LCS Closing

BobBretall · Post by **BobBretall** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 2:21 pm

GABE! wrote: But I've also heard that other shops in town are on the way out too. This is odd to hear considering that every other shop in town who isn't rumored to be close to going out of business, has expanded. Either they've opened a second store, opened an online store, moved to larger shops, or have hired extra employees. So all and all the comic book market here seems very stable.

This seems to be the way of the free market. Businesses that know what they are doing and have a satisfied clientele will expand. Poorly run businesses will go out of business. (Note: A poorly chosen location & a host of other mis-steps can also factor into going out of business)

onemaddog · Post by **onemaddog** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 5:01 pm

I typically buy a few books with no savings from my two local comic shops each month as a gesture of goodwill. I would be saddened to see them go but in reality my purchases there are probably <5% of my yearly spending. I enjoy browsing a bricks and mortar store and fear my LCS in Livermore is on borrowed time.

I have noticed some changes in online Trade discounts recently and have seen the amount of discount provided by Amazon shrinking unless it is a pre-order. I have even seen some books with no discount at all from Amazon. The free shipping is still a big draw however.

I used to buy a lot of books from amazon.co.uk but the shipping costs are absolutely horrendous these days and I dont bother anymore. The UK site is much more agressive on its discount but I have seen cases where the cheapest shipping is more than the cover price of the book.

I also purchase from other online vendors such as TFAW, In Stock Trades etc especially when they have their insane discounts. Have to watch those shipping costs again.

BobBretall · Post by **BobBretall** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 5:31 pm

onemaddog wrote: I have noticed some changes in online Trade discounts recently and have seen the amount of discount provided by Amazon shrinking unless it is a pre-order. I have even seen some books with no discount at all from Amazon. The free shipping is still a big draw however.

I've noticed this too. Amazon is getting too popular. Once the competition is gone (& people are just accustomed to shopping @ Amazon), there's no need to discount heavily to win business.