my LCS burned down... *cry* need help on picking its replacement.

[Dr. Cheesesteak]

So, my LCS burned down the other day. Well, not my only LCS. Thankfully, there are about 6~8 LCS's w/in 20ish miles of me. But this was the one that was a few blocks down the street. They gave me a 20% discount for having 20+ titles on my saver (i currently pull 25ish).

The owner is looking for a new location for his business, but isn't sure how long it'd take. After the sympathy phase, I realized I must start thinking about my comics. Here are the other LCS candidates to use temporarily (possibly permanently?):

- Option 1 is a handful of miles away, ~15 min drive. I already have a small saver there. no real benefits besides 10% off TPBs. Owner is very nice and hospitable. Some other workers are meh, but none are rude. I'm usually in this one's area 1-3 times a week.

- Option 2 is about 15 and 20 miles away (it has 2 locs), 20ish mins to both locs. No benefits to saver, besides a pts-based account (that you don't need a saver for anyway) where you can redeem the pts for free items (like a free TPB after $200/pts). Almost every employee is nice, if not just kinda neutral, but they go out of their way to help. I maybe drive by this one's areas once a month, if even that, weekends only

- Option 3 is 11 miles away, ~20 min drive (you getting the pattern of traffic here?). It has the same saver perk as the store down the street - 20% off 20+ titles saved. Perhaps the nicest employees I've seen in an LCS (besides #1's owner). I pass by this one (it's off the fwy) almost every weekend.

Hmm, now that I've typed it out, Option 3 seems like the obvious winner. But Option 1 is closer and is my favorite of all 4. It's only downside is there isn't a big enough saving for pulling so many titles, but it'd save me the most on gas (though I think the gas wouldn't outweigh the comic savings if I went to Option 3).

Do you guys have any advice or input? If it's just temporary (1-2 months), does my decision differ than if it had to be a long-term decision? I'd like to decide ASAP, but want to make sure I make the right decision. Of course, once the one down the street re-opens (assuming new location is still close), I'll go back to that one. Just not sure when that'll be. Thanks!

[Tami]

I have 2 Comic Book Stores and 1 Book Store within driving distance and I shop at all three. Why limit yourself. You don't have to sign a Loyalty Pledge to go to any of them, do you?

[numberthirty]

I have 2 Comic Book Stores and 1 Book Store within driving distance and I shop at all three. Why limit yourself. You don't have to sign a Loyalty Pledge to go to any of them, do you?

Agreed.

Any reason not to just buy a couple of titles from each store until you get a feel for which one will be the best store for you?

[WestPhillyPunisher]

I have 2 Comic Book Stores and 1 Book Store within driving distance and I shop at all three. Why limit yourself. You don't have to sign a Loyalty Pledge to go to any of them, do you?

I also agree. I visit two shops regularly, one in downtown Philly some five miles from my house, the other at the King of Prussia Mall, 22 miles away in the western burbs. I like both places which have friendly, helpful employees, the co-owner of the Philly store loves to talk sports with me, a definite bonus. No need to limit yourself, go to all three.

[numberthirty]

There's also that you'd be spreading you "Comics" budget out between three stores while working out if any one of them is for you.

Can't see a downside to each shop getting a piece of the pie.

[CaptCleghorn]

If I were in your spot, I'd be concerned about a few issues (heh, see what I did there):

Does the store handle quick sellouts well? Actually, can I get a copy of a new surprisingly popular book if I'm not there within an hour of stuff being on the shelves?
Do they have knowledge about the non-big two books I order and read? I'm mainly a superhero guy but seriously, a store should have a clyue about books like Love and Rockets and Cerebus.
Is there a polite and hopefully knowledgeable staff? If the only two books I buy in a week are Providence and Squirrel Girl, I want a judgment free register.

Ask the questions that you think are important. After all, you're not me and your priorities are differwent.

[Dr. Cheesesteak]

I have 2 Comic Book Stores and 1 Book Store within driving distance and I shop at all three. Why limit yourself. You don't have to sign a Loyalty Pledge to go to any of them, do you?

Agreed.

Any reason not to just buy a couple of titles from each store until you get a feel for which one will be the best store for you?

I also agree. I visit two shops regularly, one in downtown Philly some five miles from my house, the other at the King of Prussia Mall, 22 miles away in the western burbs. I like both places which have friendly, helpful employees, the co-owner of the Philly store loves to talk sports with me, a definite bonus. No need to limit yourself, go to all three.

well, I did say I do stop by all 3 of them throughout the month... -___________-

The question was about which should I use for my saver, i.e., which discount should it take advantage of and at what compromise (i.e. location, gas, convenience). I'm not going to go to all 3 equally, it's just not plausible. Why only pull 10 at the one that gives 20% discount for 20? But are the extra drives worth it? etc

If I were in your spot, I'd be concerned about a few issues (heh, see what I did there):

Does the store handle quick sellouts well? Actually, can I get a copy of a new surprisingly popular book if I'm not there within an hour of stuff being on the shelves?
Do they have knowledge about the non-big two books I order and read? I'm mainly a superhero guy but seriously, a store should have a clyue about books like Love and Rockets and Cerebus.
Is there a polite and hopefully knowledgeable staff? If the only two books I buy in a week are Providence and Squirrel Girl, I want a judgment free register.

Ask the questions that you think are important. After all, you're not me and your priorities are differwent.

Yeah, #3 - which also has the 20% discount - also WAAAAY overstocks every title. For example, they've had plenty of every Rebirth title in excess of 30+ the weekend after their release date, except for Batman. I'm leaning towards that one, even though it's not as convenient as #1. I'm leaning towards that one and I guess driving there every weekend.