Chicago comic shop to be given away 0

[Ride the Tiger]

1 hour ago, Domo Arigato said:

 

 

I throw in a "somewhat" hidden Easter egg and nobody catches it. 

I hate you all.

We're not that bright. Most of us have a highschool ejubacation

[westerberg14]

Update on the giveaway posted on Chimera’s Facebook page tonight.  720 essays received and have now been read.  Sounds like they have narrowed it down to 150 or so of the best submissions, but no timeline for winner announcement.  Interesting that a book is planned to cover the giveaway and include some of the more unique essays.  I guess $15 isn’t a price for something like that - but it is another revenue stream created by the promotion.  Also lots of plugs for store’s newsletter and new monthly comic “lottery”/ loot-crate type service.  Guess you can’t fault the guy for maximizing the exposure.  

https://www.chimerascomics.com/product/the-great-comic-shop-giveaway/

[Comics4All]

On 2/15/2019 at 8:19 PM, Ride the Tiger said:

We're not that bright. Most of us have a highschool ejubacation

U SPELT IT RONG! IT IZ EDJUMACATION! 

[nocutename]

I guess this was well planned.  Book release 30 days after the close of the contest.  Between the book and applicant fees, he probably clears more than he did in a few months opened.

[comix4fun]

Sounds like an interesting fellow. For anyone thinking of entering, but trying to gather information and do their due diligence, I offer the following in that spirit: 

He's been registered to practice law since late 2013. I believe he graduated from University of Chicago Law School.

He lists McGuire Woods as his firm location and business address but he's not shown on their site as one of their attorneys in Chicago.

https://www.mcguirewoods.com/people?tags={7A2132AC-23CF-40F7-BDD5-7708D8FCD9B2}

There's also a private firm that bears his name but when their site is opened it mentions they are closed and not taking any clients.

http://chimeralaw.com/

When you search his full name a listing on Manta comes up for  "Law Offices of Carmelo G. Chimera" comes up with an address in Oak Lawn....google maps shows it is a single family home. 

So, that's about it. Learn from that what you will. 

[dupont2005]

He made 10 grand in entry fees and is free to give the store to a personal friend if he feels like it. I remember before the old LCS liquidated in 2008 they tried to sell for exactly that with no buyers

[Domo Arigato]

19 hours ago, comix4fun said:

Sounds like an interesting fellow. For anyone thinking of entering, but trying to gather information and do their due diligence, I offer the following in that spirit: 

He's been registered to practice law since late 2013. I believe he graduated from University of Chicago Law School.

He lists McGuire Woods as his firm location and business address but he's not shown on their site as one of their attorneys in Chicago.

https://www.mcguirewoods.com/people?tags={7A2132AC-23CF-40F7-BDD5-7708D8FCD9B2}

There's also a private firm that bears his name but when their site is opened it mentions they are closed and not taking any clients.

http://chimeralaw.com/

When you search his full name a listing on Manta comes up for  "Law Offices of Carmelo G. Chimera" comes up with an address in Oak Lawn....google maps shows it is a single family home. 

So, that's about it. Learn from that what you will. 

 

On 2/14/2019 at 5:08 PM, Domo Arigato said:

Just paid my $249 finalist fee and get to move onto the next phase......a spelling contest! 

 

My first word was "Pettifogger".

 

 

 

[Ride the Tiger]

You know if this guy pulls an obvious fast one he's gonna end up losing a lot of customers. I know if I put down some good cash at my LCS for a contest and it turned out to be a scam i'd be shopping elsewhere. He may be smart when it comes to law but he doesn't have any common sense.

[dupont2005]

I have a feeling the shop was about to close anyway. Inventory probably picked over. 

[kav]

35 minutes ago, Ride the Tiger said:

You know if this guy pulls an obvious fast one he's gonna end up losing a lot of customers. I know if I put down some good cash at my LCS for a contest and it turned out to be a scam i'd be shopping elsewhere. He may be smart when it comes to law but he doesn't have any common sense.

But he wont even own the store so what does he care.

[Artboy99]

If fools give their hard earned money to Stan Lee signed junk on Ebay I am sure they will line up to throw their dollars at this scam.

[BlowUpTheMoon]

[Leo-man]

https://abc7chicago.com/business/meet-the-winner-of-this-free-comic-book-store-competition/5292849/

Two winners to the contest. 

1) Winner of the store: A friend of the owner and original co-owner of the store.

2) Secondary store being started as a non-profit in an underprivileged area in Chicago.

Now, if you go back to watch any of the videos about the giveaway, the owner talked about how he was gonna set up the winner to succeed. Lots of publicity as all the media outlets wanted to cover the winner. 

Flash forward. One news outlet reports it. And one would think FCBD would be a great launch for a new owner. That didn't happen. A lot of hoopla to end in a whimper.

[FineCollector]

Charity... that's the one angle we forgot.  Getting tax breaks on a floundering store, so you can pay yourself the same salary you were going to pay yourself anyway.  Diabolical.

[wombat]

Those 720 people should be removed from the gene pool. 

[masterlogan2000]

4 hours ago, Leo-man said:

1) Winner of the store: A friend of the owner and original co-owner of the store.

Where did you find the information that the winner was a friend and original co-owner?  The link you posted doesn't appear to mention this.

[Leo-man]

4 minutes ago, masterlogan2000 said:

Where did you find the information that the winner was a friend and original co-owner?  The link you posted doesn't appear to mention this.

You can see the connection if you do a Facebook search. 

So, maybe "friends" is too strong of a word. Acquaintances via social media?

[jsilverjanet]

How did you find out he was an original co owner 

[Leo-man]

29 minutes ago, jsilverjanet said:

How did you find out he was an original co owner 

Sorry ... poorly worded.

The LaGrange Chimera Comics had co-owners when it opened. 

The winner of the store is Facebook friends with both those co-owners. He is NOT one of the original co-owners.

Sorry for the confusion.

[kav]

what a amazing coincidence the guy's buddy was the one who won the contest!!!  This is astonishing a coincidence like that!!  WOW