21Pittsburgh58

At this point in the story, you've seen a printed price and you've had an indication that the price will "probably" be discounted (but the discount isn't guaranteed). The rest of the story doesn't matter. Any price asked above the amount on the sticker is the literal definition of "bait-and-switch". He only "advertised" the price to an audience of one person... you... but you saw the price and he indicated it would be THAT price, or lower. Except for the fact that Valiantman21Pittsburgh58 asked for books that were in the back room and not for sale at the moment. They could have still listed at cover price. It wouldn't matter. The owner, who is negligent in staying current with his stock and prices, did have a right to check (he said they would probably be cheaper) to see what the current value/price was. He did offer a discount, but he did not say thank you to Valiantman21Pittsburgh58, and that is where he is wrong and what VM seems mad about. I wouldn't call this a bait and switch as it was not on the wall at that price, nor would I call it shady business practice. Now if it was on display in a case or on the wall at that price and he didn't honor it, that would be bait and switch and shady. It wasn't me. No, I'm saying that it was all fine (going to the back room, pulling old stickered books) UNTIL the seller indicated that the $39.95 and $19.95 prices were TOO HIGH, and they would probably be lower. Once he said "$39.95, possibly less than that", he can't raise the price. He has advertised the $39.95 price, without a guarantee of a discount to this buyer (21Pittsburgh58). Then, he changed the prices to much, much higher. That's an instant bait-and-switch. Oops, sorry I thought you were the poster the way the thread broke down in the message box. He did say don't worry about the prices they are "PROBABLY" lower than that. But were not. I still think using the term "probably" shows that it was not a guarantee. It's all good. No harm, no foul. I agree with you. But... Would it be a different story if I bought them at the sticker prices and then came on here to say "I just got these at an absolute steal from my LCS"? Absolutely. Would it be justified to "look down" on me as a buyer? Sure. Why not the other way around? I've already stated twice that I asked for the books to be brought up from the back and because they were not on the floor, that it was up to the LCS to do what they did. Re-stating what happened: He had sticker prices at $39.95 and $19.95, looked them up on eBay and jacked the price to $225 and $150. Offered me a 20% discount off of eBay prices which would have cost me: 1) $180 for the Gamora ($39.95 sticker to $225 eBay to $180 final sale w/ 20%discount) 2) $120 for the Punisher ($19.95 sticker to $150 eBay to $120 final sale w/ 20% discount). Those 2 books would have cost me $300 + tax (at 20% off) instead of $60 + tax = 5x what was actually on the book. Now they are looking to make (if they sell) $375 + tax. Is that how you would have done business? I never, ever said that they SHOULD have sold them to me at the sticker price, I stated that a simple 'thank you' would have sufficed. Bottom line is this: I don't have the books. The LCS has the books but, at this time, haven't sold the books. Guaranteed sale vs. potential sale. I wish them the best because I really like going there! But to think that the LCS wasn't even a TINY bit ridiculous in the handling of this, is, in my opinion, ridiculous. Hey 21Pittsburgh58 I never said that it was not ridiculous in fact I said, . I have a store that checks ebay on everything I buy. He has no pulse on what is going on and his stock is not priced accordingly. He does however honor the prices of his stock on the floor that is priced. I did say, "Granted, pricing it in front of him was wrong and showed lack of social skills (business and otherwise.)". I am not disagreeing that what he did lacked common sense or etiquette, but was saying that it is not a bait and switch to check the prices of a book being pulled from the back room. A bait and switch is when it is advertised at one price to lure people in and then try to switch the item with a higher priced item. How would I have handled it? I wouldn't have given you a priced book or would not have told you the price before checking it out. The back room is often over stock and not up to date priced. Either way I do not fault you and would 100% feel slighted along with you. No, you would not have been looked down upon if you got them at that price, people would have applauded your savvy purchase. I'm with you! I also never mentioned bait and switch, someone else did. All I wanted was a 'thank you' for bringing them to his attention. The books became secondary to courtesy once I declined the purchase.

No, if the dealer had said, "these need price updates first", that would mean the books weren't priced. But the dealer set the maximum price for the customer when he said, "Don't worry about the price stickers". At that moment, the price sticker ($39.95) was the worst case scenario for the customer. How do you go from "Don't worry about $39.95" to "Now, it's $225" without it being a bait-and-switch? The owner didn't set a maximum price. He said "PROBABLY less than that." This being an unsold incentive variant he made that statement because he believed the book was no longer a 40 dollar book, as incentive variants typically go down in price, especially if they don't sell out and see a demand upon their initial release. A month ago the owner would have looked up the price of that book and seen it selling for 15-20, so he would've discounted the book. You can't have it both ways. You should never assume books that are backstock or otherwise not on the sales floor/wall have been priced. This is why owners are typically quick to point out that their backstock/overstock cannot be dug through; same as collections that have just come in, they haven't been priced. Getting access to these books, and a discount on top of that, are the benefits. I agree with most of what you said, except for the bolded part. Who actually benefitted from what he did? He did (if the books sell). I didn't. I brought them to his attention and he gets to make more than he would have off of books that were gathering dust in the back room. I've already stated (3 times now, this is the 4th), that I understand that they were not fair game because they were not on the floor yet. But what exactly was the benefit for me? A potentially lower price than the one listed? Yep. Did that happen? Nope. The 20% discount off of top eBay prices? Was the benefit merely to hold those books and can always say forever and ever that I did? The only thing I was frustrated with, was that he never said thank you for bringing them to his attention. That's it. Period. What is so hard to understand about that?

LCS like that are scum and don't deserve any business ! Not really, no. Changing the price of a book that is on the sales floor available to purchase is one thing. That is a scummy thing to do, especially when you don't make it known to customers before they start browsing because then they know what to expect. However, in this case the books were not on the sales floor. Despite having a price tag they are effectively not priced yet. You can't fault an owner/dealer for having un-priced books which are then priced at current market prices. The fact that he let you browse his otherwise unavailable backstock is benefit enough. Agreed, and that's why I mentioned that they were brought from the back and not changed at the register. I told him that if they were in the floor stock, I would have paid and walked out happy as a lark. He understood that, just like I understand what he did. Ach, I just hijacked this thread. Sorry. Back to cool Dell'Otto's

At this point in the story, you've seen a printed price and you've had an indication that the price will "probably" be discounted (but the discount isn't guaranteed). The rest of the story doesn't matter. Any price asked above the amount on the sticker is the literal definition of "bait-and-switch". He only "advertised" the price to an audience of one person... you... but you saw the price and he indicated it would be THAT price, or lower. Except for the fact that Valiantman21Pittsburgh58 asked for books that were in the back room and not for sale at the moment. They could have still listed at cover price. It wouldn't matter. The owner, who is negligent in staying current with his stock and prices, did have a right to check (he said they would probably be cheaper) to see what the current value/price was. He did offer a discount, but he did not say thank you to Valiantman21Pittsburgh58, and that is where he is wrong and what VM seems mad about. I wouldn't call this a bait and switch as it was not on the wall at that price, nor would I call it shady business practice. Now if it was on display in a case or on the wall at that price and he didn't honor it, that would be bait and switch and shady. It wasn't me. No, I'm saying that it was all fine (going to the back room, pulling old stickered books) UNTIL the seller indicated that the $39.95 and $19.95 prices were TOO HIGH, and they would probably be lower. Once he said "$39.95, possibly less than that", he can't raise the price. He has advertised the $39.95 price, without a guarantee of a discount to this buyer (21Pittsburgh58). Then, he changed the prices to much, much higher. That's an instant bait-and-switch. Oops, sorry I thought you were the poster the way the thread broke down in the message box. He did say don't worry about the prices they are "PROBABLY" lower than that. But were not. I still think using the term "probably" shows that it was not a guarantee. It's all good. No harm, no foul. I agree with you. But... Would it be a different story if I bought them at the sticker prices and then came on here to say "I just got these at an absolute steal from my LCS"? Absolutely. Would it be justified to "look down" on me as a buyer? Sure. Why not the other way around? I've already stated twice that I asked for the books to be brought up from the back and because they were not on the floor, that it was up to the LCS to do what they did. Re-stating what happened: He had sticker prices at $39.95 and $19.95, looked them up on eBay and jacked the price to $225 and $150. Offered me a 20% discount off of eBay prices which would have cost me: 1) $180 for the Gamora ($39.95 sticker to $225 eBay to $180 final sale w/ 20%discount) 2) $120 for the Punisher ($19.95 sticker to $150 eBay to $120 final sale w/ 20% discount). Those 2 books would have cost me $300 + tax (at 20% off) instead of $60 + tax = 5x what was actually on the book. Now they are looking to make (if they sell) $375 + tax. Is that how you would have done business? I never, ever said that they SHOULD have sold them to me at the sticker price, I stated that a simple 'thank you' would have sufficed. Bottom line is this: I don't have the books. The LCS has the books but, at this time, haven't sold the books. Guaranteed sale vs. potential sale. I wish them the best because I really like going there! But to think that the LCS wasn't even a TINY bit ridiculous in the handling of this, is, in my opinion, ridiculous.

No argument needed. I realize that the store needs sales in order to stay in business. I'm cool with that. But the fact that he wasn't even cordial after I bring books to his attention that he (potentially) will make 5x the sticker price on the Gamora and 7x the sticker price on the Punisher books is what frustrated me. I really like that LCS and they have an amazing back issue selection where I've made some good buys. But I know now NOT to ask about books that are not on the floor because he's going to jack the price up to eBay prices. As I stated, I had asked him to bring the books in from his back room so they were not fair game until he quoted me a price. All in all, I left without the books and he gets to make a premium on the books if they sell. A simple 'thank you' would have been nice, that's all.

I went to an LCS yesterday and requested to see his Original Sin books from the back. He brings them out and I look through them. He has all the Dell'Otto's with Gamora and Punisher being in the best shape. Gamora has a $39.95 tag and Punisher has a $19.95 tag. He then says, don't worry about the prices, they are probably less than that. I quickly deduce that he is going to look them up. No *spoon*, right. Boy was he surprised to see what they were going for and I was far less surprised that the sticker prices were soon not going to be the sell prices. He then asks, do you know what these are going for? I say, yes, I'm aware. Then he offers me 20% off...of eBay prices! I politely decline. For the record, I would have bought them if he handed them over at those prices. Sellers responsibility to know what they have (which he ultimately did find out). I'm not mad since they were pulled from his back room and they were not fair game yet because they were not in the back issues boxes on the floor. I'm more frustrated that he didn't at least say "thank you for bringing these to my attention". He went from $60 plus taxes in sales for the 2 books, to putting them in the display case for $225 (Gamora) and $150 (Punisher) WHILE I'M THERE At least put them in mylar bro. . Ah well, at least I can say I at least held those copies

He was featured but I don't think a lot of people are aware that it was him - yet. Hopefully they address that fact by having Daryl find him and call him out. That would help.

A Harley Quinn "crash" is not going to happen because people aren't going to forget about her anytime soon. A failed Suicide Squad movie MAY cause a severe decline, but that's not going to happen either. There may be an eventual decline, but the popular books will still sell well. In my opinion.

Suicide Squad 1, 6 & 7, Secret Origins #4, Harley #1 (both volumes) might be getting close to blowing up. They haven't had the bump I've expected yet, but it's close. Almost everything Harley Quinn should see an uptick. Margot Robbie seems to be the right choice for the character. Room to grow but the window to get in is getting smaller

I picked up full sets of J Scott, Joe Mad and Jim Lee off of the 'bay for a little over cover per set. J Scott was a little more because I had to buy an individual color cover. The pencil sketch of the Jim Lee is VF+/NM- and that's the only one that is not NM/better. Also got one color copy by Darwin Cooke (just not a fan of his work), and one Bruce Timm pencil sketch out of polybags Edit: Just opened 2 more Bruce Timm polybags and got the color (NM) and inked (VF, multiple NCB spine ticks). Full set now

Perfect! Order coming soon Thanks

They should be on the website It's saying out of stock for the 1 pack and 500 current and modern flip/stick bags. I will keep checking back though. Love the CGC boxes that I ordered. Very sturdy! Thanks

Slightly off topic: I'm interested in the modern flip/stick bags. Any idea when they will be back in stock? Thanks!

Thank you Astoria!

What guest artists did the covers for Season 2 #8 & #9 (or 2 of 6 and 3 of 6)? Your help is appreciated! Jason

+1

Just found out this got pulled at my favorite comic shop - Drawn To Comics!!! Great owners, better people! If you are ever in the Phoenix/Glendale area, I highly recommend them!!! Congrats to whomever pulled it!

GREAT pick on the Justice League: Darkseid War books!!! I'm loving Grail and Myrina Black and I expect more from them, especially Grail!

That cover is kicka$$!!!

Specualtion done right See the diff between pumping and specualting now? Here is the pump 'n dump: I agree with the 5 titles that I own . The rest are not spec worthy Just kidding. Those are some good specs right there!

Sold my Batman 635 earlier this year for $8. Didn't think anything was special about the book (dolt!). Anyways, it's not getting back into my collection anytime soon. Lesson learned: Know what's going on and who's in each book. It was one that I had read when I first got it and put it away. Ah well

Finally, someone who mentions the #99 2nd print. It does look like, and I could be completely wrong, that #100 was released Jul 2012 and #99 2nd was released Aug 2012. Maybe that has something to do with it not being talked about much. But it is a part of the connecting cover set and is a key component to the full run being half of Negan's head. Does anyone else have an idea as to why #99 2nd print is not talked about? Edit: Don't forget about the Chromium version and SDCC Exclusive.

Well, we have sorta moved on from calling them "Variants"... to buzzwordy and gets the old school panties all bunched up.... We have since moved on to calling them foreign editions.... It is a better classification anyway. My bad Gotta keep the old school panties from being bunched

Interesting, but he's talking about $3-5 books. Would he say the same thing if he had a Hulk 181? Would it still be in those old bags w/ boards? I agree with him that low valued books are fine in their old b & b's but not when you have a book that's $20+ (in my opinion). I love mylar, I spend money to buy mylar and will continue to have my collection in mylar. I do use the regular b & b's but only when the comic is valued at the ones he showed. Different strokes for different folks.

I'm loving the foreign variants although mine are all modern's. Have picked up: Batman #1 Italian (has the regular cover) Batman #1 German (Van Sciver cover) Wolverine as Deadpool Mexican Harley Quinn Eternal #19 German (Chad Hardin cover) Superman/Batman #41 German (Affleck/Cavill cover) TWD #5 German (Michonne's 1st appearance). Not a normal size book BTW A couple of Darth Vader covers (cannot remember the actual title/#) Supergirl & the Legion of Heroes French (I think) (incoming) All great covers at affordable prices and they look awesome! I'll never own a real Wolverine/Deadpool or Michonne 1st app, so this works for me