Customers, mainly guys, who collect Phantom comics are valuable to us. They are loyal not only to the title but also to the shop. Every few visits, when they have a need, they purchase something other than the next issue of the Phantom magazine. Indeed, the Phantom magazine shopper is an ideal habit-based shopper, one we need to cultivate.
The biggest challenge, however, is consistent supply. The distributor did not have us down to get this Phantom Replica Series No. 2 even though our Phantom sales are strong. Some glitch apparently. There are too many of these ‘glitches’. It’s frustrating as it makes us look bad to Phantom collectors. At least Phantom collectors are forgiving is you are late getting stock.
Mark, I have 2 putaway customers who have collected every issue from me for 10 years now. Even though there are a number of different issues they all have the same sequential issue numbers. I have been caught in the past with these “new” issues.
GG also left me off the list for this “new” replica series. When I called the call centre I was told it was new and I had to request it.
Unfortunately GG has lost the plot in recent times. I get nothing or next to nothing on what I do sell and allocations 400% to 600% of what I sell on the every increasing “tale” of their distributed titles, i.e. titles I sell 3 or less of on average.
My partworks with GG are well down on last year, as I now get only 3-5 of issue 1 of a partwork, well down from the 50-60 I would normally get.
Phone the call centre prior to on sell date, nothing can be done. Call on the on sell date and the order goes to backorder and is delivered 6-10 weeks later after returns are collected. Too late for a sale. Ask to speak to a decision maker to fix future partworks and they’re in meetings and will have to return your call, but never do.
I no longer accept new putaways for partworks. All too hard.
I deleted the watch collection after issue 2, I have backorders for putaway customers for Batman, I can’t get Startek, Railway collection or Knit & Stitch in quantities to satisfy my putaways and I’m still waiting on short delivered stock from Dec 2013 on My Animal Farm.
This week I received a whole 5 copies of Dr Who. Whoopie.
Then there is the new Marvel Series 60 more to collect, but strange timing given there is still 5 to collect in the first series. Then when questioned by customers on series 1 I find out that series has been extended by a further 60 issues also. But wait, the first 60 won’t be received til issue 63 because they’ve introduced the classics. There are 40 classics and issue 61 -80 of the first series yet to be announced as the “extension” series.
GOTCH HAVE BECOME A JOKE.
According to FREW there have been delays in production. According to my local newsagent there are distribution issues.
Can you tell us
1/ what is happening
2/ how soon will the problem be resolved
3/ has there been an issue since #1744
many thanks
Peter
Peter, 1744 was the last issue. Newsagents were sent a communication in December advising of a change of publisher and no disruption to supply. However this has not been the case.
I asked Gordon and Gotch, the distributor, the same questions a week ago but at this stage there is no further update.
I was in contact with our distributor regarding Phantom a couple of weeks ago now. What i was told was they were renegotiating a publishing deal and there was no time frame for further issues until this was resolved.
No updates since regarding a new publishing deal to my knowledge. Also 1744 was the last so you have not missed any after this.
Bill & Michael
My thanks for the update. It is pleasing to know I have not missed an issue and that progress, however slow, is in a forward direction.
I shall wait for my local newsagent to supply me when he can.
Again thanks.
Peter
Peter: Just in from Gotch –
We are writing to inform you the Phantom comic is now back and will return to shelves with Issue 1745 on sale Monday 29th of February.
Following issue 1745 on sale Monday Phantom will return to its normal schedule of Thursday deliveries. Issue 1746 will not be far behind