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Post by strone03 on Jan 14, 2014 14:30:11 GMT -5
I would like to hear everyone's LCS weekly experiences. Being somewhat new to the comic world and in an area where there is really only one LCS in a reasonable driving distance I am in a very odd situation. I am sure most of you in urban settings have multiple choices for stores and becomes regulars. I fear my LCS is far less superior than the rest and it really bothers me because of the amount of money I am willing to spend on a weekly basis. Please share with me what you expect and love about your dedicated stores.
At first it was a struggle to get a pull list set up with not all of the workers knowing the proper procedure and discounts when asked. Finally, I ran into one of the owners that does the ordering. The "procedure" was as simple as writing on a blank paper a list of titles I would like pulled upon arrival. Simple enough but I learned it was super ineffective. I had problems with them never really taking a look at my list. For example, Image books, that aren't in super high demand were never ordered even though I had them on a pull list. It took 4 weeks for me to get the following books, Manifest Destiny, Protectors Inc, and Damian Son of Batman. In my opinion, unreasonable at the least due to them being on my pull list.
I know other stores have emailing services with books that have arrived and order forms that are also submitted electronically and I would like to hear other systems so I can become envious. For the last few months I have been using dcbservice.com for the obscure books that I know of a chance my LCS won't have. Beyond frustrating.
/rant
Please be grateful if you do have a great LCS that you can count on!
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Post by bookend57 on Jan 14, 2014 14:51:42 GMT -5
My LCS is about a 20 minute drive from my house. They have a pull-list program which gives me 15% off my books. I simply send them an e-mail and they add my books to a massive spreadsheet they use to order their books. I haven't had any problems with it yet, but they didn't get Manifest Destiny #1 or #2 or Umbral #2 which was disappointing, but they are very efficient with how they handle the orders (I sent them my pull list and then went to the store about an hour later and they had my books ready and waiting for me). The owner of the store is very friendly and courteous, he quickly learned my name when he realized I was a weekly customer. I also really like that if there is any back issue I want I can just ask them to put an order in for it and it'll be there within a few days. The only time I've hit a snag with that is when I ordered Hawkeye #12, which I have yet to receive. Apparently its a "hot book" and is back-ordered like crazy. Overall though I am very pleased with my LCS and that is a big reason why I still buy physical books instead of just buying digitally from Comixology. If your'e ever in the Green Bay, Wisconsin area hit up Powers Comics and Collectibles, just a few blocks from Lambeau Field.
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Post by thephantomwelshman on Jan 14, 2014 14:55:23 GMT -5
I can't speak highly enough of my local shop, it's only a small dingy place but has plenty of character (and 5 minutes away from my house). When I first got into comics not so long ago the guy who owns the shop couldn't have been more helpful suggesting titles I'd be interested in, letting me know how the whole pull list system works etc. Anything I want he doesn't have he'll get ordered in pretty quickly. Not sure if it's a standard comic book shop thing but all the comics come bagged, and if you pick up a variant of more expensive book you'll get it boarded as well. The shop has a really good community and whenever I pop in to pick up my books I'll usually spend at least 45 minutes chatting with the owner and whoever else in the shop. Guess I'm quite lucky, if anyone visits Portsmouth UK, check out Ians Books and comics.
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Post by xtjmac510x on Jan 14, 2014 14:59:31 GMT -5
Back in the fall of 2011 when I started going to comic stores on a regular basis there were 3 places to go to get comics. Two were within ten minutes of each other and the other one was in Olympia, which for me was about a half an hour drive. Given that driving distance, I tended to never go to that one and opted instead to go to the two that were closer to where I lived.
Both stores were different. One had a massive selection of titles from every publisher and had a kind and caring staff of two, while the other was a massive store (for tabletop gaming, cards, filming ect) but only had a modest selection of comics (i.e Marvel and DC only). The problem with the first store is that size-wise it was about as big as an A-list celebrities closet. It also, despite a great staff, ran very much like a business trying to sell you something rather than a warm and welcoming community like the other one was. But each had their benefits so I visited both with weekly regularity.
In July of 2012 though, the bigger, more community driven store closed down, leaving only the other store to remain. With a now bigger audience coming to their store on a weekly basis, the smaller store became my main source of comics and I can't really complain. I do miss the comics community life/work style of the other place but this store is actually really nice. They write down any and every book you want to order and get it to you either on time or within a week of its release. Sometimes Diamond forgets a box but for the most part it runs like clockwork. Maybe one day a community store might pop back into town, but right now I'm fine with where I am. They're good people and its a good store. That's my LCS story for ya...
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Post by monkeywithamonocle on Jan 14, 2014 17:01:38 GMT -5
There's a small chain of stores in the UK, that I've managed to visit all 4 branches of, their main store is in Leeds and that is the only one that I've ever had any issue with, I was in there one Sunday and they had the soundtrack to Scott Pilgrim playing, whilst I was browsing their Graphic Novels I found myself singing along to one of the songs (not loudly I might add, just quietly to myself), at the time I was the only person in the store - I then clearly heard the staff openly mocking me and deciding that as I was humming along to the soundtrack to a recent Hollywood flick whilst browsing their Graphic Novels I was a 'F*!*ing Fan-boy' who 'knew nothing about good comics'.
Needless to say I walked out there and then, and have never been back in since. I know the guys who said it have claimed that I misheard them, but I'm certain on what I'd heard. I've found that at times sadly your smaller local stores can be a bit pretentious and daunting to visit, I'll be the first to admit that at times I don't have a clue where to start when I'm looking and need a bit of help and when you've had experiences like that it can make it a bit harder.
My local store in York were very hit and miss as well, they actually got to know my other half pretty well as she worked at a coffee shop round the cornerand then randomly after a couple of years when they were in her store one day they mentioned that her Pull list hadn't been collected in an age and when she went in you were talking a pile a good half a foot high. The only thing? She never had a pull list, and originally thought that it was one she'd set up for me and cancelled the lot as I wasn't buying at the time.
Luckily now in Manchester we have 2 really good stores within a couple of minutes of each other, and both already seem to personally know me, and are only too happy to discuss recent books and whats best to be buying.
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mknight
Fearless Defender
Posts: 34
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Post by mknight on Jan 14, 2014 17:25:46 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about the trouble you're having with your LCS. I can relate. Generally books on my pull list are in my pile when I go to the shop. However, it's a similar paper and pencil system so whenever I pick up my books I have to double check my own list (I use the Comixology pull list app on my phone) because there will always at least one book missing. It hasn't been uncommon for more than one to not be in my stack. So the clerk usually has to run around the store to pull a copy off the shelf. It's annoying but for the most past it's fine. But what annoys me the most is that something will be missing and they're SOLD OUT! This happened with Pretty Deadly #1 and they ordered a reprint for me. Which meant that if I wanted a first printing I had to search all over.
The shop used to be around the block from me but they had to move a couple of miles away. Not as convenient but they're still the best option out of the other shops in the area. At one point I was so frustrated with the missing books from my stack that I considered using a mail order shop like Midtown Comics. But I prefer to support the local shops so I'm sticking with them for now.
Overall, my shop is cool. The clerks and owner are nice and know me well enough to pull my books as soon as I arrive. An email goes out every Sunday with the books for that week and I can reply and have something added to my pull. But the paper list system clearly could be better. Since my tiny apartment can't stand to house another long box, I'm flirting with subscribing to books digitally. So far I just started subscribing to Rat Queens digitally via Comixology and I may do that for any new books I want.
Good luck!
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Fugazi
Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
R.W.S
Posts: 56
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Post by Fugazi on Jan 14, 2014 19:32:43 GMT -5
The closest comic book shop to me is an hour away. The good news is I work in that town. The bad news is that shop only orders what people are pulling and maybe 1-2 extra issues...When I want a book that is not on my pull list, I'm out of luck. On top of that it cost $20 to sign up for "membership" to be guaranteed to get your stuff pulled!!! There is a free option but there is no guarantee, and I've experienced NOT getting something because another paying member did!! The comic book shop is in a real bad part of town, I'm sure they are BARELY in business. EDIT: I forgot to add, they whine if you remove books from your list. And to add a new one there is a two week processing time lol, such a JOKE /endrant So I took my pull list to Midtown Comics, online. I am perfectly happy with them, the only draw-back is I get my books 3-4 days later then the rest of the world but at least I get consistent service AND I can add any books I want that aren't on my list to my order. I won't even CONSIDER digital. Only because I am a collector and I want to LOOK at physical books. I'm not against reading a book digitally but I want, no, NEED a physical copy as well
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Fugazi
Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
R.W.S
Posts: 56
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Post by Fugazi on Jan 14, 2014 19:42:16 GMT -5
But what annoys me the most is that something will be missing and they're SOLD OUT!... This is exactly what was happening to me, not on the list? Sorry, sold out! Thats why I went to Midtown. I can get on board with supporting your local comic book shop but not if they aren't supporting me
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Post by JediHunter66 on Jan 14, 2014 19:42:35 GMT -5
Closest comic book shop for me is 45 mins, the one I got to is about 55 mins away. It's hard to believe living in Southern California really but the Inland Empire has 0 comic book stores, Orange County has around 6. I would go to the closer one but I do not like their personalities/way they come across to customers, they're somewhat snobby and act like elitist. I was just coming back to comics when I went in there and was turned off greatly by the lack of actual help. I came across the one I go to now by seeing a Facebook event randomly showing a Tom Morello signing for his comic Orchid by Darkhorse. Got 3 issues signed and a photo . It was there where I noticed how great the staff was, incredibly helpful, friendly and they actually talk geekdom with you and dont come across as just wanting your money. So if you're ever in So Cal hit up Beach Ball Comics or their sister store Corner Store Comics. Don't give Phat Collectibles any of your money, they don't deserve a nickel. Oh another thing showing my LCS superiority to the other is at Beach Ball there is never a charge to get in for a signing, no "You must purchase one item" either. Phat Collectibles either forces you to buy something from the store to get entry for a signing or buy a "Pass" to get in...
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inhuman
Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Posts: 52
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Post by inhuman on Jan 14, 2014 19:57:13 GMT -5
My LCS is about half an hour away and it couldn't be more awesome. Always tend to go in on my day off and spend a good hour or two chatting about sports, life and all sorts of stuff with the guys. My order is usually always perfect and if it isn't they do all they can to find missing issues or order in back issues for me.
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Post by xtjmac510x on Jan 14, 2014 20:32:20 GMT -5
But what annoys me the most is that something will be missing and they're SOLD OUT!... This is exactly what was happening to me, not on the list? Sorry, sold out! Thats why I went to Midtown. I can get on board with supporting your local comic book shop but not if they aren't supporting me That's happened to me a number of times but usually, with my current store, they'll order it ASAP and get it to me the next week.
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Post by joroak on Jan 14, 2014 21:57:44 GMT -5
I'm quite fortunate in the distance regard. My shop is about half a mile away. And they're great guys, but unfortunately it's more of a job for them now. Some of my stuff takes weeks to come. Some stuff missing now and again. I've known them like 20 years so that is keeping me from going all digital.
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Post by procrastronaut on Jan 15, 2014 8:15:52 GMT -5
Not sure if it's a standard comic book shop thing but all the comics come bagged, and if you pick up a variant of more expensive book you'll get it boarded as well. My comic shop bags everything too, and after visiting them exclusively from a young age I was taken aback when I went to a forbidden planet and found out they didn't My LCS is run by a really friendly and helpful guy, very enthusiastic and easy to chat with. He put me onto a couple of things over the years like Usagi Yojimbo and Concrete, and has asked me to help recommend things when new customers are looking for advice. He also regularly takes money off when I'm spending a lot. Which is pretty much every time I used to work around the corner so when new comics came in I was allowed to pick my own pull list out every week. Now I'm working in the next town over I really miss popping in after work to chat and hang out. Highly recommended for anyone in or around Taunton in Somerset (UK), it's called Krackers and it's worth looking up.
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Post by PaulWrites on Jan 15, 2014 15:18:13 GMT -5
Considering the nature of what their selling and the people they attract, comic shops in general are pretty dismal places in the UK. There where 3 comic shops in Liverpool when I started picking comics up and the smallest/indie run one was by far the best, they really helped me develop my understanding and appreciation of comics - this was pre-internet so it really was the only place a guy could get some comic orientation! They used to have artists and writers in semi regularly which I thought was all part of it the LCS experience, man how I wish the other shops in Liverpool shared that outlook. Unfortunately the indie place went out of business which just left the two chain stores. I took up a pull list with Forbidden Planet for years before switching to Worlds apart. I found both shops pretty miserable to be honest, and I was dishing out a lot of money to these guys and they could barely be fucked to serve people! Anyway, I eventually went mail order with Forbidden Planet (based out of Scotland I believe) and never had a problem, their pull list and advance order and so on was great my only gripes where the monthly deliveries I was getting resulted in me not getting my books on time. After a few months I would routinely have to buy in bags and boards, which was quite time consuming and expensive I'm sure you obsessive bagger guys can relate too. Anyway there came a time I couldn't commit to more than a week by week basis because money was tight, but pushed me into finding an awesome shop. I had been picking variants up from an store on eBay and approached them about an ongoing deal for my weekly orders; A Place In Space - whom I can not say enough good things about. I'm a mail order customer of their's getting weekly shipments, all my stuff comes bagged and boarded in A1 condition and they never come up short on the titles and variants I require. I love it, I send them a list Monday, clear my invoice Tuesday and there usually here Friday. It would be hard to switch to another supplier having had such solid service for the last several years. Though a part of me would like to pick the books up on release day, the thought of dealing with those shops and going back to bagging and boarding my own stuff holds zero appeal. I don't miss my LCS's in the slightest. My only regret is the smaller store that shut down way back when, if they could of crawled into the internet boom it might of been a different story as they had a truly awesome back catalogue and very friendly knowledgeable staff.
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Post by wjohnson22 on Jan 15, 2014 15:53:14 GMT -5
It sounds people have a real range of experiences from their respective LCS. Living in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area, we have an embarrassment of riches with five dedicated comic shops in the area that I know of. What is even better is that two of these shops tend to have competing sales.
I actually used to have a subscription at two shops in the area, but recently changed it to just one due to budget. Each shop has its own strengths, with one shop in Chapel Hill doing a great job of collecting back issue runs on many titles and offering great deals, as well as featuring all-ages books. Another shop between Durham and Chapel Hill organizes an excellent comiccon, has a fantastic back issue selection, and often has creators do signings, like Kelly Sue DeConnick. Basically if you’re a comic book fan, you could do a lot worse than moving to the Triangle!
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