MEMBERSHIP +  PRE-ORDERS = SAVINGS

Elfsar offers a unique comic and toy saver program that allows today’s reader/collector to enjoy comics and other products at a much cheaper price than the public. The following is a FAQ on what that service is:

Q:  What is a File Customer?

A:  A File Customer is a V.I.P customer who places orders through us by using the Previews on a monthly basis and in return enjoys discounts on every item that they PRE-ORDER.

Q:  What is Previews?

A: Previews is Diamond's monthly catalogue of comic books and pop culture collectibles. Each month, Previews includes listings for almost every comic book scheduled to be on sale, approximately two months in the future. Also, accompanying each listing is a short description of upcoming issues, how much they will cost, whether they’ll be in color or black-and-white, and other points of interest. Previews provides information on other merchandise, too, including graphic novels, toys, trading cards, books, games, videos and much more.  It contains all products both new and old that are available to PRE-ORDER, giving you the customer an advance look at the product.

After more than 20 years of service, Diamond has become as the world's largest distributor of English-language comics and related merchandise, with a network of strategically-located Distribution Centers throughout the world.

1. DISCOUNT

Q:  What kind of discount does a Saver File membership at Elfsar get for making PRE-ORDERS from the Previews catalogue?

A:  A Saver File membership gives you 20% off all PRE-ORDERED reading material.  This includes: All Comics, Graphic Novels (Trade Paperbacks or Trades), Magazines, Books, Digests, Hard Covers, Art Books, Variant/Incentive covers, etc.

 Additionally we offer FREE protective bags and boards for every book you PRE-ORDER. This is complimentary and is supplied free of charge if desired. If you feel it is unnecessary we appreciate you letting us know, after all it is always good to try to save the plastic trees.

 A Saver File membership gives you 10% off our competitive price for all PRE-ORDERED merchandise.  *Toys, clothing, posters, statues, novelties and any other non-reading material. 

*TOYS – some toys are only available in case lot assortments.  If you just want one figure it may or may not be possible based upon quantities/orders we receive.  We give large discounts if you want to purchase a full set and even larger if you would like to purchase an entire case (the whole lot).

2. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 Q:  20% off huh? Wow that is quite a lot. Let me guess, I have to subscribe to at least 10 titles as a minimum requirement right?

 A:  Nope. It is just 5 (five) titles or 2 (two) Trades a month (which can include Manga digests).

 Q:  Okay, then how much is the Membership fee?

 A:  All memberships are absolutely free. There is no annual/monthly fee whatsoever.

 Q:  Wow. Then what are the requirements to start a file?

 A:  In order to take advantage of this discount, you must meet the minimum requirement of ordering 5 (five) monthly continuous titles or just 2 (two) graphic novels (other known as TPBs or Trades) per month.

 The idea behind this extremely low minimum is if the books you are ordering is every 5^th book you have ordered is technically FREE (Provided that they are all the same price). Which ether puts more money back in your pocket or allows you to get more ‘bang for your buck’. Hopefully it allows you to try something new and different and expand your reading horizons. As that is really the point of this service.

 We also require that you pick up your books in a timely manner (at least once a month) unless other arrangements are made.

 In addition, a small security deposit (reflective of your initial order) is required upon setting up a file. Why the security deposit? Due to the fact that we order product for you 2 months in advance we are committed to everything we order and this is for our protection as we are not allowed to return anything after it has been ordered.

 Q:  Whoa. Do you mean I have to give a deposit before my order every month?

 A:  Not at all. We simply require a small security deposit (reflective of your first initial order) as a small guarantee that you will be back to pick up the books that we have ordered on your behalf. Obviously if someone orders $500 dollars worth of merchandise we will require a larger deposit than someone ordering just 10 or so comics. After that, we find it is no longer necessary as one of the many great things I can say about this service is that we get to know you, what your reading/collecting preferences are and a level of trust is earned.

3. PRE-ORDERS/PREVIEWS

 Q:  What is Previews exactly?

 A:  Previews is a monthly catalogue published by Diamond Comic Distributors (which is the worlds largest Comic Distributor).  It contains all products both new and old that are available to PRE-ORDER each and every month, giving you the customer an advance look at product that will be shipped to retail stores 2 months in advance.

 It contains pictures and information that you will find useful to adjust your order accordingly. For reading material: This includes who the writer, artist or creative teams are, sneak peeks at the cover and sometimes sample pages of the interior pages.  All new reading material offered thru Previews is usually solicited 2 months in advance.

 An example, a book that will be coming out in November is usually offered for PRE-ORDER within Previews in September.

 Marvel Comics additionally has their own version of Previews which can be requested by itself if desired but is usually provided in every copy of PREVIEWS.

 Q:  What do you mean by PRE-ORDER?

 A:  A PRE-ORDER is exactly that. It simply means that you let us know what to bring in for you in advance.  Diamond along with other distribution companies give us a discount based upon the total of our monthly orders. For some product, the more we order the better the discount. By bulking up our PRE-ORDERS we try to maximize that discount each and every month to try to bring you the cheapest price possible.  PRE-ORDERS are what allow us to know and asses how much demand there is for a particular product and stock it accordingly.

 The Elfsar Collection Comic Saver file membership is a PRE-ORDER service.  By becoming a file member you take part in helping us reach our goal and as a reward we strive to give you the best discount in the city! All you have to do is look through the PREVIEWS catalogue, which showcases product that will begin to ship two months later, PRE-ORDER and then purchase it at a discount when it comes in.

 Q:  Sounds fair. How do I get Previews so I can place an order?

 A:  If your like me and don’t have a lot of time, you can request Previews to be on your file and one will be sold to you at cost so that each month you can take it home and flip through it at your leisure. Or you may come to the store and use our copy upon your monthly visit.  We have a lovely table and some nice chairs which you are welcome to sit down, relax and browse the new catalogue.

 Q:  Is Previews online?

 A:  Yes, but it is currently in a limited capacity as it highlights only certain products and is far from a complete listing. You can find them at: (http://previews.diamondcomics.com/).

 Additional information not available upon publication of previews can be found online which can prove to be helpful towards placing your order. In addition there are multiple Comic and Toy News sites which allow you to see new stages of development (http://www.comicbookresources.com/ or http://www.newsarama.com/). The More information the better.

Although PREVIEWS is highly recommended it is not a requirement to start a file.

4. MONTHLY BOOKS/ORDERING

 Q:  Since I only need 5 (five) Monthly Comics, so that I can Start a File, what qualifies as a Monthly Comic?

 A:  A Monthly book is a title that we order for you each and every month. Anything that has a regular monthly schedule qualifies for your quota. This is usually an ongoing series like BATMAN or AMAZING SPIDER-MAN which come out on a monthly basis.

 Or it can include a monthly limited series like INFINITE CRISIS or HOUSE OF M.  However, it is important to note that you must keep at least FIVE monthly titles on your file.  If one of your monthlies is a mini series, when that mini series is no longer offered by Previews and you are PRE-ORDERING the bare minimum, you are responsible for finding another title to replace it with if you wish to maintain your discount.

 Comics that are solicited on a bi-monthly (that’s every two months) or Quarterly (every four months) schedule do not count towards the minimum.

 Q:  So how do I order?

 A:  When you become a File Member you will be given Membership #.  Our friendly staff will help you fill out the necessary forms (Name, address, email etc.) to be entered in our secure database. Once your information has been entered, ordering can begin.

 You can place an order simply by stopping by and visiting us or by placing your order thru e-mail – just please ensure to include both your name and file number on all correspondence.

 Q:  But what if I can’t remember my File number?

 A:  Not a problem.  The heartbeat of Elfsar is its own personalized database. We use this database for all transactions. Simply give your first and last name and we can pull up your file number.

 Q: Can you give me an example of an order?

 A:  Okay.  So let’s say you’d like the new Marvel mini series ULTIMATE HAWKEYE: PLEASE DON’T BLOW ME UP starting at #1 listed in the June catalogue for an August release.  You can tell us to add this to your file in person when you come in to pick up your books, or you can (legibly) write it down or send us an email that you’d like to add this title to your file.  We will make sure to send you a confirmation that your order was received.

 When ordering a title you have two options: You can request that we make this title ONGOING (Continuous) or just as a SINGLE issue.  If you know you want the entire miniseries, say ONGOING and we’ll order the entire mini-series for you.  If you are unsure if Ultimate Hawkeye is for you, than you have the option to just test out the series. By saying that you only want ONLY # 1, or just ONLY # 1 and 2 we will only PRE-ORDER those issues for you and if you decide you like it we can always add it to your file at a later date.

 Q:  But I already know what I want. Can’t I just order those titles? I don’t want to have to order every issue every month.

 A:  By no means will you have to place an order for every book if you want it as an ongoing title. If you wish to get the title continuously, that’s easy. Our system is designed to automatically order the next issue on your behalf.  It is always a good idea to check out Previews however, as various cross-over’s do occur from time to time. Writers and Artists will also sometimes play a factor in what you may wish to order. We do make recommendations based upon what you are reading and will sometimes put a title that may continue a story or be otherwise related in your saver. You of course are not obligated to purchase any book that we recommend. But we make a habit of not recommending things to you unless we strongly believe it is something you would want.

 Q:  That’s awesome! But what if I forgot to order a title and want to add it to my file?

 A:   If you forgot to order a title then you need to let us know ASAP as Diamond (Previews) has very strict order cut-off dates. We will of course try to increase our order and failing that, pull your copy off the floor.  You will still get it (provided we still have it in stock), but it will be sold at the normal regular floor price.  (Remember, the discount applies only to PRE-ORDERS). Sometimes certain books sell out even before they ship to stores so even if we can no longer order it we will make sure you get a copy as our File Customers always come first.

 Q:  That makes sense. So when are PRE-ORDERS due?

 A:  The due dates for orders vary but are always towards the end of each month. A more specific date is provided in Elfbytes.

 Q:  Elfbytes? What the heck is that?

 A:  In addition to Previews our staff write their own Previews/Highlights for upcoming titles each and every month which is hopefully an enjoyable read and is available to everyone.  It can be found online (here) which I guess if you are reading this then you already know that.  Umm… next question.

5. VARIANT COVERS/INCENTIVE COVERS

 Q:  What is a Variant cover?

 A: Sometimes more than one cover will be offered for a particular title and issue, these are considered variant covers.  There are many different types of variant covers.

1.  Covers that can be individually ordered by artist.

2.  Covers offered based on a ratio – for example - either 50/50 or 1 in 4.

3.  Covers that are offered based on an incentive – for example - 1 for every 10 ordered, 1 in 20, 1 in 50 etc.

 Q:  So now that I know what kinds of variants there are, how do you determine the price of a Variant cover?

 A: How we determine the price of Variant/Incentive covers is primarily based upon how many copies we had to order in order to acquire the issue. Customer demand can also play a factor in the price of a book. We strive to get everyone the variants they want but sometimes it is not possible.

1.  Covers that can be individually ordered by artist. – This is Cover price. Please inform us ahead of time which cover you would prefer, if not we will select one for you.

2.  Covers offered based on a ratio – for example - either 50/50 or 1 in 4. – Normally Cover Price. But can change based on demand.

3.  Covers that are offered based on an incentive – for example - 1 for every 10 ordered, 1 in 20, 1 in 50 etc. – Price is based on rarity and the cost to acquire, for more information on a specific book please contact us.

 Q:  Can I request variant/incentive covers to be put in my file and do I get a discount?

 A: Absolutely and your discount applies.  We provide you a choice as you can either order the required quantity to receive the incentive cover and get your discount off the full order plus the incentive at the same price OR you can only order the incentive cover and get your discount off the selling price based upon our cost to acquire. Although we strive to meet demand for these incentive covers they are not 100% guaranteed. All variant/incentive covers are on a first ordered first receive basis.

6. TRADE PAPERBACKS/STAR SYSTEM

 Q:  What if I only want Graphic Novels (Trades). What qualifies as a Monthly order since I need at least 2 (two) so that I can Start a File?

 A:  A monthly order for Graphic Novels, like comics, would be that every month you need to place an order.  This can consist of 2 (two) new or re-listed trade paperbacks in the Previews Catalogue.

 New trade paperbacks follow the two month pattern of regular comics.  However, re-listed trade paperbacks will arrive only ONE month after the order.

 Q:  What if I can’t find any new trades that I want to order in Previews?

 A:  Don’t worry it happens. If you can not find any new Trades that you wish to order in Previews there is always the backlists of Trades (older Graphic Novels) that are available each and every month.

 It’s important to note that some publisher’s backlists are not made available in every Previews.  DC COMICS and its imprints always list their entire stock, month in, month out.  DARK HORSE COMICS showcase a selection of their backlist every month.  One month is Star Wars backlist, the next could be Manga.  Smaller publishers (i.e. FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS, ONI PRESS, SLAVE LABOR GRAPHICS,) do not show their complete backlist every month, instead they showcase maybe one or two different items per month.

 Q:  What if I want to order a Trade that is not in Previews?

 A:  Backlist items not featured in Previews are frequently still available for order.  However, your discount will not apply, since in order to get them for you, we must make a completely separate order from the distributor which costs extra.

7. LATE ORDERS/RE-ORDERS/BACK ORDERS

 Q:  What is a Late Order?

 A:  A late order is an order for a product which has not yet arrived and is past the PRE-ORDER cut off date. All late orders are set at the normal retail price.

 Q:  What is a Re-Order?

 A: This is exactly like a Late Order except the item has already arrived. All re-orders are set at the normal retail price.

 Q:  What is a Back Order?

 A: This is for a product that is available to order but is currently no longer in stock at the distributor. The distributor will try to purchase more quantities from the supplier if available. Back Orders have up to 90 days to be received by Diamond before being cancelled. In the event of a cancellation the product will be removed from your file. All Back Orders set at the normal retail price.

 Q: Can you give me an example of a late order?

 A:  Sure, let’s say that it’s September and you’ve decided you want ULTIMATE HAWKEYE: PLEASE DON’T BLOW ME UP.  You let us know via when you pick up your file or send us an email saying as much and here’s what happens.

 Since by this time, we’ve already ordered all our copies of UH:PDBMU #1, we’re going to try to order increase it but let’s say it is already sold out from the supplier. We would have no other option than to pull your copy off the floor when it arrives.  You’ll still get it, but it’ll be as if you bought it off the shelf yourself.  Remember, our saver discount applies only to PRE-ORDERS.  However, August’s catalogue (for product shipping in October) has the listing for Ultimate Hawkeye #2, so you can get your discount starting from #2 onwards if you wished to continue the series.

 It is also important to note that we also strive to select the best looking copies for our file customers each and every week.  Whatever copies are left is put out on the floor for walkby traffic.

 Q: Can you give me an example of a Re-order?

 A:  Okay let’s say that a Graphic Novel has come out and you heard really good things about it and want to check it out but alas everyone is sold out of it. This book due to the fact it is new will not be offered again in PREVIEWS for at least another two months. But you don’t want to wait that long. If you’ve missed a new trade, and you can’t live without it, we can Re-Order the book from Diamond for you and it will only require approx. 2 weeks for delivery (we get new and restocked items in every Wednesday).

Re-orders cost us an extra fee so unfortunately your discount does not apply.

 Q: Can you give me an example of a Back-order?

 A:  Okay let’s say that a Comic has come out and you heard really good things about it and you want us to re-order it for you. But according to Diamond this product is now out of stock but Diamond will be attempting to get more from the Manufacturer. Placing a Back-order is like reserving your place in line. If more copies are available Diamond uses a first ordered first received policy and so do we.

 There is no guarantee that this item will be filled and if there is no more supply then the order will be cancelled after 90 days. Due to unpredictability no shipping date can be provided or guaranteed.

 However, if an item is guaranteed Diamond will label this as a “BACK ORDERED WITH CONFIDENCE”. This means that the order will be eventually filled but no shipping date can be provided other than it will ship within 90 days.

 Note: We can not guarantee that this item will be in perfect condition as it is a Back-order and limited quantities might be available.

8. CANCELLING BOOKS/CANCELLING YOUR FILE

 Q:  How do I cancel a title?

 A:  Let’s pretend that it’s Mid October and you’ve bought Ultimate Hawkeye #2 and it stinks.  You want to stop getting it.  You need to let us know ASAP as Diamond has very strict order cut-off dates. We will stop ordering the book for you, but you are required to pick up any books that we have already ordered for you on your behalf and can no longer reduce the order.  Remember how we order things two months in advance?

 This means if you did not let us know before the cut-off date then you will be required to pick up Ultimate Hawkeye #3 which we either order increased or ordered for you in September, but because you let us know in advance #4 won’t be ordered for you in October.

 Remember, if you know ahead of time that you’re going to want to quit a book when an artist/writer leaves, (like at the end of the twelve issue Jim Lee run, for example) Let us know. Otherwise, we will continue to order the book until it is cancelled or you tell us to stop.

 Q:  How do I cancel my File?

 A:  As much as we don’t want to recognize that there is life outside of comic books, things happen. If you wish to cancel your file for any reason all we ask is for you to please remember that due to books being ordered 2 months in advance you need to let us know accordingly.  

 Q:  What happens to my security deposit?

 A:  We do require all files to commit to anything that we can no longer order reduce. Once all books have been picked up we will then return your security deposit.

 Q:  What if I am moving away?

 A:  If you can let us know in advance that would be preferred however we realize that things can happen unexpectedly so if the case may be that you will be leaving before the last of your order has arrived, we can simply send you your order to any destination you provide us.

 Q:  What if I am moving away, but I want to continue my file?

 A:  Not a problem, most of our mail away customer’s, whether they have moved away or have been out of town from the very beginning, have been completely satisfied with our monthly mail out program.

 Q:  What is your Monthly Mail-Out Program?

 A:  We have a program put in place that allows us to make monthly shipments to any destination as we get a fantastic rate on shipping due to the amount that we ship each and every month.

 The requirements are much that of the same as our normal File Saver Program and we are happy to provide customers with the option to receive the same (or better) discount, diversity of product and service that their local comic store does not provide.

 An invoice and list of what product has been ordered for you is included in each shipment.

 Q:  What are the payment options for Mail-away customers?

 A:  We have a number of ways a customer can pay for their shipment.

1.  Via Paypal

2.  Via Credit Card (Visa or Master Card)

3.  Via Money Order

 Q:  Can you mail me my comics every week?

 A:  At this time due to the amount of mail out accounts we are unable to ship comics each and every week.

 However, our shipments are usually sent out once per month right after we receive the newest edition of PREVIEWS (Usually the end of the first week of the Month). Delivery time and cost varies upon destination. Mail-away customers can order via email much like regular file customers and can add to their order at anytime. We act on your behalf to try to select the best quality book from our shipment each and every week as all file customers including mail away customers come first.

9. MAINTAINING YOUR SAVER FILE

 Q:  What are my obligations to maintaining my file and discount?

 A: We ask that you clear out your file at least once a month.  We grudgingly accept that there’s life outside of geekland, and that some people can’t make it in every Wednesday.  But once a month is not hard to do, helps us with cash flow (which helps us stay open), and everybody wins.

 It is important that you check out Previews at least once a month for any additions/subtractions to your file that’s needed as it is your responsibility to make sure that your file is up to date and you meet the minimum requirements. Plus there may be things offered in Previews that you might miss and if you are not pre- ordering than you are not really taking advantage of the great discount that Elfsar offers. Which is really the point, right?

 Q:  Makes sense, but what if I am going on vacation or will be out of town for a long period of time?

 A:  If you’re going on vacation, or will be out of the city for longer than one month (you deserve a holiday!) all you have to do us let us know when you’ll be back.  We worry, that’s all.  A lot can be said for simple Communication.

10. WHY YOU SHOULD and SHOULD NOT CHOOSE THE ELFSAR SAVER PROGRAM

 Q:  What are the disadvantages of the Elfsar Saver Program?

 A:  If you are a casual buyer of comics then this may be not the right saver program for you. (By casual we mean that you buy your comics only every 3-6 months.) Due to the fact that new comics come out each and every week we find that most customers who wait too long to get there books end up missing out on a lot of stories that they may otherwise want and then do not really take advantage of our Pre-Ordering discount system.

 Elfsar can sometimes be limited by what we can bring into the country. Canadian customs and Diamond can sometimes play a factor in what will be allowed to ship to Canada. In some cases other arrangements may be made to bring in what you want.

 Q:  What are the advantages to buying my comics through the Elfsar Saver Program?

 There are some distinct advantages to shopping at Elfsar by using our Saver Program. The Heartbeat of Elfsar is both our unique POS (Point of Sale) system and our specialized staff.

 This POS system is both tied to both our file customer database and Online shopping system that allows us to serve you better over other comic book stores.   --- How many times have you purchased the same comic thinking it was a new issue to later only find out it was just a different cover? Or when was that last time you had a store tell you that you had already purchased a comic in question? ---

 With the Elfsar saver program and free membership we are able to tell you the precise time and date of when/if you purchased a book that you can’t remember getting or not. Our database can also make recommendations based upon your reading habits which allows for that personal customization as everyone’s likes and dislikes are unique. Our purpose is to serve you better and help you grow as a reader.

 We pride ourselves in providing the very best in customer service as we make a habit of treating others the way we would like to be treated. Since our Grand opening back in May 2003, we have had zero turn over as our staff finds Elfsar an enjoyable place to be. In this business and location, work is play.

 Every Wednesday we are the first in Vancouver to receive the weekly shipment of books. Yes, it’s true we get our books on average at 8:00am in the morning. So that when we open our doors at 10:30am the comics are ready for purchase. 

 When you sign up at Elfsar you will receive a monthly newsletter that covers our picks of the month (See Elfbytes) and helps to keep you informed about upcoming events in the great Northwest area. We love comics and want to do our part to help strengthen the comic community.

Check out our upcoming events: (See Events)

 Oh yeah…We offer phenomenal service and the highest discount possible for the least amount of commitment. Still not convinced? Sign up and test it out for yourself. You have nothing to loose.

- Ethan Peacock

Owner/Manager/and Slave of Elfsar Collection ltd.