What's it like owning/running a comic store?

[tilleycs]

For anyone who either does or ever has run/owned a comic shop, I'm curious - what's it like? Like most collectors, I've wondered what it's like and dreamed of doing it (although I'm sure that the reality is FAR removed from the romanticized daydream). Sometimes I think there would be a lot of money in owning/running a shop, and sometimes I wonder how in the world they stay in business.

 

So what's it like? What are some of your good/bad stories and experiences?

[Timely]

This should sum it up...

 

 

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

 

Timely

[Timely]

Here's a funny story that happened to my friend in his shop. He used to sell this "bag lady" older comics, about $10-50 a piece. She bought a Wonder Woman from the late 50's. 2 weeks later she bought the same exact issue and my friend told her that she already owned that one. The lady said she knows, but this one is in better condition. She then asked if she could trade in the other issue for the price difference. My friend agreed. BIG mistake!

 

Unfortunely this is where things go dreadfully bad! She brings in the comic (no bag) and lays it on the counter. She then proceeds to say the reason she wanted the other one is because she has rats in her place and one of the rats GAVE BIRTH on the comic! No joke! She then walked out the store.

 

Needless to say the book was in fair to poor condition with lots of fluid marks on the cover!

 

Timely

[minutekev@50]

[tilleycs]

Ick. My thoughts exactly. I'm looking forward to more stories!

[Mr. Zipper]

She then proceeds to say the reason she wanted the other one is because she has rats in her place and one of the rats GAVE BIRTH on the comic! No joke! She then walked out the store.

 

Needless to say the book was in fair to poor condition with lots of fluid marks on the cover!

 

Timely

 

Some more enterprising people we know would have taken this opportunity to launch the new "Rat Pedigree" and charge 10x guide.

[Aces]

She then proceeds to say the reason she wanted the other one is because she has rats in her place and one of the rats GAVE BIRTH on the comic! No joke! She then walked out the store.

 

Needless to say the book was in fair to poor condition with lots of fluid marks on the cover!

 

Timely

 

Some more enterprising people we know would have taken this opportunity to launch the new "Rat Pedigree" and charge 10x guide.

 

Mile High UpChuck?

 

[Timely]

She then proceeds to say the reason she wanted the other one is because she has rats in her place and one of the rats GAVE BIRTH on the comic! No joke! She then walked out the store.

 

Needless to say the book was in fair to poor condition with lots of fluid marks on the cover!

 

Timely

 

Some more enterprising people we know would have taken this opportunity to launch the new "Rat Pedigree" and charge 10x guide.

 

It could be the BIRTH of a new pedigree!

 

Timely

[aardvark88]

If u like to work for yourself 16 hrs/day, 6 days /week, then running a retail shop is for u. On your day of rest, u can set up at local comicons/flea markets for at least 8 hrs & work on your eBay/mail order sales.

[Kermit]

Some more enterprising people we know would have taken this opportunity to launch the new "Rat Pedigree" and charge 10x guide.

 

[HeroDreamer]

Best story.....EVER

[lighthouse]

I hope to someday be able to answer your question... but as I don't own a brick and mortar store, I guess I can't...

 

The easy test to see if you could handle owning/running a comic store:

[*] Go to a Toys R Us and imagine yourself selling toys to kids all day. Imagine how excited they are to get the product. Then imagine how pissed off their parent is that you don't have what they are looking for.

[*] Go to a Hot Topic (or Torrid if you like bigger girls) and imagine yourself selling stuff to people who are sheep. Imagine how easy it is to convince them to buy stuff that no one with a brain in their head would want. Then imagine yourself realizing that these people are way cooler than you will ever be, and that they will dictate your store inventory for the rest of your life.

[*] Go to a Porn store and imagine yourself working behind the counter. Imagine yourself selling products that your customers really want, but are frequently embarrassed to be seen buying. Imagine asking them if they want help and seeing them flee because they really didn't want you to acknowledge their presence, they just wanted to be left alone to buy their private shame. Now imagine the customers who are not embarrassed about their purchases, the ones who want to talk to you endlessly about them, offending you in the process and scaring away the customers who want to be left alone.

 

That, in a nutshell, is what it is like to spend your days behind the counter in a comic shop...

 

[delekkerste]

[Illiterati-migration]

Bah, what do YOU know, anyway?!?!

[lighthouse]

Bah, what do YOU know, anyway?!?!

 

Go check my Ice Storm Sale in the marketplace and find out

[Illiterati-migration]

Bah, what do YOU know, anyway?!?!

 

Go check my Ice Storm Sale in the marketplace and find out

 

Like I'd EVER buy ANY of YOUR books! (Please sell to me... please?)

[PovertyRow]

For anyone who either does or ever has run/owned a comic shop, I'm curious - what's it like? Like most collectors, I've wondered what it's like and dreamed of doing it (although I'm sure that the reality is FAR removed from the romanticized daydream). Sometimes I think there would be a lot of money in owning/running a shop, and sometimes I wonder how in the world they stay in business.

 

So what's it like? What are some of your good/bad stories and experiences?

 

I think this is a dammed good question, so good I am bumping it passed the hijack stage, as I would love to hear some more Tales From the Brick!

 

I have also perused tilleycs' posts and am clueless as to why someone would give a single 1-star rating. tilleycs' posts seem to be well reasoned out, polite, interesting....nevermind...NOW I know why a single 1-star rating was given. But 1-star no more, dagnabit!

[chrisco37]

imagine yourself selling stuff to people who are sheep. Imagine how easy it is to convince them to buy stuff that no one with a brain in their head would want.

 

Soooo....um....what....uh.....new titles do you.....uh....recommend this month?

[tilleycs]

I have also perused tilleycs' posts and am clueless as to why someone would give a single 1-star rating. tilleycs' posts seem to be well reasoned out, polite, interesting....nevermind...NOW I know why a single 1-star rating was given. But 1-star no more, dagnabit!

Thanks, poverty, I appreciate that. I'm curious, though why do you say "NOW I know why a single 1-star rating was given"? Was it my post in the comic broker thread?

 

Anyway, thanks for the stories so far, guys. I'd be interested in hearing why "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Care to elaborate on that?

[ghoulaid]

I've worked in a few comic shops. For the first couple months it can be very exciting especially when there are no customers around and you're free to browse everything in the store at leisure. After the novelty wears off you would be surprised at how utterly BORING it can be at times. As a hobby comics are great fun but loses some of its charm when you have to resort the back issue bins for the umpteenth time.

 

You wouldn't believe how many times people would say "I remember when comics were 5 cents each" or "I have (or know someone) who has Superman #1". Of course nobody ever walked in with one.

 

The most excitement I ever had was catching a shoplifter after he spent the good part of an hour occasionally stuffing comics into his jacket. You always know to keep an eye on people whenever you see them looking at you everytime you glance at them. Then he comes up to the counter to pay for 1 new issue but I could see the corners of several other books sticking out of his coat. He was young so I just kicked him out.