We used to call this ‘Ask the Retailer.’ Now we don’t. We’re still making this all up. Here’s this week’s question for our Mighty Avenging Comic Store Peoples:
Do customers ever try to buy books early before they’re supposed to officially on sale on Wednesdays?
Kat O’Neill, general manager, JHU Comic Books, 32 East 32nd St., between Madison & Park, Manhattan
Very rarely. It’s a once in a blue moon situation. When it does happen it’s usually situations like tourists who are leaving town the next day and want to get the issue or book before they leave. Or if a book has gotten a lot of buzz in the press prior to it’s release. Things like the Amazing Spider-Man #583, the Obama cover, and Captain America #25 (the death issue) come to mind as examples of books that made people want to jump the line. Either way, the answer is always going to be no. We can never sell a book before street date.
Dimitrios Fragiskatos, manager, Midtown Comics’ Grand Central location, 459 Lexington Ave., corner of 45th St., Manhattan
One time, during Marvel’s Civil War event, a customer came in on a Tuesday offering us $50 for the issue that would come out that Wednesday. It was highly irrational, but he explained that he wouldn’t be able to get it because of a business trip he was taking. It was Issue #5. Not only did we not have it in store but it was actually late by 2 months.
Mike Zapcic, AMC’s television show “Comic Book Men” and Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash, Red Bank, N.J.
They sure do, but since we’re VERY old school, we still get our books on Wednesdays, instead of the Early Tuesday shipments (that the industry’s primary distributor, Diamond, offers). Walt Flanagan (the Secret Stash’s manager) and I have our (in-store subscriptions) down to a science, so to do it a day earlier would be more of a disruption. Besides, our customers are also creatures of habit, so it works out for all of us.
Aimee LoSecco, assistant manager, JHU Comic Books, 32 East 32nd St., between Madison & Park, Manhattan
The only time someone wanted to buy a book before it went on sale was for Superman: Earth One Vol. 1. This guy wanted to get the drop on everyone and read it, but policy is no sales before the release date. Most times people just want to pay for a comic in advance so they can secure a copy for themselves.
Ming Chen, AMC’s television show “Comic Book Men” and Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash
It has definitely happened and on rare occasion we have gotten product in early that we don’t put out, but don’t hide either. No chance we sell it however – you do not want to anger Diamond.
Ted Alexander, manager, Midtown Comics’ Downtown location, 64 Fulton St., corner of Gold St.
Sure they try, but there really isn’t a way they can do it. I have been offered cash on top of the purchase price for books before they come out. I take release days pretty seriously, and I’m saddened when I hear that other stores break street dates. It creates an unfair advantage and just makes the store dishonest. What other things are they going to be dishonest about?
Menachem Luchins, owner, Escape Pod Comics, 302 Main Street, Huntington, L.I.
Nope, never. I remember more than one retailer I loved going off on stores that do that and I vowed to never do it. So far, so good.
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