FAQ
Pre-orders
What is a pre-order?
A pre-order lets you reserve a book before the publisher releases it. Pre-order listings show an estimated release date. That date comes from the publisher or distributor, such as Penguin Random House
When will I be charged for a pre-order?
You pay in full at checkout, the moment you place your order. This applies to pre-orders, back-orders and in-stock items alike. We do not hold your card or charge it later on the ship date.
Can a release date change?
Yes. Publishers and distributors set release dates, and they often change them, sometimes by months. We update our listings by hand, so a date on our site may lag behind the publisher's latest date. You can check current dates at prhcomics.com (DC and Marvel), lunardistribution.com (DC) and previewsworld.com (independent publishers). A delay is not a reason we can refuse your order, and you can still cancel a pre-order before it ships (see below).
Will the cover look exactly like the picture?
Not always. Cover images come from the publisher when the book is first announced, and publishers sometimes change the final cover, page count or contents before release.
What do "Early Bird Pre-Order Discount" and "Final Order Cutoff" mean?
Final Order Cutoff (FOC) is the publisher's last day for stores to place orders for a title. Pre-orders placed before FOC are often discounted, so you save extra by ordering early.
Back-orders
What is a back-order?
A back-order is a book that has already been released but that we don't currently have in stock. We order it from our distributor after you buy. Please allow 2 or more weeks for back-ordered books.
What if a back-order can't be filled?
If the distributor can't supply the book, we cancel that item and refund you in full for it.
Shipping
How much does shipping cost?
US orders of $30 or more ship free by USPS Media Mail. You can also pick a faster paid service at checkout, such as UPS or USPS. Paid rates are calculated by weight at checkout.
How fast do you ship?
In-stock books usually leave our facility within 1–2 business days. We do not ship on Sundays. Media Mail is USPS's slowest service and can take up to about 2 weeks. USPS sometimes doesn't scan a Media Mail package until it is out for delivery, so tracking may not update for several days.
If I order several books with different release dates, do they ship together?
For US orders, each book ships as it becomes available. International orders ship only when every item in the order is in stock. If you want some books sooner, place them as a separate order.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. Add items to your cart to see the rates for the carriers available to your country. Customs duties, import taxes and brokerage fees may be charged on delivery, and you are responsible for paying them.
Do I need to sign for my package?
Orders over $100 may require a signature on delivery.
Condition and packaging
What condition are the books in?
Every book is new unless the listing says otherwise. Listings marked "Dinged and Dented" or "Wear and tear" are sold at a discount, as described, and can't be returned for the wear the listing discloses. New books can still show minor shelf wear from the publisher and distributor, such as a slightly wrinkled dust jacket or a small corner nick. That kind of minor wear doesn't count as damage.
How are books packaged?
We wrap books in bubble wrap and ship them in a box. You may be able to choose a packaging preference in your cart.
Returns, damage and missing items
Can I return or exchange a book?
All sales are final. We don't accept returns or exchanges for change of mind. We do help with books that arrive damaged, books missing from an order, wrong items, and printing defects, as explained below.
My book arrived damaged or something is missing. What do I do?
Contact us within 7 days of delivery. Include your order number and photos of the book and the packaging. We review every claim and may offer a replacement, a full or partial refund, or store credit. Minor shelf wear, as described above, isn't covered. Printing errors are handled case by case.
My package says delivered but I don't have it.
File a claim with the carrier first. If you bought Shipping Protection at checkout, contact us as well. If the carrier confirms the package was lost in transit, or tracking has shown no movement for 4 or more weeks, we may refund or replace the order at our discretion.
What if my package is returned to you?
If a package comes back to us because the address was wrong or undeliverable, or because you refused it or returned it without our approval, we refund the item minus a restocking fee of up to 20%. Original shipping charges are not refunded.
Order tracking
How do I track my order?
Every shipment includes tracking. Use the tracking link in your shipping confirmation email, the "Track Orders" page on our site, or the Shop app. Once a package leaves us, the carrier's website has the most current information.
Cancellations and changes
Can I cancel or change my order?
Yes. You can cancel any order or item at any time before it ships. That includes pre-orders (statues too), back-orders, in-stock items and sale or "final sale" items. In-stock orders usually ship within 1–2 business days. "Final sale" means an item can't be returned after delivery.
When you ask us to cancel, you choose how you're refunded:
- Refund to your original payment method: we keep a 10% cancellation fee, which covers payment processing and handling, and refund the remaining 90%.
- Store credit: we issue the full amount as store credit on your Panel Bound Comics customer account, with no fee. Store credit does not expire. To use it, sign in to your account at checkout.
There is no cancellation fee, and you receive a full refund to your original payment method, when we cancel an order or item, when a publisher or distributor cancels a title or can't supply it, or when an item arrives damaged, missing or wrong. Once an order ships, it can't be cancelled.
To cancel or edit an order, contact us before it ships and let us know what you'd like to change. Tell us whether you want a refund to your payment method or fee-free store credit. Refunds usually take about 4–5 business days to process, and your bank may take longer to show them.
Can I change my shipping address?
Changing your default address in your account doesn't update orders you've already placed. Contact us to change the address on an open order before it ships.
Can you cancel my order?
Yes. We may cancel all or part of an order if an item can't be supplied, a price or listing was wrong, we suspect fraud, or a limit applies. If we cancel, we refund you in full for the cancelled items, with no cancellation fee.
Rewards and coupons
How do I use a rewards coupon?
In the Rewards tab, click Redeem. Copy the code it generates and paste it into the discount box at checkout.
Contact
How do I reach you?
Email us at JP@panelboundcomics.com You can also use the contact form or chat on our site. Customer service hours are usually Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm Central Time (CT).
Do you send emails or texts?
If you sign up, we send order updates and newsletters by email through Klaviyo. Text messages are sent only if you opt in to our SMS program. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any email, or by replying STOP to any text.