# Have I been hustled by an online comics shop? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 11, 2004, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-been-hustled-by-an-online-comics-shop/244697 "2004-05-11T22:22:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-been-hustled-by-an-online-comics-shop/244697/1 "2004-05-11T22:22:21Z")
I placed an order with a certain online comics retailer April 30. It was my first time using this retailer, but the site seemed well-designed and its stock VERY affordable so I ordered a few things. They immediately deducted the amount of my order, including shipping costs the credit card number I provided, a fact I have verfified with my bank earlier today. On May 1, I received two email notifications stating 1) my payment had been received and 2) my order was now “processing”. It has _been_ “processing” since April 30. This seems unusual to me. That same day I ordered books from two other websites, [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com) and Mile High Comics and got those orders the last few days. So I am naturally curious as to why its taking so long to fill this order. I have emailed this online shop several times about the delay, and requested first an explanation, then later a refund, but they have not responded. Have I been ripped off? Who can I complain to? (I have omitted the name of this shop until I get a sense of how LOUDLY I can complain about this.) ---
**Author:** ![Selkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@Selkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Selkie)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-been-hustled-by-an-online-comics-shop/244697/2 "2004-05-11T23:41:54Z")
That time frame doesn’t sound too outrageous, but not responding to emails is a troubling sign. I’ve emailed you privately to discuss in greater detail, because I have a hunch I know which store you’re talking about. ---
**Author:** ![robgruver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@robgruver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robgruver)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-been-hustled-by-an-online-comics-shop/244697/3 "2004-05-11T23:43:53Z")
10+ days is a Bad Thing ™. Do you not have a good brick and mortar store near you? Would you please post the name? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-been-hustled-by-an-online-comics-shop/244697/4 "2004-05-11T23:50:54Z")
Contact your Credit Card company ASAP. Stop the charge. Now. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-been-hustled-by-an-online-comics-shop/244697/5 "2004-05-11T23:51:05Z")
Yeah, post the name. I know **Selkie** has done a lot of online comic ordering lately, and I hear all about her adventures with different e-tailers. Some of them are a lot more organized than others, but it would behoove us all if we knew who to watch out for. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2004, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-been-hustled-by-an-online-comics-shop/244697/6 "2004-05-12T03:32:28Z")
Well, the site in question is: [http://www.comicxposure.com](http://www.comicxposure.com) Thanks to all who replied. Yeah, I’m stopping the charges. THREE years shopping online and I’ve never had a problem with online orders being filled before, was uncertain how to proceed. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2004, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-been-hustled-by-an-online-comics-shop/244697/7 "2004-05-12T23:32:58Z")
Today I received the following e-mail. Bolding is mine. > [@](#): > > Askia, We are sorry you have not gotten your order as of yet, I would also like to address the e-mail in which you state you had contacted us with no answer! these two e-mails are the only two e-mails we have gotten from you. all e-mails are answered within 24hrs. As far as your order, it was A system error that it was not shipped out and I am sorry this happen to you on this order. If you like we can refund you for your order or we can refund you the shipping on the order and get it out to you asap! Again sorry for not getting this out to you quickly! Also What gave us a heads up on your order was an e-mail we got **from someone over on straightdope message boards** about your post! One thing we do have to say is that we are here to get you the comics you want and fast. Hope you will give us another chance to show you that is the kind of service we give. So, yeah, I gave them another chance. Hey, they’re refunding S&H. Thanks to whoever out there who sent them a head’s up. I’m sure comicxposure appreciates it, too. Straight Dope: Consumer Advocates In The Battle Against Ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![smoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smoke)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-been-hustled-by-an-online-comics-shop/244697/8 "2004-05-13T12:19:42Z")
Wow, that’s sweet. I sent that email. I just told them that they were gaining negative publicity from a message board with a lot of potential comic geeks (myself included). It was polite, and I’m really glad it worked. I’m also glad you got this resolved. -j ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-been-hustled-by-an-online-comics-shop/244697/9 "2004-05-13T19:48:32Z")
Those look like very reasonable prices. Let us know when you get them, and if you’re satisfied. I may place an order. ---
**Author:** ![Chairman\_Pow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Chairman\_Pow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chairman_Pow)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-been-hustled-by-an-online-comics-shop/244697/10 "2004-05-13T23:21:36Z")
While I don’t doubt their sincerity, I’d be leery about giving them a second chance. I’ve dealt with vendors who screwed something up and then only got around to fixing it expediently (and apologetically) when they realized that they could probably make a lucrative new customer in the process. In this case, it was one of the big two shipping companies who royally screwed us and made nice when they realized that one of the packages was going to an account that they nearly had, but their rival took. Jerks. If they didn’t answer your email until someone noted that you were complaining publically, I’d be wary. Then again, it could have been a system error, but there were the emails (and what kind of crap system doesn’t provide feedback for these sorts of occurances?)…