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Post by vampduster on Aug 23, 2010 6:11:36 GMT -6
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jwar
Full Member
Posts: 145
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Post by jwar on Aug 23, 2010 8:09:10 GMT -6
Yea it means I won't be buying that often anymore. Oh well. If I can't afford it, I shouldn't buy it anyway. Right?
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Post by etaylor on Aug 23, 2010 8:15:10 GMT -6
I'm not going to lie, I'm not too impressed with this.
The guys always used to go on and on about how much better the Mall was then their competition due to the fact that they had the bill me and layaway options that their competitors lacked.
That combined with Shane's constant tirades against the "evil corporations" and how the independent feel of the Mall was so much better. I agree completely but with the removal of the forums and now these changes, the Mall seems like its becoming more than a small independent business.
I used to pay more to buy from the mall because I wanted to support the guys. I'm not going to stop shopping at the Mall, but I'm definitely going to shop less.
FYI, Camelot Books still allows you to pay when books are released and put books on layaway.... but I guess thats because they are an evil corporation, right?
Rant over.
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jwar
Full Member
Posts: 145
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Post by jwar on Aug 23, 2010 9:41:07 GMT -6
I do like Camelot (God! Can I actually talk about this here without fear of being reprimanded?), but I don't like their prices. They generally seem to charge a bit more than Horror Mall. With that said, if something is coming out that I feel I must have, and I don't have the dough. Well I'm probably going to be looking at Camelot now because of layaway. I didn't use the layaway at Horror Mall that often, but I did use it. I also used the "Bill Me" option a lot. I think I have 2 unpaid books in my billing history right now and like 8 I'm waiting to receive that I have already paid for. Sounds like a fair blend to me.
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Post by frankenstein on Aug 23, 2010 10:57:44 GMT -6
I'm not going to lie, I'm not too impressed with this. The guys always used to go on and on about how much better the Mall was then their competition due to the fact that they had the bill me and layaway options that their competitors lacked. That combined with Shane's constant tirades against the "evil corporations" and how the independent feel of the Mall was so much better. I agree completely but with the removal of the forums and now these changes, the Mall seems like its becoming more than a small independent business. I used to pay more to buy from the mall because I wanted to support the guys. I'm not going to stop shopping at the Mall, but I'm definitely going to shop less. FYI, Camelot Books still allows you to pay when books are released and put books on layaway.... but I guess thats because they are an evil corporation, right? Rant over. I agree with you. I feel this is a step backwards and no matter what excuse anyone says, to me it shows Horror mall is slowly failing. I admit i have canceled on some orders so i may be in part responsible for this step. I will also admit that for me things have gone to shit with certain aspects and i am shifting where and who i buy thru. After the fiasco with my last order i will never buy thru one store at the mall thats for sure. All in all its the state of the economy that is hurting EVERYONE.
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Post by markgunnells on Aug 23, 2010 15:06:56 GMT -6
I must admit, one of the things I loved most about the Mall was the layaway program, it actually allowed folks like me who can't afford the really expensive editions to actually get them by paying on time. Granted, when they increased the minimum amount to use layaway I stopped using it but it was a great program I hate to see disappear.
I sort of understand getting rid of Bill Me, and doing away with pre-orders at least means you don't pay for something then wait a year to get it. And besides, I don't mind paying up front with places I've learned I can trust like Subterranean so I wouldn't mind doing it with the Mall.
Still, I don't think this bodes well.
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Post by mistercrowley on Aug 23, 2010 15:53:28 GMT -6
I echo etaylor's sentiment. Frank if you don't mind me asking what happened? I have cancelled a few orders too so don't feel bad about that. On a separate note it's good to see all my horror mall forum people again.
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Post by frankenstein on Aug 23, 2010 16:01:36 GMT -6
Questions for everyone, Would you stick with Horrormall if it doesnt benefit you in anyway like 10-20% off or a discount when you could get the same books direct or elsewhere that does offer some sort of benefit like free shipping?
Some stores at horrormall increase the prices of books for preorder also so its not just camelot. for instance the Passage by Justin Cronin from CD had a inflated price on horrormall from what i paid direct, also the latest Matthew Stokoe book had a inflated price.
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Post by bloodlettingpress on Aug 23, 2010 16:07:31 GMT -6
Hello Folks Larry Roberts here.
I realize that these changes may not be good for some but we were having a lot of folks using the "bill me" as a wish list. Keep in mind that if customers put down "bill me" when they order a book then we order and pay for the book for them so when folks change their mind it really hurts the bookseller.
What you'll be seeing in the near future is most of the books at Horror Mall being in stock before they are listed rather than pre-ordered. For example my next book by Edward Lee is already in production and will be announced and ready to ship at the same time. I think folks will enjoy ordering and having their books shipped within a couple days of being ordered.
Most layaways were used on large ticket advance order items so as for me on items like lettered editions and Infernal House titles titles I'll be having a deposit for reservation with payment due when the book is ready to ship usually months later. So in effect you still have something very similar to the layaway on large ticket items from the Bloodletting Books shop.
As for the health of Horror Mall let me alleviate any fears. We are adding between 60 to 100 new paying customers a month and our year to date sales compared to last year are up 21% which is amazing considering that the economy still seems to be faltering. So in short Horror Mall is very healthy and growing quickly.
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Post by mistercrowley on Aug 23, 2010 16:46:20 GMT -6
For those of us that need time to put aside money for a book how are we supposed to prepare for a release that is announced and already in stock on the same day? As someone who has cancelled a maximum of 7 orders since the creation of the horror mall it's very disheartening to see the bill me option removed.
Jim
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Post by markgunnells on Aug 23, 2010 16:51:05 GMT -6
Again, I can understand the elimination of Bill Me (although the loss of layaway still stings), but I do hope the stores will at least announce the stuff in advance so people who need time to save up can.
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jwar
Full Member
Posts: 145
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Post by jwar on Aug 23, 2010 17:18:31 GMT -6
Hello Folks Larry Roberts here. I realize that these changes may not be good for some but we were having a lot of folks using the "bill me" as a wish list. Keep in mind that if customers put down "bill me" when they order a book then we order and pay for the book for them so when folks change their mind it really hurts the bookseller. What about loyal customers who have consistently paid on time? Seems unfair to me, but is not my store, so all I can do is abide by the new rules. What you'll be seeing in the near future is most of the books at Horror Mall being in stock before they are listed rather than pre-ordered. For example my next book by Edward Lee is already in production and will be announced and ready to ship at the same time. I think folks will enjoy ordering and having their books shipped within a couple days of being ordered. See I get the idea behind this Larry but at the same time, I don't money at the drop of a hat. I like Limited editions, but having no warning gives me very little time to save. I don't have the extra 50-60 bucks just laying around. Normally I have to save or sell something. Maybe that means I shouldn't buy as much. This is limiting my ability to buy as often as I like, but that's ok. What about my membership through Morning Star though? Are we still going to be given first pop at these? As for the health of Horror Mall let me alleviate any fears. We are adding between 60 to 100 new paying customers a month and our year to date sales compared to last year are up 21% which is amazing considering that the economy still seems to be faltering. So in short Horror Mall is very healthy and growing quickly. Good to hear. I'm very glad that The Horror Mall will not suffer from any of their business decisions. I haven't been a loyal customer for 5 years or anything like that but I have been for the past 1 and 1/2. Something like that. Love Limited Editions. Have had to do some cutting back, but still love them. Obviously I have not become the "ideal Horror Mall purchaser". Now I'm not saying that as a slam at Horror Mall in anyway. It's the nature of business. My menial 50 bucks here or 100 bucks there isn't what's going to pay the water bill. I get that. I'm just not very satisfied lately with what I've been receiving and this is like the icing on the cake.
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scotty
Junior Member
Posts: 74
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Post by scotty on Aug 23, 2010 17:21:52 GMT -6
This will definitely change my buying habits. I buy a lot of the higher priced editions and if Bloodletting, Delirium, Altar 13, Sideshow, and Bad Moon all release a lettered/deluxe at the same time I will not be able to use layaway to make an affordable payment to cover multiple releases. I will have to let some go. I should probably cut back anyway. Larry offering deposit and pay on ship will help.
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Post by sdkdmd on Aug 23, 2010 18:37:58 GMT -6
I can understand losing the "Bill me Now" if it was abused. And I can also understand customers having to cancel. But doing away with lay-a-way I don't. It was the one thing that allowed me to buy what I really wanted. So I'll will definitely be cutting back.
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jwar
Full Member
Posts: 145
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Post by jwar on Aug 23, 2010 18:43:46 GMT -6
Questions for everyone, Would you stick with Horrormall if it doesnt benefit you in anyway like 10-20% off or a discount when you could get the same books direct or elsewhere that does offer some sort of benefit like free shipping? Some stores at horrormall increase the prices of books for preorder also so its not just camelot. for instance the Passage by Justin Cronin from CD had a inflated price on horrormall from what i paid direct, also the latest Matthew Stokoe book had a inflated price. To be quite honest, when it's not a publisher from The Mall, I try to buy it direct. I would much rather buy from Dark Regions Press (their books), then buying it through another store. It's not a slam on Horror Mall, but I like the discounts. The Stokoe novel really, really pissed me off. 60 bucks and the things made cheaper than my copy HB of Quake from Leisure. Pathetic production. I don't feel that way often, but every once in awhile, the quality upsets me. Not always the quality of the actual book either. The editing and the actual story sometimes are a factor.
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