ComplaintsforCelestial Comics

• Initial Complaint

  12/13/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  My issues started on May 9, 2023 when I left my water bottle behind at the store. I called on May 14, and *** informed me my bottle was there and I could pick it up on the 16th. When I showed up on the 16th, ****** pretended to look for my bottle and said she couldn't find it. When I called the store later, *** said that ****** had thrown it out but doesn't like confrontation so she didn't tell me when I was in store earlier. I contacted the owner, ******, to inform her of the situation. She stated my bottle would be replaced but that has not happened.Since this unfortunate event, I have had nothing but issues. On August 17, I asked ****** if a comic I submitted has gotten signed, and she said no, but the case had already been cracked open. Essentially she cracked open a case for signing, but missed the opportunity to get it signed and held it to be signed at a later date. That is NOT what I paid and/or submitted for. On August 18, I informed ****** that I no longer wanted any of my raw comics signed for any upcoming events and to simply return my comics. I also stated anything that anything that was signed and was waiting for additional signatures should be sent to CGC for certification and then returned to me.As of today, I'm still waiting on the return of 67 comics. It also appears that comics were sent for signing even after I requested for them to no longer be signed. As of today there are 22 comics that have returned from CGC but ****** refuses to release them to the store for me to pay for them. Her reason for is that she wants me to pay invoice online because it's a large amount. I've always been able to pay in store when I pickup. ****** has accused me of not being able to pay for my comics, which is a complete fabrication. A recent example is on October 17. I picked up fourteen comics and paid $2,118.65.I just want my comics at the store so I can inspect for damages, pay the invoice after inspection, and conclude my business with Celestial Comics.

  Business response

  01/09/2024

  I apologize.  I have been in ****** ***** for the holidays.

  I told him I was going out of town.  That is why he filed when he did.  Just like the last guy that waited two years when ******** died to then complained to BBB.

  I just found his compliant but we, everyone at the office and the store knows ****** well.

  We cut him "OFF" in early December for non-payment for multiple invoices.

  His balance is $9330.15, every bit overdue. 

  My store says he didn't come in for a month after his left his bottle.  ************************* and ************************

  His issue with us is that he wants us to front thousands of dollars for his customer signature orders.

  He doesn't know how the signature series works.  We work with all our reasonable customers but I can show you pages of text and emails with him arguing with us how the programs works.

  I have been doing this 20 years.  All our rules and policies are up on the website but yet he refusing to adhere to the rules.

  I will prepare a statement, but I promise you the issue is that we get his books in the store and he wants to pay until when he wants to pay.

  The invoice he was arguing about was ready in September, and he got ready to pay in December.  We told him he couldn't do that anymore and he got upset.

  The two invoices total over $2300 and we pay out expenses over six months ago.  

  He has lodged two complaints, one against each one of my companies.   The store is only a convenience to pick up Desert Wind's signature books.

  I have extensive text messages where he has cursed me out.  He is not reasonable.
  

  I can't tell you have sorry I am for missing these two complaints.  

  In our business, the complaints come from our competitors and people that owe us money.

  We bend over backwards to make people happy.  ********************* is extremely naive about how the signature series works.

  Please allow me to explain fully.  Please consider the holiday period.  I promise you that is nothing more than a customer not getting his unreasonable way.

   

  ******

  ************

   

   

   

   

  
  

  Customer response

  01/30/2024

  I was not aware that a response had been given until today. I for some reason did not get the e-mail in my inbox, but found them in SPAM. I an not happy with the result and will be providing additional information.
  
  According to **************** I have an outstanding balance of $9330.15. I reviewed the invoice list she provided, and not only is that balance inaccurate, more than half of the invoices she says are outstanding have been paid. I have attached the listed with highlighted sections and a color key for reference.
  
  For the invoices that are highlighted in green, I have the comics in my possession which would mean I paid for them. For the invoice in orange, these comics were piked up and paid for with invoice #******* and are in my possession. I have informed **************** on numerous occasions of this via e-mail including sending an image of the comics being in my possession. On January, 4th **************** said she would work on getting corrections made on my account but that has apparently not happened.
  
  The two items in red have not been sent to the store for me to pick up. When I called on January 23rd, *** tells me nothing is available for pickup. I emailed **************** shortly after inquiring about my remaining outstanding comics and received no response. Once I texted her today about said comics, I was informed of her displeasure with me reaching out to the BBB. I asked what the total due is that she's asking for, but she could not give me a straight answer and said more invoices would be sent today and tomorrow. I have yet to receive one today. These may be the invoice I've marked in gray as not having record of.

• Initial Complaint

  08/19/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  On June 18, 2022, I paid Desert Wind Comics (aka Celestial Comics) $97.01 via ****** to have four comic books signed at the Heroes Con convention in *********, NC on June 24-26. Also on said date, I mailed the items and requisite order form to Desert Wind via USPS Express Mail. The package was delivered at 1:56 PM on June 20. I also submitted the order form via email. On the form I indicated that I would retrieve the signed books at the Garden State Comic Fest convention in **********, NJ the weekend of July 9-10. According to the Desert Wind website, they were to be present at the event. I sent several emails to Desert Wind to confirm their receipt of my items, but did not receive a response. On June 30, I called the business. The recorded greeting from the owner, Sharon, recommended calling her directly. When I spoke with her, she requested that I call the next day, so that she could have time look into the matter. When I spoke with Sharon on July 1, she confirmed that my order had been received and that all four of my comic books had been signed. She indicated that I could pick them up at the convention in New Jersey. When I arrived at the convention on June 10, I found no evidence of Desert Wind's presence. I spoke with one of the event organizers, who informed me that they were never scheduled to be there. I called Sharon on the spot and she told me that her representative had been there the day before at another vendor's booth, and that she would look into the matter and get back to me regarding the whereabouts of my books. Having not heard from Sharon, I emailed her on July 15. She responded on said date, indicating that she would prepare my items for shipment, and would provide me with the tracking information once the label was generated. Three weeks passed without a word from Sharon, and my items never arrived. I sent her an email on August 8. Again, she did not respond. On August 12, I reached out to Sharon via text and email. She has yet to respond

  Business response

  09/07/2022

  Consumer Response /* (2000, 7, 2022/09/06) */ I am writing to inform you that Celestial Comics (a.k.a. Desert Wind Comics) responded promptly after being contacted by your office. They explained the extenuating circumstances that contributed to the situation in question, and were eager to remedy the matter. They remained in close contact with me throughout that process. Amends were made to compensate for any inconvenience, and I am happy to report that I have received my items from them. The matter having been satisfactorily resolved, my wish is that Celestial Comics remain in good standing with your agency. Once again, thank you for your attention and assistance. Sincerely, ***********

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩