Andy Battaglia of Comics Etc. in Rochester, New York read Joe Field's comments on ComicsPRO members benefiting from early releases (see "Joe Field of Flying Colors on ComicsPRO Early Releases") and responds.

Joe Field wrote, “Here's a simple fact: There is absolutely nothing wrong with preferential treatment!”

That is an opinion and not a fact.  I get a discount on cell phone service from AAA, but I sure don’t expect to see AAA reserved lanes on the roads.  Yeah, your organization can work out deals for credit card processing and health insurance, but those are benefits anyone can seek elsewhere.  Working out early delivery for members of your organization does not fall into that category and to imply so is disingenuous--also to say nothing about the legal issues that may arise concerning preferential treatment by publishers based on forcing retailers to join an organization.

Expecting to play on a level playing field is not an expectation of entitlement.  The only expectation of entitlement I am observing is the one that members of ComicsPRO seem to hold.

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