Alternatives to DCBService?

[ahabmike]

Hi all--

I've been a monthly DCBService customer since '08, but have found lately that their customer service seems to have been falling off from what it once was. It's not terrible by any means; I'm sure it's a natural side effect of their growth (including their recent acquisition of Mail Order Comics).

At any rate, I'm considering switching services to someone smaller and more customer-focused--but still with a long-standing reputation. DCBS's prices were a big plus for me, as was the flat shipping fee ($7 per month for _everything_, including statues).

I remember that some folks here would sometimes swear by other services. What are the best preorder services out there?

Thanks in advance for any tips!

[risingstar]

If you don't mind my asking, how has the customer service fallen to the point of compelling you to look elsewhere?

[joefixit2]

Hadn't heard about Mail order comics but it doesn't surprise me. I used them for about five years and they changed their website design and it was completely unusable and their support did not help at all. I changed to dcbs and they have done a good job for me

[ahabmike]

Originally Posted by risingstar

If you don't mind my asking, how has the customer service fallen to the point of compelling you to look elsewhere?

Nothing horrible. It started with longer delays with customer service email responses (sometimes more than a week); once in a while orders not being filled; lately it's been packing issues (more comics being stuffed in a single bag / coming no longer [or only sometimes] being "alternated" so there aren't spine rolls/ sometimes bags ripped/ coming open with comics spilling out inside the larger packing box).

I may stick with the company, but whereas before (3-4 years ago) it was a no-brainer with me--customer service was immediate, packing was immaculate, can't remember orders being unfulfilled unless there was a clear reason--it's fallen to "mortal" levels. Still solid--don't get me wrong--but not as awesome as (I feel) it used to be.

It _is_ hard to argue with DCBS's prices. For most stuff (statues included, but usually not non-comic books & DVDs and such), they are _awfully_ cheap.

I'll throw in another good word for them: whenever I've received a broken statue in a shipment (once in a while, not too frequently), they are great about replacements.

At any rate, felt it would be worth it to look around, as I've never thought seriously about switching since '08. I use Midtown Comics once in a while for missed single issues and such.

Wish there were an LCS closer to me; might even consider going back.

[risingstar]

Originally Posted by ahabmike

Wish there were an LCS closer to me; might even consider going back.

Sadly, I think comic shops will inevitably go the way of hat-specialty shops. Those shops were all the rage at one time. Comics don't appear to be much of a draw anymore. Shops now need to sell gaming products, t-shirts, blu-rays, toys, memorabilia of all kinds, movie props and replicas, and goodness knows what else just to survive. That's a lot of risky high priced hardware if it doesn't sell. No wonder Stuart sleeps in the back of the shop... lol.

[PureInvasion]

Originally Posted by risingstar

Sadly, I think comic shops will inevitably go the way of hat-specialty shops. Those shops were all the rage at one time. Comics don't appear to be much of a draw anymore. Shops now need to sell gaming products, t-shirts, blu-rays, toys, memorabilia of all kinds, movie props and replicas, and goodness knows what else just to survive. That's a lot of risky high priced hardware if it doesn't sell. No wonder Stuart sleeps in the back of the shop... lol.

the other problem is (at least with my LCS) is that the prices they're offering, just aren't competitive as a consumer. I love to support the "local" stores when I can, but there has to be a reason. If my LCS can only offer me 10% off my monthly 20-30 books, and my online LCS can offer me 20% off plus free shipping...its really hard to care about the LCS near me that is struggling to survive

[nbr3bagshotrow]

Originally Posted by PureInvasion

the other problem is (at least with my LCS) is that the prices they're offering, just aren't competitive as a consumer. I love to support the "local" stores when I can, but there has to be a reason. If my LCS can only offer me 10% off my monthly 20-30 books, and my online LCS can offer me 20% off plus free shipping...its really hard to care about the LCS near me that is struggling to survive

That is the reason they are stuggling to survive, they cant afford to give 20% discounts.

[sleepindeath]

My LCS gives me 15% off and because of that I make sure to pick up a few extra comics a month to show how thankful I am.