Over thirty year Diamond account here. The Diamond situation is a decidedly mixed bag, as there's a lot of stuff in both the positive and negative columns. Apart from all the things that you mention in the video, the biggest negative is that Diamond has overcharged us retailers on shipping for many, many, many years. But in the plus column, during the 2000s when comic shops were hurting badly, Diamond extended generous credit to many of us, and for many of us it's the only reason we are still in business today. Also, Diamond is the major sponsor and organizer for Free Comic Book Day. And finally, they have an excellent website that I use to manage all of my pullboxes, and if that goes away it's back to the drawing board in terms of managing subscribers' orders.
It’s good to hear they had some in the positive columns! Thanks for sharing. I’m confident that FCBD and pull boxes can be even better in years to come 🤞
Diamond's refusal to change and adapt to the demands of the industry is the reason they failed. it should be forever used as a cautionary tale for others in the industry for what not to do
Whenever I get good packaging (which shoutout to any comic I've ever gotten from you) I always take the time to praise the shipper on their page etc. Good packaging makes me so happy haha
Diamond sponsored Free Comic Book Day for many years. We shall see if Penguin gets behind and backs this wonderful event that brings joy to so many readers.
I just want to state out that Penguin Random House has some issues too. We get damaged books from PRH all the time. Singles not so much but when we get mixed shipments, like some Trade Paperbacks + Omnibuses and Manga... they throw them all together in one box. What happens most of the time? The Omnis bend the Tps and Manga. But yes, Diamond is a lot worse and for them it doesn't matter.
It's funny how a lot of the comic book influencers are asking their subscribers if they are selling their collections. The market is down therefore you won't get much return. It's best to hold right now.
The hell of diamond. We closed our shop behind the damaged books and no support. I miss the shop but not the BS. If only this would have happened back then. Great video man! Keep killing it.
I'm honestly worried about the comic industry going forward this year. With Diamond going bankrupt/getting bought out by some new corporate entity and now Dark Horse firing a bunch of employees i don't know what to think.
I work in a shop. Over a decade now. Diamond got too cocky having the monopoly. When we had damages or were shipped the wrong product. They never asked for proof or to return it. Thousands of dollars over a decade and we are just one small store. I can't imagine how much they were losing just on that one dumb practice. Not to mention the amount of damages they were essentially responsible for due to poor packing and shipping methods.
I share your frustration with Diamond as a 21 year customer. So many books with banged corners. I have longboxes of damaged books. Why Diamond going bankrupt is bad for the industry: 1) Small press companies may not be able to find a new home since PRH and Lunar aren't taking on new clients 2) Diamond supplied credit to the industry and worked with stores that needed extra time to pay 3) Lots of companies may lose money in the bankruptcy if Diamond can't pay. There are several companies, like IDW, that may not survive. 4) Free Comic Book Day. My opinion, I hope they get sold to better management, rebrand, and reinvent themselves. I don't want the good employees to lose their job. We'll see.
It's actually very easy to fix the color rub. The issue is that the top and bottom comics are in contact with the more abrasive paper. All they need is to put a layer of less abrasive paper on the top and bottom. They could buy custom sized .012 SBS which is basically a thinner version of a standard backing board sized to fit the standard box they ship in. A top and bottom layer and suddenly color rub is a memory.
I get my new comics from M&M and they always put a previews book or other damaged book at the top and bottom of each package. This protects all the other books from the damage you see.
Four out of 200 is, actually, a pretty good, low damage ratio. But, if that's consistent, then Penguin should make that easy fix or count those sacrificial books as packaging and either not charge you for them or provide you with a credit of some sort. Maybe if enough retailers make some demand on that issue, Penguin will be inspired to make that change. For sure, it's better than Diamond, but even being better can still be rationally unacceptable.
2:18 - I agree and thats exactly what I would have said. Its literally an afternoon for the paperwork setup. the biggest change for them would be ongoing stock room, loading dock and processing change needed to accomplish the support piece.
Diamond used to be a great distributor but, overtime they just let stupidness take over things and owing money to people all the time didn't help either. yesterday, my kid sister along with 15 other people were let go due to the chapter 11 stuff. so, where some are cheering and thinking it's a good thing, it's not cause now people like my kid sis are losing jobs they have had for years.
The problem with any shipping company are the people at the top, who have never worked at the bottom. They don't understand the day to day problems that occur throughout the working day. They're focus is usually time ,targets, getting the product out the door as fast a possible to meet overheads and spending costs. They never listen to the workers, who know the job inside out. This results in a despondent workforce that no longer care how the items are handled. Bad management appointments, bad recruitment, bad practices result in bankruptcy.
I feel the same about big-box drugstores like CVS. Giant stores filled with products and discounts and loyalty programs but they have two twenty-year olds running the whole store who can't ring up alcohol purchases because they aren't 21 yet. The execs making decisions at the top would probably bail out after two eight-hour shifts if they had to actually work in a store and confront the level of dysfunction there.
I am a relatively new, very small retailer in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. All of my shipments except for one that was lost in shipping for a month and a half come double boxed and packed just as your PRH package was. I guess I've been fortunate. I am sorry that you have had issues with Diamond as I have been very fortunate and have been treated extremely well from day 1. I for one will be sad to see Diamond go.
For me when I used to deal with them back in the 90's when I owned a shop they weren't that bad in fact when we had trouble with our bill they would work with us but they knew we couldn't go anywhere so we were sorta trapped. Even with deliveries they were great I guess it helped we were a couple a miles away from the warehouse which during the begging of Legion Quest they invited some of the local shops to visit the warehouse and had someone from Marvel's marketing team explain everything that was going to happen and lead into Age of Apocalypse and gave us tons of merch to give away at the shop. After my shop closed I didn't deal with them afterwards But I'm not surprised how they ended up it's a shame they started out good.
The old head at my LCS says early days Diamond came up out of the comic community and understood what their customers wanted. But those people have been out of the picture for a while now
I’ve helped my LCS unbox, bag and board books and have been shocked by the way books are shipped. Diamond does not care, they are just inventory and some get damaged. It always seemed to me that bundling books, using a rigid piece of cardboard T the top and bottom and then wrapping the books would prevent most of the damages I have seen.
I asked at my local shop if they would shed a tear for the end of diamond, the guy says that they mostly use them to get Marvel Legend figures, Pops, Manga books and Pokemon cards from them. With Pokemon being their #2 top sales and the manga around the #4 spot. They hope for a real restructuring because of that.
I think you should mention, besides the packaging, the fact that Diamond charged you to ship them damaged and with Penguin, I have yet to be billed shipping.
Skimping on packing material or the labor itself when that is all they actually do is ridiculous. They should make at least a little effort to at least bag and board the incentive issues since they know those are the money ones.
Diamond did have people that would answer the phone for small shops. That is the only complaint I here about the new distributors. They are so big that if something goes wrong, then getting the problem solved can seem almost impossible. Also, the centralized ordering system was helpful for small shops with limited labor demands.
I can't fathom why they never fixed this, such a simple fix with a little more material cost. Not being a retailer, this was interesting to see what I have heard complained about for years.
All I've heard for years is how bad diamond is. I'm not a dealer but I'm looking to do a business at some point. I had a couple friends or owners and they opened up about everything that was going on. I think that they burned their reputation with the community and the retailers and they're getting what was going to happen. They forget you're not the only game in town anymore
What about all the Jobs Being Lost. Losing Healthcare for their Kids. Sorry for being a Party Pooper. Love the show ! Keep it up ! Also I would love to win a comic book one Day.
Ughh nothing worse than getting damaged comics from someone who cuts corners shipping. I recently had an order from a live auction site show up in a small box with no padding that was damaged by USPS and every bagged and boarded comic was bent on the bottom. Needless to say they lost a customer and I don't know if I will even get anything on that site again.
25 cents of plastic wrap tight around those comics would solve 70% of the problems with those shipments. Packing peanuts cushioning around it so it doesn't move would solve the rest of the problems. Very cheap fix.
I get books from PRH weekly and I don't get that much color rub. It happens but not enough to cause me irritation. When Lunar started with DC they bagged and boarded all incentives. They've gotten away from that unless it's like 1:50 or better. Even then I sometimes don't get the 1:50 bagged and boarded. Diamond has always been trash.
Diamond did this to themselves and they didn't even try to fix things. Why would anyone ship comics loose like that?? Goodbye Diamond 👏😀😀 DCBS knows how to ship comics! I've never had an issue with them and I have been with them for years.
When I ran a comic shop it was always hell dealing with Diamond. It’s like they hired a bunch of monkeys to run their warehouse and ship orders. We would get smaller thick books with comics put beneath it and on top of it so that the comics got bent around the book. Things like this were common each week. Diamond made their bankruptcy bed and now I’m glad they are having to sleep in it. Good riddance
Not that it matters now but I thought I should tell you I did talk to the president of the company this morning about the shipping issues. And I know it's not an excuse but it's been going through a lot of stuff over the last several months.
@@BrysComics yeah I hear you and I get it. I mentioned it to him because I thought because he's the president he doesn't even know what's going on in the shipping area if you know what I mean. A lot of times the head honcho doesn't know what the little worker bees are actually doing.
wouldn't selling new comics bring people into your store every weeek that all may buy some older comics. i get the margin is slim on new comics and the frustrations you mention in the video.
Over thirty year Diamond account here. The Diamond situation is a decidedly mixed bag, as there's a lot of stuff in both the positive and negative columns. Apart from all the things that you mention in the video, the biggest negative is that Diamond has overcharged us retailers on shipping for many, many, many years. But in the plus column, during the 2000s when comic shops were hurting badly, Diamond extended generous credit to many of us, and for many of us it's the only reason we are still in business today. Also, Diamond is the major sponsor and organizer for Free Comic Book Day. And finally, they have an excellent website that I use to manage all of my pullboxes, and if that goes away it's back to the drawing board in terms of managing subscribers' orders.
It’s good to hear they had some in the positive columns! Thanks for sharing. I’m confident that FCBD and pull boxes can be even better in years to come 🤞
Honestly, even the 4 damaged copies is unacceptable. Shrinkwrap them bundles or something. I can't believe how archaic these methods of shipping are.
could just bag or board the ones on top/bottom, put a piece of extra cardboard or something. shouldn't be any damage.
Diamond's refusal to change and adapt to the demands of the industry is the reason they failed. it should be forever used as a cautionary tale for others in the industry for what not to do
The thicker box is probably what caused their bankruptcy....lol
Clear, interesting report, thanks!
All I have ever heard is that Diamond set them selves up for failure by never improving. Never!!!
Wild learning about the logistics like this!
Whenever I get good packaging (which shoutout to any comic I've ever gotten from you) I always take the time to praise the shipper on their page etc. Good packaging makes me so happy haha
That’s crazy! Such a easy solution to fix this issue
Diamond sponsored Free Comic Book Day for many years. We shall see if Penguin gets behind and backs this wonderful event that brings joy to so many readers.
Hmmm I’d be interested to know the behind the scenes of that…I know prh is offering all the marvel fcbd stuff..
Man... you and any helpers you have box the books you send my Wayyyy Better! Maybe you need to become a Distributing Mogul someday!!! 😁
You are the reason I never got an account with Diamond Comics. I have a PRH and Lunar account. Thanks Bry Guy the Fly Guy!
I just want to state out that Penguin Random House has some issues too. We get damaged books from PRH all the time. Singles not so much but when we get mixed shipments, like some Trade Paperbacks + Omnibuses and Manga... they throw them all together in one box. What happens most of the time? The Omnis bend the Tps and Manga.
But yes, Diamond is a lot worse and for them it doesn't matter.
It's funny how a lot of the comic book influencers are asking their subscribers if they are selling their collections. The market is down therefore you won't get much return. It's best to hold right now.
I gotta see that
The hell of diamond. We closed our shop behind the damaged books and no support. I miss the shop but not the BS. If only this would have happened back then. Great video man! Keep killing it.
I'm honestly worried about the comic industry going forward this year. With Diamond going bankrupt/getting bought out by some new corporate entity and now Dark Horse firing a bunch of employees i don't know what to think.
Thanks Bry - this was a hugely insightful video, very interesting behind the scenes kind of stuff that no one talks about.
I work in a shop. Over a decade now. Diamond got too cocky having the monopoly. When we had damages or were shipped the wrong product. They never asked for proof or to return it. Thousands of dollars over a decade and we are just one small store. I can't imagine how much they were losing just on that one dumb practice. Not to mention the amount of damages they were essentially responsible for due to poor packing and shipping methods.
I know it’s just crazy…
I share your frustration with Diamond as a 21 year customer. So many books with banged corners. I have longboxes of damaged books. Why Diamond going bankrupt is bad for the industry: 1) Small press companies may not be able to find a new home since PRH and Lunar aren't taking on new clients 2) Diamond supplied credit to the industry and worked with stores that needed extra time to pay 3) Lots of companies may lose money in the bankruptcy if Diamond can't pay. There are several companies, like IDW, that may not survive. 4) Free Comic Book Day. My opinion, I hope they get sold to better management, rebrand, and reinvent themselves. I don't want the good employees to lose their job. We'll see.
It's actually very easy to fix the color rub. The issue is that the top and bottom comics are in contact with the more abrasive paper. All they need is to put a layer of less abrasive paper on the top and bottom. They could buy custom sized .012 SBS which is basically a thinner version of a standard backing board sized to fit the standard box they ship in. A top and bottom layer and suddenly color rub is a memory.
🙌
I get my new comics from M&M and they always put a previews book or other damaged book at the top and bottom of each package. This protects all the other books from the damage you see.
Four out of 200 is, actually, a pretty good, low damage ratio. But, if that's consistent, then Penguin should make that easy fix or count those sacrificial books as packaging and either not charge you for them or provide you with a credit of some sort. Maybe if enough retailers make some demand on that issue, Penguin will be inspired to make that change. For sure, it's better than Diamond, but even being better can still be rationally unacceptable.
I agree, I just don’t have the time to raise grief…I would imagine it’s the same for other retailers…
2:18 - I agree and thats exactly what I would have said. Its literally an afternoon for the paperwork setup. the biggest change for them would be ongoing stock room, loading dock and processing change needed to accomplish the support piece.
Well thank god the cardboard was thicker to protect the comics 😅😅
I know right…
Diamond used to be a great distributor but, overtime they just let stupidness take over things and owing money to people all the time didn't help either. yesterday, my kid sister along with 15 other people were let go due to the chapter 11 stuff. so, where some are cheering and thinking it's a good thing, it's not cause now people like my kid sis are losing jobs they have had for years.
That’s the only downside for me, good people like your sis losing their job. Sorry to hear it man…
RIP Diamond. Long overdue.
"Hello Darkness" is an appropriate last title for Diamond to distribute.
The problem with any shipping company are the people at the top, who have never worked at the bottom. They don't understand the day to day problems that occur throughout the working day. They're focus is usually time ,targets, getting the product out the door as fast a possible to meet overheads and spending costs. They never listen to the workers, who know the job inside out. This results in a despondent workforce that no longer care how the items are handled. Bad management appointments, bad recruitment, bad practices result in bankruptcy.
Agreed
I feel the same about big-box drugstores like CVS. Giant stores filled with products and discounts and loyalty programs but they have two twenty-year olds running the whole store who can't ring up alcohol purchases because they aren't 21 yet. The execs making decisions at the top would probably bail out after two eight-hour shifts if they had to actually work in a store and confront the level of dysfunction there.
Not cool. There should be no losses. Thx Bry
It’s incredible that they managed to stay in the comic business as long as they did.
Dang. Sorry to hear Bry. They had a sinking ship and at the last minute..made the hole bigger.
Waiting for that slab show 🔥
I am a relatively new, very small retailer in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. All of my shipments except for one that was lost in shipping for a month and a half come double boxed and packed just as your PRH package was. I guess I've been fortunate. I am sorry that you have had issues with Diamond as I have been very fortunate and have been treated extremely well from day 1. I for one will be sad to see Diamond go.
Thank you for saying this! I wonder if their shipping is different for international…
I cannot believe Diamond thought packing the comics in that manner is/was acceptable. No wonder they went under.
For me when I used to deal with them back in the 90's when I owned a shop they weren't that bad in fact when we had trouble with our bill they would work with us but they knew we couldn't go anywhere so we were sorta trapped. Even with deliveries they were great I guess it helped we were a couple a miles away from the warehouse which during the begging of Legion Quest they invited some of the local shops to visit the warehouse and had someone from Marvel's marketing team explain everything that was going to happen and lead into Age of Apocalypse and gave us tons of merch to give away at the shop. After my shop closed I didn't deal with them afterwards But I'm not surprised how they ended up it's a shame they started out good.
From what I’ve seen and heard - Good ritance Diamond
The old head at my LCS says early days Diamond came up out of the comic community and understood what their customers wanted. But those people have been out of the picture for a while now
Hey Bry... the comic book posters that you have on the wall? Where do you get them, and do they have any value?
Great video as usual Bry. Keep up the good work.
Rufffff. Get ready for the Brys damage box of mystery
😂😂
Say what you want about CGC but their new shipping bubble packaging is fantastic
I’ve helped my LCS unbox, bag and board books and have been shocked by the way books are shipped. Diamond does not care, they are just inventory and some get damaged.
It always seemed to me that bundling books, using a rigid piece of cardboard T the top and bottom and then wrapping the books would prevent most of the damages I have seen.
Seriously how did Diamond think shipping that way was a good idea.
I asked at my local shop if they would shed a tear for the end of diamond, the guy says that they mostly use them to get Marvel Legend figures, Pops, Manga books and Pokemon cards from them. With Pokemon being their #2 top sales and the manga around the #4 spot. They hope for a real restructuring because of that.
I think you should mention, besides the packaging, the fact that Diamond charged you to ship them damaged and with Penguin, I have yet to be billed shipping.
💯
Skimping on packing material or the labor itself when that is all they actually do is ridiculous. They should make at least a little effort to at least bag and board the incentive issues since they know those are the money ones.
Wow…still? Feel your frustration. Hate to see damages. Good luck getting replacements
Diamond did have people that would answer the phone for small shops. That is the only complaint I here about the new distributors. They are so big that if something goes wrong, then getting the problem solved can seem almost impossible. Also, the centralized ordering system was helpful for small shops with limited labor demands.
Wow!! I can’t believe they shipped the comics like that. 😮
Tough to be a comic shop owner when the distributor is careless. Keep grinding bro!✌️
Hey not sure if you saw but you won last months giveaway! DM me your details…
@ Thank you. I sent a DM on your IG.
I don’t think the hobby will miss Diamond.
I can understand your frustrations
Diamond: “What’s your name?”
Bry: “What?”
Diamond: “What’s your name?”
Bry: “Bry”
Diamond: “F You Bry!”
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I guess diamonds aren't forever!
Great video Brother Thanks for sharing Your passion and adventures from Toronto Ontario Canada 😎👍❤️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️💯
M stands for money and the D is for Diamond!! (Beastie boys) now it stands for deceased
I wonder what the state of comic book will b like after diamonds goes out of business. I guess maybe no free Comic book day too
Wow that really sucks, great video though looking forward to next one.
Big difference in packing.
Great stuff!
I can't fathom why they never fixed this, such a simple fix with a little more material cost. Not being a retailer, this was interesting to see what I have heard complained about for years.
All I've heard for years is how bad diamond is. I'm not a dealer but I'm looking to do a business at some point. I had a couple friends or owners and they opened up about everything that was going on. I think that they burned their reputation with the community and the retailers and they're getting what was going to happen. They forget you're not the only game in town anymore
if the top 2 and bottom 2 comics get damaged. Then adding 4 buffering comics would be a way to fix that.
If remember right, the good thing they did was simply distributing comics because in the early days they were the only ones that would
What about all the Jobs Being Lost. Losing Healthcare for their Kids. Sorry for being a Party Pooper. Love the show ! Keep it up !
Also I would love to win a comic book one Day.
That’s the only downside I’ve seen…sucks diamond screwed then over
Would top loading the first and last help?
Ughh nothing worse than getting damaged comics from someone who cuts corners shipping. I recently had an order from a live auction site show up in a small box with no padding that was damaged by USPS and every bagged and boarded comic was bent on the bottom. Needless to say they lost a customer and I don't know if I will even get anything on that site again.
You comment about Free Comic Book Day made me think, why don’t they just use 2 fcbd comics for each stack of comics so you don’t have to lose any?
Or their probably endless supply
Of dead stock…
Foam sheets and boards fix this easy.
Bye girl bye to Diamond ✌🏼
25 cents of plastic wrap tight around those comics would solve 70% of the problems with those shipments. Packing peanuts cushioning around it so it doesn't move would solve the rest of the problems. Very cheap fix.
not going to miss Diamond.
I get books from PRH weekly and I don't get that much color rub. It happens but not enough to cause me irritation. When Lunar started with DC they bagged and boarded all incentives. They've gotten away from that unless it's like 1:50 or better. Even then I sometimes don't get the 1:50 bagged and boarded. Diamond has always been trash.
Diamond did this to themselves and they didn't even try to fix things. Why would anyone ship comics loose like that?? Goodbye Diamond 👏😀😀
DCBS knows how to ship comics! I've never had an issue with them and I have been with them for years.
you would think prh could just bag and board the top and bottom books to protect those
seeing those damages to the comics hurt my eyes..
Very timely video interesting
Honestly wouldn't surprise me if the Csuite at diamond were shorting the company. There's negligence then there's that. Beyond.
Wow talk about calling your shot when opening that diamond box
Well, that explains things
When I ran a comic shop it was always hell dealing with Diamond. It’s like they hired a bunch of monkeys to run their warehouse and ship orders. We would get smaller thick books with comics put beneath it and on top of it so that the comics got bent around the book. Things like this were common each week. Diamond made their bankruptcy bed and now I’m glad they are having to sleep in it. Good riddance
Why don't they band the stacks of comics to prevent the rub.That would prevent the shifting around in the box.
That is horrible shipping practices from them. Good riddance diamond. Hopefully the comic industry bounces back and improves.
If they placed in plastic bags before double boxed it may worked well.
2% damage rate is not great. Solvable with a little bit of thought.
Agreed…
Wow what a disgrace! I would be lit. thanks for the vid and the info Bry.
I'm so mad lately new comic book Day Wednesdays my local LCS is not getting the comics I want
I am interested in some of the books you got in if they were not too damaged
The nude covers I must say 😅
I have never heard anything positive about Diamond.
Better for the one per store books
Before I watch this…I’m betting they threw the books in and they are damaged….
😂😂bingo
Not that it matters now but I thought I should tell you I did talk to the president of the company this morning about the shipping issues. And I know it's not an excuse but it's been going through a lot of stuff over the last several months.
They’ve had 30 years to get it right…
And the stuff from the past few months is largely due to their incompetence with shipling
@@BrysComics yeah I hear you and I get it. I mentioned it to him because I thought because he's the president he doesn't even know what's going on in the shipping area if you know what I mean. A lot of times the head honcho doesn't know what the little worker bees are actually doing.
@ gotcha…yeah he knows lol 😜
Great content
That's crazy!
Nice pick up
wouldn't selling new comics bring people into your store every weeek that all may buy some older comics. i get the margin is slim on new comics and the frustrations you mention in the video.
I don’t have a brick and mortar…
I believe Diamond started FCBD. There you go.
That is HuGE! I didn’t realize that…
Diamond literally committed business suicide by running a shotty operation. Hard to feel sorry for them.
Seems like they just refused to change and adapt as new shipping ways and techniques came out. Got to be able to adapt if you run a business
I have never known anyone that has had a good experience with diamond so I’m very glad there gone