Dave's Comics & Collectibles — Local services in Fayetteville

Polarizing. That's the best way I can describe my experience with two visits under my belt. And if you look at other reviews, you kind of start to get an idea of what might be going on. And that's really unfortunate because my most recent visit had me wishing I'd set aside a little more time and money.

My first visit was back in 2023. Took some stuff to sell/trade in and the individual who I believe to be the namesake couldn't be bothered. Even after getting his attention, there was shifty eye contact, what I can only describe as uninterested interest and a radiating aura so off-putting, you couldn't get more than 20 feet in the store. I mean that literally as well. I took less than 20 steps in that store. From the front door to their cash register. The interaction was salvaged by 2 other employees who I believe were stopping by from a sister store, and I was able to make a deal with them. As they looked through everything, the guy that couldn't be bothered suddenly took a keen interest, beady eyes groping the contents of my trade-in box.

Now I'm a sucker for second chances. So I wanted to give this place another shot and actually take a look around. This place really is a dark, danky pit of wonderful surprises. I couldn't stop finding things catered to my personal interests. Star Wars, Transformers, comics and figures. And from what I could see, and only assume. No Dave. There were plenty of employees (owners?) ranging from very friendly and talkative, very mildly annoyed, and busy working, but not off putting.

At this point it's looking like a 50/50 shot. You either get treated like you slept with the owners wife or a base line foray into adequate customer service. I'd love nothing more than to dive into the countless back issues, which at this point is probably one of the most impressive assortments I've seen at any comic shop I've visited in Georgia. But if that means there's a chance I'd have to go through my 2023 experience again, well, it just ain't worth the hour drive unless I can be on equal footing and make an old greasy man feel as bad as I did. And that...

Moved to Atlanta, fall 2022 and immediately started scouting for a shop to consider my “local comic shop”, so I’ve been to them all, in most cases multiple times. Smyrna, Marietta, Decatur, Cobb county, I counted 13 comic stores over several weeks. Vetted them all so you don’t have to.

THIS is the one.

Firstly, the staff here is excellent. Dave, Nick, Lee and the guys here always take care of me. Always welcoming, friendly, and they make an effort to know their customers by name. They go out of their way to ask me what I’m after each visit, and never make assumptions about my budget or knowledge, and that’s how businesses should always be. The comic community can often feel a little gatekept, (I would describe multiple other Atl comic stores this way unfortunately) but Dave’s is the opposite. The interactions alone make it a great place.

Next, the selection. Far and away the best in the area. From your weekly pull list of brand new books to Golden age books you’ve only seen in pictures, Dave’s has it all and everything in between. The most precious books in my collection have come from Dave’s over multiple visits, as the inventory is constantly changing. The figures and collectibles section is also really excellent. Vintage toys to modern, hyper-articulated import figures, again, all at Daves.

They have a rewards system for repeat customers and a pretty active social media where they show new arrivals. Not to mention the store is very well organized, densely packed but still spacious. Really like bringing my friends here, even though they aren’t into comics quite like me. Just a great place. 20 miles from my house and worth the trip every...

I did not feel welcome here. The two employees on staff during my afternoon visit did not seem interested in gaining my business. They wouldn’t sell me a shirt that was clearly on display to be sold (apparently the shirt belonged to one of the employees even though it was just hanging out near the entrance for some reason) then ignored me when I was ready to check out with other items. They kept themselves busy either by talking to the other (one) customer in the building or by randomly sorting inventory in the back. I have never been treated this way while shopping ever. More often than not, an employee in any other store will ask me if I’m finding everything ok at least once; but everyone else would instantly help me check out once I approach the register. Again, it seemed as though this store didn’t want my business. Eventually I walked away from the register, put the items I wanted to buy back on the shelf and went about my day. I have no plans on returning to Dave’s Comics &...