Hello everybody!

[Brian Hibbs]

I'll be checking in this forum once or twice a week.

I'm reasonably happy to answer any sensible questions about Direct Market retailing, or the column, or just to read your comments.

Thanks for Jonah for hosting this!

-B

Brian Hibbs
Head Cheese, Comix Experience
305 Divisadero St.
San Francisco, CA, 94117
www.comixexperience.com

[Paul McEnery]

Wait, what?

Are you still at Newsarama? Or are you colonizing all websites everywhere until you achieve world domination?

[Brian Hibbs]

Wait, what?

Are you still at Newsarama? Or are you colonizing all websites everywhere until you achieve world domination?

Just here, as of this month, Paul.

-B

[thefourthman]

Hey Brian,

Why the switch? Imaginova run you off?

It's good to see a new column, though.

I do have one question though...
I've heard stories that the West Coast center for Diamond is better, but we go through East Coast Hub (and this problem has been acknowledged to me by Diamond employees- i.e. they know that the east coast has problems and are working on it) and while things are better then they were a year ago, I still get missing products all the time. When you say that Diamond is a fine mechanical partner does that take into account the problems that we have on the East Coast or is it one of your over generalizations?... I mean just this week Diamond failed to fulfill my entire order of Superman #676, and while I lose no sleep over that really, when you are as in as competitive area as we are, it creates a glut in back issue stock on that one issue.. because there are four other shops that the diehards can pick that issue up at with in ten minutes of my store.

[Brandon Hanvey]

Hey Brian,

Welcome to CBR.

If you need any help with mod duties/how things work, let me know.

[Brian Hibbs]

Why the switch? Imaginova run you off?

Just thought it was a time for a change, really.

When you say that Diamond is a fine mechanical partner does that take into account the problems that we have on the East Coast or is it one of your over generalizations?... I mean just this week Diamond failed to fulfill my entire order of Superman #676

Well, since I'm served from LA (and Memphis on backlist, obviously), I really can't comment about the East coast facility.

Last week Diamond filled all our AMAZING SPIDER-MAN with ADOLESCENT RADIOACTIVE BLACK BELT HAMSTERS, so that kind of stuff happens to me too, but Diamond always makes good by shipping them overnight on their dime, which means they just lost money on the transaction.

Over the years I've gotten thousands of packages from scores of publishers, distributors and artists. Unless the order is a single item, or something other nearly impossible to screw up it's really rare to receive a "perfect" package all of the time.

YMMV, though?

-B

Brian Hibbs
Head Cheese, Comix Experience
305 Divisadero St.
San Francisco, CA, 94117
www.comixexperience.com

[Brian Hibbs]

Hey Brian,

Welcome to CBR.

If you need any help with mod duties/how things work, let me know.

Thanks man.

Location: San Francisco?

Come by and say "hi" some time!

-B

[Brandon Hanvey]

Thanks man.

Location: San Francisco?

Come by and say "hi" some time!

I pop into the shop from time to time.

I mostly shop at Gary's Comic Outpost. He and I even table at APE sometimes to sell our self-published comics.

[Brian Hibbs]

I pop into the shop from time to time.

I mostly shop at Gary's Comic Outpost. He and I even table at APE sometimes to sell our self-published comics.

Gary's a great guy!

Well, introduce yourself next time you come by, yeah?

-B

[Ben Morgan]

Hey Brian, welcome to CBR!

[DWEarhart]

Excelente'.

Welcome.

[mgs]

I don't know who you are or anything about you, but I guess you are a comic book store owner? If that's the case I wish you well, sir. :)

Edit: ah-ha! I know who you are now! Julia mentions you on one of her websites! :D

http://thecrankycla*****************/

[The Amazing Lord Retail]

Hi everyone. I'm the Amazing Lord Retail (the Lord Retail part was assigned to me by award winning sci-fi writer and customer M.A. Foster, the Amazing part was added by Brian Michael Bendis during a Word Balloon podcast) from Acme Comics in Greensboro, NC.

Comics have been a part of my life since 1984 (as best as I can remember, Transformers #1 and I'm 32 this year) and I have been a part of Acme Comics since about 1995 or 96. Worked my way up from volunteer to the manager I am today in charge of all ordering, displays, policies, etc. Acme maintains over 400 subscribers, carries a wide variety of independent material as well as the mainstream staples. We carry a large volume of trade paperbacks which we try to keep restocked monthly, as opposed to solely individual customer requests. But we do those as well. We've been a huge supporter of Free Comic Book Day since it began and have more and more people every year attend. We work with teachers and media specialists as well to get comics in libraries and kids' hands. I've been told by many people that Acme is one of the best shops they have seen, people who have been to places like Midtown in N.Y. have said this to me many times over the years as well.

But enough shameless self promotion (but hey if I don't do it, who will), check out some pics of Acme during this recent FCBD!

http://www.acmecomics.com/image/tid/7

[Trey]

Hey Brian.

How will the recent changes at Diamond really affect retailers and readers?

It really will only affect the smallest publishers, right? Readers will still have access to the best indie comics. I feel it was way overblown as to the effects on the industry. What are your thoughts as a retailer?