Blackbird Comics & Coffeehouse — Restaurant in Maitland

Called this store 3 times leading up to today asking about their Lorcana tournament, I was told 3 different times by atleast 2 different employees that registration would open for their limited seated tournament at 1pm today. To double triple check whomever I spoke with on the phone(feel like the name was Nick or Ian, not sure though) on Wednesday I even specifically asked if this is a closed event please tell me so I don't waste my time.... I was assured that registration will open at 1pm Thursday, however there are limited seats. I said I fully understand I'll make arrangements to get there early but I just wanna make sure that registration opens at 1pm. I arrive today at 12:20 and make my way to the counter and say, "I know I'm here early but I'm here for the lorcana tournament registration." I was told that they are already full that they allowed their local members to get first dibs/sign up early. So my question is why wasn't this mentioned in the 3 times I called? I also don't think Ravensburger intent for these events is for stores to essentially stack the player pool with their choice only entrants, regardless this was handled horribly for one gatekeeping an event but more importantly the dishonesty that led to me wasting my time and effort, I'd much rather give me business to the other much more successful(For obvious reasons) LGS in the area.

Reply to Candice As stated above your staff told me on 3 separate occasions that registration would open at 1. Your response to my review aswell as other tells me all I need to know about your business and how you operate it. These events should be a vehicle for you to grow your business but as I stated you take the opportunity to close it off to potential new customers. I would be shocked if you ever have another sanctioned event at this store for any TCG. Your just out of your depth, AND AS I STATED the lying and dishonesty about it all is where the "RUB" is, you wanna have your private 8 person event where you decide who get the prizes SO BE IT but advertise it as such and for the love of God if I call 3 times to verify be honest. If you'd like to see my call logs with dates and times I'm happy to provide...

Holy smokes! Why don’t we have a funky little coffee and comic shop like this on my side of town. While I wasn’t immediately greeted as the gent was at the counter. I tested his knowledge and patience to see if he’d help. Going to keep the star there because he came out the box swinging when I engaged him. They had all the weekly flavors on the wall. The boxes where all laid now nice and in alphabetical order. Plus, the computer inventory was next damn level. Dude didn’t miss a bet on finding what k wanted or simply stating they didn’t have it. Trust me! All comic joints are not created equal. This place like I said is next level on the inventory, cleanliness and funkiness!

The place is not all that big, but the funkiness more than made up for the size. There are tables to read and sip coffee of course and filtered water (that’s what I overheard). They have a TV, action figures games, etc.

Anyhow, I did not get any coffee (next time). So, stand by for that report as I will be back. Where’d I hear that from before!?!

Updated 12/24 The last few times I’ve gone to the shop. No greeting or anything. Just blank stares at me or continue scrolling on the phone. Customer service has slacked off. Not sure what is going on, but something is off!

Response: 12/24 is NOT the day that I came in but the day after three different visits I decided to update my experiences. Let me clear this up - I come into the store no greeting or nothing. I am browsing around. Other people come through the door and are cheerfully greeted. Maybe they know the people maybe they don’t. But on three different occasions. No one says anything, offer any assistance when I am straining to see books. Ask to see books and then pretend like it is an issue to get the book. Not sure how I can make a purchase if I can’t see the book. TBH it was NOT always this way and will gladly update my experience when I feel l am being treated fair. I have been here many, many times and had a very positive experience. So, I don’t arbitrarily down or upgrade out of anything but my...

I want to start off by saying that although I am not giving a full 5 stars this store has a lot of pros and I do like coming here overall. However, I have had a few negative experiences since I have been a customer, specifically with regard to the comic subscription service. Sometime around July or August of last year I became a customer with the goal of purchasing all of the comics for the DC event Dark Nights Death Metal. I filled out a form through the website, which used to allow subscription requests, and received an email to confirm my request. Admittedly, I did not reply to the email, but shortly afterward I went to the store to confirm my request in person and to pick up the first few issues of the event, as it began in June. This first visit and many others were great and I had great customer service. Fast forward a bit to last month and I noticed that I was missing several of the tie-ins for the event and one of the main issues. I returned to the store and shared my findings with the hope of buying the missing pieces. Fortunately I was able to do so, but in expressing my concern that some issues had been missed, I was asked if I had subscribed prior to these issues being released or not. This was a bit upsetting as I had, and felt that I was being asked what mistake I had made rather than the acknowledgement that the store may have made one. Today I came back to pick up the last two issues of the series and only one was available. The missing issue was actually released first but will be in next week, and an employee from the store confirmed that the shop had received a shipment of it. This was a disappointing follow-up to my last visit after I had brought up my concern about missing comics I had subscribed for. All-in-all, I would like to continue being a customer and wouldn't mind chatting with someone from the shop about all of this. But as of this moment I can't recommend the comic subscription...