My customers come in two varieties: "Browsers" and "Subscribers." A Browser is a person who pops in, looks around, maybe buys a couple of things, and leaves again. That's understandable; if you're a Browser, you probably already have a comic store or two that you support loyally, and that's a good thing, so "Browser" isn't used as a derogatory term.
A Subscriber is someone who wishes to check in regularly, and is willing to buy comics and other merchandise on a pre-order basis. For those who want to make Wildcat's Lair their main stop for new comic books each month, I'm reserving all the perks for you! Here's a comparison:
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Monthly Minimum Pre-Order of $10
That's all that's required! Considering that comics average $3 apiece nowadays, it's fairly easy to pick up three or four separate titles and surpass $10... and of course, there are more items available than just comic books. Yes, it's possible to be a Subscriber one month, slip to Browser status the next, and to Subscriber again the next; there is no obligation on the part of the customer to maintain a Subscriber status continuously, and no penalty for not doing so.
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20% Deposit Per Pre-Order
While I require Browsers to forward the full cost of their order before I commit it to my own distributors, I allow Subscribers the luxury of a mere 20% deposit towards the cost of their merchandise. This reflects the standard retail price of the merchandise, before any discounts that may apply. Subscribers still have the option of making a larger deposit, or even paying in full, should they wish to do so.
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Discounts Available at $50, $100
Subscribers who pre-order $50 or more in merchandise will receive a 5% discount;
pre-orders of $100 or more get 10% off of suggested retail. There may be a few items for which I may not be able to honour any discount. In such cases, I will notify the Subscriber, and it will affect only the item in question, and not the remainder of the order.
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Shipments Held for Accumulation
For Browsers' purchases, I require a $2.50 shipping fee per each order that totals less than $25, to cover the cost of postage, packaging, and handling, except in the event that the customer intends to place one or more future orders that would bring the total of their shipment above the $25 threshold. Upon a Browser's request, I will gladly hold their merchandise for them for this purpose.
For Subscribers, the opposite is true. As a Subscriber's comic books are received from the distributor, I will collect them and set them aside, keeping a running total of the retail cost, until at least $25 worth of product is on hand. If the Subscriber has paid their balance due in full, I will ship the books out automatically; otherwise, I will notify the customer of the books and the cost remaining, and mail the books out once payment has been received, for *no* shipping cost. If a Subscriber requests that books be mailed out before $25 worth of merchandise is collected, I will happily mail them out after receiving whatever payment remains for those books, plus the standard $2.50 shipping fee.
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No Service Charge for Back Issue Orders
When a Browsers places an order for back issues or other merchandise that has already been made available to retailers, and that order totals less than $25, I require an additional $2.50 service fee in addition to the $2.50 fee for shipping. That's per order, and while multiple orders might be accumulated to offset the shipping fee, the service fees will accumulate! The service fee exists because for me, back issues are costly and time consuming to hunt down and bring in!
For Subscribers, however, I will waive this service fee, should they be interested in ordering back issues. Yes, this is another incentive to get people to become Subscribers. :)
