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Genesis Comics

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Posts posted by Genesis Comics

    I'm opening up a brick and mortar this year and want some advice!!

    in Comics General

    Posted

    I wonder why LCS's don't at least try this regarding pull lists...allow the customer the option to pre pay for new books, at even bigger than typical discount. If the shop is giving 15% off + bag and board, why not do 20% if you pre pay? No stock sitting for months waiting to be picked up while your cash is being held hostage...or worse, the pull list isn't picked up at all.

     

    Just a thought...maybe some shops already do this. I would do it to save more $.

     

    Like the idea of a bigger discount for pre-pay...hadn't thought of that...

    I'm opening up a brick and mortar this year and want some advice!!

    in Comics General

    Posted

    As is probably said in the other threads, a POS system is a must. Automates a lot, lets you know what's selling, and makes the regualr monthly new comics order faster. Being able to put up the $3000 or $5000 or whatever will save you a lot down the line.

     

    That's one of the items I was on the fence about...something I need to do more research on...if any shop owners have experience with a POS system, please let me know how it's working out and if it was worth the investment!

    I'm opening up a brick and mortar this year and want some advice!!

    in Comics General

    Posted

    I was told by a store owner a few years ago that Amazon had just cut it's discount on a lot of trades. Also, when it started charging sales tax in CA that eliminated a lot of the difference (this store will discount up to 20%). As SquareChaos says, you go into the store, the employee recommends one or two of the top 100 trades they think you'll like, you buy one. The point of sale system automatically reorders one for your store. These places sell a ton of copies of DKR, Killing Joke, Watchmen, Saga, Fables, Infinity Gauntlet, etc.

     

    Yeah, you are basically a showroom for Diamond either way... but it's not that much capital to have two copies of each of the top 100 trades.

     

    Anyway, the OP said comics will be less than half the store, so he's really saying he's planning on opening a MTG store, which doesn't skimp on the comics. Everyone in the thread seems to agree that MTG stores have no problems. :)

     

    There is always great advice in these "opening a store" threads but it sometimes reminds me of being in a fiction writing class and having your story workshopped. People will tell you what they want your story to be and not what you intend it to be. As in the workshops, you need to be able to decide what advice is helpful and what isn't.

     

    Ie, to the OP, if you've put the time in, you really want to do it, you start small and as close to the bone as you can, in a good location with a good lease, why not try it? People love going into comic book stores. They clearly love playing in MTG tournaments.

     

    The other thing about these kinds of threads is almost everyone on these boards collects back issues so they always say that's what they want to see in a store and they always suggest you just buy collections and do shows and ebay (because that's what most of them do). Ie, their ideas about comic book stores need to be taken with a grain of salt. Most stores don't carry back issues for a reason, but if you have back counter comics on shelves, it's amazing how much $$ you can pack into a tiny amount of space.

     

    Speaking of space, info I gleaned from both Jamie Graham and Brian Peets is space is at a premium. You want to really pack it with material for sale. And Graham said none of his stores have back rooms. They are a constant drain on you, paying for that space and letting stuff stack up.

     

    I absolutely hear what you are saying...If I took all the advice I would not open, open, and just do show lol...BUT, I believe each person is giving me what they feel is their best advice...I don't believe that anyone wants me to fail (well maybe brassyee, but that's a story for a different day if you don't know it by now lol)...I knew people were going to be tough on the idea-, but I wanted to hear what everyone has to say, bc EVERYONE here is invested in some way in the industry and the advice I'm getting from the non-store owners is what they hear from the store owners they visit...ALL advice is valuable, but you're correct, I need to take everything with a grain of salt, but I appreciate everyone's time and advice...thank you all and please continue to contribute!!

    I'm opening up a brick and mortar this year and want some advice!!

    in Comics General

    Posted

    Brian Hibbs has written an extensive series of articles starting as long ago as the early 1990's on his experience in Comic Book Retailing. It's called Tilting at Windmills.

     

    He opened in 1989 and he was quoted in the paper about a year or two ago saying he'd just had his best year ever. And he bought another store. A-1 Comics in Sacramento, very savvy, just opened his third store. We had two new stores open in my city (replacing the one that went out of business simply due to owner death) and they have both survived about six years now. A great new store opened about a year ago down the road from me in downtown Oakland. Yeah, stores go out but other stores can do well.

     

    The key for stores in my metro area is basically sell trades. Churn the top 100 trades. Give good customer service. Don't overorder on the floppies--as Hibbs points out, every one copy you don't sell you have to sell four others to make up for it.

     

    Interesting. I had theorized that stocking trades tied up too much working capital and put you directly in Amazon's crosshairs.

     

    I think the modern concept of a 'comic book store' is impulse buys and modern floppies on Wednesday. I know many exist that do other things, but none that I've seen open in the last decade focus on much else if they do comics as a primary means of business. Most of them don't do comics as their primary focus though, they do MTG.

     

    MTG will be the main focus of the store...but there will be a good amount of comics as well as autographs and some vintage toys...haven't yet decided on the "POP" figures...honestly I don't get the draw, but it seems most shops have them...I have about 80 long boxes, give or take a few...a box of CGC and some higher grade bronze and silver...As far as trades go, I have been given that same advice of having the top 100 trades in stock by at least 3 shop owners on the island (what we Long Islanders call Long Island). I was a bit taken aback from all the "don't sell modern books" advice...I can definitely see how that can become a problem quickly, but I do want people coming in so it's a fine line...

     

    One of the other concerns was how much $$ I planned on taking out...in my initial post I mentioned I'd like to make 50-75 a year eventually...I realize that's a bit high, but I'm aiming high...I do not plan on taking any money out the first year and I'm prepared for the 2nd year as well if that's the case...after that if it does not appear that I can start drawing a small salary I'll have to re-evaluate.

     

    I appreciate everyone's concern and I am taking all advice, writing a bunch down, and will bring the concerns to my friends in the industry in the area to see what their experiences are...

     

    There was another question of my backround/business acumen...most of my life I've been a restaurant manager...I've written schedules, budgets, and placed food orders...the food orders being significant as food has a certain shelf life...just like "new" comics do...they are not "new" after a week or so (If I remember correctly, someone said if books didn't sell by Saturday, that was it...). I've reconciled P&L's and keep very organized records. I fell I have the knowledge to run a business. I've also been working with the small business development center in Stony Brook University and the Miller Small Business Center...they have been very helpful In helping me to develop a business plan..it's been a bit difficult as projecting sales is a crapshoot and I don't have the rent amount yet, although it looks as if 1000-1200 rent is the max + utilities/insurance...

     

    Shadroch, I will check out Score as well to see what they offer...thanks for the link!

     

    Loving the feedback in the thread and trying to reply when I can...

    I'm opening up a brick and mortar this year and want some advice!!

    in Comics General

    Posted

    Make your shop into a giant man cave with lots of unique items.
    I dont know why more people dont do this. I'm going on 6 years this May. Avoid new comics is my advice as well.

     

    I was advised via PM to contact you about your business model...can you give me an idea of what you've done to be successful?

    Opening my store wasn't as a much a dream as it was an opportunity. Sure I thought about having a store in years gone by, but I, just by chance had this happen to me. I being a single dad now and at the time of my opening of my store, was not in the best of situations. I didnt have thousands in the bank either nor a massive amount of inventory. I had visions, dreams and goals, but there was also reality that had to be dealt with first and foremost. There was a tiny little antique shop in my town I used to pop in every now and then when I was still ebayin' and setting up at flea markets. I often told the owner that if she ever decided to get out off the business, that I would like a heads up so I could rent the shop. So one day I drove by and instantly noticed the for rent sign in the window. I was glad she was moving out and upset I wasnt made aware of it sooner (my opportunity) So I called the land lord and was told that it had just been rented :cry: and to leave my number for future ref. I drove buy weeks later and saw new junk in the window and a large sheet blocking visibility into the shop. It was never open. I called the land lord a few times and it was suspected that the new tennent was actually living in the space (no shower..ewe), but that was what was suspected. There was 2 spaces, the antique shop $325/mo and a back room storage $200/mo. The current tennent made the landlord open a wall between the two spaces and combined them as one space. $525 he was paying and it was approx 6 months when I got a call from the landlord asking me if I was still interested and to meet him at the shop. (opportunity knocks again).

    I meet him on May15th almost 6 years ago and he is explaining the rent of both places now and the opened wall and I am getting bummed out. He sees that and there are two other women waiting to see the place currently out front. I'm crushed and just then he says, I just cant be bothered to put up the wall again and I simply can not rent you the store for $325 like the you expected, but I will give you both spaces for $350 no utilities. Let me know cause I got those 2 ladies to speak with next. I'LL TAKE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. He gave me the key and I handed him $350. No contract, no receipt, just an address to send the money. It was mine right there.

     

    The meter was running and I was currently doing what I was doing to make my way in life and that was the race horse business (hence my avatar) I was at it over 10 solid years and was drible and drabling as I said with ebay and setting up at flea markets etc. I had moved what I had into my new shop that I wanted to sell, fixtures, display cases, shelves etc. I was only able to be at the shop just 2 days per week. I had no choice, I needed to make money. Over the first few years, I experimented with my days and hours and added more days and selected days off to get out to buy at auctions and estate sales. Three years ago I went 7 days per week 12-6 Mon-Sat and 12-3 Sundays. These days its like Shadroch said, Its my mancave and I'm just hanging out there. Diversity has been another factor in addition to being there everyday (yes and low rent, FYI my rent has risen $25 each yr and its currently $475 plus utilities). A variety of avenues my business stretches from LP records, comic books, vintage toys and games, coins, sports cards, magazines, nick nacks, advertising signs, and just about anything I decide I like and think I can sell for a profit. I simply enjoy it until it sells is usually the case. Ive got things that have been in the shop since day 1.

    So my door is open each day and that is for selling and BUYING. (more opportunity) I have not had that old lady with a run of Action Comics in yet, but I have had some great interesting purchases come through my door. Keep in mind, I am a hustler and go getter and I was hitting 5-20 and often more estate sales (monthly) in addition to two flea markets each week and ebayin' away. I was flippin big books on line as well. I have had many scores, home runs, and banner record breaking days, but even still I have many under $10 days. Because its my mancave hangout, I keep myself busy learning and moving items around. I have a natural knack for displaying my merchandise and some say its like a museum. Most people are taken back when they enter my shop and I great everyone and acknowledge everyone in the crowd while in my shop. I'm also blessed with the gift of gab. I just turned 50 this year so I have no shortage of stories and tales from my own childhood as many who come in are helpless to admit that they had this and that and that their mother threw out (fill in the blank). I dont have heavy foot traffic through my door, so I focus on the here and now whenever someone is in my shop. I'm entertaining them I feel at times. Dancing for dollars pretty much. I want them to simply spill what it is they like, enjoy, want, desire. I'm extracting info and use my knowlege of my inventory to show and suggest different items. Some days are better than others and just like Pawnstars says (and its so true) You just never know whats gonna walk through that door.

    Sure who wouldnt want a comic books shop, but why limit myself to just that. Seriously, I want my customers to be all ages and both male and female. I want to sell something to anyone and everyone. I buy with an open mind thinking oh I can sell this for $xxx as long as I was getting a deal on it. I do strive for items in my store to be vintage(pre 1980) I want good condition, not broken or incomplete things. Its such a deal breaker to have something sold and oops. Its hard enough to sell perfect good condition things.

    My secrets to success are common sense. Think like a customer. Little details are important. Being there when you say you are going to be there. Always have new merchandise. Listen to your customers wants and needs. I keep a rolodex file by item ie clocks, tonka trucks, fountain pens etc and next to it a phone number. When I get some I will call ya. Ive sold cars for over 6 years in my background so I know how to be romancing my customers list. You can never have what they want when they come in but I end up selling them something else. I just good at that. Being there 7 days means I dont miss many opportunities (sure I run late sometimes and close early at times, but never make a bad habit of it and I ALWAYS leave a sign up if I'm out for a few minutes or days.

    Facebook, Yelp, etc. I'm not too motivated to drive customers to my store. I am LAZY. So my web page is blah and I never up date it. I s#ck and I know it. I do post things from time to time on my store's face book page, but I just dont want to be spammy, so my posts are from time to time. I joined a few face books groups and post dedicated items and have sold a few things, but again, I dont want to do do internet business. Its too much like ebay and dealing face to face is my thing.

    So I'm diversified and dedicated, but I am also passionate about a lot of things. I am constantly learning and researching. All to often I sound so smart and professional because I am able to :blahblah: a few things about what ever it is I have in the shop no matter how cheap or expensive it may be. I'm excited about the most insignificant . I'm triggered by key words so it seems. Been a life long disability or ability depending on how you look at it.

    And I did try new comics for about 3 years. I had 2 subscribers. Went to comiccon in Boston 2 years trying to spread the word :sorry: I tried and I guess if I was near a college or had a busy foot traffic location, it could have netted better results, but I chalked it up as a loss. More books were damaged my ordinary customers just grabbing books and yes kids and I tried a sign that got ignored. New comics are not for everyone and certainly not for me. I tried and failed, but I tried. This week I added new sports cards and 2017 Silver Eagles. I can try anything here and there. Because I'm so diverse it could work, if not successful, I'll nix it. The comic books I do sell are dollar books and my BIG books are $20 - 30 bucks at the shop. It certainly doesnt mean I cant wheel and deal in comic books, cause you can't stop me there. Just cause my store isnt a great outlet or I didnt focus and work as hard as I should have or could have, I'm getting my fix in other ways.

    So when I hear people say DON'T do it (open a comic book shop) its likely because you are getting into a dedicated and unique business with online competition. I can agree for the most part. But I REGRET not opening my store many years ago. It just never occurred to me to do so. I'm 6 years this May 15th and each year has been just a step in the right direction. Sure I still pop a certain item on ebay that I know my customers wouldnt pay up for but I know ebayers would. Thats knowledge Ive gained through out the years and I do give it a chance in the shop first, but Ebay is vital to getting rolling and keeping it real when the shop just dont hit on all eight.

    This is my longest post ever, sorry to scare some of you (all of you)

    Chris

     

    :applause:

     

    Thank you...so happy to hear about your success... lot's of great information in there...if I could get 475 a month it would be a no-brainer...wish real estate on long island was cheaper :sorry:

    I'm opening up a brick and mortar this year and want some advice!!

    in Comics General

    Posted

    Why not focus on the gaming but have the comics as a side aspect. Develop a business plan that attracts gamers so they somehow pay money. Either through snacks and drink or time played or supplies, something / anything so you basically break even.

     

    Then you have your wall books of $10 to $500 books to show you are a comic guy. Have maybe 10-40 long boxes of old stuff only GA/SA/CA and a smattering of quality 1990s on up. Then Man Cave it up so it's wicked sweet with what you like. Posters, art, statues, 1970s toys - you name it.

     

    The point of the comics is to sell and make a little there but really your goal is to acquire walk in collections. Buy those at 30-50% on the dollar (as in what will sell easily not full retail)

     

    So you don't have to deal in new inventory and the Diamond hassle. You hang out with comic folks but that will mostly be slow. And the Gamers keep the place relatively lively.

    If you buy a couple $5000 collections a year and hit on one really good one, then you can make the $25,000 or more a year. The gamers and back stock pay for the bills.

     

    You still need to sell online. Part of your comments worry me (if I were playing shark tank) in that you don't want to box and ship. ??????? That's called work. Every avenue must be utilized or the odds of failure increase. You don't need to sell online 40 hours a week but at least 10. And maybe more in a slow month to make ends meet. It simply has to be done IMO. Also it is a good way to clear stale inventory.

     

    I probably wasn't totally clear...I don't enjoy boxing and shipping...that's why I wouldn't want to do it full time...of course it's a necessary evil and something I would have to do, but I wouldn't want to do it full time...I'm not afraid of hard work...just wasn't totally clear...

    I like your image of the store...It will be mostly MTG and gaming as I reflected in a later post...I've been building up some inventory the last few months and have some nice minor keys...nothing ultra high end, but hopefully I can build up to that...

     

    Awesome feedback, thanks!

     

    I'm opening up a brick and mortar this year and want some advice!!

    in Comics General

    Posted

    Things I like to see at shops:

     

    A superhero pinball or arcade- I own a pinball and maintenance can be costly.

    Life size Superhero- they are out there and make a shop special.

    Pull list/orders for moderns. I pull 13 books a month. It keeps me coming back,

    Rent out a few display cases to bring in more unique items to the shop.

    Sell records- this is hot and brings people in to my local shop.

    Have Mtg gaming ready to rock!

    Attract a variety of costumers, not just comic people. Get pokemon to appear in your store to bring in the go people.

    25 cent bins

    Sidewalk art contests

    Local artists/ drink and draw

    Free Comic book day events

    If you have any pro artists, get them in on a monthly basis.

    Sell snacks

    Good looking clerk is a plus

    fabreeze air fresheners to counter the body odor

    Free appraisal day...

    Star wars- toys,etc all over the place.

    Podcast- book reviews

     

     

     

     

    Great suggestions, thank you...I have a buddy who has about 20 or so pins and builds and fixes them...I was thinking of having 1-3 in the shop depending on space...we'd split the $$ from game play...he would do the maintenance and I'd get 10% if he sold one...