Comic book subscription sites

[abysslord]

There's a thread about online buying of back issues, but didn't see anything about subscription services for new issues. When I got back into comics I really wanted to get a subscription because driving to the shop sucks. I asked around and this was one of the first sites I saw and it's what I'm using now:

https://www.scifigenre.com/

I was sold when I read that they bag/board comics as soon as they open the Diamond box so it will be protected as soon as possible. I really like to make sure my new comics are as pristine as possible.

What does everyone else use? For some more info on scifigenre:

I have a pull list of around 30 titles, probably half are mini-series, but anyway, every new comic I've gotten was high grade 'off the shelf' NM. They ship the comics well protected and you can tell them to ship weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or even based on when your stack reaches a certain price. They also make it easy to pick which cover you want and place bids on incentive covers.

They have a discount based on how many ongoing series you collect, I think mine is 25% now which basically pays for shipping and maybe a little more. They ship fast too, I get them on Monday or even Saturday when they ship out on Wednesday.

They also have great customer service and have always corrected any grading mistake [on older issues] or wrong covers [again, on older issues] and let me keep the mistakes ... although I'd happily return them, I can't do anything with them really.

[BobBretall]

John & I both use DCBS:
http://www.dcbservice.com/

They offer a base discount of 40% on Marvel/DC/Image, IDW/Dark Horse/Dynaminte are 35%. Most smaller Indies are 25-30%.

They also have a pile of special deals every month where featured books are 50% - 75% off. Among these are 10-15 books every month that we (John & I) spotlight on the Previews Podcast that DCBS gives an extra 10% or more discount to.

These prices do not include bags/boards, those can be purchased separately. I don't get bags/boards from DCBS, but John does.

I've been with them for over 5 years now and have been very happy with them. I save 35% or so each month, & this factors in the weekly shipping and gets stepped down because I buy high-price stuff like Bowen busts & Eaglemoss lead figures that are 25% discounted, so that averages my discount down a bit.

[abysslord]

I don't get bags/boards from DCBS, but John does.

How do the comics arrive then? Are they still NM or do they have roughed up corners or creases or anything?

[BobBretall]

I don't get bags/boards from DCBS, but John does.

How do the comics arrive then? Are they still NM or do they have roughed up corners or creases or anything?

I have not been really obsessed with "perfect NM grading" for quite a few years, so cannot really speak to whether there is some little corner ding or spine stress on a book that you can only see when examining the book closely under the right light conditions.

I will say that I get books that look like I picked them off the rack at the comic shop, no major flaws. They are generally all put together into a large bag before being packed for shipment. Mine might have minor flaws that do not occur in books that are bagged/boarded by DCBS, but I cannot speak to that.

When I go to the comic shop I do still see guys filtering through a whole stack of comics looking for the one that is in the most perfect condition. I don't do that. If you want "perfect NM", you should probably just be buying them live & in person so you can personally pick ones that meet your personal needs.

[BobBretall]

They also make it easy to pick which cover you want and place bids on incentive covers.

On this topic: If different covers have separate order codes, you can order the one you want and they will send that specific cover.

If there is a 50/50 cover that has no separate order code, and you are REALLY paying attention, you can send them an e-mail the Fri/Sat before it is released requesting the cover variant you want. They will try, but not guarantee to give you the cover you requested.

On incentive covers, they generally have a set price for them on the order form.

[JohnMayo]

I just got my latest shipment from DCBS. I think it is my 375th weekly shipment from them. I have been very happy with the service, the condition of the comics and the discount. I'm averaging around a 40% discount when you compare the total cover price of the items to the out of pocket expense after discount, weekly shipping and bags and boards.

If you are happy with your current set up, great. If not, download the DCBS Excel order form and plug in your order and see how the deal works out based on what you buy.

Again, I continue to be a very happy customer of DCBS and would certainly recommend them.

[abysslord]

The order form seems like a task. I prefer telling the company "I want Irredeemable" and then I never do anything again. Or is there an option for that with DCBS?

I probably won't change services but this discussion may help others decide, plus I'm a pretty curious person even if I never plan on using the site.

[Trev]

I used DCBS for about 2.5 years and wrote a piece about my decision making process on my blog here:

http://isitwednesday.com/blog2/?p=39

I didn't write the blog for long, but I think this is a good article and addresses some concerns you might have -- and maybe raises some things you hadn't considered.

John helped me when I decided to switch. I think if you spend >$100 a month right now, then you need to at least consider DCBS and make an informed decision.

I never had a problem with quality from them and if there were an issue, I'm sure they would fix it. Books always arrive neatly packed and secure.

On a side note, one of the comments on that post is from Bob who says I should check out the show.

[comicm]

I love DCBService and have been with them since 2006. I am very happy with the way they ship. Nm does not matter to me, modern comics are not worth much more than you pay for them anyway.

[Perseus]

I haven't used DCBS for comics, but I have used them for buying trades. All i can say is they are excellent. I was thinking long and hard about this, and I'm gonna get more of my monthlies at DCBS in the next coming months. I'm gonna buy them once a month. I still am gonna use my LCS for comics but just not as many as I used to. And use DCBS or Instock Trades for your collected editions if you can.

[spid]

I use a combination of DCBS and direct subscriptions from Marvel. I have been subscribing for years from Marvel and only one comic that came to me in such bad state that I had to get it replaced. The replacement came fairly quickly from Marvel.

[BobBretall]

The order form seems like a task. I prefer telling the company "I want Irredeemable" and then I never do anything again. Or is there an option for that with DCBS?

I probably won't change services but this discussion may help others decide, plus I'm a pretty curious person even if I never plan on using the site.

I like filling out the form, but I like reading through Previews, so I'm weird.

DCBS does have a "pull list" feature. Once you set up an account, you have the option on the "my account" page to click the "My Pull List" button & add things to your pull list. That works for ongoing series but when new books & one-shots/specials come along, you do need to add those monthly.

That said, I think John was suggesting that if you modeled your order in the Spreadsheet you'd be able to model the same order from different services and be able to compare your savings at those different services.

BTW, you can also order on-line, you don't HAVE to use the spreadsheet, but I like the spreadsheet and would not order from a service that did NOT have a spreadsheet option.

[BobBretall]

On a side note, one of the comments on that post is from Bob who says I should check out the show.

In addition to the blog comment, you quote me on the Blog with:

Bob’s comment that he didn’t spend as much time as he thought at his LCS. Mostly he would drop by, pick up his books, and go. Sometimes the guy behind the counter knew his name and sometimes he didn’t.

This has actually changed over the intervening time. I now have an LCS that I actually go to pretty much every week (Comics Toons'n'Toys in Tustin, CA). I probably spend ~$20 per week on misc stuff, maybe I pick up a book that I didn't pre-order (I browse their extensive selection nof Indie comics each week), or I get a back issue of a series I started picking up, or I get a Spider-Man variant cover, or I pick up a toy or something.
They do know my name & are pretty well informed. That said, the 15% discount from them can't hold up to the 35% I get from DCBS. That extra 20% is pretty significant given the $ I spend each month. However, if I was spending $100 or less per month I would stop DCBS and just shop at this comic shop.

[torchsong]

Chalk up another satisfied DCBS customer. 3+ years

Condition of books: I have never to my recollection had a complaint about the condition of my books when they arrive. To be fair, I don't bag and board mine. I read them, and bind them if I really like them.

Discounts: Safe to say that if DCBS weren't around I would probably be out of the hobby. Or at least not still into it to the level that I am right now. It's particularly nice when they'll heavily discount a title I've been "on the fence" about. For 99 cents, I'll try out anything pretty much.

Shipping: I get my books monthly (I think Bob & John get theirs weekly). That makes for a looong monthly wait sometimes, but I always view it as me getting a big ol' Christmas present every month. New Comic Wednesday has been replaced by Box Day.

Customer Service: They're really good at helping you out if you miss a title or something's messed up. Generally the caveat is that you're pre-ordering, so once the order's in, you can't cancel (because they've already spent their $$ to order it for you). That said, they've made exceptions in the past, and as long as you're reasonable in your request, they'll do what they can to help out.

[Trev]

On a side note, one of the comments on that post is from Bob who says I should check out the show.

In addition to the blog comment, you quote me on the Blog with:

Bob’s comment that he didn’t spend as much time as he thought at his LCS. Mostly he would drop by, pick up his books, and go. Sometimes the guy behind the counter knew his name and sometimes he didn’t.

This has actually changed over the intervening time. I now have an LCS that I actually go to pretty much every week (Comics Toons'n'Toys in Tustin, CA). I probably spend ~$20 per week on misc stuff, maybe I pick up a book that I didn't pre-order (I browse their extensive selection nof Indie comics each week), or I get a back issue of a series I started picking up, or I get a Spider-Man variant cover, or I pick up a toy or something.
They do know my name & are pretty well informed. That said, the 15% discount from them can't hold up to the 35% I get from DCBS. That extra 20% is pretty significant given the $ I spend each month. However, if I was spending $100 or less per month I would stop DCBS and just shop at this comic shop.

Yeah, that's fair. I am fully back at my LCS, but that's because my monthly new comics spending is down to ~$45. When I was at DCBS, it was $180-$250 at full retail.

I should have probably said that if you spend >$100 a month and are not getting a discount. There are no discounts in Austin.