The big bang (comic book shop dundrum)

Nodferatu

anyone been to this shop? think it's a fairly new place, they focus mostly on graphic novels and have quite a few figures/models/busts etc.
nice set-up, but the staff were less than friendly!

Nervous Wreck

Nodferatu wrote: »

anyone been to this shop? think it's a fairly new place, they focus mostly on graphic novels and have quite a few figures/models/busts etc.
nice set-up, but the staff were less than friendly!

Big Bang's there about 4 years I think. I couldn't disagree more with what you say about the staff. I live near enough to town that I can get a dublin bike to Forbidden Planet or Sub City in about 10 mins. But every week, I walk 5 mins to a dublin bike, cycle 15 minutes to a Luas, pay the fare and ride the Luas for 15 minutes, and walk a further 5 minutes to go to Big Bang. I spend about 10 mins in the shop and head home with my purchases. I do this because the staff there are the friendliest I've met in pretty much any shop I've ever been in. By my third visit to Big Bang, they knew and greeted me by name when I arrived in and any time I've asked for an opinion on what to buy, they've been super helpful. Best comic shop in dublin imo.

Varik

Never seen this place, thought there was only hamleys out that side (if it is where Google is showing me).

MarkHall

It is on the Hamleys side.

What was the issue with unfriendliness?


I am a little bias as I love one of the staff like he was my own. But knowing the lads I have a hard time seeing it.
But everyone can have an off day.

MarkHall

Varik wrote: »

Never seen this place, thought there was only hamleys out that side (if it is where Google is showing me).

Their facebook/twitter is well worth a follow as they do events throughout the year. Have a look in the events thread for some past highlights.

Well worth a visit

Nodferatu

Ah maybe caught them on an off day, i drove over an hour from down the country they just weren't chatty or didn't acknowledge me at all. their prices aren't too bad. i went there to look for the walking dead books. i got the walking dead boxset for christmas and ever since i been hooked. i've seen some episodes before but i don't have sky or cable and never got into it. so i really want to read the comics now. they have some deluxe figure of rick grimes 10'' Mcfarlane figure i want so bad. have to go back sometime i was in Sin City before but didn't get a good look in there as it was crammed with kids running everywhere.

MarkHall

Give them a second chance. If you want to get books regularly they do a standing order mail service that's very good.

Plus they Rock on the events front throughout the year.

Nodferatu

cool, tho the website is not up, it says coming soon

Loughc

Nodferatu wrote: »

cool, tho the website is not up, it says coming soon

Follow them on Facebook or Twitter, they put up all info about sales, new comic and events on those sites.

MarkHall

I do love the Monday morning Twitter feed. But be sure to turn off the notifications if you don't want to be sort of spammed with comic sales info and someones personal take on books.

Inari

Nodferatu wrote: »

anyone been to this shop? think it's a fairly new place, they focus mostly on graphic novels and have quite a few figures/models/busts etc.
nice set-up, but the staff were less than friendly!

Could not disagree more on the staff front.

They're the sole reason I got into comics. I always liked X-Men from growing up with the 90's cartoon, so I tried buying similar stuff in Forbidden Planet and was politely told "No idea, look over there".

In The Big Bang John spent ages talking me through books to read. When I started getting more into it, if I'd picked out something he knew was poor, he'd flat out tell me. That kind of service you don't get every day. Bruno & JP are exceptionally friendly, and will help out with any queries you have.

I am genuinely surprised you found the lads there unfriendly. Do give them a second chance, and just talk to them - they'll help you find what you're looking for!

PS: If you've ever worked retail, you'll know...there are some days you've been met with nothing but ignorance, and your BS tolerance has been obliterated. Aaannd there's still 4 hours left to go. You're not in the best form, so you reduce to core functions - the happy parts of you have popped cyanide capsules, while you suppress the urge to try out fighting like Jason Bourne with a Bic pen Entirely possible you were just unlucky with timing

Jenda

I'll also vouch for the standing mail service being absolutely excellent.

blatantrereg

there's a comic book shop in dundrum for the last four years???
is it hidden or something?
weird
Dundrum used to have the best second hand book and comic shop. Specialised in sci fi and fantasy books. The Town Centre was the death of it. Didn't attract the sorts of people who like second hand sci fi and comic shops, and must have pushed up rent etc.

TotallyEpic

blatantrereg wrote: »

there's a comic book shop in dundrum for the last four years???
is it hidden or something?
weird
Dundrum used to have the best second hand book and comic shop. Specialised in sci fi and fantasy books. The Town Centre was the death of it. Didn't attract the sorts of people who like second hand sci fi and comic shops, and must have pushed up rent etc.

Not really hidden, it's just beside where they do have the ice skating. It's a fairly small shop, but they have a decent selection.

MarkHall

blatantrereg wrote: »

there's a comic book shop in dundrum for the last four years???
is it hidden or something?
weird

Not hidden


And they've had some high profile guests over.


As well as hosting 3 conventions.
And having several signings throughout the year.
Even made it to the indo a whiles back

http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/the-new-curiosity-shops-29452705.html

Lemming

To back up Inari and NervousWreck, the staff are fantastic. I've only been in the shop once (since I'm no longer living in Ireland), but I follow the mailing list & tweets, and I was a regular customer for years of a previous shop run by John and like the other guys have said, was greated by name, always had a few minutes to chat, recommendations, etc.

Can't recommend them enough.

L.S.F

I too can vouch for the good staff too. OP must of had them on a rare off day. That shop actually got me back into comic books after about 10 or so years without buying any. Easily my favourite shop in Dundrum Town Center!

makehimanoffer

I would personally recommend this shop over any other for pure service and niceness. They make personal recommendations, are chatty and very accomodating. Definitely the best comic shop in Dublin for that reason.

Reference: was buying Before Watchmen book and got the Rorschach, Comedian one. Was advised that it was definitely one of the weaker ones (and what with ****ting all over Alan Moore I shouldn't have gotten it anyways). Still bought it, with the advisement, because they were my favourite characters. Can confirm it's very weak. They were right, and told me despite it possibly affecting a sale.

I truly appreciate this sort of stuff.

mayordenis

Maybe I'm wrong, but from what I can tell they're about the best on price too, the direct dollar to euro on cover prices is better than most(possibly all?), personally I think they changed the game in comic book retail in Ireland. I certainly wouldn't be buying as much from any other retailer here.

Nervous Wreck

mayordenis wrote: »

Maybe I'm wrong, but from what I can tell they're about the best on price too, the direct dollar to euro on cover prices is better than most(possibly all?), personally I think they changed the game in comic book retail in Ireland. I certainly wouldn't be buying as much from any other retailer here.

Yeah, this is very true. When I occasionally have to get somthing in town, I'm always taken aback by the price difference.

mayordenis

Nervous Wreck wrote: »

Yeah, this is very true. When I occasionally have to get somthing in town, I'm always taken aback by the price difference.

Dublin is bad enough, try buying a comic book in the odd place outside of Dublin that sells them, it's amazingly ridiculous.

WilsonIRL

I've been shopping there for about two years now. The people in there are always helpful and jovial. I would recommend the shop to anyone.

MarkHall

And they are bringing us Warren Ellis to these shores!

WilsonIRL

MarkHall wrote: »

And they are bringing us Warren Ellis to these shores!

Not to mention Chip Zdarsky next month.

TheDoc

Might give this place a look when it comes to my next graphic novel or something. I'm pretty new to reading comics, enjoying it, but am pure digital. Instant access and competitive pricing are a big benefit, plus I'm a heavy Google books user which syncs on just about every platform. I have some stuff I bought years ago alright on shelves, just never got around to reading them.

But I do see where having an actual copy can be impressive.

Currently going through Justice League and The Dark Knight, maybe when I get up to speed will look into moving into physical purchases.

MarkHall

Of upcoming days to Visit. This one might be a good day to drop by.

chrislad

I have to say I'm a big fan of these guys. I've only been in the shop once, but I decided to collect the new Star Wars comics and JP, in particular, was so helpful in getting me set up and automatically adding new series and books to my pull list. I would highly recommend them.

fistfights

The guys in The Big Bang are the ones who got me into buying comics weekly. I've always had an interest in comics but being a broke teenager I could only save up and buy trades and the only shop I knew of was Forbidden Planet, and every experience I had in that shop was terrible; the staff were extraordinarily rude and unhelpful and their prices are through the roof. Then I got my own income and discovered The Big Bang and have been buying comics from them through their amazing postal order service for the past year. The guys who work there have never been anything but incredibly friendly and helpful every time I've talked to them and are actually the first comic book shop staff to make me feel welcome.

TL;DR: You definitely just caught them on a bad day. Give them another chance.

MarkHall

http://thethinair.net/2015/04/diy-dublin-the-big-bang-2/
Interview about the Big Bang!


Plus they've been nominated for Eisner Award for best retailer for the second year in a row. So they must be doing something right!

Nervous Wreck

Great interview!