Comic shops
Wolverine2216
Posts: 42
I was wondering what people look for in a comic shop. I have only been to one comic shop it's the closest one to my house. They have a decent selection however back issues seem to be pretty expensive there most are over $3. I have been there a few times and the owner has never really engaged in any sort of conversation other than a hi how are you when u walk in. I was just curious of what people look for in a comic shop? Thanks for any input!
Comments
There's certainly much more to be said on the subject, but for me I think "What do I look for in a comic shop" has a lot to do with what they can offer me that the internet can't. A comic shop can get me new releases right on the day they come out. And you can see the merchandise right in person -- flip through the comics (probably) or look at a statue or action figure in order to get a better idea of whether or not you'd want to buy it. I just love the experience, especially digging through back issue bins.
In your case, I'd suggest trying to make a bit of conversation with the owner, and the guy might open up. In my experience I've known more than a couple shop owners who seem more or less stand-offish at first, but after a bit of smalltalk they'll open up to you and be a lot friendlier from that point on.
Aside from that, it's really all about deals and what can be found at your convenience rather than doing a lot of internet research, picking through various online stores. I gave a long list of issues to the owner of the first shop above, the one that offers cheap deals on back issues; and now when the guy gets new collections in he sorts through them and pulls out any comics I'd probably be interested in; he does a great job for me and always surprises me with finds.
Each store tends to focus in on a different area so I frequent some a lot more than others. I like stores where I can possibly get a little of everything if I want. I tend not to like stores that focus heavily in one thing.
The two location shop is general in nature and has a little bit of everything (trades, back issues, toys, t-shirts). I tend to frequent these two the most. Sometimes I find a gem of a trade that is out of print. The staff at both locations are very friendly and the stores tend to support local artists and are more tied into free comic book day and the Denver Comic Con than the other stores in town.
Probably the oldest store in town is a heavy back issue store (hundreds of long boxes worth) + he buys at least one new issue from nearly every company in previews. He only keeps a small selection of trades and probably only gets new ones in maybe two or three times a year. The trades were until recently always 50% off cover price. His toys selection is pretty big but a lot of them have been collecting dust for a while. He needs to have a clearance sale to move stuff around. It was pretty disorganized for a while until a recent remodel. I go there to browse at lunch or if I just need to pick up a issue or two because it is about 5 mins from my work. The owner is a nice guy.
The next store is mainly a trade store of recently released stuff. It is also a big game store which I am not really into so I rarely go there.
The next store is basically a game store plus a new release store. There is a decent size back issue selection from about 2004 up, but it is grossly over priced ($5 range for most stuff) and there is only two small cabinets for trades and the store almost never got new trades in. I refuse to go there anymore.
The last store is the farthest away and is only about 2 or 3 years old. I have not been there since year one so I cannot really say what it has become now. It is in a small tourist mountain town and parking is nearly impossible to find and you have to pay for it so I do not go to that store.
I recently started popping into something a little more local, Atomic Comics in Shirley NY. A new store that popped up after the previous store in town, which shall remain nameless, went under. More focused on games, they still have a decent new release selection, a growing back issue bin and at least current trades. The owner is a nice guy, and they have really generous sales.
When it comes to what I look for in an LCS customer service is #1. Even if you don't have something make me feel like my business is still important to you, treat everyone with respect and I'll sing your praises from the mountaintops. Make me feel unwelcome (a common occurrence in 75% of the stores I check out) I'm equally likely to tell my friends to stay away.
I could not say it better
I don't want an LCS, I want an FLCS.
He let me use his toilet.
I was in the pinch. The PINCH people! And many a store (at the time) had "issues" with letting regular customers use their can. Employees only, and all that good stuff*. This owner, when I asked, pointed the way and had no questions. He earned a customer for as long as he owns and runs his store. There are larger shops out there, certainly ones who have a wider selection, and some are run by people I know personally. And yes, I buy the occasional book from them. But 80% of my LCS business goes to this guy, for the simple reason that he helped me out in a moment of dire need.
*Since that incident, most every shop has altered their view on letting customers use the can, but at that time? It was still a pretty big deal.