Comicoz ALWAYS welcomes Constructive Criticism....

INCOMING MAIL (from an Air Hawk Fan):

Dear Nat Karmichael,

The enclosed John Dixon Air Hawk volume would have been a great Christmas present -- but not in the condition received.

As much as I love John Dixon's work, the bumped spine and gouge in the bottom of the front and back cover would annoy the hell out of me every time I looked at the book, so I am giving it back to you to do with it as you will.

As for the Monty Wedd and Rob Feldman books, I have enclosed $30 to cover the cost of postage with proper packaging, as I do not want them to end up the same way. (And my proper packaging I do not mean bubble wrap or padded bags, I mean the book enclosed in sturdy cardboard.) 

OUTGOING MAIL (from Nat Karmichael):

First of all, due to the Christmas – New Year break I have not emptied my PO Box until today, so I do apologise for not responding to your complaint sooner. 

As a publisher of quality Australian comic books, I pride myself on always striving for the best possible product. As a consumer of Australian comic books, I believe you have a right to expect the same. 

Yours is the type of letter that I must say I enjoy receiving. Not because I take any pleasure in reading how you were unsatisfied by the presentation of the latest Air Hawk volume. In a sense it is constructive criticism of how my product failed to meet those standards I strive for and you expect; and – more importantly – how I can improve to meet those most reasonable standards that you expect. 

I unreservedly apologise for the condition of the book you received. For me, it will be a lesson well learnt: there is more to a book looking good – the safe arrival and delivery of a book is equally important.

In the next week, I plan to have my printer directly send you another copy of the book: this time packaged in sturdy cardboard. I appreciate your concerns that the other books (Monty Wedd’s Ned Kelly and Rob Feldman’s Cartoons, Comics and Cows in Cars) will arrive in a similar state to your Air Hawk volume. This will not happen again. Not to you and not to any other Comicoz supporter. 

Enclosed in this mailing, please find your $30 fully refunded. This experience has taught me a lesson that is far more valuable than that, and I thank you for drawing it to my attention.