The Outhouse - The Greatest Comic Book Forum

by **Victorian Squid** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:08 pm

The woman bagging up my comics ripped one of the front covers at the spine just a little bit, I saw and groaned inside that I was now paying $3.50 for a damaged comic. (I actually hate watching my stuff get bagged up, because usually I go to pains to get copies without noticeable spine dents or cover creasing from handling or shipping, and about 15% of the time they do by the time they're bagged up anyway.) But it would have been a scene, so I didn't say anything.

But now I am trying to decide whether or not to buy another copy of the same issue.

by **Muppetesque** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:10 pm

Victorian Squid wrote:The woman bagging up my comics ripped one of the front covers at the spine just a little bit, I saw and groaned inside that I was now paying $3.50 for a damaged comic. (I actually hate watching my stuff get bagged up, because usually I go to pains to get copies without noticeable spine dents or cover creasing from handling or shipping, and about 15% of the time they do by the time they're bagged up anyway.) But it would have been a scene, so I didn't say anything.

But now I am trying to decide whether or not to buy another copy of the same issue.

I'd say complain - with a comic shop - it's a collector store... there's an expectation what you get is in that condition. If they don't get that, find a new store IMO

by **Benderbrau** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:11 pm

How big of a rip? Like a real rip or a nerdy fanboy's tiny little rip?

by **Benderbrau** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:13 pm

I think the only time one should expect mint condition comics is via mail order. Comics coming from local shops have all been handled, read, etc. so the expectation of no spine dents and the like is unrealistic IMO.

by **eltopo** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:13 pm

Victorian Squid wrote:The woman bagging up my comics ripped one of the front covers at the spine just a little bit, I saw and groaned inside that I was now paying $3.50 for a damaged comic. (I actually hate watching my stuff get bagged up, because usually I go to pains to get copies without noticeable spine dents or cover creasing from handling or shipping, and about 15% of the time they do by the time they're bagged up anyway.) But it would have been a scene, so I didn't say anything.

But now I am trying to decide whether or not to buy another copy of the same issue.

if she ripped your comic I'd ask for a new non ripped version and they can take back the damaged one

by **Chesscub** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:14 pm

Victorian Squid wrote:The woman bagging up my comics ripped one of the front covers at the spine just a little bit, I saw and groaned inside that I was now paying $3.50 for a damaged comic. (I actually hate watching my stuff get bagged up, because usually I go to pains to get copies without noticeable spine dents or cover creasing from handling or shipping, and about 15% of the time they do by the time they're bagged up anyway.) But it would have been a scene, so I didn't say anything.

But now I am trying to decide whether or not to buy another copy of the same issue.

I would've said something then and there. You paid for something in a particular condition. Her carelessness caused the problem.

by **Victorian Squid** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:16 pm

Benderbrau wrote:I think the only time one should expect mint condition comics is via mail order. Comics coming from local shops have all been handled, read, etc. so the expectation of no spine dents and the like is unrealistic IMO.

Not at noon on Wednesday from the back of the stacks, they aren't all handled. You may not have an accurate idea of what happens to mail order comics either. They are subject to the same production flaws and are handled too. At least in the shop, you choose for yourself which copy has no production flaws.

by ****** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:17 pm

I would have said something.

by **Benderbrau** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:18 pm

Victorian Squid wrote:Not at noon on Wednesday from the back of the stacks, they aren't all handled. You may not have an accurate idea of what happens to mail order comics either.

Up until recently I was a regular customer for mail order comics. First via Marvel directly, then Heroes Corner and finally of DCBS, so I think I do have an accurate idea of what happens. Everything they delivered was in perfect condition.

by **Victorian Squid** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:18 pm

Dammit, everyone would have said something.

by **Grayson** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:19 pm

I don't know how it is at your LCS but I would never worry about asking them to get a different copy. Today when I picked up my copy of Avengers vs. X-Men #2, the cover was slightly smudged and looked kind of filthy. When I was checking out, I asked if I could get a different copy. The store owner had absolutely no problem getting me another copy of the book, we shot the shit a little, and then I drove back to work.

I probably wouldn't have told the person who bagged up the comics that they tore it themselves but I would have brought it to their attention that when they were bagging it, you noticed a tear on the spine and wanted to see if they had another copy.

by **Victorian Squid** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:19 pm

Benderbrau wrote:Up until recently I was a regular customer for mail order comics. First via Marvel directly, then Heroes Corner and finally of DCBS, so I think I do have an accurate idea of what happens. Everything they delivered was in perfect condition.

See edit about production flaws. I doubt we have the same criteria for perfect condition.

by **Victorian Squid** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:20 pm

Sakie wrote:I don't know how it is at your LCS but I would never worry about asking them to get a different copy. Today when I picked up my copy of Avengers vs. X-Men #2, the cover was slightly smudged and looked kind of filthy. When I was checking out, I asked if I could get a different copy. The store owner had absolutely no problem getting me another copy of the book, we shot the shit a little, and then I drove back to work.

I probably wouldn't have told the person who bagged up the comics that they tore it themselves but I would have brought it to their attention that when they were bagging it, you noticed a tear on the spine and wanted to see if they had another copy.

Hmm, that's probably a good plan.

by **Benderbrau** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:22 pm

Victorian Squid wrote:Dammit, everyone would have said something.

If it was an actual tear I would have said something too. But now you've brought it home so bringing it back now might be difficult. If they wanted to give you a hard time you'd have trouble proving that you didn't damage it yourself after it left the shop.

by **Apache Chef** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:22 pm

Comic shops are used to anal retentive collectors. So it wouldn't have been an issue if you would have said something.

That being said, I stopped "collecting" a long time ago. I just read them and I don't care what condition they are in. So I wouldn't have said anything.