Comic Asylum — Local services in Richardson

I have been to this shop a few times over the years. Today however I have experienced one of the worst attempt at money grabbing I have seen in a comic shop in all my years of geekdom. Recently Wizards of the Coast released a limited run comic shop exclusive cover of Volos Guide to Monsters for their D&D game series. This was part of an initiative to drive business to local comic shops as opposed to buying from amazon or other big box stores. I (being an avid player and dm) wanted one but unfortunately as it had originally released during the holiday and my wife needed several medical procedures did not have the money to pick it up until my local shop was sold out. So at my wife's urging I called other shops in the area seeing if anyone had a copy. I called this shop and was told they did indeed have it. I was very excited and confirmed the price was still 50. This was a smart move on Wizards part in releasing at the same price at the normal book due to, again, wanting to drive fans to their local stores. So I excitedly got ready and drove 30 mins out to this shop to get my new book. When I arrived the book was not on the shelf. Instead it was in the back and the person who brought it out was what I assume was the owner. He informed me that he did have one, it was apparently returned by a customer, but since he knew it was a collectors item he was planning on selling it in eBay (touting they were going for upwards of 250 dollars). So even though the book was actually damaged with a small ding and I had come all that way he was willing to be 'nice' and sell it to me for 65; a mere 30% increase from what I was told on the phone. I politely told him I understood his position but I disagreed and he then proceeded to keep trying to explain to me that he had been patient, It had come in over a month ago and he was there to make money. I reiterated that I understood but disagreed. After he tried some more to convince me I repeated my position again and left.

This was an item that was made and priced specificly in an attempt to help out the small comic shops of America, an initiative which I agree with. Now some shops are trying to take advantage of that and their customers and that I disagree with. It would have been one thing if the owner had bought the copy for himself to sell on ebay. That is now his personal copy and he can do what he wants. But to take store stock and try to gouge customers because you know you can? I can not abide by that. Especially when your own employees quoted me a price that got me to drive a whole county away on my weekend.

I will never come to this shop again. They may not see this has a huge loss but I would urge others that there are plenty of honest shops on the area that work to make a profit but also value their customers and integrity as well as have a love for their products and what...

So I've been coming to this place for roughly 20 years. Not only have I spent thousands at this place over the years, but I also gave them a huge Warhammer collection, yes gave them. Yesterday I had come in to the store to unload some old magic cards. I had around 50 cards to sell, the owner took my cards to the back and came back 15 min later to inform me he could not spend the time to price the cards. He goes on to tell me that he is leaving for vacation, and that the computer is laggy. He then tells me that he'd give me 60$ for them. I'm no Stephen hawking, but that seemed really low, considering Blightsteel Colossus, and 2 Foil Razorverge Thicket nearly covers the quote. I was then informed by the owner that the other buyer will be in tomorrow, and that he could look up the cards for me then. So Thursday comes and I drive to the store at around 1pm, and am told the buyer doesn't work til 4pm. So I go get some food, run a few errands and go back to the store. I walk in, hand the guy my cards he shuffles through them, then tells me he isn't buying till the boss gets back. In fact he was told by the boss not to buy apparently. Nevertheless I'm extremely dissapointed with their work ethic, or lack thereof. Arrogant eployees ran by a very smug and arrogant boss. If you're looking for chill place to buy/sell comics and games go elsewhere, this place doesn't deserve...

I am extremely upset with Comic Asylum now and they have lost me as a customer. I have spent more than a couple grand at comic asylum over the last decade, maybe not a lot of money, but something. I like supporting local comic book stores. But this visit and the last visit has been so disappointing. Last visit a few weeks ago i looked online for a few uncommon cards here they had it $0.50 a piece no big deal so dropped by on my way home from work to pick up a playset. They charged me $0.75 a piece. Price not a big deal but if i had seen that price on their website and got charged the same price in store i would have been perfectly happy. So that just left a sour taste. Today i came by for an oversized top loaded, they didnt have it in stock. I saw modern master packs for $12 a piece. I asked how much a box was so $280, so i said ok nm i will pick up 5 packs. He said $70 something bucks, i was like what he said price when up to $13. That was a load of $&@& it was priced at $12 and the same guy that last time raised the uncommon price....