East Side Mags — Local services in Montclair

Let me preface this review by saying I'm a very serious collector. First impressions are extremely important. Unfortunately, my first experience with East Side Mags was a tremendous turn-off. My wife happened to go there to pick up a birthday present for me. She set a price point of $25 and asked them if they have any back issues of Captain America in that price range. The staff gave her an issue off the wall behind the register which is where they keep valuable back issues. The issue was marked on the bag $25 with a grading of 9.0 When I received the issue for my birthday I was appreciative but immediatley noticed the comic and cover had significant damage and was very surprised that it was graded 9.0 by the store and that she was charged $25 for it. The cover had significant creasing and some sort of visible textured paint or liquid substance damage. Now in her defense, my wife knows nothing about comic books, condition, rating system or value. So when I told her about it, she said she had the receipt and figured when returned from vacation 2 weeks later we would go back and exchange the comic for the same issue in the condition listed and paid for at that price point. I even called East Side Mags and spoke to a gentleman named Chris regarding the issue. I came in the next day and explained the purchase to the bearded gentleman behind the counter. Mind you, I had the issue AND the receipt with me. I explained that my wife isn't a collector and that I flagged it as way below a 9.0 rated $25 item. So it must have been an honest mistake. However, the gentleman behind the counter preceded to tell me that it was impossible that the item found it's way into a bag personally graded by him. Odd. So I'm standing there with the book my wife purchased AND the receipt communicating to him that something should be done about this. He went on to repeat that he personally grades all of the books and that it's impossible the a book in that condition made it's way into a 9.0 graded bag. This is where it gets extremely awkward. He takes the receipt, asks me my name, writes my name on the back of the receipt and then takes the same exact title off the wall in better condition and says, "Tell you what, we'll call it even". Admittedly, it was in much better condition- HOWEVER, the price label on it read $12. So now we're at a deficit of $13. NOT what I call an even exchange. Then he proceeds to say "By the way, I'm going to check the security camera footage for that day." At that point I don't even know how to process or respond to that statement. What exactly are we getting at here? I"m a customer returning something that was purchased in your store that was definitely of a much lesser value and condition that was initially charged. Furthermore, I have a receipt in my hand for the item. Additionally, I also have a $25 gift card to spend there. So basically my wife spent $50 in East Side Mags that day. My only regret was not acting on my instinct telling me that this was NOT a fair and even transaction, and holding out for an identically priced item. I also proceeded to redeem the gift certificate. Another regret. I actually should have returned it and walked out. The level of doubt and "dishonesty" that was place on me, the customer really left me speechless. The right thing for East Side Mags to do REGARDLESS of the gentleman's feelings about it would be to honor the original price and condition of the purchase. THAT gentlemen is just the price of doing honest business. I should also add that I'm not a resident of Montclair and drove a half hour out of my way excited to visit a new comic shop. I can honestly say I will never go back to East Side Mags as they left me with a horrible first AND lasting impression. I'm happy to go other businesses like The Joker's Child in Fairlawn or Zapp Comics in Wayne where they know how to treat customers in the best interests of good customer service and doing...

This review is purely based on their prices for Pokémon cards. They are scalping the heck out of them. Way above retail prices - like a lot of other game / comic shops sadly. Went in there the other day and they had plenty of new release product just sitting there - sure because they are priced so high - even more than some eBay listings… Thankfully I was able to find some stuff at Target and pay retail price. Trying to make a quick buck and scalp because others are doing it will alienate you and lose you some would be loyal customers… would love to support a local business but not with these practices… hope you guys change for the better.

Edit - response to owner: You are one of the scalpers. Not a valid reason for scalping yourself. You think charging the same / more as scalpers will help kids get cards. No - and it’s not just about kids, I’ve been in the game since it first started when I was 12 in the late 90s. That’s like saying comic books are just for kids. How about you put limits in place or get creative and quiz people about the game or require a valid deck to be brought in - if you know anything about the game yourself. Seems to me you are just in it to score some extra cash while it’s hot. But when things go back to normal, and they will cause it’s getting easier and easier to find stuff at Target, Walmart, GameStop, BestBuy, etc… plus some online shops - at retail - I hope people remember how you decided to scalp as well and let that guide where they spend...

This is one of the best comic book stores I have ever been to. They seem to know everything about any question you may have about a comic book or series of books.

Lots of Vinyl Pop Funko Characters, special action figures and more. They offer events throughout the year such as having the artists in store, classes and even sometimes have local bands perform in the store on special occasions. They even sell original artwork from local artists that fit in great with the store and definitely a comic collector’s home.

Jeff and his staff go out of their way to accommodate all customers. Jeff also supports other local business, artists and musicians. If you believe in supporting small local businesses, East Side Mags is a small local business to keep in mind when trying to think of businesses to support.

The owner is a big supporter of the Montclair...