I have alluded to this post at least once. Its about time I finally wrote it.
My second trip across country to a new job and a new life here in the South was not one without sacrifices. Sure, leaving all the friends and family that I had gained when I went to live with my soon to be Wife was tough. I have made more than one really good friend that I will probably have for the rest of my life, and I would definitely miss them.
Another thing I would miss was my regular comic shop, Best Bett Cards and Comics. I really enjoyed the time that I spent in there every Wednesday, and not just for my weekly batch of comics, but the owner and his Dad had become pretty good friends as well. They are really good people, which is something that is hard to find these days. They did everything they could to get me to stay, but the new job in the South was just something I couldnt pass up.
When we got here, one of the first things I did was track down a comic shop. I found one in the phone book, much to my surprise. When I went there for the first time; that was when I was hit by my first COMIC SHOP CRISIS!!! (insert ominous music here) The place was not encouraging and wasnt exactly in the best part of town. The shop seemed to be focusing on the trading card/heroclix type games and there were barely any comics on the shelves. After talking to the owner, it didnt take me long to realize, that if you didnt order it through Previews you werent going to get it. I went in there two times, and I have never been back.
My plan B was to sign up with Mile High Comics since the closest comic shop (that I could definitely find anyway) was almost two hours away. I had bought some back issues of the Legion of Super-Heroes from them and back when I was a kid, and new they had a discount comic subscription service. I realized that it would take a while to get setup with them like it would the local shop, but at least I could by things from them if I missed them.
Since my Wife went back the Pacific Northwest for the first few months of my new job, I had her pick up my comics at Best Bett and mail it to me while I was waiting for my shipments from Mile High to start coming in. The bunch at Best Bett offered to mail them to me and keep my box open, but part of me wanted to cut all ties with that old life so I turned them down. I dont know what I was thinking.
I realized very soon that even though I was getting my comics at a discount (the more I bought, the more of a discount I got) that I exactly wasnt getting the best deal. Comics that I got from Mile High were not bagged and boarded, I had to get them on my own and pay for them. This was free at Best Bett. Previews was free from Best Bett, and I really did enjoy looking through it, so I ended up buying that from Mile High, since they expect you to go through their website.
Another issue with Mile High is how long comics take to get to me after they come out. At best, I get comics that are three weeks old. I have to be real careful what I read on the web so I dont spoil something for myself. All that leads up to another COMIC SHOP CRISIS!!! (more ominous music)
I have put up with this for a while now. With work and other things keeping me so busy, I have just been dealing with it. The last straw for Mile High was when I got back from vacation.
I had sent their NICE department and e-mail to let them know to hold my next shipment, since I would be on vacation and wouldnt be there when it showed up. I never got a reply, so I assumed everything was OK (my first mistake). When I got back, there was a box from Mile High that had been in the sun long enough that the labels were turning yellow, and was a little damp from getting hit from a good rain. ACCCCKKKK!!!!! Luckily nothing was damaged.
Now I realize that I might have sent an e-mail to late to stop the shipment, but they could have at least said something to me. I could have had someone at work pick it up for me or something. Here it is again, a COMIC SHOP CRISIS!!!! (really loud ominous music here)
So what was I going to do about this? Luckily I had an answer.
While I was on vacation, I visited Best Bett comics in its new location (nice digs!!) and we talked about getting comics from them again. They couldnt give me a discount on the comics, but bags, boards, and Previews would be free. They would also send me weekly shipments that were really weekly. Another bonus with Best Bett, if I have a problem, I know I can them up and get it fixed right away. Unlike with Mile High, when they get back to you in a few days, if at all. After my vacation discovery, I called up Best Bett and told them to set me up again. The Crisis is solved!! (Birds singing, a harp playing in the background)
Starting in October, I will be getting comics from Best Bett. Just in time for INFINITE CRISIS (sound of a cash register), and I know I dont want to miss any of that!!
Thanks for stopping by and reading this ramble,
Moz
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