State of Comics — Attraction in Plymouth

This store changes prices on books that are released the same week on the new comic shelf so they can profit off of a hot book. It has happened to me twice and it is a shady business practice. Called the store to see if there was a copy of a New Batman book that was selling out in multiple other stores. They said they had plenty of issues and not to worry, that I would be able to buy as many as I wanted. As I was getting checked out I was told that each issue was double the shelf price per book. I was not told this price over the phone. They led me to believe that it was cover price. The books were not marked to reflect the higher price. I decided to take my money and go. I wasted my gas driving all the way there. Just limit the amount that customers can buy at a time like other stores do.

10/15- Response to owner- I visited your store, I did not order online. I called your store, I was told that there were plenty of copies of the comicbook and that I could buy as many copies for my friends that were needed; there was no mention that the book was being sold for more than cover and why would I even ask because what you did is not common. I visited the store when there was a young woman with a hat on the register. I proceeded to buy 6 copies of the book. The book is marked on the cover at 4.99 cents on the shelf as that is what DC is selling the book for. They were not in bags or boards and repriced. They were listed as cover. I have been buying comicbooks off spinner racks in drug stores, from bookstores, LCS since I was a kid, I would say 40 yrs. I have never paid more for a book than cover price that was released the same week and not a special low print variant or listed as a back issue. Yet, when I took the 6 books to the register I was charged over 60.00 for 6 books. That would be about 10.00 each for 6 cover A's. Not typical of any other shop that I have ever visited. This happened to me once before at your store for another comic issue. Your employees didn't seem surprised that they rang up for that much and tried to explain is as a hot book that has been re-priced. If that was the case and you wanted to sell them for more just show the price you want to charge and give the customer a choice before wasting their time. The comicbook community is a community that values honesty and straightforwardness. We haggle over the prices of back issues and classic books. Not new high print books on the shelf direct from a distributor. I seems like you had a lot of copies of that book as I'd assume there's people who did want to pay your premium. Other LCS just limited the amount of books to 1 per, cover, per person and that is fair in my opinion.

11/20- Don't mean to keep beating a dead horse but, I have multiple examples of bad experiences with some collectors that have bought big books from your establishment and most likely will not again because they felt that you guys didn't value the business; These are the same people who initially referred me to your shop. Since the incident, I have talked to people who have the same experiences with pricing changes when they get to the register. Now, If what you are saying is true about your online pricing, I have no reason to lie. Yes I wanted to buy multiple copies, for people who could not get one. We are a comic community not a bunch of speculators, I resent, that statement. I have dealt with a multitude comic shops since being a kid in the 1980s and I have not had one shop (except yours)change a price at the register. If you were charging more for multiple copies then by definition you were speculating, for money no? There was no sign saying limit one for cover, if you want more then the price is double; That would have been the ethical thing to do. I have had some good experiences at your shop thoughout the couple of years I have gone there but, your attitude regarding my review is off putting. In my initial review, I never said I would never shop at your shop again, but, you are starting to make that a promise. Fix your issues and you will be...

I ordered a Funko POP figure in May. I received no order confirmation from State of Comics. Five months later they have decided to finally ship the product. I received no communication on why it was delayed until September when they said the item was damaged. This figure was released in June (no communication from State of Comics on why it would be delayed at the time of release) of this year. I have already purchased the figure from another place and asked about a return. I was told I would have to pay a restocking fee and pay for return shipping. I would think as a courtesy this place would take the figure back because of the delay in shipping and lack of communication. That is apparently too much to ask because this store is evidently ran by inexperienced people who could really make use of some customer service and communication seminars. The last communication I received was from the store manager. Thanks for response Scott, but maybe you should teach your employees better customer service because I don't trust that my money will be refunded.

Update...the item was refunded 10/20/20. I would have happily sent the figure back and asked to do just that in my initial email, but was told I would have to pay return shipping AND a restocking fee. I would have even paid return shipping, but don't think a restocking fee was fair for an in demand Funko figure especially because I placed the order on 05/06/20 and never received any type of confirmation or even a communication that the figure would be delayed until 09/2020. I am leaving the one star review because of the TERRIBLE customer service Ryan provides and is clearly a petty human being if you read any of the responses from him below

These are some of the responses I received from State of Comics when I told them that their response was a really poor way to conduct business and the right thing to do would be to let me return the figure.

"Unfortunately, we do not control funko and the outcome of them not sending us replacements. Had you asked to cancel months ago while you were waiting it would be plausible and would have accommodated you. You are now asking us to pay return shipping as soon as the item went out."

"Yes it was a pre order item, that is how pre ordering funko works. It states on our website that pre orders of funko items can take up to several months. So when the order arrives, we either ship or give you an update on its status. I'm sorry if you're new to pre ordering funko pops but that is simply how it works with every store when Preordering, not just at State of Comics, especially when a global pandemic hits."

"Hey Wendi, We don't argue logistics with customers. You have absolutely zero idea how dealing with Funko is as a small retailer. Your insults do us no harm. Feel free to leave a review as we did our due diligence to notify you we were working on getting you the item in mint condition and you had almost a month to cancel said item. Sorry for trying to honor a sale that a customer made. I'll make sure to note the threat of fraudulent negative reviews for us delivering the item as promised"

"Hey Wendi,

My name is Scott and I'm the store manager here at State of Comics. I'm sorry that we couldn't get your POP to you in a timely manner and that you felt you needed to get it sooner by purchasing elsewhere. If you have not yet received the POP in the mail, then I can make this really easy for both of us! All you have to do is write "REFUSED" on the address label and stick it back in the mailbox (if it fits) or drop it off at your local post office and it will automatically be delivered right back to us at no charge to either of us. I can then process a full refund for you, no restocking fees necessary. If you feel there is something I didn't touch on or you'd like to speak over the phone, I'd be happy to do so. Just let me know how you'd like to...

I really was excited and had high hopes for a comic shop in my home town. The last 2 went out of business 20 years ago and are well missed! The selection of new comics is great, but it seems the owner does have much a passion for comic characters. Not sure why you'd open up a comic shop if you don't know many of them. Maybe they where just busy and maybe they where in a bad mood?

Bottom line: I really like that Plymouth has a comic shop again. The problem is the owner needs to sell toys and games people will buy. Not old dusty used books(yes they have a section for them) that aren't Sci-Fi at all?? It isn't all bad they have a great selection of weekly comics and a really decent $1 bin. I will definitely go again and am thrilled to have a store close...