TFAW has one chance with me to save my business. First book arrived damaged as posted earlier in this thread. I wrote to customer service and had a response within 24 hours. I was given a full refund and apologies.
What I didn’t like is that I wasn’t given an option as to refund or replacement. The only book in this order is still in stock and I was given a refund instead of them sending a replacement. Book was bought for spec purposes so TFAW has instantly killed that spec unless I reorder.
My other orders are much bigger so hopefully no shipping damage from the mailer itself. Just the way they’re packaged will determine that.
Not to be that person but “spec” means nothing to retailers… might as well just throw that out the window. They didn’t kill the spec, all they did was sell you a product and then refund you after it was damaged in transit.
Most of the time if it’s in stock, I’ve simply just asked for new books, which they’ve done. They might be limiting replacements as they’re already behind due to COVID restrictions and costs. Remember, they just refunded you the cost of the book (and shipping?) and shipping another is just more cost on top of it.
But if you see that the book is in stock, they’ve been pretty good about replacing if you ask.
I just got two orders in in the last 24 hours from TFAW. Last Ronin #1x3 in one package and a big box of variants and ratio incentives. I am liking the new packaging a lot and all came nicely.
Ironically I used the Unknown Comics gift card they sent me (was supposed to be $25 but they sent me $20) on their buy 3 get 3 variant sale. Purchased 6 variants at $7 each. Shipping was $8.95. Total cost to me was $9.95. So, and surprisingly, they shipped the next day. Now I am in a waiting pattern for the books to arrive.
I was only explaining my reason for buying the book. I understand they don’t care why I bought the book. I wasn’t expecting a full refund and replacement. I would’ve preferred a replacement instead or at least a choice. It sounds like bigger orders are back on track so I shouldn’t have any issues with my future orders with them.
This is the experience that I’ve had with ungraded store variants. Quickly turned me off of them - I learned quick (well, $200+ dollars later).
Totally done with store variants unless they’re graded or for cover price. And even at that, it’ll have to be a super sick cover… like Howard the Duck wielding the Infinity Gauntlet or something.
I will say that the TFAW Crossover #1 store variant arrived in perfect condition, but every other copy of Crossover #1 that I got from them (2 1:10s and 1 copy of the walking dead #1 homage) arrived with disappointing dings/flaws. We’re talking solid, card stock covers from Image and not the cheap Marvel floppies. Such a drag.
Absolutely. I got suckered into this immediately upon getting back into the comic book scene, but have already come around to realize the mistake.
Ratios at cover only. And hard pass on store variants unless the cover is exceptionally exceptional.
The nail in the coffin for me was preordering the Crossover #1 1:10 for a markup at TFAW when multiple LCS locations had like 20+ copies of this variant on the shelves for cover. Doesn’t always happen, and TFAW prices on incentive variants are normally hard to beat, but yeah.
I agree with you on TFAW. You cannot beat the price on ratio variants. I tend to avoid store variants. Some are so good you cannot ignore them. I avoid paying high prices for ratio and store variants.
Got an order in from Big Time Collectibles. It came in a priority mail cardboard mailer and their own comic box inside that. Everything arrived just fine and in perfect condition. I see people speaking of store variants and that’s what I ordered from them. I also agree to stay away from most store variants but once in a while there are some sweet ones in my opinion like the Peach Momoko set I ordered
Legacy comics - several punchline 1 momoko exclusives came in a gemini mailer all great condition.
Unknown comics - about 12 comics packed in a 12x9x4 box with peanuts. They were all staggered, bagged and boarded and placed in a another larger bag. 5 out of 6 had damaged corners and there was a giant puncture on the box. I blame this one on the carrier.
TFAW - this was about 30 comics this time they were all staggered but not wrapped, just placed in the box individually with peanuts around them. I was worried at first when I saw this but there wasn’t a single damaged comic.
Midtown - this came the same as always in a larger box all bagged and boarded inside one of the midtown brown paper bags inside their heavy duty bubble wrap. No damage, about 20 books.
I also have 5 X of Swords Creation 1 momoko exclusives from Sad Lemon that I have had to email about twice. The first time they said they were delayed and this time they said they have them and they are working through the orders now. Both replies were within 20 minutes of emailing them.
I got some more stuff from Fantom comics. Arrived in a timely manner even though I picked the slower and cheaper shipping. Were packed very well. I enjoy using them.
Just got 4 comics from Sanctum Sanctorum. It was 2 of the SIKTC 12 Momoko bundles. They came in 2 gemini mailers wrapped in bubble wrap and then in another box. Surprisingly every comic was bagged and boarded in a top loader. I don’t recall paying any extra for that. Needless to say they are probably all 9.8’s.
After rejoicing in the new TFAW shipping system, I got 2 orders today that weren’t great. One was a solo Spawn 311D, as they initially sent me B instead. It was sent in a thin mailer, and is beat to hell. The whole mailer was wavy, so I knew it was toast. Pic attached below.
The second order had a dozen books in a Gemini. Package looked fine. A little rough around the edges, but nothing that looked to penetrate the Gemini. But, the books were just loose. Not even the flimsy paper or the new bigger bag. And half of the booked look like they were dropped on a corner. Possibly even during packaging, as the other half seemed just fine. Last Ronin 1 1:25 was boarded with a board shorter than the book. Thankfully, that one looks good and avoided all damage.
But Punchline 1:25, TMNT 111 1:10, and 5 A covers all have a smashed corner. Half are fine, which makes me think half were dropped while packaging. Sucky job on this one.
Also got 2 Usagi Yojimbo Wanderers Road NYCC in today, straight from IDW, and both were good. One is 9.6/9.8. Bagged/boarded in a gemini.
Turtles with wrong board size. Can’t believe this showed up so clean.
Ordered a couple copies of Once & Future 9 from Linebreakers earlier this month, finally got it today but the copies were all the 2nd prints even though the listing didn’t say 2nd print and showed the 1st print cover. Emailed them so we’ll see what happens.
