Anyone else have an issue with Marvel Comics?
Submitted by stardreamer0228 on June 11, 2007 - 21:32
Now, I'm not usually one to say bad things about a company, but sometimes something happens that just chaps me off. How about you? Let me tell you about this unbelievable event.
I subscribed for a Marvel comic back in March for my son. It's been 10 weeks - I waiting, making sure to give plenty of time because I understand that things happen. So I write and ask. Just short of a week later, I get a response saying that our March order has been processed today (yes, that's June 11th) and it will be another 6-8 weeks before we get our first issue! You've got to be joking! There wasn't even an excuse or apology. Please tell me how I'm to explain this to my 11 year old who runs to the mailbox every day as soon as we get home to see if his comic has arrived. Not real good service to their target audience!!!!!!!!!! In fact, it's a supreme let-down. Spidey missed the catch on this one.
Now, I have a goal - to blog on Marvel's site every day until I receive my comic. Really sad because all they would've had to have said was, "whoops, it got missed and we're sorry" and I wouldn't be so irratated. A little customer service goes a long way, but it seems like companies are forgetting that in today's world.
Please don't let it be
by Greg Carter - 06/13/2007 - 20:23
Please don't let it be Heroes for Hire. I know Marvel says it's okay for ages 9+, but really...
All seriousness aside, was the whole series delayed or just your order? Books miss their ship dates all the time. Sometimes by months and months. Some never actually see ink on paper. Just because they say something will be available on a certain date, it's not necessarily so.
Also, there are plenty of reliable retailers online that do subscription-by-mail probably more efficiently that Marvel themselves. A little searching should turn up some.
Good luck and welcome to the world of NY Corporate Comics!
Greg Carter UpDown Studio
Greg Carter - Abandon: First Vampire - Online Graphic Novel
my experience
by harknell - 06/13/2007 - 08:52
I once had a subscription to a DC comic series. They were timely and never missed an issue--but, one thing was a problem. Some issues got damaged in transit. It's not their fault directly, but expect the issues to be somewhat beat up. They usually only ship them in a thin paper sleeve.
Mail comic subscriptions
by mcm310 - 06/12/2007 - 17:16
It's really not that unbelievable. In fact, I'd consider it expected. Comic shops (resellers) are where Marvel gets the biggest portion of it's distribution revenue. Mail subscriptions are not of huge popularity to my knoweldge, primarily because young adult / adult readers and collectors would rather make the trip to their nearest comic book store than suffer creased or otherwise damaged comics from the mail; a fault not of Marvel, but of the postal service.
Also, just something I had to correct, your son is not what I would consider Marvel's target audience. As comics become edgier, and from a pure economical standpoint, I would be hard pressed to believe that an 11 year old with no income is their target over an older reader who has disposable income and a habit of dropping $20-30 per week on comic books (like myself).
FYI, I don't think blogging on Marvel's site will garner you much more than mocking replies of fans who have long since given up on the idea of comic book subscriptions in favor of the option of having their local comic book shop hold their favorite books for them (in pristine condition, with additional suggestions available based on your known likes)
Subscribing directly from Marvel or DC
by Xaviar Xerexes - 06/12/2007 - 09:03
I've never subscribed directly from Marvel (or DC) - I'm assuming that's what you did?
Anyone else have comments on the quality of Marvel's direct subscription service?
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Xaviar Xerexes
On second thought, let's not go to Comixpedia. It is a silly place.
I run this place! Tip the piano player on the way out.