• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

What? A new comic store opening? in THIS economy?

Started by funkyj00ky,

98 posts in this topic

2020-migration

2020-migration

Posted
Posted
Well - I'm not exactly the boards biggest poster, but i want to cordially invite anyone (and everyone) to the grand opening of my comic store opening up at 26 River Edge road, in River edge NJ 07661 at 11am Saturday.

 

I "trolled" these boards for years, but never felt like i had anything to add so except for the occasional buy/sell/trade for art and comics i never posted anything. Some people know me in the tri-state area for being at the big apple cons and NYCC. My name is Marc Ferraro and I'm attempting to start my dream job.

 

So there will be balloons, free munchkins, free comics and sports card unopened packs (for kids, but ill give everyone a deal on their purchase) and possibly a green man dancing in the street (if its not raining). I think the pictures I'm adding can show what i have, but its essentially a back-issue hybrid with other hobbies mixed in. All back-issues are priced accurately for today's market so i think there are plenty of deals to be had. Lots of high grade and low grade alike - such as my silver age $5 and $2 boxes, as well as 45 $1 boxes of comics from golden age to present.

 

Its 15 minutes from the GWB, 10 minutes from rt 80, 5 minutes from route 4 and 17 with a full parking lot and 50 feet from the train station to/from NYC.

 

The store features $5 cds ($8 for doubles), $5 dvds, Records, Toys (new and vintage) and videogames from $1 atari games through $1500 sealed nintendo pornographic games - and oh yeah, 25,000 comics!

 

Its worth a look - so come by and tell me what i could do better :P

 

pic1.jpg

 

pic2.jpg

 

pic3.jpg

 

pic4.jpg

 

pic5.jpg

 

pic6.jpg

 

pic7.jpg

 

pic8.jpg

 

good luck

Link to comment
Share on other sites
zuckuss2003

zuckuss2003

Posted
Posted

 

Regarding the lighting and potential fading of books, you really need to look into fluorescent lighting. Incandescent lighting is far more damagning to the books. You can pick up some fluorescent strip lights relatively cheap. It will be a cost as you've already got the incandescents (I assume they came with the store). You'll have to buy the fixtures and pay for install (unless you know how to do it; it's pretty simple really). But, it's definitely worth considering. The light produced is far less damaging to the books.

 

You can probably pick them up for less than $50/each (and that's a high estimate).

 

I think this is actually backwards, while no light is good, I believe Incandescent is a little better than fluorescent. Fluorescent give off more UV.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jamie Coville

Jamie Coville

Posted
Posted

Do you have any TPBs? I'm not seeing any in that picture.

 

TPBs are the new back issue. More and more comic shops are getting rid of their back issue section and replacing them with bookshelves full of TPBs.

 

And yes, I'd get an account with Diamond ASAP. Their minimums are very low and you can order low to start. I'd start with low orders of the ever-green TPBs that have a track record of always selling and reordering them when they sell.

 

Also, get yourself of http://www.the-master-list.com, I've heard some retailers say they've gotten more customers from it than Diamonds comic shop locator.

 

Do you have a website yet? I'd get one set up with directions to your store, what you stock, an e-mail address so that people can contact you, etc..

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
funkyj00ky

funkyj00ky

Posted
  • Author
Posted

yeah the website is live, although not really functional.

 

Comics N Toys Webpage

 

The GF wrote the text so you can see things that make you go wha?" a few times over. Every day it will change. Wow just realized it says "midtown comics" on there lol.

 

Thanks for the suggestions for the master list, ill get on it. I have about 100 trades at the moment, mostly OOP and vertigo titles. Ill be getting more though.

 

I knew i would get people shaking their head at me with the "no new issues" thing but at the moment, other avenues made more sense.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
spidrvacc

spidrvacc

Posted
Posted

Let us know how the Grand Opening went and take some photos. Also some more photos of the inventory would be great. that comic wall looks amazing. and if you care to share a market report on what sold and for how much. Would love to hear whats selling in the back issue market these days . Again best of luck and will try to drive out there one Saturday.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
FlComicFan

FlComicFan

Posted
Posted

Very neat store. I like the addition of video games and different media. I've been mulling the idea of current used games but not being a video gamer decided against it. I too question not having new comics especially if the immediate area doesnt have one. You will create new customers by having new comics. I was shocked at how much of my business came in from people who used to read/collect comics who came in picked up a trade or a few new comics and were hooked again. As a comic shop owner I can tell you nothing is more consistent in the shop than weekly comics. If nothing else order a few copies of each of the Diamond top 50 or 100 titles and put up visible signage that you can do a pull list. You should be able to if nothing else cover your store expenses from sales of new comics soon as you build up a marginal pull list of customers. . Trades is a mixed blessing. Yes they sell but with a weak economy I've seen sales really dissapear to online discounters. If you expand your trades stick with the perenial sellers (Walking Dead, Preacher, sandman, 100 Bullets etc) Least those turn over and all you have to do is replace the copy you sold and you just made half in profit) All the eye candy looks great (the more expensive back issues high end toys etc) but that type of product rarely turns over from walk in business. Stay away from new toys/statues etc Puny margin and great chance you will be enjoying their company for years to come.

 

To me the new business model is new issues pay your store bills (rent, electric, security, phone etc) Everything else becomes your profit model. Back issues, trades, cards, etc etc. Any downtime you have should be to build a online ebay store for all your older collectibles. I made the mistake of sitting on my duff when things were going well and now am playing catch up listing all the potential dollars I have sitting around from all the great buys I made.

 

Not sure what problems Wildpig had with Diamond but most issues for stores are self inflicted. Do weekly at least a monthly count to see what new comics are selling and what is not (weekly is better) Diamond gives you the fleixibility to adjust most orders just a few weeks before the books come out. Your goal is to have zero on the shelf within a month. I used to be happy having a extra copy or two on a really good seller but frankly in the end your better off having that extra cash to buy collection where you can make 1000% profit not 50 %

 

Good luck I hope you have great success, Chet

Link to comment
Share on other sites
silverweb

silverweb

Posted
Posted
Very neat store. I like the addition of video games and different media. I've been mulling the idea of current used games but not being a video gamer decided against it. I too question not having new comics especially if the immediate area doesnt have one. You will create new customers by having new comics. I was shocked at how much of my business came in from people who used to read/collect comics who came in picked up a trade or a few new comics and were hooked again. As a comic shop owner I can tell you nothing is more consistent in the shop than weekly comics. If nothing else order a few copies of each of the Diamond top 50 or 100 titles and put up visible signage that you can do a pull list. You should be able to if nothing else cover your store expenses from sales of new comics soon as you build up a marginal pull list of customers. . Trades is a mixed blessing. Yes they sell but with a weak economy I've seen sales really dissapear to online discounters. If you expand your trades stick with the perenial sellers (Walking Dead, Preacher, sandman, 100 Bullets etc) Least those turn over and all you have to do is replace the copy you sold and you just made half in profit) All the eye candy looks great (the more expensive back issues high end toys etc) but that type of product rarely turns over from walk in business. Stay away from new toys/statues etc Puny margin and great chance you will be enjoying their company for years to come.

 

To me the new business model is new issues pay your store bills (rent, electric, security, phone etc) Everything else becomes your profit model. Back issues, trades, cards, etc etc. Any downtime you have should be to build a online ebay store for all your older collectibles. I made the mistake of sitting on my duff when things were going well and now am playing catch up listing all the potential dollars I have sitting around from all the great buys I made.

 

Not sure what problems Wildpig had with Diamond but most issues for stores are self inflicted. Do weekly at least a monthly count to see what new comics are selling and what is not (weekly is better) Diamond gives you the fleixibility to adjust most orders just a few weeks before the books come out. Your goal is to have zero on the shelf within a month. I used to be happy having a extra copy or two on a really good seller but frankly in the end your better off having that extra cash to buy collection where you can make 1000% profit not 50 %

 

Good luck I hope you have great success, Chet

 

Thanks for contributing your knowledge and valuable experience, Chet. Great support for the new enterprise!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
funkyj00ky

funkyj00ky

Posted
  • Author
Posted

So Has anyone taken the trip out yet? I know the last few weeks the comic section has been known as a tad disorganized, but i've had a constant flow of stuff come in and no time to tackle it. I would like some other constructive criticism also from the boardies who did stop by.

 

Also, i have decided on no new issues. From the recent shut-down of collector's comics, established in 1977 and the comments of "diamond kills us all" once again echoing in their locked doors - i just think it would be a death trap. Don't forget i need to come up with a huge minimum each week for the new issues. I don't see that ~$2,000 opportunity cost winning because i would have to pass up on the golden age deals that have come in the doors the last few weeks.

 

I have a steady flow of back-issue guys come in, which is nice. I think my rate of sales (at least for the few comic book people) has been consistently around 85%. Most people who read comics has walked out the doors with a comic.

 

The videogames are the number one hit, as well as cd's a close second. I just price all my cd's for $5 and they fly. I've had almost a complete turnaround of non-comic inventory the first two months, which is really exciting. I will get some new pictures up in the next few days. Saturdays never seem to have less than 7-8 people in the store at any one time and its been fun, although extremely tiring.

 

If you want - "like" me on facebook by finding "comics n toys"

Link to comment
Share on other sites
etanick

etanick

Posted
Posted

sounds like you are doing ok...congrats! If 4 out of 5 people walk out of the store spending some money then you are doing something right. Heck I am usually the one guy that walk in and walk out of a store without buying anything so big kudos (thumbs u

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Go to topic listing