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| - Okay, so first up...let me offer a disclaimer. I am currently employed part time at Samurai Comics. But here's why...
I shopped at Samurai Comics starting my last year of High School (2001-2002). I had shopped at a chain comic shop before that for 3 years. 3 years later, they still didn't know my name. They just knew me as the guy that dropped a100 bucks in there store every two weeks. I went to the oldest comic book shop in Phoenix, and got that weird "too trendy" feel from them. Driving down Camelback, I saw a sign that said COMICS. I screeched to a halt and went in to check out Samurai Comics. I was greeted as soon as I walked through the door.
Unlike the other stores I had shopped at, I was asked if I needed any help when I was wandering the store. I mentioned that I was looking for a new place to set up a subscription. This was with Ray (who still works there) and Brandon. The nerd talk started to fly fast and furious as they asked what books I was interested in. Super friendly people, so I decided to go ahead and set up the sub.
I walked in two weeks later and got my sub. The guy behind the counter (Jeff, who no longer works there but is an awesome dude) informed me that he tossed some extra books in that I was under no obligation to buy. He just saw that they had Batman in them and that my list was primarily Batman. These are books that didn't even advertise having the Bat in them, so I totally would have missed out in these books! So I got a good vibe from the place.
I came in a week later, and was greeted by my first name. Seriously, I had come in 3 times in a month and Mike and Moryha knew my name and had a good idea of what books I was crazy about. I was blown away. Fantastic service.
Anyways, I graduated High School and moved to Tucson for UofA. Being a starved college student paying his own way through school, I couldn't afford comics. I graduated UofA and moved back to Phoenix. I went to the shop right across the street from my house, the one I used to shop at prior to Samurai. They still had no idea who I was after I talked to them for 10 minutes, trying to jog their memory. So I left and drove to Camelback. I walked into Samurai to restart my sub and Moryha was behind the counter. She looked at me for a moment, and said "Chris, right?"
Seriously, 4 years later and the staff remembered me. And the vast majority of my subscription books. I feel obligated to tell you that I had grown a full beard by then and (unfortunately put on some weight) :( And still she recognized me.
And that's what makes Samurai Comics the best comic shop in Phoenix. They may not have the back issue selection of some stores, but they have customer service that no other store in the valley can even come close to matching. Want to be greeted by your name when you walk in? Want to swap nerd stories and discuss the latest comics? This is the place!
Add to that the fact they they will go out of their way to find books and items that you desire, along with one of the best selection of gaming stuff in town? Pop culture nirvana man!
I got extremely lucky coming back to Phoenix when I did. Moryha and MIke were looking for an extra person to staff the store during the week. They knew I was a comic book nerd and asked if I wanted a job. But regardless of whether I was employed with them or not, I'm a Samurai Comic customer for life.
The main location moved to a massive superstore located on 11th Street and Camelback, but it is still ran by the same people and still has that close-knit feel. Come on in and see what I'm talking about!
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