Are LCSs the new enemy or have they always been?

[raybowles]

If you are purchasing 3 copies of books to put collections together, why not have those on a pull list to make sure you get them each month?

 

 

Because every pull list I have ever had gave me copies in VF/NM condition. Have you ever tried to sell modern comics in that condition? It's pretty much a lost cause. I have asked my LCS if they could provide a 9.8 pull list and that I would be happy to pay extra but nobody would offer it.

 

I understand the reasons why LCS set limits but for steady customers that spend $50-$100 a week they should be able to purchase 4-5 copies of an issue if they want. Anyways I found 2 stores in my area that let me purchase anything I want and they have earned my business. I have sent many new collectors to them as a result.

 

Can anyone think of any business in the world that would tell consumers they can't purchase ample items of the same product? I think it's asinine to have limits of 1 or 2 copies for consistent customers who spend a good amount of money each week. It will end up costing them customers.

[techtre2003]

They should, however, limit purchases to one per, on new comic book day for cover price. They should not take advantage of us, but we should not try to make money on them.

 

 

The problem with this approach is I purchase 3 copies of every comic I purchase. I'm putting together complete sets for my children and would therefore have to visit three different comics stores. I have ample LCS in my area and I have stopped going to most because they have limited me to 2 copies but I eventually found 2 that does not limit me and I have been giving them my money every week.

 

Every store has the right to establish limits but we as collectors also have the right not to visit their establishment. IMO stores that set limits of 1 or 2 copies are making a very bad decision. This theory will result in collectors finding other comic stores to spend their money.

 

If I had a business I would not have limits on what a customer could purchase. On certain hot products I would make sure I ordered enough to have some available for everybody. Business owners should do everything they can to keep their customers happy and not give them reasons to shop at other stores.

 

The problem with that is they are putting their orders in 2 months in advance. If a book becomes hot a week before release it's usually too late to jump on and order more. This is why they encourage pull boxes; so they can make sure they order enough to go around. If you are purchasing 3 copies of books to put collections together, why not have those on a pull list to make sure you get them each month?

 

Ok lets say you had a pull for 3 copies per month. Most stores accommodate that. But wouldn't you say that most stores ALSO hope that pull box people peruse the store and by other issues too?

 

So lets say I buy 20 comics per month with 3 copies of each on the pull list. $60x$4 =$240. I see a new #1 Image Whatever comic, that didn't look enticing on the preview so I didn't pull it.

 

Owner says, "hey we got this new Image #1 Whatever, its great, check it out!!!"

 

I say "awesome, I'll take 3"

 

Owner says "sorry, you can only have one."

 

Is it legal? Sure. Does that make any sense? Maybe from a certain perspective.

 

But from the buyer's perspective, it makes more sense to take my business elsewhere.

 

 

Or lets say you want extra copy off of the shelves (for whatever reason, flip, slab, display, give as a gift SS, love the cover) even though you already got 3 on your pull. Does it make sense for the store to deny you? But rules are rules!

 

Oh, I'm sure they want you to buy other stuff too; I usually pick up something not on my list while I'm in there. And if it's every once in a while a regular customer comes in and wants 3 copies of a hot title that came in that day and they are there? Sure, why not.

 

I'm speaking more of the type that waits until the day before to see what is hot and goes to grab multiple copies when the shop opens up; week in and week out. Even if you want to do that and the store is ok with that, more power to you. What I think is funny is when the store sets policies to prevent that from happening and then the flippers whine because the LCS isn't ordering in enough copies of hot books so they can make money off of them. You want to play that game, fine. Just don't cry when you lose or when the rules aren't in your favor.

[techtre2003]

If you are purchasing 3 copies of books to put collections together, why not have those on a pull list to make sure you get them each month?

 

 

Because every pull list I have ever had gave me copies in VF/NM condition. Have you ever tried to sell modern comics in that condition? It's pretty much a lost cause. I have asked my LCS if they could provide a 9.8 pull list and that I would be happy to pay extra but nobody would offer it.

 

I understand the reasons why LCS set limits but for steady customers that spend $50-$100 a week they should be able to purchase 4-5 copies of an issue if they want. Anyways I found 2 stores in my area that let me purchase anything I want and they have earned my business. I have sent many new collectors to them as a result.

 

Can anyone think of any business in the world that would tell consumers they can't purchase ample items of the same product? I think it's asinine to have limits of 1 or 2 copies for consistent customers who spend a good amount of money each week. It will end up costing them customers.

 

So you are flipping and not putting collections together for your kids? I mean, we all like to have the nicest copy available, but I really don't give a hoot if my Batman 40 is a 9.8 or 9.2 because it's going to get read and put into a box in my closet. Now if you are selling, yeah, I'm sure you do like to pick out your own copies; but as you've seen, that's just the chance you take on not getting copies.

 

The reason nobody will offer a 9.8 service is because there is no way to guarantee a 9.8. I would think if they are a decent LCS (and you are a good customer) they will pull the nicer looking copies for your pull box anyway. And you are right it may cost customers by limiting copies, but how many people want to go to a comic shop where you walk in and the rack are bare because 10 guys came in at opening time on Wednesday and cleaned out all the "good stuff"?

[Prince Namor]

8 pages later and I still don't get the title. Why are LCSs the "enemy"?

 

Because when something becomes 'hot' they won't sell every copy of it to someone for cover price.

[1Cool]

8 pages later and I still don't get the title. Why are LCSs the "enemy"?

 

Because when something becomes 'hot' they won't sell every copy of it to someone for cover price.

 

This particular shop owner saw the buyers creeping around trying to grab all the hot under priced books as the enemy. I was curious if people saw it as a battle between the shop owners and the hot books flipper. One side trying to squeeze every cent out of a book and the other hunting to find the hidden gem in the rough. I kind of see both sides being able to prosper but the owner got really irritated by the flippers.

[revat]

8 pages later and I still don't get the title. Why are LCSs the "enemy"?

 

Because when something becomes 'hot' they won't sell every copy of it to someone for cover price.

 

This particular shop owner saw the buyers creeping around trying to grab all the hot under priced books as the enemy. I was curious if people saw it as a battle between the shop owners and the hot books flipper. One side trying to squeeze every cent out of a book and the other hunting to find the hidden gem in the rough. I kind of see both sides being able to prosper but the owner got really irritated by the flippers.

 

If the owner sees people who spend lots of time and cash in their store as the enemy, he/she might be in the wrong line of work.

[jaeldubyoo]

Limiting the sale of hot comics is nothing new. I can remember as far back as the 70s when some shops were doing it.

[jsilverjanet]

8 pages later and I still don't get the title. Why are LCSs the "enemy"?

 

Because when something becomes 'hot' they won't sell every copy of it to someone for cover price.

 

This particular shop owner saw the buyers creeping around trying to grab all the hot under priced books as the enemy. I was curious if people saw it as a battle between the shop owners and the hot books flipper. One side trying to squeeze every cent out of a book and the other hunting to find the hidden gem in the rough. I kind of see both sides being able to prosper but the owner got really irritated by the flippers.

 

shouldn't the title then be "flippers are the LCS worst enemy?"

[Prince Namor]

8 pages later and I still don't get the title. Why are LCSs the "enemy"?

 

Because when something becomes 'hot' they won't sell every copy of it to someone for cover price.

 

This particular shop owner saw the buyers creeping around trying to grab all the hot under priced books as the enemy. I was curious if people saw it as a battle between the shop owners and the hot books flipper. One side trying to squeeze every cent out of a book and the other hunting to find the hidden gem in the rough. I kind of see both sides being able to prosper but the owner got really irritated by the flippers.

 

If the owner sees people who spend lots of time and cash in their store as the enemy, he/she might be in the wrong line of work.

 

This has been covered numerous times before on the board and since no other retailers are chirping in, I'll repeat it.

 

The flipper/casual customer takes books away from the regular weekly subscription buyers. It's the $20 once a month guy verses multiple $20 a week customer(s).

 

By running the fly by night customer out of there - what is it you're really losing? The books are hot anyway - they'll sell. Why not make sure MORE people get a copy of a hot book? That increases your customer base.

 

By NOT having those books for more customers, you give your regular customers an excuse to go look for it at another shop. The flipper is going to be looking at other stores anyway, he's not loyal to anyone but himself.

 

You want to buy multiple copies of a book - then ORDER it.

 

[revat]

Limiting the sale of hot comics is nothing new. I can remember as far back as the 70s when some shops were doing it.

 

agree. but there's a difference between posting a limit which is enforced (hopefully in a friendly way), and not having a limit but just sitting around getting mad while people are throwing their money at you. Customers appreciate clarity and fairness.

[revat]

8 pages later and I still don't get the title. Why are LCSs the "enemy"?

 

Because when something becomes 'hot' they won't sell every copy of it to someone for cover price.

 

This particular shop owner saw the buyers creeping around trying to grab all the hot under priced books as the enemy. I was curious if people saw it as a battle between the shop owners and the hot books flipper. One side trying to squeeze every cent out of a book and the other hunting to find the hidden gem in the rough. I kind of see both sides being able to prosper but the owner got really irritated by the flippers.

 

If the owner sees people who spend lots of time and cash in their store as the enemy, he/she might be in the wrong line of work.

 

This has been covered numerous times before on the board and since no other retailers are chirping in, I'll repeat it.

 

The flipper/casual customer takes books away from the regular weekly subscription buyers. It's the $20 once a month guy verses multiple $20 a week customer(s).

 

By running the fly by night customer out of there - what is it you're really losing? The books are hot anyway - they'll sell. Why not make sure MORE people get a copy of a hot book? That increases your customer base.

 

By NOT having those books for more customers, you give your regular customers an excuse to go look for it at another shop. The flipper is going to be looking at other stores anyway, he's not loyal to anyone but himself.

 

You want to buy multiple copies of a book - then ORDER it.

 

I don't disagree with this, but you're not really taking any thing away from the subscriber either right? If they ordered it they'd already have it right? By your rational, if a total stranger off the street should have ordered MORE copies of something, then certainly the subscriber can be bothered to check one more box at a discount price ahead of time too.

 

I would say the 'loss' is for the regular customer who has only a few issues (or zero) on his pull list and mostly likes to pull a bunch from the shelf. Although I think one could def make the argument that if he's that regular and has expectations, maybe he should have a pull list too?

 

I think that's where there's some variation in workable strategies, and store owners obviously decide for themselves what they think will work best for their situation. The occasional flipper might swing through, but they might also spend a bit of timing sweeping through my back issue bins to find now-hot comics where subscribers might not. Or if I plan it right, I might be able to get a better variant knowing that some volume flippers will come through too. But if you most of your clientele is in the $10-$50 weekly range and you only get 15 copies of Batman per month, maybe protecting the numbers makes more sense. At Midtown Comics, maybe you limit to 10. At Central Iowa comic store, maybe you limit to 1. At 'I don't give an eff libertarian comic store' in San Francisco, you sell unlimited copies.

 

 

[Prince Namor]

Limiting the sale of hot comics is nothing new. I can remember as far back as the 70s when some shops were doing it.

 

agree. but there's a difference between posting a limit which is enforced (hopefully in a friendly way), and not having a limit but just sitting around getting mad while people are throwing their money at you. Customers appreciate clarity and fairness.

 

They're buying books the retailer is going to sell anyway. They're taking business away from the retailer by buying all the copies and denying other collectors the chance to buy a copy.

 

 

 

 

[Bio-Rupp]

Even when comic store owners try to help, they still get raked over the coals.

 

Remember when Cap #25 came out and people were going nuts over them?

 

The store phone was ringing off the hook with calls from people from across the state. The initial order sold out the first day, first to subscribers then one per person who came off the street.

 

When the reorder came in the following Wednesday... I put the Cap #25s in the display case with a sign that said " buy 10 new comics (at cover price) off the new rack and you can buy one Cap #25 for cover price".

 

Well people lost their damn minds Couldn't believe I could do such a horrible thing... even though they were selling for $70+ on ebay.

 

Ah good times

 

xxx ooo

 

Rupp

[youmechooz]

I hit up a new shop in Columbus and the owner was a cool guy to talk to (not many books to buy but they can't all be winners). He was saying he takes offense when his long time customers come in and secretly buy up all of the new hot books without telling him about it. In his words they come in all sneaky and act like they are getting away with something. He said he still would sell the books at the price marked but if the customer tells him about it he can go in the back room and pull out more copies. He didn't really expect much info from guys like me who are in once and done but he feels his loyal long time customers should be a little more free with the info.

 

Do you feel long time buyers should help out the store owners or is it a dog eat dog world. I feel like it has to go both ways. If a store owner has been upfront in selling hot new books (like variants) then the buyer should give back a bit with some free info. If the store owner has jacked up the price of all new books and bought books for pennies on the dollar for years then all's fair in love and war.

You can make more money in the long run by working with your lcs instead of against it. If a comic store sells a variety of things like magic/yugioh/statues/figures, most stores do now, it would be very difficult for them to stay on top of it unless they had a large crew. Work with the shop and you can score new collections that come in at really good prices. Do you want to flip that harley quinn/jsc/spider gwen/whatever now for $100 or get offered a full run of asm #1-100 in high grade for 40% off market value?

[Prince Namor]

8 pages later and I still don't get the title. Why are LCSs the "enemy"?

 

Because when something becomes 'hot' they won't sell every copy of it to someone for cover price.

 

This particular shop owner saw the buyers creeping around trying to grab all the hot under priced books as the enemy. I was curious if people saw it as a battle between the shop owners and the hot books flipper. One side trying to squeeze every cent out of a book and the other hunting to find the hidden gem in the rough. I kind of see both sides being able to prosper but the owner got really irritated by the flippers.

 

If the owner sees people who spend lots of time and cash in their store as the enemy, he/she might be in the wrong line of work.

 

This has been covered numerous times before on the board and since no other retailers are chirping in, I'll repeat it.

 

The flipper/casual customer takes books away from the regular weekly subscription buyers. It's the $20 once a month guy verses multiple $20 a week customer(s).

 

By running the fly by night customer out of there - what is it you're really losing? The books are hot anyway - they'll sell. Why not make sure MORE people get a copy of a hot book? That increases your customer base.

 

By NOT having those books for more customers, you give your regular customers an excuse to go look for it at another shop. The flipper is going to be looking at other stores anyway, he's not loyal to anyone but himself.

 

You want to buy multiple copies of a book - then ORDER it.

 

I don't disagree with this, but you're not really taking any thing away from the subscriber either right?

 

Yes. You've taken a good book away from a valuable, proven customer. I want THEM to have it more than the flipper. Plain and simple.

 

If they ordered it they'd already have it right? By your rational, if a total stranger off the street should have ordered MORE copies of something, then certainly the subscriber can be bothered to check one more box at a discount price ahead of time too.

 

No. The subscription customer can't buy all the copies of one book either.

 

I would say the 'loss' is for the regular customer who has only a few issues (or zero) on his pull list and mostly likes to pull a bunch from the shelf.

 

Uh... no. The regular customer with a small pull list that still buys from the shelf is awesome.

 

Although I think one could def make the argument that if he's that regular and has expectations, maybe he should have a pull list too?

 

I just don't want anyone buying all the copies of a book. How big or small someone's pull list is doesn't bother me. They making a commitment however large or small toward MY business. I appreciate that loyalty.

 

I think that's where there's some variation in workable strategies, and store owners obviously decide for themselves what they think will work best for their situation. The occasional flipper might swing through, but they might also spend a bit of timing sweeping through my back issue bins to find now-hot comics where subscribers might not. Or if I plan it right, I might be able to get a better variant knowing that some volume flippers will come through too. But if you most of your clientele is in the $10-$50 weekly range and you only get 15 copies of Batman per month, maybe protecting the numbers makes more sense. At Midtown Comics, maybe you limit to 10. At Central Iowa comic store, maybe you limit to 1. At 'I don't give an eff libertarian comic store' in San Francisco, you sell unlimited copies.

 

Flippers only buy 'hot' books, so what is the benefit for EVER selling them multiple 10+ copies of a book. If it's hot, you're going to sell those books to multiple CUSTOMERS.

 

Seems to me THAT is how you grow your business.

[revat]

Limiting the sale of hot comics is nothing new. I can remember as far back as the 70s when some shops were doing it.

 

agree. but there's a difference between posting a limit which is enforced (hopefully in a friendly way), and not having a limit but just sitting around getting mad while people are throwing their money at you. Customers appreciate clarity and fairness.

 

They're buying books the retailer is going to sell anyway. They're taking business away from the retailer by buying all the copies and denying other collectors the chance to buy a copy.

 

 

 

 

I actually agree with this. I have no problem with some anti-flipper policies. 1, 2, 5, 10 per person, whatever. I think where I as a buyer would have a problem is if they didn't have the policy posted. I just spent 15 minutes flipping through 30 batman comics trying to get 4 9.8's, one for reading, one for slab, one for CGC SS, one for backup in case the other's don't grade out, one just in case it gets REALLY hot. I might even miss out on grabbing one or two other comics (n grade) while I flip through the pile. I take it up to the counter and the dude tells me 1 per person, and its not posted anywhere.

 

That's not good business. Have your rules, but for heaven's sake please post them and be clear and consistent. I can live a store running out of a comic. I have a lot more trouble with people throwing arbitrary rules at me without warning.

 

"Ohhh this comic is hot, so we have to limit you."

"Sometimes I want two of a copy, I like 1 to slab and 1 to read, and you don't always pull 9.8's so I can't do the pull list. How do I know if a given comic will allow me to buy more than 1?"

"Ohh you'll just have to ask on that day."

 

 

that is a fail of an answer. I think some policies are better than others, but most important is to have one, make it clear to your customers, and to be consistent, so people know what to expect.

[revat]

8 pages later and I still don't get the title. Why are LCSs the "enemy"?

 

Because when something becomes 'hot' they won't sell every copy of it to someone for cover price.

 

This particular shop owner saw the buyers creeping around trying to grab all the hot under priced books as the enemy. I was curious if people saw it as a battle between the shop owners and the hot books flipper. One side trying to squeeze every cent out of a book and the other hunting to find the hidden gem in the rough. I kind of see both sides being able to prosper but the owner got really irritated by the flippers.

 

If the owner sees people who spend lots of time and cash in their store as the enemy, he/she might be in the wrong line of work.

 

This has been covered numerous times before on the board and since no other retailers are chirping in, I'll repeat it.

 

The flipper/casual customer takes books away from the regular weekly subscription buyers. It's the $20 once a month guy verses multiple $20 a week customer(s).

 

By running the fly by night customer out of there - what is it you're really losing? The books are hot anyway - they'll sell. Why not make sure MORE people get a copy of a hot book? That increases your customer base.

 

By NOT having those books for more customers, you give your regular customers an excuse to go look for it at another shop. The flipper is going to be looking at other stores anyway, he's not loyal to anyone but himself.

 

You want to buy multiple copies of a book - then ORDER it.

 

I don't disagree with this, but you're not really taking any thing away from the subscriber either right?

 

Yes. You've taken a good book away from a valuable, proven customer. I want THEM to have it more than the flipper. Plain and simple.

 

If they ordered it they'd already have it right? By your rational, if a total stranger off the street should have ordered MORE copies of something, then certainly the subscriber can be bothered to check one more box at a discount price ahead of time too.

 

No. The subscription customer can't buy all the copies of one book either.

 

I would say the 'loss' is for the regular customer who has only a few issues (or zero) on his pull list and mostly likes to pull a bunch from the shelf.

 

Uh... no. The regular customer with a small pull list that still buys from the shelf is awesome.

 

Although I think one could def make the argument that if he's that regular and has expectations, maybe he should have a pull list too?

 

I just don't want anyone buying all the copies of a book. How big or small someone's pull list is doesn't bother me. They making a commitment however large or small toward MY business. I appreciate that loyalty.

 

I think that's where there's some variation in workable strategies, and store owners obviously decide for themselves what they think will work best for their situation. The occasional flipper might swing through, but they might also spend a bit of timing sweeping through my back issue bins to find now-hot comics where subscribers might not. Or if I plan it right, I might be able to get a better variant knowing that some volume flippers will come through too. But if you most of your clientele is in the $10-$50 weekly range and you only get 15 copies of Batman per month, maybe protecting the numbers makes more sense. At Midtown Comics, maybe you limit to 10. At Central Iowa comic store, maybe you limit to 1. At 'I don't give an eff libertarian comic store' in San Francisco, you sell unlimited copies.

 

Flippers only buy 'hot' books, so what is the benefit for EVER selling them multiple 10+ copies of a book. If it's hot, you're going to sell those books to multiple CUSTOMERS.

 

Seems to me THAT is how you grow your business.

 

got no problem with the logic here.

 

just with the logic of getting mad and thinking customers owe you something and then throwing down arbitrary limits on specific comics instead of establish well thought out policies that can eliminate the behavior.

 

I think I'm arguing against the 'entitled' dealer who feels like he's being ripped off vs the one who wisely sets policies to do what he feels is best for his business.

 

"Hmm...I think these flippers are keeping some of my more loyal customers from getting some of the books. That's probably not the best way to build long term customers for me. I should probably curb that by setting limits on how many comics people can by."

 

vs

 

"I can't believe that person has the audacity to come in and buy 10 comics at cover price then sell for 3x the money!! He should have told me it was hot so I could make that money!! From now on, if someone tries to buy extra copies I'm gonna raise the price for everyone, because I don't want to miss out on those extra dollars!"

 

Nothing wrong with being in the first group on that one. Being in the second group...owning an LCS may not be the right occupation.

"Hmmm...

[Prince Namor]

8 pages later and I still don't get the title. Why are LCSs the "enemy"?

 

Because when something becomes 'hot' they won't sell every copy of it to someone for cover price.

 

This particular shop owner saw the buyers creeping around trying to grab all the hot under priced books as the enemy. I was curious if people saw it as a battle between the shop owners and the hot books flipper. One side trying to squeeze every cent out of a book and the other hunting to find the hidden gem in the rough. I kind of see both sides being able to prosper but the owner got really irritated by the flippers.

 

If the owner sees people who spend lots of time and cash in their store as the enemy, he/she might be in the wrong line of work.

 

This has been covered numerous times before on the board and since no other retailers are chirping in, I'll repeat it.

 

The flipper/casual customer takes books away from the regular weekly subscription buyers. It's the $20 once a month guy verses multiple $20 a week customer(s).

 

By running the fly by night customer out of there - what is it you're really losing? The books are hot anyway - they'll sell. Why not make sure MORE people get a copy of a hot book? That increases your customer base.

 

By NOT having those books for more customers, you give your regular customers an excuse to go look for it at another shop. The flipper is going to be looking at other stores anyway, he's not loyal to anyone but himself.

 

You want to buy multiple copies of a book - then ORDER it.

 

I don't disagree with this, but you're not really taking any thing away from the subscriber either right?

 

Yes. You've taken a good book away from a valuable, proven customer. I want THEM to have it more than the flipper. Plain and simple.

 

If they ordered it they'd already have it right? By your rational, if a total stranger off the street should have ordered MORE copies of something, then certainly the subscriber can be bothered to check one more box at a discount price ahead of time too.

 

No. The subscription customer can't buy all the copies of one book either.

 

I would say the 'loss' is for the regular customer who has only a few issues (or zero) on his pull list and mostly likes to pull a bunch from the shelf.

 

Uh... no. The regular customer with a small pull list that still buys from the shelf is awesome.

 

Although I think one could def make the argument that if he's that regular and has expectations, maybe he should have a pull list too?

 

I just don't want anyone buying all the copies of a book. How big or small someone's pull list is doesn't bother me. They making a commitment however large or small toward MY business. I appreciate that loyalty.

 

I think that's where there's some variation in workable strategies, and store owners obviously decide for themselves what they think will work best for their situation. The occasional flipper might swing through, but they might also spend a bit of timing sweeping through my back issue bins to find now-hot comics where subscribers might not. Or if I plan it right, I might be able to get a better variant knowing that some volume flippers will come through too. But if you most of your clientele is in the $10-$50 weekly range and you only get 15 copies of Batman per month, maybe protecting the numbers makes more sense. At Midtown Comics, maybe you limit to 10. At Central Iowa comic store, maybe you limit to 1. At 'I don't give an eff libertarian comic store' in San Francisco, you sell unlimited copies.

 

Flippers only buy 'hot' books, so what is the benefit for EVER selling them multiple 10+ copies of a book. If it's hot, you're going to sell those books to multiple CUSTOMERS.

 

Seems to me THAT is how you grow your business.

 

got no problem with the logic here.

 

just with the logic of getting mad and thinking customers owe you something and then throwing down arbitrary limits on specific comics instead of establish well thought out policies that can eliminate the behavior.

 

I think I'm arguing against the 'entitled' dealer who feels like he's being ripped off vs the one who wisely sets policies to do what he feels is best for his business.

 

"Hmm...I think these flippers are keeping some of my more loyal customers from getting some of the books. That's probably not the best way to build long term customers for me. I should probably curb that by setting limits on how many comics people can by."

 

vs

 

"I can't believe that person has the audacity to come in and buy 10 comics at cover price then sell for 3x the money!! He should have told me it was hot so I could make that money!! From now on, if someone tries to buy extra copies I'm gonna raise the price for everyone, because I don't want to miss out on those extra dollars!"

 

Nothing wrong with being in the first group on that one. Being in the second group...owning an LCS may not be the right occupation.

"Hmmm...

 

Yeah, I see what you mean, and I definitely don't agree with dealers who do that markup. I still have Batman #40's at cover on the shelf (heck I still have some Star Wars #1's for cover)...

[revat]

I've seen plenty of star wars 1 still around for cover. and quite a few stores ordered A LOT of batman 40. But I suspect that at your store and everywhere else in America, they'll all be gone after FCBD.

[Lazyboy]

Can anyone think of any business in the world that would tell consumers they can't purchase ample items of the same product? I think it's asinine to have limits of 1 or 2 copies for consistent customers who spend a good amount of money each week. It will end up costing them customers.

 

Retailers do it ALL. THE. TIME. Especially for loss leaders and hot new products If "normal" retailers could only put ONE order in for each product they carry and all those products had a very limited shelf-life, what do you think would happen?

 

Comic shops order their new books based on what their regular customers (pull boxes) want and what they think their casual customers will want. If they order too many, they get stuck with (basically) dead inventory. If they order too few (or sell all the ones they did order to flippers), the casual customer won't get what they came for, and that could cost them that customer, especially if it happens repeatedly. Since most shops are likely unable to survive without casual customers, what is the smart thing to do?

 

That said, any comic shop that limits purchases on months-old deadstock books is nuts. They should be happy that anybody cares to buy them at that point.