I have visited Galaxy Collectibles several times since 2011-2012, and I must say: Each and every time I come away increasingly disappointed.
The experience of Free Comic Book Day at the store is emblematic of my problems with this place. In 2012-2013, you could take one of each; in 2014, you could take 10; in 2016 (I missed 2015) you were limited to five out of a selection of easily 25.
Or how about prices of minor items?
You used to be able to get five comic-character pins for 3 dollars. Now they're 1.50 a piece.
There's also a reason that the collectibles are never sold - literally, I've seen the EXACT SAME ACTION FIGURE since 2012 in stock, dings in the packaging and all - because they are stupidly expensive. Even small action figures are nearly 20 dollars, and the larger ones are pushing the 30+ dollar range in general. The toy store above Neergaard pharmacy and DII sell their figurines for much better prices and within 100 feet of the store.
They have an extensive stock of graphic novels, but nothing but new comics, and a paltry supply of new comics. Miss an issue? You'll be lucky if you can find a back one. Occasionally they have discount back issues, but not frequently.
Now, for the help? I find them nasty, unhelpful, uninformed, and unenthusiastic. They don't have a strong sense of supporting the fandom at all, having virtually no desire to talk about comics or offer any meaningful ideas for series you might want to check out. They own a comic book store, and they seem to not give a damn about comic book fans, nor do they have good knowledge or opinions on material to help a comic book fan explore new titles, authors, or genres. Plus, on Free Comic Book day, when some people -next to me- asked for my opinion as a fellow consumer on something, or asked me whether something was this or that, he got mad that I answered instead of ignoring them or, more likely, sending them up to the counter with comics they had to pay for instead of what was free (aka: they seem to want to sucker people into purchasing stuff not covered by Free Comic Book Day). He also told me to stop talking to someone, though we were out of the way of people moving past - making a POINT to be right in the corner to avoid that. I mean, what the hell sort of rudeness is that? His customer asked me because maybe they thought someone with a thougthful appraisal of the comic books might have a good opinion, and he got pissed off that I was helping -for free-? What a power trip. I mean, it was minor questions, too: "Are these part of the promotion?" "No. Just the one on the top shelf." "Are these also part of free comic book day?" "No--Oh you mean the ones right -here-? Yes." "Hey, which one would a little boy like?" "Oh, maybe..." which I then deferred to him when he inserted himself (again - probably trying to get a sale). I mean, what the hell do you want me to do? Literally tell people to screw off in your store? Get a grip, loser. This is how the community functions properly: we help eachother so we all have a better experience. You don't like that? Don't be in the biz. Which given the prices and atmosphere here, will hopefully not be very much longer.
To be clear: My problems extend beyond Free Comic Book day promotions. I've come here several times on non-Free Comic Book Day, usually on the way to Leopoldi's hardware or the awesome Primetime Liquors. Everytime, I've been shocked by the just total lack of good atmosphere. The people do not give a damn and don't want to do shit for you. They won't even help you find shit in general.
This place is awful. I would not recommend anyone go here except to get some free comic books and leave. There are better places, surely, in this neighbourhood and in Brooklyn as a whole. Hell, even Midtown Comics, for all its hype and bullshit, is vastly better as a store in Manhattan. You can and should do better: this place is for suckers and for people who have no desire to increase the fandom that butters their bread and puts money in their pocket. read more