Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/08/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I placed an order for multiple near mint books from the Midtown Comics website on 6/26/2024. The books were all stated to be in near mint condition, which is the highest grade possible.Upon receiving this order I found 5 out of the 6 books to have serious damage, placing them no where near the "Near Mint" condition as stated on the site when I purchased them.I contacted their customer service and provided pictures clearly showing the damaged books but was told that I would have to spend my own money in order to return the books to them or instead receive an in store credit of 25% of the overall order value.Either choice would require me to except in store credit instead of a refund to my credit card.I do not understand why I would be forced to pay for a mistake made by Midtown Comics. They sent me items that differ significantly from their website's description and now expect me to pay extra.I also noticed that the shipping box was in perfect condition but the books were damaged inside, leading me to believe that they were knowingly sent to me in this damaged state. These books were to be a gift. I needed to purchase them in person from another vendor after receiving them in this condition, so again I do not understand why I would be forced to except store credit when I no longer would like to purchase anything more from Midtown Comics at this point. I would like a refund for this order. I do not mind returning the books back to Midtown comics as long as it is at their expense. I do not understand why they think it would be ok to send people damaged products and then expect the customer to pay for their mistake.Thank you for your time and have a good day.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/08/2024

  Good ************************************************ team has reached out.

  Please check your email and our team will send you a return label for a refund.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/25/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

  ID # ********

   

  Midtown comics did not refund my paypal / credit card. 

   

  Part of my complaint was that I no longer wish to purchase from their site but they did not listen to my request and instead gave me store credit upon the return of their damaged books.

   

  My next move will most likely be a chargeback through my creditor.

   

  Thank you for your time and for trying to help me with this. Midtown comics is truly one of the worst companies I have ever dealt with. 

   

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

   

   

  In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************
  
  
  
  
   
  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/29/2024

  Good Afternoon,

  Our customer service department has refunded the customer on their account.

  If they'd like we can issue that refund back to their PayPal account or their credit card on file.

  Please contact our CS department to let them know.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/01/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

  Midtown comics gave a partial credit on their site after I told them that I no longer wished to do business with them. I have spent too much time trying to correct their mistake and at this point I will just take the loss and share my horrible experience with them on social media. They are very unfair to deal with and harbor many very anti consumer practices. 

  In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************
  
  
  
  
   
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/27/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I placed an order on 05/30/2024 for some comics that were noted to be in NM condition. Received the books on 06/04/2024 and received 4 of them in damaged condition. There was no damage to the packaging showing that it was not caused by the transportation. Reached out and they noted I could keep the books and receive a 25% credit or return the books at my expense for a full refund. As it was not my fault, I didn't understand why I would have to foot the bill for the return shipping but decided to return them for a full refund. I sent them the books on 06/10/2024 and they received them and credited my account. I placed another order on 06/17/2024 partially using the credit I had plus some. I received the books today 06/24/2024 and 12 out of 15 comics came in damaged. Once again, it was not due to the shipping. Reached out and sent pictures of the damage. Once again, get the 25% off or return for full credit but at my expense for the shipping. Sending product in a condition that is not what is advertised is wrong. I shouldn't have to pay to return the damaged product they sent.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/27/2024

  Hello,

  Customer service has reached out on our end.

  We will be sending a return label so the customer can return the items to us for a replacement or refund.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/28/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

  Customer service has not reached out since I've submitted the complaint.  In addition, no shipping label has been provided to return the goods.

   

   

   

   

  In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************
  
  
  
  
   
  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/29/2024

  Good Afternoon,

  This customer was issued a refund to their credit card on 7/19/2024.

  We received the returned items on 7/19 and they were refunded the same day.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/30/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************
  
  
  
   
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/13/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I ordered a subscription to mad magazine in march 2024 with a 6-8 week waiting period for the first issue to arrive, their website says they sent two issues to me and none have arrived.I contacted them and they told me to wait until may 9 2024 and now it is may 12 and nothing arrived.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/14/2024

  Our customer Service Team will happily send you any issues you may have missed.

  Did you reach out to them and tell them which issues were missed?

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/18/2023

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  The Complaint is regarding Midtown Comics and its online service, for a purchase I attempted on December 4, 2023.The website periodically suffers glitches which the customer service representatives are always reluctant to admit. One glitch I have now suffered through twice is that the website rejects my credit cards. I receive a message that advises me to call customer service. I did. **************** claimed that my credit card companies declined the purchase do to a fraud alert. I called them, and the credit card companies (USAA ***** and then I also tried to use Discover) tell me that they have no idea what Midtown is talking about, as they authorized the transaction (approximately $381.00). I believe the credit companies over Midtown, because this is not the first time I have had this problem with Midtown Comics online. The last time, it happened, I called, and the customer service representative did something he called "pushing" the transaction through. And all was well. This time, the customer service representatives tell me that particular fix is not working. In the meantime, the reason I cannot simply try the purchase again is that I was responding to an online "one day only sale" of 50% off incentive covers. Now, the representatives tell me they cannot honor the sale price. I was offered a 20% coupon instead - but that is not 50%, is it? And I was told by the last representative I spoke to that she has no supervisor above her relating to these matters, whom I could speak to. Which is very annoying. Everyone has a boss. And everyone's boss has more authority than they do. So I imagine, as a customer who has spent thousands of dollars at this establishment this year, the boss would find a way to honor the deal we made, if I were allowed to speak to that person.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/26/2023

  On our end, all of the transactional data shows that the customer's bank refuted the charge.
  We ask that the customer reach out to **************** again to see if we can help put the order together and honor the discount.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/08/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

  [Your Answer Here]

   

  My Response:

  I will reach out to the business, but I am not seeing how this is any different from our original position.  The business claimed my credit cards were being rejected because of a fraud alert.  I called the credit card companies and they said they have no idea what Midtown is talking about.  Moreover - this has happened with Midtown before, and I suspect that's not just with me.  It is something on Midtown's end, but they are (for some unknown reason) reluctant to admit it.  My old professor used to say, "I was born at night, but not last night."  I can hear it in the voices of the customer service reps I have spoken to.  They are evasive but apologetic when I bring up the issue and ask if it has happened in the past.

  In any event, the last time I called customer service, I was told by the individual I spoke with that she was in charge of the online services and that she could not give me the discount as agreed on the website.  I am not sure what has changed, but I will take the suggestion to reach out to Midtown again.

  I will write back to tell BBB whether the issue was resolved.

   

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

   

   

  In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************
  
  
  
  
   
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/03/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

  Dear Midtown Comics,
  
  I am an attorney.  I am 59 years old.  I could spend time this morning telling you how your latest response insults my intelligence, but I will say this instead:  I came back to collecting comic books after 30 years.  You are sucking all of the fun out of it.  I am not going to get into a back-and-forth dispute with my comic book store.  Life is too short.  Its a glitch on your end.  I forgive you for that.  I dont forgive the failure to own up to it.  But forget about it.  I have enough comic books to keep me entertained for years.  Please remove my personal information, especially my credit card information, from your database. You may not keep it, sell it, etc.  
  
  Thank you,
  
  *******************
   

   

   

   

  In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************
  
  
  
  
   
  

  Business Response

  Date: 04/12/2024

  I have reached out to the customer multiple times to try to schedule a conversation to see what could be causing the issue.

  Unfortunately the customer has not responded to me.

  I'd happily work with them and our credit processor to see if we can fix this matter.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/29/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I have had several issues over the last year with Midtown Comics. I have tried to work with them to correct the issues but they have continued.4/9/22 received mystery box of comics that were guaranteed value of $55.97 but received a damaged book and value under $25.7/1/22 five books arrived damaged. Only resolution was 25% ********/25/22 twenty books arrived damaged. Given refund after books were sent back even though hasted for them to be replaced. Offered to pay for better packaging but ignored.10/12/22 changed shipping to *** per Midtown request to fix problem (charged $22.49)2/9/23 eight books arrived damaged. 25% refund offered. Requested to pay for better packaging again, ignored.4/6/23 all books arrived in NM condition, sent thank you email.7/26/23 twelve books arrived damaged. 25 % refund offered. 8/24/23 twenty-three books arrived damaged. Package was sent **** even though *** was paid for. Offered 25%, said I wanted books replaced. Was sent a label to return books and email stating they would not be offering future refunds to me.Their website says new books will come in Near Mint condition. "All of our new release comic books are brand new and in "Near Mint" condition. Please note that Midtown Comics definition of "Near Mint" can be seen by viewing our grading policy, which can be seen here: Midtown Comics Grading Policy"This is their return policy, If you still feel you've received a damaged or mis-shipped item, please contact us at ******************************* and we can look into this. Please be aware that we need to be contacted within 2 weeks of the delivery date of an order to resolve any potential order issues.I have not received NM comics, I have tried working with them and the issue continues. I do not plan on ordering anything else with them but would like my last two orders fixed and a refund for the other 75% I did not get on my other orders.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/07/2023

  Hello, we're happy to help this customer.

  We ask that he please reach out with a list of matters to me.

  Please email at: ***************************************

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/23/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************
  
  
  
   
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/05/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I placed several comic book online orders with this company over the past month, totalling a few thousand dollars. I purchased them in near mint condition, but with every order, there were several throughout that were severely damaged, and not from the shipper, though they kept trying to get me to blame it on the shipper. The first couple of orders they offered me 25% credit, which was well below what they were actually worth, but I accepted it anyway. Then the last coupole of orders they won't refund anything, even with proof that it was their damage. They kept pressuring me to blame it on *** so they could bill ***'s insurance for their own damages. These damages are clearly their own fault. As you can see in one of the photos, three of the exact same comic, from three different orderds, exact same damage in the same spot on each, meaning these were clearly damaged before shipment. What they're doing is selling items at a cost as if they're better condition than what they're selling them for, then trying to recoup their losses on *** or the customers themselves. A quick ****** search on this company from other people who have purchased from here in the past will echo everything I have written.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/19/2023

  The customer in question has been refunded for multiple damage claims with Midtown Comics orders.

  Mar 16th: order *******- claimed comics damaged, was issued credit and refunded and we cancelled preorders for them
  Mar 17th: Order *******- claimed comics damaged, was issued credit
  Mar 20th: Order *******- claimed comics damaged, was issued credit
  April 1st: Order *******-claimed comics damaged, was issued credit
  April 1st: Order *******-Claimed comics damaged, was issued credit
  April 3rd: Order *******-claimed comics damaged, Midtown Emailed but received no response to e-mail. customer was NOT credited as they never replied.
  April 4th: Order *******-claimed comics damaged, Midtown Emailed but received no response to email, customer was NOT credited as they never replied.

  It is our policy to suggest the customer uses a different shipping method as they have claimed excessive damages due to shipping.

  If they would like, they can return the damaged items for a refund.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/28/2022

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On September 6th, 2022 I purchased a subscription to ** Comics ****************** for my daughter's birthday. When I ordered the website clearly stated to allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. Here it is November 28th and I still have nothing. On November 24th I contacted Midtown Comics and asked why I haven't received anything yet, I get excuses and asked to wait for an additional 4 weeks for delivery. I found this unacceptable because it was far outside their stated timeline. I asked for a refund, a partial refund was processed claiming they could not refund for the 2 that were already shipped. If they had already been shipped, I should have received something by now. Considering I have received NOTHING, and nothing far outside stated timelines, I expected a full refund for I have not received the product paid for. They refused and refunded only $24.10 of the purchase price of $28.96 with a difference of $4.86 I feel I am still owed. This is not a lot of money but it is the principle of the matter. I got zero product or service for my money and I want it all back for failure to deliver within the stated timeline.Here you can clearly see on the ordering page that it states 6-8 weeks: *********************************************************** I can include our entire conversation if you wish but the important parts are attached.

  Business Response

  Date: 11/29/2022

  Your subscription was processed and shipped out to you.

  Due to some mailing delays with the **** they have taken more time than expected.

  It appears as though your subscriptions were cancelled and you were refunded however.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/02/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

  [I was not refunded the full amount. You did not uphold your agreement per your website of 6-8 weeks. Processed or not I have NOT revceived anything. Why am I payimng for something I have NOT received far past the timeframe you laid out on your website as can be seen in the attachments I included?]
  

   

   

   

   

  In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************
  
  
  
  
   
  

  Business Response

  Date: 03/03/2023

  customer has been refunded.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/07/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved. It sure took them long enough to do the RIGHT thing however!
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************
  
  
  
   
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/27/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Midtown will not stop sending me promotional emails in spite of me unsubscribing numerous times in the past few months. I tired to email them to delete my data, but they responses with "Your message to ***************************************** has been blocked. See technical details below for more information." I would like for Midtown to delete my data and to stop sending me emails!

  Business Response

  Date: 09/27/2022

  We can remove your email from all mailing lists.

  We'll do that right away.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/28/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************
  
  
  
   
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/12/2022

  Type:Delivery Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On July 28th I preordered 8 comics due to release the following Wednesday. Said books had already been live on the website for over 18hrs at that point. My bank account was charged $49.39 the next morning, and the debit cleared. Over 24hrs later I received an email requesting an additional $22.72 due to a "pricing display error". As the customer, this is not my fault. The pricing I ordered the books at and paid in-full was live for nearly 48hrs before the prices were raised. Then I did some research and discovered that all of the books I supposedly underpaid for were now on comic speculation hot lists. Books that weren't due to release for a week, now had speculated/assumed higher values, and Midtown decided to raise the prices AFTER charging me, and numerous other preorder customers, and then demanded an extra nearly 50% of what we had already paid, or would cancel the order. I refused to pay the additional $22.72 both by email and over the phone. I my card was charged, Midtown took my money, and as the customer who ordered these books well in advance of release AND price changes, I am owed the items I paid for. Midtown representatives refused and only offered to take the additional payment or cancel the order. By the time I had spoken to 4 different representatives the order status had changed from "Placed" to "Processed". That means the books had already been picked and packed for me by the warehouse. A supervisor over the phone outright refused to ship my items as paid, so I finally said "Cancel the order. I will shop somewhere else." (A decision I did not want to make, since I have been a weekly customer who spends ****** each week with ********************** since 2017.) Fast forward a week. My order status is now "Shipped" but lacks a tracking #, so I preorder my next week's worth of books just to see if the orders arrive together. They did not. As of today, I have neither my books nor a refund. I want my items, regardless of their speculated values, because they are owed.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/15/2022

  We have made it clear to all customers that there was a pricing glitch on our website. We are happy to fulfill the order if the customer is willing to pay the accurate price for that item. If the customer does not wish to pay the price difference then we will happily refund them for the item or the order in total. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/17/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

  [the supposed pricing "error" was live on the website for days before the prices were changed, and those changes did not take place until AFTER I was changed and the books in question had appeared on numerous comic book speculation hot lists. Midtown comics wants to charge addtional money for books that have already been paid for, solely based on speculation values after the fact. That is both poor customer service and a bait and switch. If this were back issues we were discussing, then that logic applies, but these books had not even been released to the public yet, so speculated value price hikes resulting in demands for more money after the books had already been paid for is outrageous. I want the items that I already paid for as paid in full prior to their release date. What they'r eactually worth is irrelevant, as is Midtown Comics' argument.]

   

   

   

   

  In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************
  
  
  
  
   
  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/22/2022

  Unfortunately, this was a pricing error in the coding on the website. We will not be honoring the price, we can refund the customer for the costs they've already incurred.