Dave's Comics & Cards

Recommends

Mike M.

Joined 1 year ago

Great back issues, Not great atmosphere. I've been shopping with Dave for years. He is very well versed in comics as is his staff. They have a vast inventory of back issues. If you need it and can't find it, Dave probably has it or can get it.

The staff can be very friendly and open especially if they know you although i have witnessed them being short with other shoppers.

The store itself is quite frankly an overflowing mess of boxes and clutter. Not appealing in the least.

Now having read the other reviews in fairness both extremes are right. Depends on the day. I'd still recommend them even with the negative aspects.

Recommends

comicgrrl79

Joined 2 years ago

I heart Dave's Comics!. I love Dave's Comics. As a long time comic book collector and all around nerd with a penchant for excellent customer service, Dave's Comics more than meets the list. If I am ever looking for something, Marlon, Wendy, or Dave is always more than willing to go the extra mile to help me find whatever it is that I'm looking for. I also love that they have the best selection of toys and t-shirts in town and are always in excellent condition. Dave's also has a very cool toy and game section that stands out as being cool for cerebral types...sort of like World of Mirth without the overage of kitsch. Definitely worth checking out.

Doesn't Recommend

DStevens

Joined 4 years ago

Great for Collectors, Terrible for Readers. I've lived in Richmond almost two decades now. I've been to many different comic book shops in town, and if nobody has it, I bet Dave's does! However, I wouldn't expect a discount price.

You also can't browse books because of the clutter & their customer service style. I love going to Stories or Velocity Comics & just browse back issues until I find covers and story arcs that interest me. I find a lot of interesting things to read that way.

After you walk into Dave's you'll usually get a, "What do you want? If you tell me I'll get it for you," response from Dave or the other guy that works there. I took my 13 year old nephew there once when he was visiting. After being there about 5 minutes he wanted to leave because the guy working there (not Dave) kept watching him & asking what he wanted. So we went to Stories instead where we could browse.

Basically, if you're a collector looking for a specific book in a specific condition, or you want your monthlies NM for "collectibility and profit", Dave's is probably the perfect place for you. If you're a comic reader looking for a comic shop with reasonable prices & friendly service, I'd go to Stories or Velocity or Richmond Comics.

Doesn't Recommend

jackbalfour

Joined 4 years ago

Much better places in Richmond, or anywhere. As I said to a friend upon returning to my first and last trip to Dave's, "I wouldn't describe the environment as actively hostile, but it was distinctly uncomfortable." The first thing you notice about Dave's is that roughly half of the floorspace is taken up by a gigantic cubic pile of cardboard boxes reaching almost to the ceiling. The huge pile of boxes makes navigating the store an aggravating process; one person can't squeeze past another in the "aisles." It also means that there's no way to search for back issues yourself. The comics aren't well-organized; Vertigo titles sit next to mainstream Marvel books. Much of the store's stock consists of mundane, overpriced regular children's toys, like cheap little wind-up toys. I would go to any of the other comic stores in Richmond or Charlottesville before visiting this one again. There's just absolutely no reason to shop here.

Recommends

Tinkbug

Joined 4 years ago

Over-dramatic, American Critics. The other reviews seem to be people with a chip on their shoulder- don't be misled. There is a REASON that Dave's is the most popular. My father and I have been going there for two decades now.

Here's what it boils down to: Americans all believe in "the customer is always right" propaganda. But it's unfair to service workers, and frankly a joke in other countries. The customer is not always right. In fact, sometimes the customer is an idiot. And Dave is a very nice guy, actually, who just happens to call an idiot when he sees one.

The store IS crammed, yes. But in an exciting you'll-find-something-new-in-every-corner way. My God I'm so sick of this country and its self-centered, self-righteous perspective on EVERYTHING.

It's HIS business. He'll give a good price and good service to good people. Run around and break stuff and yeah, he'll be cross. The over-protective mom and the serve-me attitude average Joe will, however, agree with the other comments on his shop.

Doesn't Recommend

McMetal

Joined 4 years ago

Worst Comic Shop in Richmond. 100% agree with the other comments. The customer service and attitude of the staff is repugnant. Imagine the Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons - only a hundred times worse. The store is a complete wreck and the owner (known this crank for years) is a bitter, irritable bully. AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS!!! Their selection is not the least bit impressive either...spare yourself the grief and shop someplace where your business will be appreciated.

Doesn't Recommend

drnkdiva

Joined 6 years ago

AVOID THIS PLACE. As the mother of an 11 year old collector, I was appalled at the manner in which my son was treated in this store. He was taken to the store for the first (and last) time by the sitter. Within five minutes Dave was yelling at him. From what my son reports the place is crammed from ceiling to floor and he is too stupid to know that you should not put a large piece of cardboard in the middle of a book which breaks the binding. He then asked about trading cards and was appalled to find out that they were priced at $7 a pack, more than double what they should be. Then Dave yelled at him "Are you gonna buy something cause there's a law against loitering?" Luckily for Dave I wasn't there since I've been known to rip a new one in people. I usually support local industry but in this case I'll make an exception. From now on we will be ordering online from either Eides or Star Clipper.

Doesn't Recommend

w8train

Joined 5 years ago

Daves comic. I have visited Daves when I was young. Even back in the 1980"s customer service was not top prioity. Now that I have matured and collect comics as a hobby, I have occassion to revisit his store. During each and every visit, I am always appalled by the abusive and confrentational attitude of the owner, Dave, displays. Yelling at his spouse, chastising children with parents at their side and signs saying no touching merchanside posted everywhere. The store is a mess. There is no room to walk, let alone shop. I frequent locally owned shops because I believe they should be supported before we all end up in box stores; however, one visit to Daves makes me rethink that concept.

Doesn't Recommend

princetamino

Joined 6 years ago

All Flash, No Sizzle: Avoid Dave's Comics if you can.. When I first went off to college in Richmond, VA years ago I found myself spending almost as much time in class as I did at Dave's Comics. Dave's, advertised in so many comic books, was kind of legendary. His selection and organization were top notch; it seemed whatever you wanted, Dave had it! The fact is where comics are concerned Dave really does have it all except fair prices and good service.

I got to know Dave relatively well and he was quite candid about many things including the fact that he is very disdainful of most his customers and thinks buying comics is a waste. At the time I was perhaps too ignorant to realize I shouldn't have been giving that man my business, but as the saying goes I was young and stupid. Many time I witnessed Dave's abrassive manner, not just to customers, but to his employees as well.

Price-wise Dave's is not competitive at all. Everything at Dave's is priced at the very top range of any pricing guide and at times even higher. Any other store in the Richmond area will give you better prices (in particular check out any of the four Stories locations, especially the original on Forrest Hill).

In summation, if you aboslutely want it right away and can't find it anywhere else you might want to go to Dave's, but be prepared to pay too much and not be treated too kindly.