Let me start by saying that I'm an ideal customer for a business like the The Comic Shoppe... I spend thousands of dollars each year on collectibles, especially action figures. Marvel, NECA, Hasbro, Hot Toys, Revoltech, etc... you name it, I collect it. I've been to both the Bank Street and Clyde Ave locations numerous times and my shopping experiences have ranged from poor to abysmal, especially in the past two years.
For example, while shopping at the Clyde location, I witnessed three employees hanging around at the cash when they should've been walking the floor to offer their assistance. Instead, they were lounging about and directly in front of me, started laughing about a customer that had just left... she merely came in to inquire about a product with her son and when she left, they were stating that she looked like a "crackwhore" and that her son looked "retarded." I waited until the three disbanded before I left, to avoid the same ridicule. When they did split up, I wondered if it was because they saw my reaction to their behavior. Shame on them! Let's just say, I was beyond shocked and disgusted. I haven't been back since... and that's unfortunate, as their action figure selection is larger most of the time. The way I see it, why should I support a business that would treat customers like that? They also had a habit of telling me items weren't in-stock over the phone... and I would find the very item I had inquired about while visiting the store later the same day. This happened so many times, I stopped inquiring. They simply don't know their own store.
The Bank Street location does have friendlier service, as a previous reviewer stated... but not entirely. Some have a cold demeanor and always look like there's somewhere else they'd rather be. I won't use names. I once witnessed an employee telling another that she didn't like the "nerds" that come into the store... did she not expect to see nerds at a comic shop?
Unfortunately, most of the staff lacks serious knowledge of merchandise. It's impossible to pre-order anything and only certain employees will even offer to put items on hold... and if they do, it's never guaranteed. For example, I had called and requested a 1/4 scale figure be held and I would pick it up later that day... however, when I went to purchase it, it was nowhere to be found. Another example would be a HotToys figure that cost several hundred dollars... they had one left but had it stored away. I was told they would return my call as soon as possible the very next day... they didn't. I guess they just don't care.
When brining my purchases to the cash, I shouldn't be greeted with the comment, "I didn't know we had that in stock." This is unacceptable for any employee, especially at the Bank Street location wherein it takes ten minutes to observe the inventory.
While I still believe in supporting local business, I now purchase the majority of my collectibles online. I advise everyone to do the same. Price mark-ups have become too extreme at The Comic Shoppe... I understand the need to make a little bit extra from each item but what I witnessed on my last visit was scalping, plain and simple. Silver Snail might have less stock... but they have much better pricing and their customer service is undeniably better... so much so, that even if an item was more expensive, I would sooner purchase from a business that treats its customers like they matter. read more