like Comics Spotlight #4, it never appeared at any of the local comics stores I frequent. Or, given that the stores didn't order that many copies of any one issue, it's entirely possible in both instances that both Angel Scriptbook #5 and Comics Spotlight #4 did appear here in Louisville, but they sold out before I made it to The Great Escape or Comic Book World on the particular Wednesday in question.
Whatever the reason, I missed the issue, and now I found myself turning to Ebay to rectify the situation. The search parameter was easy enough -- "angel scriptbook 5." There were several listings, and I began sending the usual inquiry as to whether or not a seller accepted money orders. As luck would have it, the first seller I queried replied in the affirmative, so I put that listing on my Watch List.
I waited until Sunday to make my move. At that point, there was only about a day or so before the listing expired. I decided that I had waited long enough, so I clicked the Buy It Now button. Once that was confirmed, I sent the seller a message asking for the address where I should mail the payment.
Of course, Monday was Labor Day, and I suspect the holiday was the reason it took a little longer for me to get a response. I got a reply yesterday, picked up the money order, and got everything in the mail.
And once again, I am now in waiting mode.
-30-
Over the weekend, I filled in one more gap in my collection. The acquisition target this time was an issue of Angel Scriptbook. This was published by IDW Comics in 2006. Each issue ran the shooting script from an episode of the TV series Angel. Given enough time, I feel certain that they probably would have covered the entire series, but only seven issues came out before the title was cancelled.
The issue I was missing was #5. Like Comics Spotlight #4, it never appeared at any of the local comics stores I frequent. Or, given that the stores didn't order that many copies of any one issue, it's entirely possible in both instances that both Angel Scriptbook #5 and Comics Spotlight #4 did appear here in Louisville, but they sold out before I made it to The Great Escape or Comic Book World on the particular Wednesday in question.
Whatever the reason, I missed the issue, and now I found myself turning to Ebay to rectify the situation. The search parameter was easy enough -- "angel scriptbook 5." There were several listings, and I began sending the usual inquiry as to whether or not a seller accepted money orders. As luck would have it, the first seller I queried replied in the affirmative, so I put that listing on my Watch List.
I waited until Sunday to make my move. At that point, there was only about a day or so before the listing expired. I decided that I had waited long enough, so I clicked the Buy It Now button. Once that was confirmed, I sent the seller a message asking for the address where I should mail the payment.
Of course, Monday was Labor Day, and I suspect the holiday was the reason it took a little longer for me to get a response. I got a reply yesterday, picked up the money order, and got everything in the mail.
And once again, I am now in waiting mode.
-30-
Saturday, September 03, 2011
Filling More Gaps
ENTRY 0012
I actually filled two more gaps in my library last weekend. Because I was busy writing on a couple of other subjects, though, I didn't think about writing about them until now.
First on my list was an issue of Comics Spotlight. This was a short-lived magazine -- only five issues were published -- that came out in 2002-2003. The issue that I was missing was #4, which for some reason never made an appearance at any of the comic stores in Louisville.
Second were two issues of the Charmed magazine published by Titan Magazines. The issues I missed were #15 and #21, and for the standard reason -- I waited too long, and #16 and #22 were on the stands before I realized it.
I did the usual searching on Ebay, and I found all three. Good news for me, one dealer had both of the Charmed issues, and the listings said he was willing to combine multiple listings into one shipment. Even better, when I made my usual inquiries, both sellers said that they accepted money orders.
I put all three items on my Watch List. And this time, I proceeded to wait. I waited until there was only a day or two left before clicking the Buy It Now button. I sent the usual requests for where to send payment, and since it was the weekend, I had to wait a day or so for a reply. Once I had the reply, I picked up the money orders and mailed them.
And now, we are back to waiting. I'm hoping that Hurricane Irene won't be a problem; one of the sellers is in Pennsylvania, and Ebay sent a message that there may be a possibility of some delay or disruption. The other one is in Denver, which to the best of my knowledge, has never had problems with hurricanes.
So far, though, I have not heard anything since I let the sellers know that the payment was on the way.
-30-
I actually filled two more gaps in my library last weekend. Because I was busy writing on a couple of other subjects, though, I didn't think about writing about them until now.
First on my list was an issue of Comics Spotlight. This was a short-lived magazine -- only five issues were published -- that came out in 2002-2003. The issue that I was missing was #4, which for some reason never made an appearance at any of the comic stores in Louisville.
Second were two issues of the Charmed magazine published by Titan Magazines. The issues I missed were #15 and #21, and for the standard reason -- I waited too long, and #16 and #22 were on the stands before I realized it.
I did the usual searching on Ebay, and I found all three. Good news for me, one dealer had both of the Charmed issues, and the listings said he was willing to combine multiple listings into one shipment. Even better, when I made my usual inquiries, both sellers said that they accepted money orders.
I put all three items on my Watch List. And this time, I proceeded to wait. I waited until there was only a day or two left before clicking the Buy It Now button. I sent the usual requests for where to send payment, and since it was the weekend, I had to wait a day or so for a reply. Once I had the reply, I picked up the money orders and mailed them.
And now, we are back to waiting. I'm hoping that Hurricane Irene won't be a problem; one of the sellers is in Pennsylvania, and Ebay sent a message that there may be a possibility of some delay or disruption. The other one is in Denver, which to the best of my knowledge, has never had problems with hurricanes.
So far, though, I have not heard anything since I let the sellers know that the payment was on the way.
-30-
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