Consistently Reliable: Best Comics

As I continue my ever growing collection of statues and busts, I have found one website to be continually reliable in communications, service, and sheer enjoyment. I know that this sounds a bit cheesy, but you will have to put it into context, as my day job is helping companies develop their customer relationship management (CRM) programs.

During a number of CRM presentations, I refer to my collecting experiences as an anecdotal orientation on how and why customer relationships are so important. In many cases, it is a matter of preference and choice as to where you purchase products. Generally, the products are exactly the same, but the service and relationship are what helps you decide who and where you go - especially when it is a specific product (e.g. Comics and Collectibles).

So - it is your choice on where you spend your money and the type of service provided.

What drives me to come back to Best Comics & Collectibles International is the level of service and support that I have received over the years. While other sites have failed, forgotten, or even ignored requests and/or purchases, Tommy and his team have constantly been there. When I order from them, I don't have to worry about receiving the product; however, there are some sites that I would definitely recommend against.

Okay, sorry to ramble, but one last thing.

Now you know why I continually link to his website in various blogs, it is because I know (from experience) that Best Comics is one of the most reliable places to order statues, comics, and collectibles. When you spend your money (on such items), you should expect a certain level of service.

Also, if you don't recieve a weekly comic newletter, try theirs: Best Comics Newsletter

G-Mart Mail Order Service

OK, now for something different. I believe in supporting your local comic shop, it isn't always possible. Always having lived out in (or almost in) the "Sticks" most of my life, local comic shops have not always been available to me. Actually, except for the 4 years I lived in Gainesville, FL, the nearest comic shop has always been at least 30 minutes away in another town.

For those of us who can't/don't want to make an epic journey every week/month for our fix, the only option is mail order. I've tried different mail order services over the years.

Today, I'm reviewing one of them. G-Mart is a mail order subscription service I've used for several years.

Pros: They give discounts ranging from 25% - 35%. They offer free shipments on all comics shipments over $80. The interface on their website is one of the best out of all of those I've used. It's a very basic interface. They don't use flash or fancy graphics/videos. They have a pull list functionality that works really well and is easy to update either from your order or by adding items from the pull list (they call it subscription) functionality. You can set your account to ship weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or even have it set to ship when you reach a minimum dollar amount or whenever it reaches the amount for your order to ship for free. I've only had a problem with a couple of items being damaged and they replaced them, no questions asked.

Cons: None really

Other Comments: They also offer different options like "Collectible only".

I've never really liked tying myself down to one source for comics, so I usually use more than one comics mail order service at a time and it's really nice to have one that offers free shipping.

G-Mart is definitely one I will continue to use and rate a Hot Buy.