What Car Dealers Won't Tell You (2005 Edition)

Buying a car?  Afraid you’ll get ripped off? Bob Elliston, President of Automotive Consumer Information Service, Inc., gives you the insider tips you need to get the best car—and the best deal.

Elliston walks the reader through each stage of buying a car and includes valuable information on:

   • Using the psychology of the car dealer to negotiate a great deal
   • Deciding between buying or leasing, new or used, foreign or American
   • Shopping at auto auctions
   • Figuring out what to pay—before entering the dealership
   • How to use the Internet to your best advantage—from research to online buying services

With checklists, tables, and work sheets not found anywhere else, What Car Dealers Won’t Tell You levels the playing field and takes the uncertainty out of buying a car.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs