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AdamGamer
USA
8 Posts |
 Posted - 09/21/2012 : 18:47:39
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I have a few questions I need answered before purchasing the ComicBase Software. I have 6000+ comic books I want to sell and from what I understand, the software goes to a website AtomicAvenue.com and the rest is set for selling. That is why I want to use this software but have a few concerns.
1. I have an obsolete comic inventory program called The Comic Collector from AbleSoft. I want to transfer the data from that program to ComicBase. Can this be done? Does ComicBase import other formats if not (I don't know what type of database AbleSoft uses extensions are *.dat and *.idx)? I need to know this before purchasing.
2. I need the current prices updated constantly by grade (Does the software have that). Does it go by Overstreet guide prices if so?
3. I do not know what grade/condition of my comic books are. Does the software have an option for that? Can it calculate a price based on a formula I provide based on grades/prices? If not, can I write a script to perform that?
4. So based on my questions and what I stated in the first paragraph, What would be the minimal version I should purchase if all these questions and conditions are met? (express, professional, archive, blu-ray archive)? |
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mcastaneda
USA
1478 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2012 : 20:48:31
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What version of Comic Collector do you own? If you own 2.7 or higher there's a tool to help convert your data: http://www.comicbase.com/Support/Updaters/ComicBase_Updates_Archive_Win.asp
We use real-time market data pricing and not any price guide. It's pricing is updated weekly from data gathered from Atomic Avenue.
There's a grading wizard built into the software that will assist you for comics that are hard to grade.
With size of your collection we strongly recommend at least the Professional. If you care about covers, our archive edition has our complete library of covers.
Visit our products page for more info on all our editions.
http://www.comicbase.com/mycb/products/products.aspx
If you plan to sell on Atomic Avenue we strongly suggest you read the Help page on how the website works.
http://www.atomicavenue.com/atomic/Help.aspx
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Mark Castaneda
ComicBase/Atomic Avenue Team
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AdamGamer
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2012 : 22:35:06
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Thanks for the reply. Just to let you know, I just heard about this software through googling it.
The only version I have is the newest free version. Would the professional version be able to convert my old able software database to the current database in the software? I was thinking getting the Professional version for long term use, but I feel Express is fine for now.
I still need questions 1 and 3 answered. I will not grade 6000+ comic books, I just do not have the time. |
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comicsatemybrain
798 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2012 : 05:08:24
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quote:
Originally posted by AdamGamer
3. I do not know what grade/condition of my comic books are. Does the software have an option for that?
quote:
Originally posted by AdamGamer
I will not grade 6000+ comic books, I just do not have the time.
You can mark your comics as "Ungraded" and list them that way on Atomic Avenue. From the buyer's perspective, however, that probably is not very attractive. Most buyers will probably want to know the condition of the issues that they are buying for a variety of reasons.
quote:
Originally posted by AdamGamer
Can it calculate a price based on a formula I provide based on grades/prices? If not, can I write a script to perform that?
Yes, ComicBase can calculate a price automatically for each comic you enter into the database, and it can update those prices every time you update your database. As long as you update your Atomic Avenue listings after you update your database, your selling prices on AA will be up to date. CB doesn't use Overstreet prices as those are proprietary to Overstreet and b/c Overstreet only includes a fraction of the comics listed in ComicBase. The ComicBase pricing uses information from completed Heritage Auctions as well as selling and asking prices on Atomic Avenue (so ComicBase valuations can change even if no sales occur on Atomic Avenue).
It is important to note that *any* price guide (yes, even the revered Overstreet guide) has pricing anomalies that seriously overvalue some issues and undervalue others. I recommend that no matter what venue you choose for selling your comics, you want to have some idea as to the prevailing market price for them, and that requires consulting more than a single price guide. |
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AdamGamer
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2012 : 06:39:34
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Thank you for the fast reply. Your answers are very helpful.
I still need question one answered. Before I purchase the professional version, I need to know if ComicBase can perform this import, convert the data and painlesssly?
[quote]Originally posted by AdamGamer
1. I have an obsolete comic inventory program called The Comic Collector from AbleSoft. I want to transfer the data from that program to ComicBase. Can this be done? Does ComicBase import other formats if not (I don't know what type of database AbleSoft uses extensions are *.dat and *.idx)? I need to know this before purchasing.
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comicsatemybrain
798 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2012 : 07:22:15
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quote:
Originally posted by AdamGamer
I have an obsolete comic inventory program called The Comic Collector from AbleSoft. I want to transfer the data from that program to ComicBase. Can this be done? Does ComicBase import other formats if not (I don't know what type of database AbleSoft uses extensions are *.dat and *.idx)? I need to know this before purchasing.
quote:
Originally posted by mcastaneda
What version of Comic Collector do you own? If you own 2.7 or higher there's a tool to help convert your data: http://www.comicbase.com/Support/Updaters/ComicBase_Updates_Archive_Win.asp
Because you re-ask your question, I assume that you have a version of Comic Collector that is older than v2.7.
I'm not familiar enough with database programs to know what database formats are compatible with each other or with ComicBase. However, if you can export your existing database information to an Excel file, you should be able to import it into a new ComicBase database file.
When doing so, you'll want to make sure that whatever Excel column you match up with the ComicBase "Quantity In Stock" field holds a number. You will also want to be sure that the titles in your Excel file match *exactly* with the titles in ComicBase. Hypothetical example: ComicBase has "Amazing Spider-Man, The" so it wouldn't know where to go with issues from "Amazing Spider-Man" or issues from "Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series)".
It's been a while since I have imported an Excel file into ComicBase, so I don't recall if you get the option to direct issues from unrecognized titles to a specific place in ComicBase. I do know that you have the option to import unrecognized titles as brand new titles into ComicBase. Atomic Avenue only uploads issues and titles that are in the latest version of ComicBase, so "Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series)" issues in your database won't show up on AA until you move them into the "Amazing Spider-Man, The" title.
When doing the import, you'll also want to check to be sure that you know where items such as annuals, "Giant-Size" comics, variant issues, trade paperbacks/hardcover collections, etc should end up in the ComicBase database. It seems like every database/internet store lists those kinds of things in different places.
Also, if you have issues of titles that have experienced re-numbering stunts (e.g., reversion of Amazing Spider-Man numbering to #500+), those issues typically end up back with the *original* title following the re-numbering rather than the most recent version of the title. (For example, ASM #500 in ComicBase is located in "Amazing Spider-Man, The" rather than "Amazing Spider-Man, The (Vol. 2)") |
Edited by - comicsatemybrain on 09/22/2012 07:23:15 |
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AdamGamer
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2012 : 08:21:47
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Thank you for your quick reply. The only version I have is The newest Free version. At this point, I have not figured out what database type the Comic Collector from AbleSoft uses. I was hoping that ComcBase would recognize it since that old DOS program was so popular at the time. If I ca figure that out, it will go to an Excel spreadsheet or other format that AbleSoft will recognize since i am a programmer and very knowledgeable about databases.
If AbleSoft can not import my data, would I be able to get a refund? Just curious since entering and even entering through bar coding each individual comic book would takes days to complete (I do not have that time). |
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AdamGamer
USA
8 Posts |
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A few questions I need answered before purchasing
