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Post by Randle-El on Sept 4, 2014 10:47:54 GMT -5
Been pondering whether to ditch my LCS completely and go 100% online/digital for my comics purchases. The main reason I still shop at an LCS is for current comics, as I get most back issues and trades online. I have had a pull list at three local shops over the years, all of which had various pros and cons:
Shop #1 had a friendly proprietor who knew my name and would cut me deals on items on top of pull list discounts I was already getting. It also happened to be a couple of blocks from my office so it was easy for me to pop in and out. Drawbacks were location -- after I changed jobs, it was no longer convenient to get to and parking (only street parking) was a major hassle. On top of this, the owner had a habit of closing up the shop randomly during the middle of the day to get coffee or run an errand. It was also tiny and cramped, and fit your stereotype of "hole in the wall comic shop".
Shop #2 was a great store in many ways -- big, bright, clean, great selection, and really knew their comics. Computerized POS system, and I never had a book missing. The downsides were distance and not-so-great discounts for pull list customers, and often-inconsistently applied discounts. Also, they had friendly-enough, yet impersonal staff. Even though I was in there on a weekly basis and saw the same staff all the time, they always treated me as if they had never seen me before. I don't expect them to be my best friend, but if I'm in the store every week for a few months now I'd at least expect them to recognize me and know that I'm here to pick up my pull, rather than always asking "What can I help you with today?" in an sterile, big-box sort of way.
Shop #3, my current shop, is a hybrid comics and sports card shop. Shop #3 offers the best discounts for pull customers -- I get 15% to 20% off. It's also three miles from my house, and is in a large strip mall with ample parking. I left Shop #2 for Shop #3 because of the discounts and convenience factor. However, I'm finding that Shop #3 seems to give short shrift to the comics side. While the sports card side gets lots of promotion, signings, and other special events, the comic side gets almost nothing. Their Free Comic Book Day was pretty sad -- a pile of freebies near the register (only 1 per customer), and a sheet of paper on the front door indicating it was FBCD. Not a mention of it on their website or Facebook page.
But more importantly, the main reason I shop at #3, pull list service, leaves a lot to be desired. I'm regularly missing books, and they routinely put books in my box that I'm not interested in or not subscribed for. Sometimes I can still get a book off the rack that they forgot to pull for me, but a lot of times they're out and have to order more. I've often gotten books 3-4 weeks late and I have to keep asking about the missing books. Very frustrating.
So I'm wondering if it's time to ditch the LCS and go with a service like DCBS or Midtown for my current comics. In theory I like the idea of supporting a LCS, but not if it means being inconvenienced or getting service that I'm not happy with. Coupled with the deep discounts that the online places are offering, the fact that I don't even have to step outside to pick up my books, and little add-ons like free bags and boards, and I'm finding it harder and harder to justify keeping a pull list at a local store.
So what do you think? Is it time to throw in the towel and go fully online, or do I give the LCS another shot at keeping me as a customer?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2014 11:03:17 GMT -5
Before I gave up on current books altogether I had switched from my last "LCS" (actually a record/book/game/DVD/rental place with a rack of comics) to Midtown. It was cheaper, but I found that getting a month's worth of books at once led to me getting too many books at once and they just piled up until I gave up on reading new stuff and cancelled my subs. A neat thing happened when I cancelled. After I cancelled it still showed them pulling books the next week. I emailed them and asked about it and they said not to worry it was just a glitch and I wouldn't be charged. I checked a couple weeks later and noticed it said my books had shipped (but my card hadn't been charged). I emailed again and said it showed the books shipped, but that I hadn't been charged and if they had actually shipped then just go ahead and charge me, but was told this was also a glitch. A few days later my books arrived and when I checked my bank account they had refunded the cost of the books despite never charging in the first place.
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Sept 4, 2014 11:23:32 GMT -5
Let me answer this question in a round about way
I miss the days of record stores. Where you can walk in and browse thru rows and rows of records, both new and old. Listen in to the conversation of others. Hear music you might like over the loudspeaker. Get recommendations or questions answered by staff. These stores are mostly gone now. On line and digigital sales have killed them. The music industry has also been shrinking every year since about 2003. year after year declines of 5,6,7% for over a decade.
I miss the days of book stores. Used to be quite a few mom and pop shops but they too have been severely diminished as big box stores took over. Then the big box stores strarted having their share of woes as well .Goodbye Borders. Barnes and Nobles cutting back. Sure you can go on Amazon and click away but theres nothing like walking thru aisles of books, never knowing what might grab your attention
I got the same joy from the old Video shops. Then the DVD stores. They're dropping like flies. Most of the big box types are gone like Tower,Virgin,HMV etc.
Make your choice
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2014 14:17:27 GMT -5
I ditched my comic shop for the same pull list problems.
No need to feel you owe the comic shop anything, you're the customer. Go where the customer is treated best.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2014 14:20:41 GMT -5
Before I gave up on current books altogether I had switched from my last "LCS" (actually a record/book/game/DVD/rental place with a rack of comics) to Midtown. It was cheaper, but I found that getting a month's worth of books at once led to me getting too many books at once and they just piled up until I gave up on reading new stuff and cancelled my subs. A neat thing happened when I cancelled. After I cancelled it still showed them pulling books the next week. I emailed them and asked about it and they said not to worry it was just a glitch and I wouldn't be charged. I checked a couple weeks later and noticed it said my books had shipped (but my card hadn't been charged). I emailed again and said it showed the books shipped, but that I hadn't been charged and if they had actually shipped then just go ahead and charge me, but was told this was also a glitch. A few days later my books arrived and when I checked my bank account they had refunded the cost of the books despite never charging in the first place.  Nice one I left Heavyink because they "forgot" to send me a really hot comic with my order, and customer service did not respond to two messages I sent. So I was unable to remove my account, I simply removed my credit card info. Then I got a notice saying they need credit card info for an invoice, turns out it's for the invoice they shorted me on, they mailed it before they charged it. Well, they never got any credit card info. Been two months and still no reply to my customer service requests either. I guess it's no big deal. |
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Post by Randle-El on Sept 4, 2014 14:36:07 GMT -5
Let me answer this question in a round about way I miss the days of record stores. Where you can walk in and browse thru rows and rows of records, both new and old. Listen in to the conversation of others. Hear music you might like over the loudspeaker. Get recommendations or questions answered by staff. These stores are mostly gone now. On line and digigital sales have killed them. The music industry has also been shrinking every year since about 2003. year after year declines of 5,6,7% for over a decade. I miss the days of book stores. Used to be quite a few mom and pop shops but they too have been severely diminished as big box stores took over. Then the big box stores strarted having their share of woes as well .Goodbye Borders. Barnes and Nobles cutting back. Sure you can go on Amazon and click away but theres nothing like walking thru aisles of books, never knowing what might grab your attention I got the same joy from the old Video shops. Then the DVD stores. They're dropping like flies. Most of the big box types are gone like Tower,Virgin,HMV etc. Make your choice I agree that we should support LCSs, and I am not unsympathetic to the plight of small business owners. My parents were small business owners themselves, and I do try to support mom-and-pop type places that are doing it right. Supporting the LCS is a fine principle for many of the reasons you bring up. But comic shops are a business, not a charity, and local businesses should earn my patronage through providing something more than an online place, even if that "something" is intangible. I don't expect LCSs to compete on price or have vast inventories on par with online shops. But they should step up their games for the areas that they are uniquely equipped to handle... namely, customer service and providing an enjoyable comic shop experience. If my local shop is repeatedly not getting me the books on my pull list, wouldn't you say that's not providing an enjoyable experience? Surely you're not suggesting we blindly support the local shop, irrespective of quality, just because they might go out of business and then we won't have local shops anymore? Why are other types of businesses held to a higher standard, while we give comic shops a pass to be crappy on the grounds that we need to "support" them? As I've often opined elsewhere, if comic shops are going to insist that we patronize them on those grounds, then maybe they deserve to out of business. Going back to my original post -- if shop #3 doesn't shape up, I am contemplating going back to #2. Although shop #2 was a bit far, it was overall a very good store in spite of my complaints regarding the somewhat "big box" feel. If trying to be too "professional" means that they aren't going miss books on my pull list, I can live with that. Anyone have any opinions on the online pull services? |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2014 14:49:42 GMT -5
I agree completely.
And I'd gladly pay cover for everything at a decent comic shop. When the comic shop isn't doing a great job of getting me the comics I ordered on my pull list, I leave.
Kind of like if you order a pizza and it never arrives, you'd find a new pizza joint.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2014 14:49:45 GMT -5
Let me answer this question in a round about way I miss the days of record stores. Where you can walk in and browse thru rows and rows of records, both new and old. Listen in to the conversation of others. Hear music you might like over the loudspeaker. Get recommendations or questions answered by staff. These stores are mostly gone now. On line and digigital sales have killed them. The music industry has also been shrinking every year since about 2003. year after year declines of 5,6,7% for over a decade. I miss the days of book stores. Used to be quite a few mom and pop shops but they too have been severely diminished as big box stores took over. Then the big box stores strarted having their share of woes as well .Goodbye Borders. Barnes and Nobles cutting back. Sure you can go on Amazon and click away but theres nothing like walking thru aisles of books, never knowing what might grab your attention I got the same joy from the old Video shops. Then the DVD stores. They're dropping like flies. Most of the big box types are gone like Tower,Virgin,HMV etc. Make your choice In other words, LCSes are doomed. Can't say I'm surprised. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2014 14:50:35 GMT -5
Kind of like if you order a pizza and it never arrives, you'd find a new pizza joint. But what an aid to dieting! |
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,867
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Post by shaxper on Sept 4, 2014 15:37:10 GMT -5
LCSes are looking Darwin in the face these days, but many aren't seeing him.
I FIRMLY believe in supporting an LCS if the only thing making you think of leaving is that the online and digital retailers can offer you better prices. If you get good service and enjoy the shop and the people who run it, they deserve your business and can't be expected to fairly compete on the price level.
However, if a shop is still running things the way they did twenty years earlier, closing the shop whenever, making up discounts on the fly, or messing up your pull list regularly, sorry. They deserve to go the way of the dinosaur. If you can find another retailer near you worthy of your business, I encourage you to look there first, as I truly feel LCSes are getting unfair competition from the web, but if there's no one around who can give you the service you deserve, you shouldn't have to put up with garbage...even if the owner is a nice guy.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2014 16:56:21 GMT -5
If I won the lottery the first thing I'd do is open a comic shop and try to make it the best comic buying experience one could expect. I think shops like that need to exist, even if it's for an increasingly niche market.
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Post by wildfire2099 on Sept 4, 2014 21:41:10 GMT -5
LOL, I say that to my wife all the time, Dupont!
I use DCBS, mostly for price. There is a LCS in my town, but it's the stereotypical hole in the wall.. I went there as a teen.. ti was decent them but he's still got the same stock, the same set up, same everything, just 15 years dingier. And no pull list discount. I stop in once in a great while to see if anything has changed... but it's not a nice enough place to overpay to support.
There's a mini-chain in the area (New England Comics) but they're very impersonal, and offer very paltry discounts, instead opting to run sales regularly... I'll pop in there to pick up stuff I miss when there's a sale and raid the $1 bins, maybe 3-4 times a year. They have like 5 stores, so they don't really need me, and it shows.
My all time favorite LCS (That's Entertainment in Worcester, MA) is too far to have a pull at... I visit when I can (also probably 3-4 times a year), and always by stuff. I'd probably have a pull there still if it wasn't an hour away. They do enough of a discount to make you feel OK about things (20% last I had a pull). And do a great, professional job. They're a little too into CCGs these days for my taste, but still a great store I'd recommend to anyone in the area.
I think that's the max I'd pay, really, when DCBS offers 40% for most things (even 50 sometimes, and always 50 for new trades).. that's more than a few comics.
I also make it a point to visit the LCS when I travel for work if I have a way to get to said store, and always spend a bit of money if it's a nice place.
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Post by zryson on Sept 5, 2014 5:55:58 GMT -5
Perhaps a good way to choose would be to go online for several months, purchasing your comics in that manner and compare it to your previous in-store experience?
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Post by DubipR on Sept 5, 2014 8:08:37 GMT -5
I can understand your frustration about your shops and the service you're getting. if you're not satisfied with the service, then yes, I suggest going digital or buying online, a place like Discount Comic Book Service or whatever online comic store will suit you. I don't know how many shops you have in your city, but it sounds like your three big shops aren't satisfying your needs. It is time to move on but don't leave the shop as a patron. Still be part of the community, but not a pull list person. 2014 will be my last year of buying monthlies as I'll be going more towards digital as I usually don't buy more than 5 books a month. I'll get the occasional trade and what Los Bros Hernandez will put out. I don't think ditching the LCS is a good idea as its just a place to hang out and talk shop with the owners, friends and patrons. Think of it as a coffeehouse and less than a comic shop. It should be a haven to talk books, even if you don't want to buy floppies anymore.
Don't ditch the LCS, just frequent it less than usual...
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 5, 2014 9:25:25 GMT -5
LOL, I say that to my wife all the time, Dupont! I use DCBS, mostly for price. There is a LCS in my town, but it's the stereotypical hole in the wall.. I went there as a teen.. ti was decent them but he's still got the same stock, the same set up, same everything, just 15 years dingier. And no pull list discount. I stop in once in a great while to see if anything has changed... but it's not a nice enough place to overpay to support. There's a mini-chain in the area (New England Comics) but they're very impersonal, and offer very paltry discounts, instead opting to run sales regularly... I'll pop in there to pick up stuff I miss when there's a sale and raid the $1 bins, maybe 3-4 times a year. They have like 5 stores, so they don't really need me, and it shows. My all time favorite LCS (That's Entertainment in Worcester, MA) is too far to have a pull at... I visit when I can (also probably 3-4 times a year), and always by stuff. I'd probably have a pull there still if it wasn't an hour away. They do enough of a discount to make you feel OK about things (20% last I had a pull). And do a great, professional job. They're a little too into CCGs these days for my taste, but still a great store I'd recommend to anyone in the area. I think that's the max I'd pay, really, when DCBS offers 40% for most things (even 50 sometimes, and always 50 for new trades).. that's more than a few comics. I also make it a point to visit the LCS when I travel for work if I have a way to get to said store, and always spend a bit of money if it's a nice place. I don't know about all the other branches of New England Comics, but I really like the people who run the one in Brockton. No real pull discount as you said but the people there have always been friendly to me. |
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Nice one 
