Here's a shot of what an expert witness called "my so-called library" because there were so many comics! What this photo DOESN'T show is that there are two feet of partially burned comics and books underneath the top layer and I had to dig through all of that over hours and hours to make a decent list of what burned up.
I wrote this email to Chuck Rosankski, owner of Mile High Comics and though more folks could benefit from it if I posted it here.
Hope this finds you well. I always enjoy your newsletters, especially your reports from San Diego. I'm not surprised that folks underestimate the importance of comics retailers. You guys are the mortar that holds the bricks of the industry together.
As a former comics retailer now turned consumer, I have a luxury I didn't have as a retailer. I get into comics when the mood strikes me. I read for awhile, and then I take a break for 5 or 6 months. Without retailers showing up every day, I wouldn't be able to do that, so THANKS to all the comics retailers who work their tails off so I can enjoy my comics.
My house burned to the ground a couple of years ago and I lost all my books and comics. I was out of town, and the fire fighters rescued my dog, so it wasn't a tragedy, but I learned several valuable lessons that I'd like to pass on.
Odds are, your house won't burn down, or you won't have a flood, or your water heater won't leak, but maybe 5% of folks reading this will have some event happen and taking a few simple steps might make your life easier.
MAKE A RECORD OF WHAT YOU HAVE
Folks need to make a quick 20-30 minute video of the contents of their house not only to prove what they had, but in the unlikely event that something happens, the video will remind you of what you lost so you can file a complete insurance claim. The fire was over two years ago, but every week or so I remember having something that I forgot to file for and now it's too late. Make sure you upload your video to the internet or store it in your safety deposit box.
MAKE SURE YOUR INSURANCE COVERS YOUR COLLECTIONS
My homeowner's insurance actually DID cover my comics, books, and small original art collection, probably because most of what I read is not "collectable" but collections of reprints in books OR comics that are still retailing for cover price 10-15 years later. The one difficulty I had was that I had to prove what I had lost.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH COVERAGE
I was also somewhat under-insured. I had plenty of coverage for what I owned when I bought the house, but the five years after that as a bachelor with a litte extra expendable income I bought more and more guitars, music equipment, books & comics, and clothes. Doh! Every year or so take a look at all the new things you have and make sure you have enough contents insurance.
GET FULL REPLACEMENT VALUE COVERAGE
I also didn't have full replacement value coverage so everything I did claim was depreciated which means I got $200 for an antique leather couch my grandfather bought in 1950. You can buy full value replacement coverage for 20% or so more per year, but ask your insurance agent.
FINALLY, PUT DIGITAL COPIES OF YOUR PHOTOS AND MOVIES ONLINE
I know I lost a ton of personal stuff, but thankfully I had recently scanned so many things and uploaded them that I had multiple digital copies of my very important personal photos and mementos.
I mean, what would I have done if I lost this?
Odds are, your house won't burn down, or you won't have a flood, or
your water heater won't leak, but maybe 5% of folks reading this will
have some event happen and taking a few simple steps might make your life easier.
-- ROB
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