Well, I get a 15% discount and free bags and boards vs what from a mail order? 25-30% and then have to pay shipping? So all told I might pay and extra 5-10%, which, for the amount I but, means about $5-10 more a month. That's worth it to me to supprot an LCS that I really like and has taken care of me on more than one occasion.

For me locally, I get no discount and it is 30 miles round trip, so, I spend an additional $6 on gas.  DCBS gives 35% discount and $4.95 shipping.  How can I go wrong?

Like I said in my OP, I get why some people fo it. For some,like you, it makes way more since to order online. Luckily, I have about 10 comic stores within a 20 mile radius of me, so it makes it a lot easier.

You really think so?  I'd think that the mail order stores will out last most B&M locations.  They serve a much larger customer base out of a smaller physical space.  They don't need to rent retail space and can instead operate out of just about any location including cheaper warehouse locations.  Places like mailordercomics.com orders only what is prepaid by their customers which means that they aren't wasting space maintaining old stock and don't have to anticipate what their customers might want to buy from them next month.  I'm not sure if I understand why you think their discounts will dry up?  They can offer greater discounts because their operating expenses are much less than a B&M store.  I think the opposite will probably happen.  The LCS will go the way of newstands and traditional distribution.  They won't totally go away, but they won't be very prevalent.  I don't see Disney pulling back from distributing through Diamond, that wouldn't help them make more money.  They don't have a large enough national retail presence to offset the loss.

As for shipping costs, that really depends on how frequently you need to get your new comics.  I pay $5 a month for my shipping costs.  Granted, I only get my comics monthly, but getting 38%-75% off is much better than getting my comics weekly.  I break even after 4-5 comics and I order 30-40 comics a month so the savings is more than you're implying.

If you only buy a handful of comics, I can see your point.  If it doesn't fit your personal situation, that's understandable, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't benefit many or that it will be going away anytime soon, or even sooner than your preferred method of buying new books.

 

_______________________________

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out, reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

'I hope you dance' - Lee Ann Womack