r/Charlotte • u/MaezeeMae • 15h ago
Rage I was Bricks & Minifigged by Central City Comics - UPDATE
The original post was reported 3 times in an attempt to take it down, we can all guess who/why.
So I'm reposting with an update at the bottom.
Almost a year ago, I entered into a consignment contract with a local comic book shop, Central City Comics, owned by Doug.
The collection had a minimum total value of $45,000, and I was incredibly excited about the opportunity.
When I first visited the shop, Doug and I spent hours talking and getting to know each other. We bonded over our shared experiences of growing up in poverty and experiencing hardships at a young age. I confided in him after the consignment was signed that people often didn't go out of their way to do nice things for me, so I was excited for a win. Later in the year, he even brought those conversation up himself and told me he would never take advantage of me, knowing what I’d been through.
Yeah, right.
I have a disability that makes it difficult to find and maintain steady employment. I can’t reliably work regular hours, and finding a job with limited hours has been incredibly difficult. I was really counting on this consignment, both as a source of income and as a way to contribute financially to my household rather than feeling like a burden to my partner.
During the first couple of months, I received about $2,000 from various comic sales. I repeatedly asked the shop owner for written records, sales reports, and receipts so I could keep track of everything. He kept telling me he was “putting numbers together,” but he never followed through.
Eventually, the excuses for why nothing was selling and why I still wasn’t receiving the records I’d requested started piling up:
My mom is in hospice.
I got COVID.
My eSIM was hacked.
My social media was hacked.
The comic market is down.
My mother-in-law is in hospice.
I got COVID again.
The comic market is still down.
About two months before the contract was set to end, I asked him to release the $1,250 he had been holding back for potential grading costs. At that point, there wasn’t enough time left to get the comics graded, so I wanted the money returned. I also genuinely needed it because I had only $30 in my bank account to last me through the rest of the week.
Over the course of several days, I tried repeatedly to get a clear timeline for when I would be paid. He continued dodging the question.
Then came the bombshell: *he told me all of my comics had been stolen, including my Mask #2.*
He offered no additional information, even when I asked for it. He did, however, reaffirm his commitment to paying me out.
I was devastated and had no idea what to believe.
On October 2, I woke up with an overwhelming sense of dread about the entire situation. I reached out to a local comic collector I had met through the shop owner and asked whether I was being scammed or whether the Google #1-rated comic shop in Charlotte was genuinely having these kinds of problems.
He called me, and I learned two things.
First, he and the shop owner weren't nearly as close as the shop owner had led me to believe.
Second, he told me that the shop owner had actually sold my Mask #2 back in June at Heroes Comic Con.
Mask #2 is a rare comic, and the sale had been posted on Instagram. I don't use Instagram, so I had never seen the post.
I used my partner's Instagram account to contact the comic shop that had purchased it. They confirmed that the shop owner had sold them my Mask #2 for approximately $3,000 back in June.
So, while telling me that all of my comics had been stolen, he had already sold one of them months earlier without my knowledge.
When I confronted him with this information, he essentially admitted to it.
I'm not entirely sure what I'm hoping to gain by posting this. Part of me just needs to vent, and part of me is hoping someone here might have advice or know what steps I should take next.
Does anyone know of any law firms or attorneys experienced with consignment disputes, particularly involving comic books or collectibles? Ideally, I'd like to find someone willing to work on a contingency basis or otherwise help me manage the upfront costs associated with AAA arbitration, with their fees paid from any recovery.
These comics were supposed to be a significant financial windfall for me. Instead, this situation has become an enormous source of stress, uncertainty, and potential legal expenses.
I'm completely overwhelmed and devastated. I've spent the past several days crying on and off, and my stomach has been in knots for nearly a week.
~~
**UPDATE**
Doug, yup I'm naming him, has closed his business, and I’ve found another victim
Unfortunately, things havent improved since my original post.
After I terminated the consignment, Doug refused to return my comics or pay me anything. He has now closed Central City Comics, and given the circumstances, I’m worried that may be an attempt to avoid paying what he owes me.
I’ve now learned about another person who purchased 14 of my comics from Doug for $3,470. Doug never sent him the comics, and this person also has evidence documenting what happened.
[Here is his story](https://www.instagram.com/p/DekU0KHgeXQ/?img_index=2&exln=bWV1NHd6N3M2ZnJ4)
Doug is forcing me into arbitration through the American Arbitration Association (AAA).
He texted me this story and told me he would follow through on his obligations and Oct 12 came and went with nothing.
Unfortunately the fees are an obstacle but I’m trying to file quickly.
I’m still trying to recover my property and the money I’m owed, and I’m doing everything I can to get this situation in front of people who can help.
I’ve contacted the North Carolina Attorney General’s office. If you do too, please ask them to review this situation. Sharing the story may help tell them this deserves attention.
I’ve already emailed local news outlets, but additional messages from people who believe this story deserves investigation could help bring it to their attention.
WBTV:
WCOS:
If you know anyone who might be able to help, please share this update.
I have documentation supporting my claims and am willing to provide it to the appropriate people.
I'm not asking anyone to harass or threaten anyone. I'm just hoping for a fair opportunity to pursue what I'm owed.
Thank you to everyone who has offered advice and support so far.
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u/notacute Derita 15h ago
Email Jason Stoogenke at WSOC more directly here: Action9@wsoctv.com
It might cut through the clutter.
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u/couchpro34 13h ago
Regardless of financial compensation, I think it's important to pursue this as best as you can so he can't do this again. Scam artists make money because they rely on people giving up. Unrelated, yet slightly tangential, our builder (who admittedly fucked our houses up) told me that he can get away with what he does because no one can afford to beat him in court. He's not wrong, but karma won't forget that. I highly encourage you to take Doug as far as possible.
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u/cowboys30 14h ago
Charlotte moderators can we please not delete this...
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u/MaezeeMae 14h ago
The automod took it down but the mods replied quickly, were nice and I think they put the original post back up for me.
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u/lococommotion 10h ago
Sounds like Doug is a gambling addict or druggie
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u/derock_nc 9h ago
Absolutely. All the signs are there. Someone that always has a good reputation, sudden behavioral changes. Lying to cover his tracks.
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u/CardMechanic 15h ago
I hate to say it, but you’re likely out this money and comics. He doesn’t have either. Whatever problems he has is sucking up the last of his resources. More people will likely come out of the woodwork wanting to be made whole.
You can’t get what he doesn’t have. In the end, you’re going to spend a bunch of money to get little in return. He could only be shamed into paying if he had money to pay you. Unfortunately he caught you at the tail end of his financial crisis.
Sorry for your loss in both money and trust in people.
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u/MaezeeMae 14h ago
I just can't believe that he can steal all my comics and not pay me anything with a signed contract and get away with it. That can't be how things work.
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u/CardMechanic 14h ago edited 12h ago
Even if you win a judgment against him, if he has nothing to give you, you’re out of luck. I hate it for you. These types of transactions should be back and guaranteed with some sort of escrow process or guarantee with real property. Unfortunately he has nothing but excuses. I’m sorry for your loss.
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u/WEELITTLEMAN2 14h ago
Lol why are you writing with such certainty. Have some empathy and humility to also know that you don’t know everything.
If OP follows through here as he should it will 100% ruin Doug’s life. This is felony theft and fraud at a minimum. People go to jail for shit like this.
In jail and after jail payments still typically have to be made, no matter how small to the victims. There may not be an easy path to get money back but after seizing all Doug’s assets and garnishing his future wages there is a solid chance he can get some money back.
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u/CardMechanic 14h ago
You’re absolutely right. There is a chance Doug is sitting on a nice stack of money he’s stolen from people. Money that is easily traced and will be available to all that he has wronged. All you need is a lawyer willing to work for nothing and you’ll get your judgement and be made whole.
Does that make you feel better?
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u/MaezeeMae 13h ago
You're right for being realistic that l'll likely see little to nothing -but I have to try. I do personally appreciate that other commenter balancing out your pessimism though lol. Even if it's 10yrs from now and I garnish his social security check -even if this prevents him from ever being able to have a checking account- I want to make sure he is held responsible for what he's done more than anything. After I win arbitration getting a collections attorney on contingency shouldn't be too hard - I know they'll take a huge cut but I don't care.
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u/fluffy_bunny22 13h ago
Only the government can garnish SS checks for unpaid student loans and taxes. People with only SS income are basically judgement proof.
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u/CardMechanic 13h ago
I’m just trying to be realistic. We all know he’s bankrupt. Morally and otherwise. You have to decide how much money you want to invest to make him pay. I appreciate that you’re going to make it your mission. I do hope you get some satisfaction at the end.
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u/derock_nc 9h ago
I'm not a lawyer but I feel like it might be difficult to charge him with theft since OP voluntarily gave him the comics to sell. You could say he "stole" the money that he owed OP when he sold them but I could see there being some weird legal nonsense with this.
Totally agree he should do everything he can to make Doug be held responsible, short of burning more money.
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u/viciousdistractions 2h ago
Hey, I'm a lawyer, and this is probably at least half right. There's a business relationship, which tends to put things under a civil, not criminal, umbrella. Breach of contact, rather than larceny, basically.
However -- if there were some evidence the contact was signed with the other party never intending to honor it, then you can get back into criminal law under a fraud theory (North Carolina's criminal law of "failure to work after being paid" is a good example of this).
That said, the fact OP did get paid a little initially suggests that there wasn't an intention of fraud at the signing.
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u/derock_nc 2h ago
Glad to know the downvotes on my comment are at least half unwarranted.
On that second piece, wouldn't that be incredibly difficult to prove? Especially given that last part where they initially were getting paid at least some. Even if that weren't the case, what would be the smoking gun on never intending to pay them back? Like Doug's text messages get subpoenaed or something?
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u/viciousdistractions 1h ago
Yeah, absent smoking gun admissions, you're kind of left with making assumptions about someone's intentions. (I've had a client convicted at a bench trial despite showing he'd made concrete progress on the job and was delayed by weather making completion impossible. And, frankly, the date is completion was not in the contact at all. We appealed it to a jury and the victim abandoned the case.)
Probably the best way it could be done in this kind of case is if the individual were already not paying other consignees; kind of hard to argue you intended to pay this particular guy back when a half dozen others are already not getting paid. But that's a question for the judge and/or jury.
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u/Why_T 13h ago
The problem is that OP has a contract with a now bankrupt business, not with Doug. Doug owes his nothing, the business owes him everything.
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u/MaezeeMae 12h ago
The contract was with Doug directly. The business isn't bankrupt, he doesn't have any bankruptcies under his name...yet.
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u/Why_T 12h ago
Bankrupt out of business, same thing. But if your contract is with him personally, good job on your part. Take him to court.
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u/MaezeeMae 12h ago
The contract calls for arbitration, so I'm going to be filing that as soon as I can get the money together to pay the fees. Hopefully soon.
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u/Techwood111 12h ago
Has r/Charlotte really not learned that it is spelled judgment yet, after all we have been through together?
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u/curiouserthangeorge 14h ago
Found Doug
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u/CardMechanic 14h ago
lol, no. But anyone reading the story knows how it’s going to turn out. He has no money or assets. It will cost a lot of money to get even a fraction of what he owes. It’s one thing if you have the money to see justice done.
I mean, ruin his name and shame him publicly with news outlets. I think that’s perfectly reasonable. Dude is a liar and a thief. But he’s broke and probably has people with deeper pockets that will squeeze him for what little he has. Surely he has stock that’s still worth something.
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u/Nokirkburke 14h ago
Yeah sounds like Doug had a money problem. Maybe gambling, maybe just needed rent money because sales were slow. Regardless, the money 100% got spent and the comics are very likely gone. The biggest question is, does Doug have any assets? Does he own a home or car etc? If he doesn’t, then there is no money to be had. You can garnish future wages, social security etc but it might only be $100/mo for several years. And that’s before your attorney fees.
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u/MaezeeMae 14h ago
I don't care if I only get back a fraction of the money, as long as he pays. Financially AND criminally.
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u/CardMechanic 14h ago
He claims stuff got stolen. No police report. No insurance claim. Just “well, I don’t have them anymore”.
How does that even happen? He’s cooked. And anything anyone gave him is gone.
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u/EverySingleMinute 14h ago
Sorry this happened to you. Hopefully an attorney will cut you a break to file suit, but I highly doubt you would be able to get anything from the guy.
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u/doubleddd-9000 11h ago
I went to Central City a few times when I first moved to Charlotte about 3 years ago and the owner seemed really nice. He offered to help me find a couple of bigger books I was looking for and when he started contacting me to set up a buy I got a reaaally bad vibe and bailed. Super pushy and weird. Sorry this happened to you, that’s heartbreaking.
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u/ThirstingMoore 14h ago
Just out of curiosity, why where you doing your business with this hole-in-the-wall weirdo in the first place?
This city has a huge comic-con and established, reputable comic stores. Ebay exists.
Where (and why) did you source this obvious whackado, instead of.... anything else?
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u/Nokirkburke 14h ago
Why does anyone do consignment? It’s so much easier to go to a shop that already has customers to sell your items to.
eBay is tough for sellers unless you already have sales/reputation and has risk.8
u/MaezeeMae 14h ago
I did a valuation with Heroes owner. He wasn't interested in consignment, he wanted to buy them outright to resell at market rate himself. Rebels wanted me to drop off my whole collection there with no contract/inventory for days just for them to give me a valuation and I didn't feel comfortable with that.
I knew Doug was a character, but all his Google reviews talked about how friendly, knowledgeable and giving he was. I liked the idea of going with a small business.
It was clearly a mistake.
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u/ThirstingMoore 13h ago
I did a valuation with Heroes owner. He wasn't interested in consignment, he wanted to buy them outright to resell at market rate himself. Rebels wanted me to drop off my whole collection there with no contract/inventory for days just for them to give me a valuation and I didn't feel comfortable with that.
Isn't it ironic, don't cha' think?
If you did normal business with normal people you would have ended up with more than your d1(k in your hand.
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u/100LittleButterflies 12h ago
I feel like it's fair to not just leave thousands of dollars of easily movable items at a strangers place of business.
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u/MaezeeMae 13h ago
I'm beating myself up for every step of the process, don't worry. I tried to make good decisions with what I knew at the time; and I'll learn from my mistakes moving forward.
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u/HashRunner 12h ago
Have a hard time believing that barely open hole in the wall was the number 1 rated shop in Charlotte. Good luck getting your money and/or stuff back, I don't know that a public forum post will help your efforts but understand how it is probably cathartic.
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u/bestad391 13h ago edited 5h ago
I actually work at WSOC — this sounds a lot like something our attorney Jason Stoogenke would look into.
He’s got a pretty good track record of getting people their money back or at the very least getting some attention on the story
If you call our newsroom they can put you in touch with him, but I would also recommend emailing him directly as well.
Best of luck!
Edit: Woah, my first awards. Thank you!