Sadly, I’m finding more and more stores are having this practice of withholding books on release day to mark it up the following day/week.
That’s why I’m finding myself doing most of my orders online now. Best to do our research and pre order ahead. I have one shop that I have a great relationship with as I’ve been with the guy for 15+ years and we openly talk about the industry, what’s heating up etc. He always hooks me up with hot books that I would otherwise never get from the other shops in my area because they pull a lot of shenanigans. That’s why I’ve been going to this shop as my go to and avoid the others.
I had to cancel my pull boxes with a few shops because of similar situations like you just described. These shops are more transactional places unlike my go to shop where we actually have a (honest) relationship.
Gonna switch things up and see how you all feel on this one…
My LCS gets a ton of key books in and pulls from their warehouse to sell comics, the problem is, they put most of their key books up for private auctions on their facebook page. Now let me tell you, these books do end up commanding top dollar, usually more than what eBay prices are.
So, how do you feel about this, pulling key books for sale not in the store but on their facebook auctions only.
I would love a crack at just buying some at the market value, but do not want to get into facebook auctions.
That sucks, but I understand why a store would do this. I don’t think that’s as bad as repricing at the counter because at least you didn’t have to find the gold first.
If it’s not on your pull list then fair game to the store. They took the risk ordering copies that people didn’t pre-order so if they are able to get them sold for top dollar then good on them.
If books are selling for fmv or above in their auctions then they must be doing something right.
Like @enabler said, I think it’s a bit better since you don’t have that false hope first. But I don’t think that would be a sustainable business model for the long run.
They send advertisements in email promoting their Facebook auctions. Funny thing is they are a big store and put a lot of minor keys on their back issue wall but if you want one of the keys they are offering you have to join and bid on their Facebook auctions.
@Anthony Everytime I see their posts, I am shocked at how much people bid out on FB. Especially when a lot of those books are in rough shape. I wonder how many come through on payment when it’s time.
I am in the shop and people come in and pay all the time. Yes. Condition is my biggest detractor. I want to hold the book or have really good pictures showing detail. These are all “ungraded” but can’t even really see the condition.
, I’m just saying 
