In an effort to better serve you and to improve our ordering I thought it might behoove us to better explain how we pull books so you, the customer, can get exactly what you want. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and the answers to them:
1) Can I get all the covers to this title?
Well, the answer is both yes and no. The easiest way to get exactly which cover you want is to place a Previews order. That let’s us know exactly what you want and we can order accordingly. Because of the incredible number of variants coming out these days, and the added headache of trying to track which customers want which variants, it’s easier just to do this on a case-by-case basis. For instance, if you ask for “all covers,” that may or may not include the retailer incentive variants (example: the 1-in-75 Secret Invasion #1 variant, which retailed for over $75). For some of these we only get a limited number and often they are more expensive than the regular cover. If you really want a variant you can always send me an email at [email protected]. But the variants are first come first serve and I can’t guarantee that we will have a copy for you.
2) Why did I only get the first two issues of this mini-series?
For most mini-series that relate to a current title we pull the first two issues and by the third expect you to put it on your list if you want to keep getting it. For Ultimate Origins we pulled the first two issues of it for anyone who got an Ultimate title, but we only pulled the third issue for people who had “Ultimate Origins” on their list. That being said we don’t always pull mini-series for related titles. For some of the X-Men minis, like the new X-Men Manifest Destiny we only pulled for people who had “X-Men Manifest Destiny” and “X-Men Annual” on their list. We just didn’t think that everyone who wants X-Men would want X-Men Manifest Destiny. That is pretty much how we decide how to pull books. Will the people who get this title also want this other title? So the moral of the story is: If you want a particular book, add it to your list.
3) Can I add this one-shot to my list?
Most of the time for one shots we make that a Previews order. That means we add it to a separate list that is generated when the book comes in. A pull sheet is like a standing order for a title. A Previews order is a one time order. Previews comes out around the end of each month, and is the catalog for everything Diamond is shipping around 2-3 months in the future. There is an order form in each copy if you’d like to place an order, OR if we know you pretty well and you just want one or two things, we can take care of that for you.
4) Can I add trades to my list?
With trade paperbacks it is easiest and most effective to place a Previews order rather than to put it on your list. That way you get exactly what you want. For example, if you have Wolverine TP on your list does that mean you want any trade that has to do with Wolvie, including mini-series, hardcovers, original graphic novels, etc.? It can get confusing. But if you place a Previews order than we can get you exactly what you want and we don’t end up over ordering on any trades, which are much more expensive than your regular $2.99 comic.
5) Speaking of Previews, how do I place a Previews order?
It is super easy! If you see a book in Previews that you want then tell us and we can write it on the special order list and we will then put that into the database (those orders don’t stay on the special order list). Or if you make a lot of orders you can buy a Previews and fill out a consumer order form. That way you can take it home and look through it at your leisure.
6) Can I get all books written by a particular writer or artist?
Sadly, the answer is no. Our database doesn’t work that way. We pull books by title, not by writer or artist. And for that matter we can’t really stop pulling books for you after a story arc is over. You need to tell us to take it off of your list.
7) Can you pull ALL the Warhammer books and ALL Transformers titles for me?
We can if you add each individual title to your list. It is just too difficult to have a blanket pull list for Warhammer or for Transformers. Plus some might want Transformers Animated but not Spotlight. So for clarity’s sake we need you to put the individual title on your list. This not only helps us order the correct number, but keeps you from having a lot of stuff in your bag you don’t really want.
8) Do you offer a discount if I’m a subscriber?
We do! If you get 10 or more monthly titles (mini-series DO NOT count) then you get 10% off new comics and trades and 25% off regular back issues. There isn’t a discount on variants, silver and golden age back issues, or hot books. The discount does NOT apply if your bag is not EMPTY. We pay for books each week, so when you leave a lot of stuff in your bag for a long time, it makes Shelton sad (and poor).
9) How often do I need to come in to get my bag?
We really prefer for you to come in ONCE A MONTH. We always try to get in touch with you by email or phone before we cancel your bag. So if you don’t make it in very often make sure your contact information is up to date. If we can’t get in touch with you we are much more likely to cancel your bag. The most important thing is to keep in contact with us. If you haven’t been in to get your books in a while send us an email. We like to hear from you!
10) When will you cancel my bag?
We have on the reserve sheet that you sign when you start your bag that we hold books for 30 days and that we can cancel a reserve bag anytime at our discretion. Generally we’ll send you an e-mail (or call if we have no e-mail address) once 3 issues of the same title gets in your bag, meaning you probably haven’t been in in at least 2 months. If we don’t hear back from you within a couple of weeks, or haven’t made some other arrangements with you, we will likely cancel your bag and return your books to the shelf. If you’re out of town or are just feelign the economic blues and are definitely coming in, just let us know: we’re more likely to cancel your bag if we don’t have any information. Believe me, we’d rather sell these books to you than return them to stock, but the longer we wait, the less likely that we’ll be able to sell them to anyone!
11) Can I get all the issues of this big crossover event?
YES! For Secret Invasion we can pull all the crossover mini-series and the tie-in issues. That is the tie-ins that are solicited in Previews as tie-ins. BUT, it is an all or nothing for that though. You can add the individual titles if there are some you want and don’t want. But if you put “Secret Invasion X-Over” on your list (or “Final Crisis X-Over”, etc.) then you will get everything. If you only want one or two of the tie-in series–for instance, “Final Crisis” and “Final Crisis: Superman Beyond”, then just add those specific titles.
More questions? Let us know in the comments section below, or you can always get me by e-mail here.
Man, our boss Shelton Drum is fighting the national economic crisis virtually by himself, by driving all over the country doing conventions. Last week he went to the Baltimore Comicon, which he was seriously glowing about upon his return. Apparently they really knocked the ball out of the park this year, so congratulations to our buddy Marc Nathan and his staff for putting on such a great convention.
And even more exciting this year: not only will I be appearing in my recurring role as Creative Director for the store and convention, pimping HeroesCon and selling tickets and small press tables, BUT I’ll for the first time ever be appearing as a guest! I’ll have copies of my brand-new (literally, I was working on the cover during my lunch break) minicomic DHARBIN #1, as well as a limited edition print I did. I would link to something showing these items, but said link does not exist. Hey, I’ve been busy. But come slap my hand at SPX: I’ll be at the AdHouse Books booth with Chris Pitzer, Josh Cotter, and Jim Rugg!
