Post by G on Feb 21, 2009 1:57:59 GMT -5
Im sure when it comes to these stores, others may know more about the person or the store than I do, I can only speak from my personal experience, but Benders is the store that 1st introduced me to comic books stores back in the late 70s. Like I said, there was Zenos and Benders at the start and I lived closer to Benders. So, that is where I was 1st introduced to a comic store.
I remember a friend got his mom to take us there and he had another hole in the wall shop and I thought it was the coolest thing to have a place to go and buy comic books. I dont remember too much about the original store except it was a small main street type of store. It wasnt long before he moved to his current location. I believe it was an old Woolworth store and in comparison, this was huge! I believe it is off of or on Mallory St. I havent been in a few years but whenever I am in Hampton I try to stop there.
Benders is run by a friendly guy name Dave who over the years has grown balder and kinda comic book hippyish. One remarkable trait he has is no matter how long its been or how much I have changed, he always remembers me.
Half his store is also a book store filled with all kinds of unique books and loads of magazines. The other half is comics. Like Zenos, you'll find a lot of comics in VG/FN shape and you have to scavenge for the true gems which are sprinkled throughout his boxes. He's the type of comic place you want to go to when something gets hot overnight as a back issue because he's kind of late picking up on it. If you can beat the other people to it, you can steal his good stuff for a song. But once he realizes whats what, he prices accordingly. His prices are fair. Some high, some low. You have to shop. He has a great selection if you're willing to dig and perhaps the biggest amount of comics in my area. Tucked away in the back is a huge warehouse full of comics. Ive never personally been back there but Ive seen the door open to it and its breat-taking when I see it because its obviously a lot of comics just sitting in the back. Quite often you'll see Dave go rummaging back there awhile only to emerge with a stack of good comics that he prices and places into the boxes. Usually some hired hand does the boxing. Speaking of which, hes had some dooseys at the register. I dont know if it is his sister or his mom or aunt or just a friend. But there was always this dingbat type of lady who talked to loud and too much that got on my nerves. I always preferred to deal more with Dave if I could.
One area I was able to get into was his vault. Which is sorta like a bank vault. Its been a long time but years ago he let me go back in there and there is a camera pointing at you. Im not sure if it works or not, but back there was tons of good stuff and 95% of it was stuff I couldnt afford but it was great books.
Dave probably has the best Underground selection in our area. Its back where the porno magazines are which he has a ton of those too. I can remember seeing tons of Cherry Poptarts back there and tons of other similar type of comics. If I ever go back there, Im going to wade through his undergrounds and see if there is anything worthwhile.
The store is self is fairly organized. Quite often he has stacks of books in various places waiting to be filed away. But overall, the store has a mangy damp grunginess to it. Sometimes you can wade through his books and leave with dirty hands. Another unique thing about his old Woolworth Retail store location is above his store is apartments that I think he rents out. Ive seen and heard horror stories of leaks coming from the top apartment down below into the comics.
Ive often heard that Dave was pretty rich, but you'd never know it by looking at him. Always has on non-fashionable clothes and drove a regular plain van. Dave's location is kind of in a poorer area and he is well known throughout the community. He sells cigarettes and lottery tickets. Ive often been in a store when someone brings stuff in and watch Dave take somebody and look friendly the whole time. Generally when the seller brings books in, Dave will say "How much are you looking for?". The seller usually seems desperate and starts off with a reasonable price which invariably Dave always counters with about 1/4 - 1/2 of the stated price. Occasionally someone can weasel another 10% or so from him, but often he makes out with good books for a pittance. Ive seen him do it countless times.
Dave doesnt do the automatic discount thing. You're not going to go up to the register and have him or his associates ring it up and he automatically gives you a deal. You can barter with him and I have but I generally dont like to do it often. Sometimes its best to find a book without a price and go up and ask him how much he wants for it. I remember I did this on a Fantastic Four Annual #2 in nice VG+ Condition and he told me $12 which I gleefully took up.
I imagine higher rollers who get to know him know a lot more about him. Im curious what Joey from Comic Kings knows. He's a interested dude. Ive never seen him do a convention. Although Ive heard he does rarely. Ive never seen him do one and rarely have I seen him at one. But I have a couple times seen him at shows. But more often than not, hes not there. I know Ive raided him on Valiants many times and other times he was trying to get top dollar out of them when they were dead. I think he's someone where the more and deeper you can dig, the better off you will be and the more deals you will find. Occasionally you'll leave disappointed. But quite often I leave with something Im very happy about. For some reason, he's always a fun place to visit. Ive certainly wasted a lot of time in his shop.
I would say if you came down our way, I would recommend checking him out if you can. You never know what you'll come away with.
I remember a friend got his mom to take us there and he had another hole in the wall shop and I thought it was the coolest thing to have a place to go and buy comic books. I dont remember too much about the original store except it was a small main street type of store. It wasnt long before he moved to his current location. I believe it was an old Woolworth store and in comparison, this was huge! I believe it is off of or on Mallory St. I havent been in a few years but whenever I am in Hampton I try to stop there.
Benders is run by a friendly guy name Dave who over the years has grown balder and kinda comic book hippyish. One remarkable trait he has is no matter how long its been or how much I have changed, he always remembers me.
Half his store is also a book store filled with all kinds of unique books and loads of magazines. The other half is comics. Like Zenos, you'll find a lot of comics in VG/FN shape and you have to scavenge for the true gems which are sprinkled throughout his boxes. He's the type of comic place you want to go to when something gets hot overnight as a back issue because he's kind of late picking up on it. If you can beat the other people to it, you can steal his good stuff for a song. But once he realizes whats what, he prices accordingly. His prices are fair. Some high, some low. You have to shop. He has a great selection if you're willing to dig and perhaps the biggest amount of comics in my area. Tucked away in the back is a huge warehouse full of comics. Ive never personally been back there but Ive seen the door open to it and its breat-taking when I see it because its obviously a lot of comics just sitting in the back. Quite often you'll see Dave go rummaging back there awhile only to emerge with a stack of good comics that he prices and places into the boxes. Usually some hired hand does the boxing. Speaking of which, hes had some dooseys at the register. I dont know if it is his sister or his mom or aunt or just a friend. But there was always this dingbat type of lady who talked to loud and too much that got on my nerves. I always preferred to deal more with Dave if I could.
One area I was able to get into was his vault. Which is sorta like a bank vault. Its been a long time but years ago he let me go back in there and there is a camera pointing at you. Im not sure if it works or not, but back there was tons of good stuff and 95% of it was stuff I couldnt afford but it was great books.
Dave probably has the best Underground selection in our area. Its back where the porno magazines are which he has a ton of those too. I can remember seeing tons of Cherry Poptarts back there and tons of other similar type of comics. If I ever go back there, Im going to wade through his undergrounds and see if there is anything worthwhile.
The store is self is fairly organized. Quite often he has stacks of books in various places waiting to be filed away. But overall, the store has a mangy damp grunginess to it. Sometimes you can wade through his books and leave with dirty hands. Another unique thing about his old Woolworth Retail store location is above his store is apartments that I think he rents out. Ive seen and heard horror stories of leaks coming from the top apartment down below into the comics.
Ive often heard that Dave was pretty rich, but you'd never know it by looking at him. Always has on non-fashionable clothes and drove a regular plain van. Dave's location is kind of in a poorer area and he is well known throughout the community. He sells cigarettes and lottery tickets. Ive often been in a store when someone brings stuff in and watch Dave take somebody and look friendly the whole time. Generally when the seller brings books in, Dave will say "How much are you looking for?". The seller usually seems desperate and starts off with a reasonable price which invariably Dave always counters with about 1/4 - 1/2 of the stated price. Occasionally someone can weasel another 10% or so from him, but often he makes out with good books for a pittance. Ive seen him do it countless times.
Dave doesnt do the automatic discount thing. You're not going to go up to the register and have him or his associates ring it up and he automatically gives you a deal. You can barter with him and I have but I generally dont like to do it often. Sometimes its best to find a book without a price and go up and ask him how much he wants for it. I remember I did this on a Fantastic Four Annual #2 in nice VG+ Condition and he told me $12 which I gleefully took up.
I imagine higher rollers who get to know him know a lot more about him. Im curious what Joey from Comic Kings knows. He's a interested dude. Ive never seen him do a convention. Although Ive heard he does rarely. Ive never seen him do one and rarely have I seen him at one. But I have a couple times seen him at shows. But more often than not, hes not there. I know Ive raided him on Valiants many times and other times he was trying to get top dollar out of them when they were dead. I think he's someone where the more and deeper you can dig, the better off you will be and the more deals you will find. Occasionally you'll leave disappointed. But quite often I leave with something Im very happy about. For some reason, he's always a fun place to visit. Ive certainly wasted a lot of time in his shop.
I would say if you came down our way, I would recommend checking him out if you can. You never know what you'll come away with.
