HAD TO HIT AN ANTIQUE STORE BEFORE I LEAVE NY

My recent comic hunt in New York's sprawling antique malls was an adventure, but not always in a good way! Before I left NYC, I had to hit an antique store, hoping to uncover some hidden gems. While I love the thrill of the chase, let me tell you, I encountered my fair share of frustrations. These are my top 5 most infuriating moments trying to find those elusive issues. First up, the sheer disorganization! Picture this: a massive antique mall, rows upon rows of dusty shelves, and absolutely no discernible order. I spent what felt like hours sifting through old crockery and forgotten trinkets, desperately hoping for a glimpse of a longbox. My eyes were peeled for anything remotely "comic" related, but it was just a chaotic jumble. It's like finding a needle in a haystack, except the haystack is also full of broken teacups. Then there's the heartbreak of the overpriced 'grail'! I finally spot a comic – a classic issue I've been dreaming of adding to my collection. My heart races, I carefully pick it up, only to see a price tag that makes my jaw drop. Seriously, sometimes these vendors think they're selling the original Declaration of Independence! It's one thing to value a collectible, but another entirely to inflate the price beyond all reason. It leaves you feeling deflated, knowing you'll have to walk away. Another common pitfall? The misleading condition. Online, it might look like a pristine copy. In person, under the dim lighting of an antique store, a comic can appear to be in decent shape. But then you get it into natural light, and all the flaws jump out – spine ticks, creases you didn't see, even water damage. It's a real bummer when you think you've found a treasure, only to realize it's more trash than gold. Always check every page, every corner! My fourth frustration often comes from the lack of specific items. I'd head to an antique mall specifically for comics, knowing they sometimes have stalls dedicated to collectibles. But more often than not, it's a scattering of random issues, mostly modern, or worse, just a handful of very common, low-value comics. It's like going to a restaurant known for its desserts, only to find they only have vanilla ice cream. The anticipation builds, and then... disappointment. Where are all the good old Wolverine or Batman runs? Finally, the absolute worst is the missing back issues. You find issue #1, #2, and #4 of a classic series, but #3 is nowhere to be found. It drives me absolutely crazy! It's like someone intentionally removed the crucial middle piece of a puzzle. You're so close to completing a run, and that one missing issue just haunts you. It’s a common occurrence in these vast, uncurated spaces. Despite these challenges, the thrill of the hunt keeps me coming back. But next time I'm on a comic hunt in an antique store in New York, I'll definitely be more prepared for these frustrating encounters!