Watch how often you end up explaining the problem to a rubber duck or a confused pet. That act of putting the mess into words for someone, even pretend someone, is where you untangle it. Solving your own problems like that builds a kind of understanding no copied answer can give you.

Phones create and solve the same problem, @sam_wood54.

That "awkward minute" is the worst part of the job because they never understand they're ruining the finish. You have to be super direct and basically block their path, which feels rude even though it's necessary. I've had to stand in doorways like a bouncer to save a floor.

Totally agree, use your stuff! The_david hit it right with missing out on what things are for. @the_nina had a point about mint condition being overrated if you never enjoy it. I used to keep my comics sealed too, but then I read one and got so much more out of it. A little wear shows it was loved and shared, like passing a comic to a friend. Why buy something if you're not going to use it and have fun with it?

Yeah the "without any advice being given" part is real. I had a neighbor start doing that and I just walked over and said it's like cutting off all your fingers and expecting your hand to work right. They stopped because I put it in simple terms they could picture. Sometimes people just don't know.