LITG: bits and pieces - 2007-06-29 9:49 AM
http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/?column=13
buy it tomorrow. sell it on ebay a couple of days later.
Wi$ard? fixing prices? say it ain't so!!!!!!!
this shit didn't happen when Rob was moderator. he ran a tight ship.
(I'm giving you that one for free. . .)
Quote:
I understand that the "Iron Man: Fallen Son" will receive a considerable degree of US media coverage. What, I don't know. The FOC ordering deadline for retailers is this Tuesday. Retailers, if you haven't updated your orders, now's your chance. We're not quite talking "Captain America" #25, but we're certainly talking "Gay Batwoman."
buy it tomorrow. sell it on ebay a couple of days later.
Quote:
It's a hard life being a retailer. On one hand, you could get prosecuted for giving away a free comic book. On the other, a simple call from Wizard's Price Guide could see you on the end of a federal charge.
Recently, during the controversy over the conflict of interest over Wizard's editorial side knowing the contents of "Captain America" #25 and its retail side seemingly getting a resultant unfair advantage in ordering stock of the issue to sell at hyped up prices on eBay, Wizard representative Drew Seldin confirmed that there are no firewalls of information at Wizard to prevent such information flowing.
On the members-only Comic Book Industry Alliance forum, retailer Phil Boyle of Coliseum Of Comics in Orlando stated, "After speaking with my lawyer today we will no longer be supplying prices to Wizard price guide. Since Wizard is a seller of comics on eBay and recently admitted that there are no firewalls between editorial and the sales department, we feel it's best not to give the appearance that we are helping to set prices with a fellow retailer."
Fellow retailer Jim Hanley of Jim Hanley's in Manhattan replied, "I have long taken the same tack when regarding all such price guide contributions" before elaborating with "Discussing pricing with competitors is a Federal offense. The current Justice Department may be somewhat lax in enforcement, but all those prosecutors do need to do SOMETHING.
"As I said here some years ago, it may be that Federal penitentiaries are 'country clubs,' where you can meet a swell bunch of fellas, but I prefer my three hots and a cot on my own schedule.
"Those who have other views of the situation should follow their own counsel and let the rest of us know how it goes."
You know, it doesn't take much to get an allegation of price collusion going.
Recently, during the controversy over the conflict of interest over Wizard's editorial side knowing the contents of "Captain America" #25 and its retail side seemingly getting a resultant unfair advantage in ordering stock of the issue to sell at hyped up prices on eBay, Wizard representative Drew Seldin confirmed that there are no firewalls of information at Wizard to prevent such information flowing.
On the members-only Comic Book Industry Alliance forum, retailer Phil Boyle of Coliseum Of Comics in Orlando stated, "After speaking with my lawyer today we will no longer be supplying prices to Wizard price guide. Since Wizard is a seller of comics on eBay and recently admitted that there are no firewalls between editorial and the sales department, we feel it's best not to give the appearance that we are helping to set prices with a fellow retailer."
Fellow retailer Jim Hanley of Jim Hanley's in Manhattan replied, "I have long taken the same tack when regarding all such price guide contributions" before elaborating with "Discussing pricing with competitors is a Federal offense. The current Justice Department may be somewhat lax in enforcement, but all those prosecutors do need to do SOMETHING.
"As I said here some years ago, it may be that Federal penitentiaries are 'country clubs,' where you can meet a swell bunch of fellas, but I prefer my three hots and a cot on my own schedule.
"Those who have other views of the situation should follow their own counsel and let the rest of us know how it goes."
You know, it doesn't take much to get an allegation of price collusion going.
Wi$ard? fixing prices? say it ain't so!!!!!!!
Quote:
For the last year, a user going by the name of MazingMan728 has been posting major issue spoilers for "52" and recently "Countdown" on the DC boards. Usually he posted a scene by scene description of the plot of the issue, the Monday before the book shipped. And while some creators have not been happy to see their work reduced so, DC Comics has not reacted negatively.
Last week though something changed. After Mazing Man did the same to the new issues of "JLA" and the "Flash," and did so at the ComicBloc boards, there were complaints, all of MazingMan728's posts from the DC boards were removed and a contrite apology issued. It did rather smack of those forced apologies issued by employees at CrossGen.
It appears that MazingMan728 was a prominent figure working at Diamond Comics, the sole direct market distribution agent for DC Comics. DC Comics were moved to track MazingMan728's IP number and use further clues to identify him.
It appears that DC were happy for MazingMan728 to post what he did regarding some books, and there is evidence that such posts increased interest and sales in the series. But when it came to major series, high profile built up event spoilers, it was a different story.
Last week though something changed. After Mazing Man did the same to the new issues of "JLA" and the "Flash," and did so at the ComicBloc boards, there were complaints, all of MazingMan728's posts from the DC boards were removed and a contrite apology issued. It did rather smack of those forced apologies issued by employees at CrossGen.
It appears that MazingMan728 was a prominent figure working at Diamond Comics, the sole direct market distribution agent for DC Comics. DC Comics were moved to track MazingMan728's IP number and use further clues to identify him.
It appears that DC were happy for MazingMan728 to post what he did regarding some books, and there is evidence that such posts increased interest and sales in the series. But when it came to major series, high profile built up event spoilers, it was a different story.
this shit didn't happen when Rob was moderator. he ran a tight ship.
(I'm giving you that one for free. . .)