Looking for input from other retailers about Diamond Comics

[Jools]

First off, this is my first post, and if I've put it in the wrong place, I apologize, this is the only place I found an existing reference to Diamond Comics.

I'm a very small retailer, and I've been ordering from Diamond for probably 5 or 6 years. I don't order a lot, but I was led to believe that wouldn't be a problem.

I must admit, I hadn't paid much attention to my Diamond orders at first because I enjoyed perusing the Previews and they had so much selection that I kind of viewed ordering from them as fun, profit be damned, so to speak. It was stupid, but that's what I did.

But things have changed, the economy is lacking, and my little store is growing.

I'm now realizing that, due to the fact that their shipping department sees fit to ship my orders in several double-walled boxes, many MANY times sending only one comic or magazine per box, that their shipping charges are eating away any profit I hope to earn from ordering from them. Many times, I actually end up paying so much in shipping that it COSTS me money to order from them.

I'm more than likely going to just stop ordering from them, but I really don't want to. The confusing array of customer service people assigned to help me don't seem to be able (or willing?) to fix the problem.

I can't decide if I think they are just too big to function efficiently or if they simply care so little about the smaller retailers as to simply ignore them and hope they go away.

Hence the reason I'm here. Are there any retailers on this forum, and if so, have any of you experienced these problems? If there are no retailers on this forum, can you direct me to a more appropriate forum?

And thanks for letting me rant

[Brandon Hanvey]

I moved your post to the Tilting at Windmills forum which is retailer Brian Hibbs forum and has a bunch of retailers who occasionally post. You'll probably get a slightly better response from retailers here.

[Jools]

Thanks, I figured a mod would know a better place

[Brandon Hanvey]

While I'm not a retailer, I did work at a shop for about a year and have a friend who owns a shop.

As for reducing shipping costs, it would be best to order what you know you can sell or have the best beat at selling. While it is good to be a fully stocked store, you cannot carry everything and hope to stay in business. Since most items are non-returnable through Diamond, you need figure out which titles are preforming well and which are just sitting on the selves.

Also if I remember correctly, here in San Francisco the shops "share" a drop point (Brian's shop I think) that helps reduce some shipping costs. I'm not sure if you could arrange that kind of thing wherever your shop is, but it might help to be looked at.

[Jools]

Thank you so much for your input.

I actually don't order many comics from Diamond, I order more specialty items, figurines, novelty items, tee shirts and such.

The items that I order from them sell, that really isn't the problem. The problem I'm having is that they won't consolidate the items into one box, they put each weeks orders into separate boxes even if it's only one small item.

I've asked them to consolidate and only ship when they have several items, but then they still put each weeks items into one box and just send all the boxes at once. That's where the "1 comic to a box" problem comes in. These boxes are approximately 12x20x12 and they are heavy.

My only problem with Diamond is that they refuse to consolidate my items in one box so that I don't pay more in shipping than my items are worth. That's the problem I was wondering if anyone else shared.

[Brandon Hanvey]

Ah. I see what's the problem. Your mostly ordering the "Other stuff" other than the comics.

The comics do usually come consolidated. But the specialty items usually ship in separate boxes since they are non standard sizes (the standard being comic size) and may come from various distribution sources.

[Jools]

That doesn't bode well, I'm guessing it will never change then...bummer.

I hate to have to quit ordering through them.

[Brandon Hanvey]

That doesn't bode well, I'm guessing it will never change then...bummer.

I hate to have to quit ordering through them.

I'd wait for a real retailer to give you advice since most of my info is second hand.

Also check out

http://www.comicspro.org/

[The Amazing Lord Retail]

That doesn't bode well, I'm guessing it will never change then...bummer.

I hate to have to quit ordering through them.

I'm a retailer also and I know of no real way to affect much of anything at the warehouse. When something goes really wrong, I do let my rep know and he is of such a level that he will contact the warehouse and let them know. I don't think that all reps have the ability to do that though. As far as getting anything done for your account specifically as far as how your items are packaged, I don't think its possible. The staff could very well be totally different from week to week for all I know.

[Brian Hibbs]

The items that I order from them sell, that really isn't the problem. The problem I'm having is that they won't consolidate the items into one box, they put each weeks orders into separate boxes even if it's only one small item.

Some items get packed in that manner to deter theft and fraud -- especially variant covers, they often come in their own box so they are more easily trackable.

I'd be asking for a freight credit from Diamond if they do this regularly. If your CSR can't help you, go up the line to Eric Beck -- he's the CSR's supervisor.

-B

[Earth-2 Comics]

Jools:

This may be a bit late but some of the problems you are having may also be due to shipping issues in Diamond's new Olive Branch warehouse. Other retailers have had issues with single comics in a shipping box.

[comicguy01]

Reading this thread caused me to join the forum.
Right now, I'm just dabbling in retail comic sales, after losing my brick and mortar store to the economy.
I hate the fact that Diamond is the only option for Direct Sale comics.
This issue of huge boxes for small shipments is starting to seriously chap my buttocks. I mean, seriously, how drunk to the pull-monkeys at Diamond's warehouses have to be to drop ONE COMIC BOOK into a box, and ship it off without a care in the world. Never mind the fact that it costs ten times the profit of that book in shipping costs.

Morons.

[Joe Willy]

Try the CBIA forum. Lots of retailers there who may have good advice.

[section 8]

I moved your post to the Tilting at Windmills forum which is retailer Brian Hibbs forum and has a bunch of retailers who occasionally post. You'll probably get a slightly better response from retailers here.

that explains the no Don Quixote.