| A+ Comics VIP FAQ (comics subscription program) |
|
A+ Comics, like many other comics stores, offers an in-store subscription, or "pull," program. We call it our VIP Folder program. Here are the answers to some questions you may have about it. 1. What does "VIP" stand for? Here, as elsewhere, "VIP" stands for "very important person." It's how we like to think of our dedicated customer base and how we try to treat them. 2. What does "FAQ" stand for? As elsewhere on the internet, "FAQ" stands for "frequently asked questions." I'm being a little liberal in my use of the "f" in this case. 3. Is that pronounced like "fack" or do you spell it out like "eff eh kyoo"? You should probably not be saying that out loud. 4. Anyway, back to the matter at hand. What does your VIP program entail? Through this service, we provide a space for you in the store where we will hold comics that you request from us on a monthly basis. So, for example, if you wanted to make sure you received Batman every month, you would put that on your list, and we would pull a copy for you and put it in your assigned space. 5. What's all this talk about "folders"? I walked into the store and the guy was all, "Do you want your folder?" "Do you have a folder?" "Folder folder folder folder." I got very confused and disoriented. What's that all about? Folder is our shorthand term for that space designated to you for your comics. So if someone says, "Do you want your folder?" they mean to say, "Would you like the comics we have set aside for you personally this week?" 6. So what is the proper response to this question? Yes? Yes would be acceptable, but even more helpful would be if you told us the number of your folder. We have over 300 VIP customers, and try as we might, we can't memorize them all. When you sign up for a folder, you are assigned a number that represents that space. 7. But I'm not a number! I'm a human being! You'd like to think that, wouldn't you? At any rate, if you don't remember your number (though I recommend you try to remember it), we can easily look it up for you, as long as you remember your own name. 8. Okay, enough of that. What do I need to do to take part in this program? It's very simple. You just need to come in to the store and fill out the VIP form with your personal information and the list of comics you would like to receive. We'll start pulling your comics right away. It's that simple. 9. Is there a minimum number of comics I need to subscribe to in order to have a folder? Not at all! Several of our VIPs subscribe to only one or two titles. Sometimes this is necessary if you're requesting smaller press titles that might sell out more easily just off the shelf. However, if you just want to make sure you get Batman every month, chances are good we'll have enough of those, so you might not need a folder. 10. Does it cost anything to start a folder? Only the price of picking up your comics! However, see below. 11. What is necessary for starting a folder? You mentioned "personal information"... We have recently instituted a policy wherein we require to have a credit or debit card number on file to start a folder. This is a matter of security for us. When you start a folder and we order comics specifically for you, you are asking a monetary commitment of us; in return, we require one for you. Opening a folder is essentially a matter of us extending a line of credit to you; we do eventually need to be repaid. Many customers do not understand this fact, which places undue financial strain on us when customers let hundreds of books they asked for languish in the back, unpaid for (by them--we definitely paid for them!). We strive to a higher standard in our subscription program (we have a well over 99% accuracy rate, though we are still human!), and higher standards require higher commitments. It's just a matter of security. Also, we do request that you do your very, very best to purchase your comics at least once a month, regardless of how many titles are on your list. Even if every customer had only one title on their list, that's over 300 comics a month we have to sit on, times three or more dollars...it gets exponentially bigger. However, if you live out of town or are travelling for some time, special terms are negotiable. 12. What do I do if I don't have a credit or debit card? You can alternatively put down a deposit for your first month's worth of comics; again, this is a security for us. 13. Okay, so tell me about other features of the VIP program. One of the major benefits of the program, in addition to securing that you receive every comic that you want, is the discount program! Each customer that subscribes to five (5) titles or more receives 10% off any new comic (not just the ones in his/her folder!). Each customer that subscribes to thirty (30) titles or more gets 15% off. VIP customers are also eligible for 15% off pre-orders of items such as graphic novels, trade paperbacks, DVDs, shirts, and statues when ordered out of the Previews catalogue. 14. Okay, what's that then? The Previews catalogue is the book that all comic book retailers order from. Anything in there is something we can get for you as long as you place the order in time. It's a magical book full of tons of things. In fact, if you dare flip past the DC Comics section, you may be surprised at all the wonders it contains. One thing you have to know, however: Previews solicits items two months in advance of when they actually ship. So for example the November Previews solicits books and other items that will be shipping in January. For this reason, we would need your orders from the catalogue by the 20th of November in order to guarantee those items. An order placed in January for something in the November Previews may only result in frustration. 15. Can I subscribe to Previews? Absolutely! It can also count as one of your five (or thirty!) titles. 16. Let's talk about adding. If I want to add a title to my list, how do I go about doing that? Easy as pie. Just tell someone at the shop. We will fill out an add slip for you, and have you verify that we have made the correct changes with a signature. You will start receiving your new title right away. 17. What about dropping? What's the policy on that? That's a little more complicated. As I have mentioned, we have to order comics two months in advance. As such, if you came in and asked me to drop, say, Batman from your list, that means I have already ordered and paid for with my money two issues of Batman, just for you. For this reason, we ask that you please pick up the issues that we have already ordered for you. We assign a last issue for you and we will make clear to you what that issue will be. Don't worry. We didn't forget. I know you don't want Batman anymore. We'll handle it. 18. I feel like I just read a thousand things. Is there anything else? You're awesome and we love you. |
Home 
VIP
VIP