A. G. Holliman of The Comic Strip in Tuscaloosa, Alabama read the Paul Stock's Talk Back regarding Direct Market street dates (see "Paul Stock of Astro Books/Librairie Astro on Street Dates") and had this to say:
Having street dates is an idea I've supported for years. We don't sell boxes of corn flakes. We need time to review new items. The only way this can happen is to keep it as simple as possible. With respect to Paul Stock, his suggestions create too many new steps, costs and potential problems.
Let me offer a simpler concept:
1. Have a street date.
2. Ship product to arrive at retailers two days before.
3. If a retailer breaks street date--Diamond delays shipments to arrive on street date.
That's it! The only changes at Diamond are a holding area for "bad" retailers and moving their pack/ship schedules around.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.
'Supported for Years'
Posted by ICv2 on January 3, 2010 @ 11:00 pm CT

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