Online Retailers

[Deviancy]

I couldn't find a sub forum that about comic book retailers.

It seems like there's a sub forum for everything but retailers.

Anywho..

I generally get my comic books online. THis isn't because CS's don't exist out here, it is because they won't carry specific titles. The reason they don't usually has to do with certain titles being late more often than they're not. The dude who started that thread on this forum, the one about late books. If he lived out here, he'd be able to start up a gang with all of the store owners out here who are sick of books being late, and who have stopped carrying specific books for being late. However, I didn't start this thread to discuss late books. What I'm looking for is a reputable online comic book retailer, one that allows customers to subscribe to titles like TFAW does.

I've tried TFAW, Scifigenre, and Heavy Ink, and all three did a bang up job when it comes to sending my books on time. However, more often than not, the comics are being delivered with dog ears, dents, dings, and what have you. So I'm wondering if anyone is familiar with an online retailer that packages the titles in a way that they always are delivered in near mint condition. And I am in no way bashing TFAW, Scifigenre, or Heavy Ink. In fact, I recommend all three to those who just casually read comics and don't give a rats ass about re-sell value.

I'm also slightly curious about one other thing. Has anyone noticed that the image titles they buy are at times bent up a lil on the shelves of CS's? THe reason I ask is because I do order titles from other pubs as well, and the ones from other pubs are often in near mint condition when they're delivered. The ones that are generally bent up a bit are the Image/Top Cow ones. For example, I subscribed to Tracker from Top Cow last year or the year before, each issue came to the house with bent corners, but the other titles that were in the package were always in better condition.

Coincidence? Most likely.. but I figured I'd ask anyways.

[Ballistic27]

Try DCBService.com (http://www.dcbservice.com/index.aspx). You have to pre-order your comics though but they do give you the option of having a pull list. On top of that their prices are really cheap and they really do a great job packaging their shipments. I've been using them for years and I've never had an issue.

[Deviancy]

I checked out DCB just now and they're not bad.

Shipping is a bit high but maybe because they use higher quality packaging?

Since it's a flat fee, I may use them if I find another 2 monthly titles to get into.

I may shoot TFAW an email. If they were to ship the comics bagged and boarded but cover to cover, the boards would take most of the abuse. But they instead usually ship the comics back cover to front cover, so one issue always is going to take more damage than the other.

[Rasputin9977]

I like BCBService.com too. Been using them since 2005 and am very happy with them. They have an average of 30-40% discount on their books (I think DC and Marvel are 40%) and sometimes they'll have specials for 75% off on 1st issues. I have seen a frew dents or creases but they are not common. The bags and boards are $0.12 each so I always buy them with my comics. They put several comics inside a large plastic poly bag and tape it up. Then they put a board (kind of like the boards from the 'boards and bags') on the bottom and start stacking the stuffed large poly bags. Then they put those styrofoam chips all over.

Give it a try and see how you'll like them.

[Kid Omega]

It has never occurred to me to give a shit about bent corners.

I fold my comics in twain to fit in back pocket anyway, I guess.

To each his own. I wish you well in your quest.

[Deviancy]

I used to be like that with my comics, I'd fold them.. roll them up and snort coke with em.. and use them for TP.

But then I realized, it's kind of hard to re-sell them for a profit after that.

But anywho that's two for DCB..

I was doing the math and although they do charge more for shipping than TFAW, the price is the same because of the discount that DCB applies to each issue.

Now I don't know where you two are located but how long does it usually take for DCB to get the comics from their place to your front door?

Howabout Midtown Comics? Anyone use them?

[imrandy85]

I've used DCBservice for about 6 months and I've been really happy with them. This month I got a free poster I didn't know about and for the past handful of months they throw in the marvel sneak peeks or saga books for free. They're located in Indiana, I'm in Iowa and typically get my books on Tuesday(I use the monthly option). You can also get the previews book each month for 1.25 which includes the marvel preview book for free. Here's a pro tip too, use the code CGS8(or CGS08?)(from the great podcast comic geek speak) and you get an extra 8% off of your first order.

Ive also used tfaw and midtown a handful of times each. Tfaw's nick and dent section is definitely something to check out. For midtown, get on their newsletter and you get a new codeword each week for their weekly sale. When I'm looking for anything online I generally check both sites and just figure out which one would be cheaper. Amazon is also great if you're looking for trades/GNs. There's also fearlessreadersonline, $1 on all their comics and $5 on all trades.

[Kid Omega]

But then I realized, it's kind of hard to re-sell them for a profit after that.



If there is anyone in this world re-selling new comics for a profit, I want to meet them. They can introduce me to their friends Bigfoot and the Leprechauns.

[Deviancy]

Why would you want to be introduced to Mo'Nique and Mark Wahlberg?(1)

But thanks to Ebay, it isn't hard to turn around almost anything and break even or make a slight profit. It all comes down to condition, how much you charage for shipping, and this or that.

I <3 Ebay...

And dude, maybe you have no idea how picky some buyers are. I sold some 30 Days of Night trades a few years back, they were in VG condition I'd say, maybe a ding or two. And I made sure to say in the description that they were originally from Barnes and Noble(2) and had a few dings. But when he got them, he had a fit. He got soo moody that he actually went as far as to make threats. I was like.. wow.. this guy really loves his comics.

As for DCB, I like what I'm hearing.


1. Mo'nique doesn't like shaving her legs.. and Wahlberg is a lil fella...
2. Every Barnes and Noble I've been to, the teens treat the graphic novel section like a library.. so often times the trades are kinda beat. Security really should rough those kids up..and send them to the actual library.

[Jeff Brady]

2. Every Barnes and Noble I've been to, the teens treat the graphic novel section like a library.. so often times the trades are kinda beat. Security really should rough those kids up..and send them to the actual library.

B&N encourages people to read books in the store, so no, security shouldn't and won't be roughing up anyone. B&N isn't selling collectibles to be slabbed. It is selling books meant to be read.

[Kid Omega]

Why would you want to be introduced to Mo'Nique and Mark Wahlberg?(1)

But thanks to Ebay, it isn't hard to turn around almost anything and break even or make a slight profit. It all comes down to condition, how much you charage for shipping, and this or that.

I <3 Ebay...


Fair enough. I see your point.

[Deviancy]

Do I even have to comment on how the roughing up bit was sarcasm? Most know that I'm a pacifist and think the cops should only sodomize those who break the law, not beat them... thats mean.

And the last I checked, humans can read books without tearing pages, getting their drinks on them, and eating off of them. It's just called being a lil careful. My old dog on the other hand, he wasn't able to read without tearing pages. But the funny thing is, he did less damage to books than some of these teens. Not that I'm surprised, the way some people behave these days makes me wonder if we should re-evaluate our place on the food chain.

[NCatron]

Guess no one else is going to plug MailOrderComics, so I guess I will. I order mine w/ bags & boards so they always arrive in mint condition. If you ordered w/o the bags & boards I can't vouch for how they package since I never tried it.

And yeah, I've been into comics for only ~ 2 years now and have yet to turn a profit on anything I've decided to sell. Usually take a loss. 'course I am generally selling the titles that turn out to suck so maybe that's why...

[dupont2005]

If there is anyone in this world re-selling new comics for a profit, I want to meet them. They can introduce me to their friends Bigfoot and the Leprechauns.

I occasionally sell a comic for more than I paid. I often decide to keep a comic even though I know it's become popular and fetching high prices on eBay. If I tried to do it as a living I would be in a bad place though.

[Jeff Brady]

Do I even have to comment on how the roughing up bit was sarcasm? Most know that I'm a pacifist and think the cops should only sodomize those who break the law, not beat them... thats mean.

No one here really knows you or your posting style well enough to determine your sarcasm.

[Dr. Shouts]

But thanks to Ebay, it isn't hard to turn around almost anything and break even or make a slight profit. It all comes down to condition, how much you charage for shipping, and this or that.



What do you consider a slight profit?

I'm with Kid Omega on this. I've never heard anyone selling their single comics and making a significant profit, even selling as a bundle.

Plus, there aren't that many buyers. I'd wager there are more sellers than buyers.

[Deviancy]

No one here really knows you or your posting style well enough to determine your sarcasm.

What do you mean? Most know my way.. and know my name.. I was around when jesus christ had his moment of doubt and pain.. Made damn sure that Pilate washed his hands and sealed his fate.


What do you consider a slight profit?



1. Any time I make 25 cents more than I paid for an item, that's a slight profit. On average I make anywhere between 2-3 dollars profit, and when I'm extremely lucky, 10-15.. but thats very.. very rare. This isn't the eighties anymore where its easy to sell a copy of GI Joe #2 for 45 dollars.

2. Flat fee shipping.. I charge 3 dollars to ship single issues or blu rays.. I then recycle every package I get in the mail, from Amazon, TFAW, or whomever. I then use that packaging to ship the items, which means I am pocketing some of that three dollars.

But this isn't some job.. this is just a way to recycle and make a lil extra while doing so, that way the money doesn't go down the shitter.

[napafish77]

What do you consider a slight profit?

I'm with Kid Omega on this. I've never heard anyone selling their single comics and making a significant profit, even selling as a bundle.

Plus, there aren't that many buyers. I'd wager there are more sellers than buyers.


It's really not that hard. Last month I have sold 2 full Hickman FF runs for almost $100.00 a set.

Also sold 2 sets of the 3 storyline for $60 a set.

Was also selling the LOTDK "Prey" storyline for $25-$30 when the rumor was out that was going to be used for the new movie.

You just have hit it right. There is $ to be made.

I get my info from a fairly popular website that usually hits on the hot stuff just before it starts going on Ebay.

[Deviancy]

I keep my eye out for newer titles that the studios go after right away, like 30 Days of Night. I also found it's best to sell them while people are hyped about the movie coming out, rather than after. People who get into whats hip at the moment, they tend to lose interest fast.

I mean just look at the Crow, when that film was hip, people were selling the back issues for a decent price. But that mainstream interest, it eventually croaked, now those back issues at times can be picked up on ebay for maybe a dollar more than they were when they came out.

If the reboot/remake ever happens, I wonder if that will cause the value on those issues to rise again? Probably not.. The trade is just too easy to come by..

Fucking trades...

[dupont2005]

Crow vol. 1 comics and other early appearances are still prohibitively expensive. Same witht he first issue of 30 Days Of Night.

[Deviancy]

The first series from Caliber, it tends to sell for a nice profit, if one bought the issues when they were on the shelf. The Kitchen Sink and Razor stuff however, it varies. There are people selling those issues from a dollar to 15 dollars. I picked up a few of the Razor issues for a buck fifty a pop. Maybe when the reboot happens, they'll be worth something again.

Speaking of the Crow, I still wish someone would do a figure of the comic book version. Shocker Toys has claimed that they're interested in doing so, but I don't think they've even contacted O'Barr.

[dupont2005]

Well yeah, of course. Once the series caught on and the print run multiplied a couple times, the comics became easier to find and therefore carry less demand. Same as anything else.

[Deviancy]

That plays into it but it's also due to the fact, The Crow was huge in the 90's because every lil goth loved Draven, they dressed like him at the clubs, they quoted him on their xoom websites, and they bought every lil Crow item. But then those same goths, they moved on to the Anne Rice shit and the matrix shit, then they really got into the whole Vasquez thing.

I was hoping that same group would fall into Hack/Slash, but so far no such luck. Hopefully, if Relativity ever decides to do something with the film, and I imagine they own the rights now since they bought out Rogue, maybe then some in the scene will show some interest, and then in return the back issues will generate more value.

Maybe.. possibly.. weirder things have happened.