Collector's Connection — Local services in Duluth

I've been a semi-regular at the Collector's Connection for nearly a decade. I've seen locations change, staff turnover, and new management come onboard, so I am not commenting impulsively based on a single positive or negative experience just to feel heard on the internet.

They've kept me as a loyal customer for nearly a decade because they're passionate not only about their business, but about creating a space for people to play tabletop RPGs, host Magic: the Gathering tournaments, and generally hang out and discuss our niche fandoms with other customers and staff in a relaxed and friendly environment.

The Collector's Connection is a locally-owned small business that curates a constantly changing stock of collectibles from vinyl to board games, baseball cards to pokemon, and TTRPG handbooks to classic films on DVD. The selection will always be changing, and you'll have more or less luck from one week to the next as they make sales and purchase new collections, so if you don't find what you're looking for the first time, don't get discouraged; the whole store might be different next month.

People who don't understand the collectibles market like to work themselves up over the prices they are quoted on their collections, because they mistakenly think they will be offered market value. That might be true if you want to do all of the leg work to find a collector and make a private sale yourself. Otherwise, this is a BUSINESS. They can't offer you 100% of market value and still keep their doors open; nobody can. If you don't like or understand how after-market sales of collectibles work, by all means try your luck on eBay.

The staff at the Collector's Connection may have changed over the years, but their hiring philosophy seems to me to have remained the same: they hire people who have deep knowledge in one or two areas of the collectibles world or nerd culture more broadly and, if a particular employee can't answer your question or match your knowledge, I guarantee they know someone on another shift who can.

Staff can be nerdy and awkward at times, sure. So can most of their customers. For a lot of us, the staff match exactly the kind of interaction we're looking for: forthright about the business, and passionate about the fandoms and niche interest groups to whom they cater. They also care about the collecting community. I know of at least two times I have been in the store when someone has either reported stolen Magic cards or tried to sell them, and the staff found the rightful owners over social media to return their property and help hold the thieves accountable. It's a rare business that cares enough to go that extra mile.

Over the last decade, I've seen the CC take steps to adapt to their customers and to a collectibles market that is constantly in flux. New management in particular has always been respectful, knowledgeable, and friendly, and are clearly invested in building a vibrant and welcoming space to spend time and make connections, and in keeping the business responsive to customer feedback. I think they're going in the right direction, and I'm looking forward to seeing how they'll grow in my next decade as a customer.

The CC rules, and I wouldn't take my business...

I recently visited this store in Hermantown to sell a life long friends comic collection, who had passed away. I did not know the value of these 30 or so comic's, nor did I do research on them. But felt that an honest dealer would know the value. And a honest dealer would give me a honest price for the collection. Here is where I went wrong. I was told that the whole collection was worth a hundred bucks. Now that sounds like a lot. But one of those comic's was a Star Trek (1967 Gold Key) comic book, 1st Edition, to which I later found out that it alone is valued at three hundred to two thousand bucks. Once again at age 62, I felt I was taken advantage of and once again my trust in people has been lost! If you want a fair, honest price. I Do Not recommend dealing with these people. If they will taken advantage of an old man like me, they will take advantage of you! FootNote: Today I received a letter from an Aaron B. Davis/Collector's Connection. In this letter Mr. Davis points out to me that his purchase of my friends life long collection was a fair deal (remember, I was offered one hundred at first). And Mr. Davis brings to my attention that this review was definitely unwarranted, and COULD potentially cause someone else to sell their comics elsewhere and hurt his business and reputation. Then went on to say "Kindly remove your review", end of letter. I am an American and as an American, I believe in my 1st Amendment Rights. These rights include freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech. This review is my right to express how I feel I was treated and dealt with in...

It beats they're Not being A comic book store in Duluth/ Northen MN... Thats for sure! I personally have Never been, but have heard A couple good things. 1 They have comics, 2 They'll order what ya want! Be patient, Give them A chance.. DON'T - "Not read" because you got A couple bad comics/ GN's &/or had A Bad-experience At A book store ((Or any store for that matter)).

--- Recommendations; Get ALL 3 of the [Over-sized Rebirth Hardcovers] They All Focus on the BiG continual Main DC Picture & lead into "Doomsday Clock".. Also reccomending Action Comics (Rebirth), All-Star Batman (vol.1), Flash Rebirth's (BOTH! Esp. the Org.), Future Quest Presnts #5 & Up, Any of P.Levitz's Legion runs, P.LJ.Aaro recent Dr.Strange Run. Hunt them comics down or get the GN's .. More Marvel Reccomendations; (Black) Org. Ultimate X-Men GN's (them tpb's are usually 50% off). Also Get (the immediately Post ULTIMATUM // White) Ultimate comics GN's, esp. Hickman & Millar stuff. You can always start w/ the Org. ULTIMATES GN's or watch the "Ultimate Avngrs" animated movies...... Which are Almost as Great as DC Animated movies (Like Justice League DARK & Batmn Under the RED HOOD & the Superman Batmn movies etc.).

--- * You can also Check-out my YouTube channel & Read some ...