David Loftus of AK Comics in Beloit, Wisconsin read Ron C.'s recent comments (see "Ron C. of Ron's Comic World on Huge End of Month Shipments") with interest and joins in on the discussion about arrival dates and discounts:

I read Ron C.'s comments with a smile.  Not because I found humor in his frustration, but the thought that the comic book industry wold have arrival dates and stick to them makes me crack up.

I haven't been a retailer that long (seven years this month), but even I know that a promised date is a joke.  Sure, on some of the books that might be "an event" they'll make a date and stick with it, but for the most part the dart stuck in the wrong part of the calendar and there's nothing they can do about it (though I am extremely impressed by DC's ability to keep three years worth of weekly comics on time).

The main reason I'm writing today is to comment on something Ron touched on.  The difference in pricing and discounts that we (the "Direct Market" stores) get.  This has always annoyed and bewildered me.  I always hear how "people" want small business to succeed.  By "people" I mean the government, big business, banks, the local community, etc.  You always hear people saying how they should support small businesses.

That being said, why is it that online retailers are able to offer such high discounts on their books, or toys, or games?  As Ron pointed out, sometimes they are at my cost or even cheaper.

I'll use Hasbro as an example.  In the May 2009 Previews catalog, Star Wars: The Clone Wars A/F (page 366) is listed with a MSRP of $12.49.  I take the case price I'm offered, deduct my discount, and guess what?  My cost is more than what I can get the exact same toys at Walmart.  And this is their everyday price, not even their sale price.  Guess what I never order direct?  This is the reason I was "upset" about the toy license for the Marvel Legends line going to Hasbro.  I knew that I could no longer offer my regulars the same product for a competitive price after Toy Biz sold the rights.  In the long run it was a good thing since it was a much better product from Toy Biz.

I could carry on my rant citing the Watchmen trade paperback as an example, but I believe Ron already took care of that, so I guess I'll get off my bitch-box now.  

Oh, one last thing.  Hey Ron, I agree with you in regards to the annoying mystery delivery time of UPS.  It is very frustrating.  Luckily, my delivery hub is close enough that I can pick up my order every week.

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