Comic Shops

[misjuevos]

how about offer a digital copy of the comic they bought just like the dvds and blu rays do,lol

 

[Harls]

Umm, that doesn't sound like such a good idea. No offense, but...

 

[The Geek Vault]

milkshake mondays?

 

[Bnightwing]

At the comic book shop I go to, the guy who owns it is young, (like his 30s) and he knows many pretty girls and he has bikini car washes

 

[OctaviusINC]

If you plan to open a comic store, you've got to establish a "welcoming" feeling. That's my main problem with comic stores. Nobody seems to want you there. There are 3 stores that are near me. All are decent. They have a large array of titles and back issues, have nice clean attractive stores, and good selection of figures, but only I only consider one of the 3 stores "friendly".

I go to a place called "Keith's" where he says nothing to you EVER. He just watches Smallville all day by the register. One of the first times I went there I tried striking up a simple conversation at the register. Nothing. Like I was talking to Helen Keller. The 2nd shop named "Atlas" is ok. And I'm only saying that because it's a short walk from my house. The guy who works there will talk only if you talk first. Also its selection isn't too great either. The 3rd one I go to "Dreamland" is fantastic. The colors of the store give it a very comforting feeling (mostly blues), everything laid out nicely, the person behind the register always strikes a smile and greets you. They always ask if you need help. And if you do that, that'll sometimes get you more business. They'll actually have a conversation (gasp!) if you bring something up. Not to mention they always hold art contests and whatnot (it's near a nice art school).

Basically, if you're going to try and open a comic store have one with personality. I go to get comics and leave, but if you offer something extra like friendliness and conversation, I'd come back more often. It's often a cliche to show comic book readers as socially inept people but after visiting a lot of comic stores that seems to be the case. But it's not everywhere.

 

[Scourge2099]

The employees at the one I go to act like *****. They have a good selection of back issues and TBPs , but they seem to always have a short supply of new books. It is right across the street from my college so that might be the reason why.

 

[BlackLantern]

If you plan to open a comic store, you've got to establish a "welcoming" feeling. That's my main problem with comic stores. Nobody seems to want you there. There are 3 stores that are near me. All are decent. They have a large array of titles and back issues, have nice clean attractive stores, and good selection of figures, but only I only consider one of the 3 stores "friendly".

I go to a place called "Keith's" where he says nothing to you EVER. He just watches Smallville all day by the register. One of the first times I went there I tried striking up a simple conversation at the register. Nothing. Like I was talking to Helen Keller. The 2nd shop named "Atlas" is ok. And I'm only saying that because it's a short walk from my house. The guy who works there will talk only if you talk first. Also its selection isn't too great either. The 3rd one I go to "Dreamland" is fantastic. The colors of the store give it a very comforting feeling (mostly blues), everything laid out nicely, the person behind the register always strikes a smile and greets you. They always ask if you need help. And if you do that, that'll sometimes get you more business. They'll actually have a conversation (gasp!) if you bring something up. Not to mention they always hold art contests and whatnot (it's near a nice art school).

Basically, if you're going to try and open a comic store have one with personality. I go to get comics and leave, but if you offer something extra like friendliness and conversation, I'd come back more often. It's often a cliche to show comic book readers as socially inept people but after visiting a lot of comic stores that seems to be the case. But it's not everywhere.

are you lonely??? do you need a hug??

maybe it's just the region I live in, but the stores that have the best selections are the cold, unfeeling ones....get friendly and people take advantage

 

[OctaviusINC]

are you lonely??? do you need a hug??

maybe it's just the region I live in, but the stores that have the best selections are the cold, unfeeling ones....get friendly and people take advantage

Don't need a hug, my girlfriend does that for me, plus much more

It's just that I've worked in retail for awhile and just by greeting someone that can usually open a door for any questions on products/purchases.It could help business overall.

 

[Cosmic]

I agree with Octavius on customer service. It means a lot.

Some things I look for, or notice (in no particular order):

1. Discount prices and deals, especially for regular customers
2. A healthy supply of back issues, including vintage stuff
3. Indie titles
4. Novels, new or used, including vintage/older stuff
5. Bags & boards, etc...products look like they've been handled with care
6. Books neatly organized, whether on shelves or in boxes...makes it easier to find something I want
7. Weekend & evening hours that make the store available if I have a long day at work, or have other stuff that I needed to do on a Saturday or Sunday morning before visiting the comic shop

I'd put up lots of posters to decorate the store, and try to get plenty of toys and statues for sale and display. Really, the biggest factor for me is the prices, and deals or perks for regulars. Good luck.

 

[SpideyInATree]

Well, there are a lot of factors. You are asking us what we as comic readers are looking for. Which is cool. However, you also need to think about yourselves as investors, considering it's your money you will be putting into the business.

Location is going to mean everything. How easy is it to get to? That means a lot to me. There was a shop that I loved going to about 15 to 20 years ago but it was SO HARD to get to it because there was never any decent parking near it. My mom would drop me off and keep driving around the block, haha.

It depends on how much money you have at your disposal but if you want a GREAT location try to open your store in a busy shopping mall. You will do KILLER business in a mall.

I live in Pittsburgh and two out of the five comic shops around the town are in malls and they do great business. They get TONS of walk ins and lots of kids who get drug there with their moms.

I saw another poster mention it and I will back it up....sell other things besides comic books and graphic novels, etc. Get into the Role Play Games and card games and Pokemon, Yugi Oh, or whatever. Action figures. You want to try and hit EVERYTHING in geek culture.

Also...when you are going to hire people to work in your shop, make damn sure you are hiring trust worthy people. The one shop I frequent hired a real *****e bag recently and he lets his friends hang out in the shop and read the comics for free. That's a no-no. You want the guy who has his friends hang out there and makes his no good friends buy the comics! Haha. Try not to hire the holier than thou comic book guy. Having a guy who puts people down for the comics they buy can be bad for business. There is a store here in Pittsburgh where there is a guy that has to CONSTANTLY make some back handed comment to people when he's ringing them up.

I have been going to one comic shop regularly for about 10 years now. I go there because the owner is a great guy. He has a great subscription system and, due to that, he makes sure he gets to know you as a customer. That way when you walk in the store you are not feeling like an outsider. He welcomes everyone and he's very knowledgeable about the creative and business side of comics.

Also...it doesn't hurt to hire a good looking girl. That always gets guys to come in and spend money.

 

[ALP]

Every comic shop I seem to go to has a backroom with sweaty fat guys playing dungeons and dragons.

 

[Hobgoblin]

The only thing I look at at my store are the comics and the TPBS. I'm not interested in the posters, books, sports memorabilia or figurines.

I know you didnt ask this, but I would advise against opening a comic store right now. Many of them are going out of business in the bad economy. I have one left in my area and the owner fear he may have to close it. There were four others.

 

[Aquaman]

If you've ever been, or have a chance to go, you should check out The Vault of Midnight in Ann Arbor.

Its the best comic shop I've been to. Friendly atmosphere and great selection. It's open and nicely set up. They've got a subscription service where you get %20 off your pulled comics and they'll hold them for you for up to 3 months.

They also have an incredible amount of events and things. Recently Guy Davis was there for a signing.

They've got a great selection of board games, which they have a few nights a week they have big get together for.


There's always someone in there and they get a lot of business from random people who just like the knick-nacks.


They seem to be doing really well and I suggest you take a look at the place to see what they're doing right.

 

[Gamma Ray]

Comics. If I want toys I'll go to a toy store. The comic shop is dead, though.

 

[ALP]

I always wondered what Kevin Smith's comic book shop looks like.

 

[Aquaman]

I always wondered what Kevin Smith's comic book shop looks like.

Google? I found pictures pretty easily.

 

[ALP]

I am so dumb...

 

[Erzengel]

Make sure none of the people you are trying to open this business with is a slacker.

 

[ALP]

What other type of comic book shop owners are there?

 

[petey]

you all make really valid points. but it seems like all everybody wants is a place where you can go and get the basic needs met. somebody behind the counter who is friendly and well versed in comics and can help you pick up what youre looking for. A vast assortment of comics and related merchandise and some sort of "regular" perks.

What type of "days' or "nights" would attract you?

Do you like it when the staff is cool, like hit the bars after closing, because that was brought up in a discussion with a few friends today.

how should it be staffed?

Thanks everyone.

 

[Cosmic]

Keep in mind that you're competing with online sellers. What does your store have to offer that I can't get thru my online subscription? My books come in the mail on time, bagged & boarded for free, and in pristine condition. Sometimes I get little discounts and offers without having to do anything. I'm pretty satisfied. If my local shop doesn't have some extra incentive to make me want to go there and browse around and buy stuff, then I'll be less likely to visit on a regular basis. This is one thing I would consider if I were trying to open a shop.

 

[Majin Boo]

I would say don't waste your money on one, invest in something that will actually make money.
Do you really want to be like those comic book store clerks that 20 years later they are still barely making a living?

 

[BlackLantern]

you all make really valid points. but it seems like all everybody wants is a place where you can go and get the basic needs met. somebody behind the counter who is friendly and well versed in comics and can help you pick up what youre looking for. A vast assortment of comics and related merchandise and some sort of "regular" perks.

What type of "days' or "nights" would attract you?

Do you like it when the staff is cool, like hit the bars after closing, because that was brought up in a discussion with a few friends today.

how should it be staffed?

Thanks everyone.

that's pretty much it....they're not your friends, they're your customers....remember that and you should be fine....no hanging out or any of that happy horse****....get too friendly and people WILL take advantage

I would say don't waste your money on one, invest in something that will actually make money.
Do you really want to be like those comic book store clerks that 20 years later they are still barely making a living?

this is a good point as well