Friday, May 23, 2008
Today's Online Shopping Tip
TFAW is having another (still having the same?) "Massive 40% Off Sale," plus there are various coupon codes available (see below), so now may be a good time to stock up on missing volumes from your favorite manga series. (The site shows the sale as applying just to collectibles but if you click through, it shows other categories such as graphic novels are also on sale.) Plus, there's always TFAW's huge selection of "Nick & Dent" GNs at 50% off to browse through. (Currently it shows over 1100 GNs (!) offered as nick & dent specials.) I ordered a bunch of nick & dent GNs a couple months ago and everything looked like a brand-new book to me.
Coupon Codes:
* NOTE: Not really.
TFAW is having another (still having the same?) "Massive 40% Off Sale," plus there are various coupon codes available (see below), so now may be a good time to stock up on missing volumes from your favorite manga series. (The site shows the sale as applying just to collectibles but if you click through, it shows other categories such as graphic novels are also on sale.) Plus, there's always TFAW's huge selection of "Nick & Dent" GNs at 50% off to browse through. (Currently it shows over 1100 GNs (!) offered as nick & dent specials.) I ordered a bunch of nick & dent GNs a couple months ago and everything looked like a brand-new book to me.
Coupon Codes:
- Free shipping on orders $40+ » Coupon Code: SPROUT » Expires: 5/31/08
- $10 off $50+ » Coupon Code: GREEN » Expires: 5/31/08
- Free shipping on orders $25+ » Coupon Code: SPRINGFLING » Expires: 6/30/08
- Bride of the Water God Vol. 1 - I'm buying this as a show of solidarity for Katherine Dacey. Fans of low-selling manga (or manhwa) have to stick together and support each other's favorite series!!*
- Mushishi Vol. 2 - The first volume didn't wow me but enough of the right people praise this series that I'm willing to give it a second look. (Hey, it's not like my first impressions haven't been
wronghasty before.) - Shadow Lady: Sudden Death TPB - I really have no idea what to expect here, but ever since Alex Scott mentioned that Masakazu Katsura was a huge Batman fan and Wikipedia informed me that "[Katsura] is also a huge fan of Batman, something which has influenced his work, most clearly seen in Shadow Lady," I've been curious to check this out. Plus, for six bucks I won't feel too cheated if I don't like it.
- Boogiepop Doesn't Laugh Vol. 1 - I honestly have no idea what this is. I know I've heard the term "Boogiepop" before but for some reason I had it confused with this. Anyway, googling for info took me to gomanga's site and once I saw the word "shinigami" in the description I was hooked.
* NOTE: Not really.
Labels: Bargains, Manga, Shopping
12:51 PM | |
Friday, April 03, 2009
Bargain Alert: 60% Off Nick & Dent @ TFAW!
During the month of April, TFAW's Nick & Dent merchandise is even cheaper at 60% off vs. the usual 50%! That makes is a great time to browse their selection for bargains on graphic novels. As of this writing, there are 1622 nick & dent graphic novels to sift through. Some recommendations:
DealTaker doesn't offer any current coupons for free shipping from TFAW, but you can always sign up for their newsletter to get some free shipping codes. After you sign up, you'll get a welcome email with two coupon codes. Or you can just try reusing the codes they sent me — I don't see anything that links the codes to a particular account:
During the month of April, TFAW's Nick & Dent merchandise is even cheaper at 60% off vs. the usual 50%! That makes is a great time to browse their selection for bargains on graphic novels. As of this writing, there are 1622 nick & dent graphic novels to sift through. Some recommendations:
- Eden - If David Welsh's write-up of this series sounded intriguing, TFAW has the first ten volumes at 60% off each.
- Mail - All three volumes are available for 60% off!
- Museum of Terror - Ditto. Do yourself a favor and grab some excellent, unsettling horror manga at a great price.
- Club 9 - Yes, I will keep pimping this series until all of you deplete Dark Horse's back stock, causing them to go back and finish the rest of the series. C'mon, it's only $3.20 apiece and I guarantee you it's one of the sweetest, quirkiest, funniest mangas you'll ever read.
- Reiko the Zombie Shop - A great gonzo horror series with plenty of ridiculously over-the-top gore. Only one caveat: Dark Horse dropped this series mid-storyline, so if you start reading this addictive series, you'll reach a point where it simply stops right on a huge cliffhanger and you'll go crazy wondering how it all concluded. But other than that, it's a great read.
- Astro Boy - Tezuka on the cheap! A confession: I haven't actually read any Astro Boy yet, but I did just order volume 3 since that has the "Greatest Robot on Earth" storyline, which served as the basis for Naoki Urasawa's Pluto. Should make for an interesting companion to the updated take, seeing what the original story was like.
DealTaker doesn't offer any current coupons for free shipping from TFAW, but you can always sign up for their newsletter to get some free shipping codes. After you sign up, you'll get a welcome email with two coupon codes. Or you can just try reusing the codes they sent me — I don't see anything that links the codes to a particular account:
- NEWSLETTER - Free shipping on domestic orders $30+ (expires 4/30/09)
- TFAWNEWS - $10 off any shipping method (domestic or international) on orders $50+ (expires 4/30/09)
Labels: Bargains, Coupons, Shopping, TFAW
11:07 AM | |
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Introducing Nick & Dent, The Hard-Hitting British Crimefighting Duo!
Just a reminder that TFAW's 60% off Nick & Dent special ends tomorrow, Thursday, April 30th! After that the discount reverts back to a mere 50% off. Click here for some great bargain recommendations and a couple coupon codes. And here are two more coupon codes to try:
Just a reminder that TFAW's 60% off Nick & Dent special ends tomorrow, Thursday, April 30th! After that the discount reverts back to a mere 50% off. Click here for some great bargain recommendations and a couple coupon codes. And here are two more coupon codes to try:
- WATCHOUT - $5 off $50+ (expires 5/1/09)
- AFTERWATCH - Free domestic shipping on orders $25+ (expires 5/1/09)
Labels: Bargains, Coupons, Shopping, TFAW
11:07 AM | |
Friday, March 27, 2009
Feeling Frugal: Don't Let The Perfect Be The Enemy of The Good Bargain
Here's another shopping tip if you're looking for great bargains on graphic novels: Buy used or worn copies. Sounds obvious, but it requires a mindset that's OK with imperfection, something comic fans traditionally have a hard time with. ("What do you mean it's not in mint condition???") It also requires even more patience than regular tradewaiting, as you now have to wait for books to show up used somewhere.
One of my favorite places to find not-quite-new bargains is TFAW's Nick & Dent section, which I've written about several times before. I've found some great deals there, and the prices are always at least half-off. And even though TFAW describes their nick-and-dent books as being in "less-than-mint-condition" all the items I've ordered have been virtually indistinguishable from new books. TFAW is also great about offering coupons to cover shipping costs every month. Check out DealTaker for the most current coupon codes.
For the truly adventurous among you, TFAW has also recently added graphic novel "grab bags" to compliment their comic book grab bags. For three bucks apiece, you can get random volumes of Dark Horse manga, Dark Horse graphic novels, or Marvel graphic novels. You're gambling that you'll get something good, but no matter what you end up with, you'll only be out the cost of a singlefloppy pamphlet periodical comic.
One of my other first stops when looking for cheap graphic novels is Google Product Search (hereafter abbreviated 'GPS'). GPS does a good job of aggregating a variety of sites that are selling the item you're looking for, including aftermarket resellers such as Alibris and A1Books. When buying from used book sites, it's important to keep in mind that those sites generally aren't selling you the books directly; they're connecting you with other sellers who have the items you're looking for. So it's important to look at the seller's rating before buying from them. The lowest price won't mean much if they never ship the item to you or if it arrives in much worse condition than you expected.
One reseller that I've ended up buying from several times is B-Logistics. The name sounds like a site specializing in speakers and other electronics, but it's actually a clearinghouse for libraries and other organizations. All of the books I've purchased from them have been library copies and at first they looked pretty beat up, but once I removed the protective coverings taped over the covers, the books have all been in great shape. My most recent bargain through B-Logistics was the first volume of Heartbroken Angels, something that was recommended to me as an offbeat humor manga in a vein similar to Short Cuts. The book is still available new through several sites for the full price of $15.95, but I got it for 99 cents plus $2.99 shipping, making the total cost a very reasonable $3.98. (A GPS search this afternoon revealed that B-Logistics is offering the book through A1Books for $0.89, but shipping is $3.95, bumping the total cost up to $4.84. I couldn't find the book searching directly on B-Logistics' own site.)
One limitation of GPS is that it doesn't show the prices from affiliated resellers on Amazon Marketplace or Barnes & Noble's authorized sellers, so it's a good idea to check those sites out as well to see what their prices are. Keep in mind that shipping costs for used books can be higher due to the per-item charges.
So how about you? Any other favorite sites to track down used book bargains? (I just realized I didn't mention eBay, which is because the times I've bothered to look there I haven't found any good deals and I don't want to deal with the hassles of auctions. Have others had better luck finding deals there?)
* image nicked from this thread where posters discuss their most beat-up comics
Here's another shopping tip if you're looking for great bargains on graphic novels: Buy used or worn copies. Sounds obvious, but it requires a mindset that's OK with imperfection, something comic fans traditionally have a hard time with. ("What do you mean it's not in mint condition???") It also requires even more patience than regular tradewaiting, as you now have to wait for books to show up used somewhere.
One of my favorite places to find not-quite-new bargains is TFAW's Nick & Dent section, which I've written about several times before. I've found some great deals there, and the prices are always at least half-off. And even though TFAW describes their nick-and-dent books as being in "less-than-mint-condition" all the items I've ordered have been virtually indistinguishable from new books. TFAW is also great about offering coupons to cover shipping costs every month. Check out DealTaker for the most current coupon codes.For the truly adventurous among you, TFAW has also recently added graphic novel "grab bags" to compliment their comic book grab bags. For three bucks apiece, you can get random volumes of Dark Horse manga, Dark Horse graphic novels, or Marvel graphic novels. You're gambling that you'll get something good, but no matter what you end up with, you'll only be out the cost of a single
One of my other first stops when looking for cheap graphic novels is Google Product Search (hereafter abbreviated 'GPS'). GPS does a good job of aggregating a variety of sites that are selling the item you're looking for, including aftermarket resellers such as Alibris and A1Books. When buying from used book sites, it's important to keep in mind that those sites generally aren't selling you the books directly; they're connecting you with other sellers who have the items you're looking for. So it's important to look at the seller's rating before buying from them. The lowest price won't mean much if they never ship the item to you or if it arrives in much worse condition than you expected.
One reseller that I've ended up buying from several times is B-Logistics. The name sounds like a site specializing in speakers and other electronics, but it's actually a clearinghouse for libraries and other organizations. All of the books I've purchased from them have been library copies and at first they looked pretty beat up, but once I removed the protective coverings taped over the covers, the books have all been in great shape. My most recent bargain through B-Logistics was the first volume of Heartbroken Angels, something that was recommended to me as an offbeat humor manga in a vein similar to Short Cuts. The book is still available new through several sites for the full price of $15.95, but I got it for 99 cents plus $2.99 shipping, making the total cost a very reasonable $3.98. (A GPS search this afternoon revealed that B-Logistics is offering the book through A1Books for $0.89, but shipping is $3.95, bumping the total cost up to $4.84. I couldn't find the book searching directly on B-Logistics' own site.)
One limitation of GPS is that it doesn't show the prices from affiliated resellers on Amazon Marketplace or Barnes & Noble's authorized sellers, so it's a good idea to check those sites out as well to see what their prices are. Keep in mind that shipping costs for used books can be higher due to the per-item charges.
So how about you? Any other favorite sites to track down used book bargains? (I just realized I didn't mention eBay, which is because the times I've bothered to look there I haven't found any good deals and I don't want to deal with the hassles of auctions. Have others had better luck finding deals there?)
* image nicked from this thread where posters discuss their most beat-up comics
Labels: Bargains, Beat-Up Books, Reading Habits, Shopping
1:11 PM | |
Monday, March 24, 2008
Deals That Are Out of This World!
It looks like I may blow my tax rebate before it even arrives. While searching for the best deal on the last two volumes of the Scary Book series, I stumbled upon the online shop TFAW (Things From Another World). I'd seen the site before, but it looks like it's been revamped recently. Of particular interest was the "Nick & Dent" section of the site where they're selling "less-than-mint-condition books" for 50% off. There are close to a thousand graphic novels listed, and I'm trying really hard not to go crazy. Some bargain books that I'd particularly recommend:
If you're worried about getting a book that's too banged up, TFAW also has a big Dark Horse sale going on right now (50-85% off), so, for example, you could get the Club 9 books new for only 79 cents more apiece. And there's also a general 40% off sale on a huge number of items. Plus, you can save even more with one of two coupons that are good through 3/31:
It looks like I may blow my tax rebate before it even arrives. While searching for the best deal on the last two volumes of the Scary Book series, I stumbled upon the online shop TFAW (Things From Another World). I'd seen the site before, but it looks like it's been revamped recently. Of particular interest was the "Nick & Dent" section of the site where they're selling "less-than-mint-condition books" for 50% off. There are close to a thousand graphic novels listed, and I'm trying really hard not to go crazy. Some bargain books that I'd particularly recommend:
- Akira Club for only $14.98
- Akira vols. 1-2, 4-5 for $12.48 apiece
- All five volumes of Banya: The Explosive Delivery Man for just $6.48 each
- Club 9 vols. 1-3 for only $4 each (which is actually 75% off the original cover price! I highly recommend this series, esp. at such a great price!)
- Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service vols. 2-3 — 2 is $5.48 but 3 is only $3.29
- Mail vols. 1-2, $5.48 each
- Museum of Terror 1-3, $6.98 each
- Nexus Archives 1-5, $24.98 each
If you're worried about getting a book that's too banged up, TFAW also has a big Dark Horse sale going on right now (50-85% off), so, for example, you could get the Club 9 books new for only 79 cents more apiece. And there's also a general 40% off sale on a huge number of items. Plus, you can save even more with one of two coupons that are good through 3/31:
- $2.99 Flat Rate Domestic Shipping on $25+ Orders with Coupon Code: SHAMROCK
- $5 off $50+ with Coupon Code: STOUT
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
From The Personal Library Of...
Just a reminder that TFAW's 60% off sale for their nick-and-dent books ends tomorrow, so there's still a little time to get some great bargains. And I found two additional shipping coupons in addition to the other ones I listed before:
Oh no, Dark Horse is in such bad financial shape that they've been forced to sell books from their own editorial department! NOOOO!!!!!
Just a reminder that TFAW's 60% off sale for their nick-and-dent books ends tomorrow, so there's still a little time to get some great bargains. And I found two additional shipping coupons in addition to the other ones I listed before:
- SNOW free domestic shipping on orders over $50
- WINTER $10 off any shipping method on orders over $50
- MISTLETOE free domestic shipping on orders over $35
- BLIZZARD $10 off any shipping method on orders over $40
Oh no, Dark Horse is in such bad financial shape that they've been forced to sell books from their own editorial department! NOOOO!!!!!
Labels: Bargains, Coupons, Dark Horse, Oddities, Shopping
11:15 AM | |
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
'B' is for 'Bargain'
TFAW is having a month-long sale with a twist: Each day select books that begin with the letter-of-the-day will be 28% off. It's kind of like an Advent calendar of bargains! Today's letter is 'B' so as you can imagine there are a ton of Batman books on sale. (Sorry, yesterday was the letter 'A,' so no deals on Aquaman comics.)
If 28% off isn't a big enough discount for you, check out TFAW's clearance section where the reductions are 40%. Or check out the nick-and-dent section where the prices are 50% off.
And when you check out, make sure to use one of the following coupon codes:
TFAW is having a month-long sale with a twist: Each day select books that begin with the letter-of-the-day will be 28% off. It's kind of like an Advent calendar of bargains! Today's letter is 'B' so as you can imagine there are a ton of Batman books on sale. (Sorry, yesterday was the letter 'A,' so no deals on Aquaman comics.)
If 28% off isn't a big enough discount for you, check out TFAW's clearance section where the reductions are 40%. Or check out the nick-and-dent section where the prices are 50% off.
And when you check out, make sure to use one of the following coupon codes:
- HUGME - Free domestic shipping on orders $28+
- BEMINE - $10 off any shipping method
- FACES - Free domestic shipping on orders $35+
- EVIL - $5 off orders $50+
Labels: Bargains, Coupons, Shopping, TFAW
2:13 PM | |
Monday, July 06, 2009
Spend, Spend, Spend! Quick Shopping Tips for July
ITEM! It's not much of a discount, but Buy.com is offering an additional $5 off $75 if you pay via PayPal (exp. 7/8). True, $75 is a high threshold to hit, but if you're a delinquent shopper like me you have plenty of back material to stock up on. Plus, Buy.com's discounts are generally pretty good, so the additional five bucks off is just sweetening the deal. I just ordered 20th Century Boys 2 & 3, Slam Dunk 3 & 4, Nightschool 1 (the only series from Yen+ I thought was worth following), Pluto 3, Bleach 27, Vagabond (VIZBIG edition) 3, and The Photographer all for under $75 after the discount. Plus, Buy.com shipped everything out the very next day -- for free!
ITEM! TFAW is offering free or discounted shipping once again, so head on over and start digging through the Nick & Dent section. I noticed Dark Horse's Clover omnibus from CLAMP for half-off but there are always plenty of other bargains to be found. Here are the coupon codes:
Got any other great comic deals you've noticed lately? Share 'em in the comments!
ITEM! It's not much of a discount, but Buy.com is offering an additional $5 off $75 if you pay via PayPal (exp. 7/8). True, $75 is a high threshold to hit, but if you're a delinquent shopper like me you have plenty of back material to stock up on. Plus, Buy.com's discounts are generally pretty good, so the additional five bucks off is just sweetening the deal. I just ordered 20th Century Boys 2 & 3, Slam Dunk 3 & 4, Nightschool 1 (the only series from Yen+ I thought was worth following), Pluto 3, Bleach 27, Vagabond (VIZBIG edition) 3, and The Photographer all for under $75 after the discount. Plus, Buy.com shipped everything out the very next day -- for free!
ITEM! TFAW is offering free or discounted shipping once again, so head on over and start digging through the Nick & Dent section. I noticed Dark Horse's Clover omnibus from CLAMP for half-off but there are always plenty of other bargains to be found. Here are the coupon codes:
- BABOOM - Free domestic shipping on orders $25+ (exp. 7/31)
- KAPOW - $5 off international shipping on orders $30+ (exp. 7/31)
- INDEPENDENCE - Free domestic shipping on orders $17.76+ (exp. 11:59 pm. July 6th!)
- Alec: The Years Have Pants amazing 640-page omnibus, in either SC or HC format, at 45% off each
- Aya: The Secrets Come Out, the third volume in this wonderful series, at 40% off
- Crumb's Book of Genesis Illustrated for only $14.97 (no, it's not the signed, limited, slipcased edition)
- Masterpiece Comics, a deluxe hardcover collection of R. Sikoryak's clever classics/comics mash-ups, at 40% off
- Strange Suspense: The Steve Ditko Archives Volume 1 at 50% off!
- Strange Tales, the first issue of the Marvel indie anthology, for 50% off
- What A Wonderful World, volumes one and two of the latest manga series from Inio Asano (nominated for an Eisner for Solanin), both at 50% off!
Got any other great comic deals you've noticed lately? Share 'em in the comments!
Labels: Coupons, DCBS, Shopping, TFAW
10:43 PM | |
Friday, March 13, 2009
It Took So Long Because Every Time It Was Delayed, They Had Update The References To Include The New Volumes That Had Since Come Out
According to letterer Susie Lee, Oh My Goddess! Colors will finally hit stores May 13th. Apparently the advance copies have already arrived in the Dark Horse offices and they're being printed and shipped from China.
Given the nearly four year delay this book has faced so far, I don't find Susie's list of potential problems that could still derail this book that far-fetched. (It's already been delayed since its last solicitation, which had the book coming out in March.)
At this point I don't have much interest in picking up the book, although it's something I could see myself ordering in the future if it shows up half-off in TFAW's Nick & Dent section.
According to letterer Susie Lee, Oh My Goddess! Colors will finally hit stores May 13th. Apparently the advance copies have already arrived in the Dark Horse offices and they're being printed and shipped from China.
Given the nearly four year delay this book has faced so far, I don't find Susie's list of potential problems that could still derail this book that far-fetched. (It's already been delayed since its last solicitation, which had the book coming out in March.)
At this point I don't have much interest in picking up the book, although it's something I could see myself ordering in the future if it shows up half-off in TFAW's Nick & Dent section.
Labels: Dark Horse, Delays, Manga
11:53 PM | |
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Sixty Percent Off and Free Shipping
While you're doing your holiday shopping online, why not treat yourself to some bargain graphic novels? Here are some great deals I noticed at two different stores today:
First, BookCloseouts.com has a huge selection of Tokyopop graphic novels on sale for 60% off, and if you order $35+ shipping is free. How huge is the selection of Tokyopop books? Searching by publisher = Tokyopop returns an astonishing 819 results! Combined with news of layoffs, this doesn't look good for Tokyopop. But it's good for you if you're looking for bargains! May I recommend something in space-faring amphibian conqueror comedy? BookCloseouts has eleven volumes of Sgt. Frog available for $4 each.
Getting the free shipping (US and Canada only) is a little tricky: It requires not only a coupon code but a coupon password as well. Enter the following info on the cart page and standard shipping should show up as $0.00 on the order page:
I won't list everything I bought from the two stores, but I will mention that I did pick up a certain infamous Harvey-nominated manga collection for only eight bucks. (Looks like it's since sold out. Just goes to show that quality books like that will sell like hotcakes if the price is right!) Actually, a lot of the stuff I ordered earlier today has since sold out. But a new item has appeared on the list that will probably appeal to lots of comics readers: The Absolute Sandman HC Vol. 1 for only $40!
Happy bargain hunting!
While you're doing your holiday shopping online, why not treat yourself to some bargain graphic novels? Here are some great deals I noticed at two different stores today:
First, BookCloseouts.com has a huge selection of Tokyopop graphic novels on sale for 60% off, and if you order $35+ shipping is free. How huge is the selection of Tokyopop books? Searching by publisher = Tokyopop returns an astonishing 819 results! Combined with news of layoffs, this doesn't look good for Tokyopop. But it's good for you if you're looking for bargains! May I recommend something in space-faring amphibian conqueror comedy? BookCloseouts has eleven volumes of Sgt. Frog available for $4 each.
Getting the free shipping (US and Canada only) is a little tricky: It requires not only a coupon code but a coupon password as well. Enter the following info on the cart page and standard shipping should show up as $0.00 on the order page:
* Coupon Number: freeshippingNext, TFAW has upped the discount on its nick and dent section to 60%, and there are currently 56 pages of great graphic novel bargains to choose from. That's a lot of material to browse through (1674 items!), mainly from Dark Horse and Marvel (so that's what's happening to all of those "Premiere Edition" hardcovers!), but remember that you can filter your selection by publisher to narrow things down. Here are some recommended books to get you started:
* Coupon Password: bookcloseouts.com
- Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service Volume 1
- Mail Volumes 1, 2, 3
- Scary Book 1
- Museum Of Terror 1, 2, 3
- Ohikkoshi
I won't list everything I bought from the two stores, but I will mention that I did pick up a certain infamous Harvey-nominated manga collection for only eight bucks. (Looks like it's since sold out. Just goes to show that quality books like that will sell like hotcakes if the price is right!) Actually, a lot of the stuff I ordered earlier today has since sold out. But a new item has appeared on the list that will probably appeal to lots of comics readers: The Absolute Sandman HC Vol. 1 for only $40!
Happy bargain hunting!
Labels: Bargains, Coupons, Shopping
11:06 PM | |
