News in the house of TK

[tkprime]

It's a funny thing how all the comic shops here on the coast have closed, we had

Gulf Coast Comics
diversions
Action Island

and Required Reading, but now they all have closed and went out of business. So yesterday I decided along with my wife that I would finally live my own personal dream, I bought a store from Bay Realty and come late January I'm opening up the Mother of all comic shops.

I'd like to hear from you guys on what you look for in a comic shop, I have Ideas, and a sales plane for the first part of the year, including Halo tournaments, and an ol skool arcade built into the store. I'm very excited. I'll be getting supplies from Diamond, so if it's in previews I'll prob get it. LMK what you hink.

[Xerofall]

Cool!

A few things I didn't like about the comic book stores I've gone to in the past was the elitism of the employees. I was never part of the "in" crowd.

If I wasn't into Batman or Spawn or whatever was popular at the time, I felt like I was second class. I was constantly made fun of because I collected GI Joe comics... by the owners of the store! (Nevermind the fact that GI Joe was one of the hottest selling Marvel comics in the 80's.) I learned to get in, get my Joe comic and get out.

The other was the absurd cost of items for sale. Most places had the back issues for horrendous prices... issue 8 of GI Joe, for example, was priced at $18 bucks at both my local comic book stores for some reason. Were they using an old price guide? Chase cards were neigh impossible to obtain. A few comic stores would actually crack open the box sets and pull out the foils, chase and limited cards and sell them seperately.

Comics seemed to die out in the early 90's, seemed most of the comic book stores here in Utah went away. I think eBay had a lot to do with it as well. I stopped collecting comics entirely when GI Joe was cancelled. Seemed the next "thing" were the customizable card games like Pokemon and Star Wars. Then the home game console scene exploded, X-box, Wii etc... not my scene.

But ever since the X-Men, Batman Begins and Spiderman movies came out I've seen more and more comic book stores open back up. I've seen more toys, more comics and more cards being offered.

Your plan sounds cool, an old school arcade sounds nifty. Good luck man! Let me know the address and if I'm in town I can stop by!

Sounds fun!

[bigbadwolfdaddy]

I would actually prefer an online comic store as well.That way if I don't have the spare time to go to actual location I can help out fellow collectors that own their shops by purchasing from them online

[Lt. Faceless]

Congrats man.Yugioh and pokemon cards are still big sellers.Hit up every fleamarket and yardsale to build a nice back issues selection.Something i love about my local shop,Treat every customer like they are your only customer.That has keep me going there for years.An arcade!!!!!!2 of my loves in one place.

[Shogi]

Yo Xero, sounds like you've been hitting the comic shops around me :)

Seriously, make sure there's no elitism in your store. When there's a local toy or comic show in your town, make sure you set up a booth and stay the whole weekend (One of the local shops here, didn't stay for the whole show last month and now there's some backlash from customers)

For me I hit comic stores more for the vintage toys that some carry. Just make sure that when people come in to sell you items, don't give them 1% of fair market value. I understand you have to low ball them a bit to make a profit, but I've seen stores offer little to nothing for comics and toys people bring in, then jack the prices sky high when they sell them

Good luck TK!

[Monkeywrench]

That's awesome news man. They have all shut down here too. I think you should definitely set up an online store too. Maybe not to start with but in the future that should be a goal.

[Xerofall]

And brush up on your comic book store vocabulary...

"This isn't a library, buy something or get out!" ;)

[The Commander]

The thing I like about my local comic book shop is, as others have noted, is that there is no 'elitism'. I walk in, whoever is behind the counter greets me and asks if I need any help, and it doesn't matter what I'm looking for, and if they don't have it, they ALWAYS say they can order it for me.

Another nice thing (and this might be the norm), if you become a member, they will hold monthly issues that come in if you have requested it in advance. Saves the hassle of having to beat people to the shop the day new comics out.

[DaViper]

I remember my old comic book shop had holds for when new issues came out as well. They would keep them for a week for you and sometimes you can hold onto older issues you plan on buying in the future. What I always looked for was the friendliness of the staff and knowledge they had. Monthly/annual contest were always fun. They were always drawing contest but since you will have an arcade maybe a tournament could be held. just some food for thought.

[Lt. Faceless]

Another nice thing (and this might be the norm), if you become a member, they will hold monthly issues that come in if you have requested it in advance. Saves the hassle of having to beat people to the shop the day new comics out.

I forgot all about that.By starting a "bag" with my shop,they pull all titles i want and i get 20% discount on back issues and new books.I just wish it was for toys too.

[Shogi]

Yeah, make sure that when you do holds, you don't mess up on what the people are holding. I've had a store that was holding books for me for a couple of years and every month or so I'd look at what was held for me, then go to the new arrivals shelf to get everything they forgot to hold for me :rolleyes:

[swafus]

Awesome news TK! I applaud you for having the balls to take a chance and to realize a dream. Bravo sir!

I agree with the elitism sentiment totally. There is a huge toy/comic shop here in Orlando that has been in business for 30+ years. Every time I walk in there I get leered at by the blue haired, ring-nosed, acne ridden, self-proclaimed "king of all things pop culture"! I don't look like your average toy collector so I get the "are you buying this for your cool son treatment". They also are ridiculous with their store credit trade in values considering they sell for 30% more than ebay and price guide averages.
I think the key to your success will be to keep it a friendly, fair and fun environment. Find a way to appeal to all of your customers (no matter their age or appearance) and you will have a place that people look forward to coming too!
The arcade is a great idea and it would rock if you were to set up HALO tournaments and things like that. I would also have specials like 2 for 1 archived comics on monday or organize value packs of a 5 run story line etc.

You have a great opportunity to really do something special with this and have alot of fun in the process! Good luck man

[CobraBlue]

If you're going to sell that WarHammer game, set up a specific area and even host tournaments. That's a great way to keep customers at the shop the entire time so they'll end up buying more things. I once spent an afternoon taking a relative to a Games Workshop place and all these people did was play and if they needed something bad, they'd just cough up the cash.

One time I went into a store and had my drink. OK! Big no no in terms of having it in there but the owner behind the counter was a total jerk about it. He sounded so snobby and ignorant. I basically just looked at the wall and walked out.

Crunch the numbers and use QuickBooks or accounting methods. Most stores are in the red the first year and then you should, if you have a little bit of luck and whole lot of hardwork, should be in the black by year 2 or 3. By that point, if you're generating a profit monthly/yearly, I'd sell the entire operation to a capital group or something all the while you've been networking with several different comic book distribution companies and slide right into a permanent and stable sales job.

[USAgent]

I'm in my local shop pretty much weekly and my 'pull' list and whatever i happen to pick up is probably a good $150+ a month... I've gone thru 5 or 6 stores, staying with most of them until they shut their doors for good... If I could change anything about them it would be to make them "family friendly" Keep it clean and smelling good (the funky smell of comics and cardboard my be nice for the 'collectors' but a dirty'stinky store will keep "mom's and dad's" from coming back)... and watch the 'anime-girls' posters and statues around the place, one of my old shops felt almost like a porno store with all the "good-girl" art all over the place:that's another mom & dad breaker (not everyone of-course, but you already know that you want to appeal to the widest audience possible) And i definetly agree w/the on-line store (even if it's just an e-bay store) my current guy says that's where he unloads alomst all his high-end stuff.... So... I wish you the best of luck and hope to be able to stop in some time!

[swafus]

I should also add that you should treat every comic/toy that you carry like it's the coolest!
Even if some guy comes in looking for "Bionic Six" figures or an issue of NFL Superpro #1, you should treat it with reverence because if he's looking for it then chances are that he was a big fan!

Case in point I went through a phase a year ago where I collected M.A.S.K. vehicles and I went to (said evil toy shop) and asked if they had any? They had 2 that were beat to hell but I would have considered buying and cleaning them if the (said evil toy shop worker) hadn't proceed to tell me what a ridiculous line of toys they were and that "serious" collectors wouldn't touch them!

This guy totally shredded countless hours of my happy childhood with 1 minute of sour gumflapping!
.........
Sorry for the rambling there, I jsut drank 2 cups of coffee, LOL

[USAgent]

Oh... and when you do your boxes, make sure you let folks know how long you'll hold them until they get re-stocked... that way you're not holding and stockpiling for somebody that decided to quit collecting...

[vega-1]

I went to the same comic book store for over 15 years with no problems and I was a little sad when I had to move away. It took me a year to find a good enough place where I could call home again. I found this one place that was like 10 minutes away from my house and I became a member there for a short time. When I would go there to pick up my comic books the guy behind the counter never greeted me and never said a word to me except that he was sorry for giving me the wrong comic books(3 to 4 times). He could never answer any of my questions and if I had to ask him some thing that wasn't what he read, he would not say a word. It felt like he didn't want my business and it looked like he didn't want to be there. I found another place and at this place the guy would always charge me for one extra comic book. Go figure a mall comic book store. Now I'm at this other store and I think I finally found my new home. The guy remembers my face, greets me with my comic books in his hands, knows my name and he always ask if there is anything extra I need or want for the next time. Not that I'm a picky person but if you want my business you need to sometimes go out of your way to win it and I'll keep coming back. So my advise to you is remember there names and what they like to read and always strike a conversation with them when your not busy and I'm sure you will do well. Now with the arcades that is a plus but these vendors to these big box of TVs are very expensive and it might break your wallet. So think about buying some extras flat screens with PS2 or PS3. Better yet get a couple of Wii's and have tournaments for a simple price or for a trophy. Good Luck and I Hope this helps

[sharke]

good luck man! I was good friends with the guy who ran the comic shop I went to in college and heres a few things I picked up.....gamers (particularly the younger ones) will spend all day in your store and rarely spend money. most of the time they'll get their packs @ books a million for tons cheaper so don't even try to compete. same goes for mainstream toy lines. focus on the rare, specialty, and hard to get items. a "mom and pop" shop can't offer the same prices as the giants! treat everyone who comes in with respect and as your only customer (already said but not enough do it). try not to focus to much on one particular market. prevent it from becoming an anime porn shop but you don't want it to become disneyland either. gotta find the balance. bottom line though have fun with it (as soon as you stop having fun, it shows and customer service and you business takes a hit) but always keep a business sense.
as for what I'd want, make it feel like a comic shop. hope this helps, dude.

[atomicpower]

I work very part-time at the shop I grew up shopping in. Despite putting in maybe 40 hours a year, I get to read any issues I want and get just about anything at 40% off. I put 50,000 comics in order once and I'm still reaping the benefits. The guy who owns the shop says that his disorganization is what keeps customers coming back. He says it reminds them of a yardsale, but I, the guy who put everything in order in the first place, and who stops in before big sales to tidy up, think that's ridiculous. What his store has is family. Everyone who's ever worked there gets taken in, and the I've never seen him not know a customer's name. On 24 hour comic book day there are extravagant festivities and the same can be said for Free comic book day. Last year there was a dog food eating contest. This year he ate a cupcake that had been vomited on. I'm not saying you need to turn your stomach, but be king nerd. The others will flock to you. Don't treat them like they're beneath you though, invite them to topple you. THEN crush them.

For 24 hour comic book day this year we built a dry-erase WHEEL OF CHALLENGES, which, in this age of indecision doubles as a WHEEL OF LUNCH SELECTION, and I'd recommend that every store and every home have a similar wheel.

[gijoe071681]

all i can really say that hasn't been said already is if you do decide to sell some vintage toys (which i highly recommend) or high dollar comics consider a lay a way program. that would have made my life so much easier when i was younger and collecting comics and gijoe

[GunghosLipHair]

Hire a hot chick.

[tkprime]

Well I'm pleased to say that the store is coming along, I have a few more things to do before we open the store, but it looks great (I'll post some pics as soon as possible) Some friends of mine sold me some vintage toys (Masters of the universe Eternia playset still in box), New adventures of he-Man Starship Eternia, and a meteor looking headquarters, Some Bionic Six toys including the headquarters and most of the figures still on card (thanks john) the Sears Cobra headquarters still with box, a bunch of transformers and go-bots, some Gaxagy Ranger figures, Silverhawks, thundercats,M.A.S.K., and Inhumanoids. All of these will be displayed (some will not be for sale, but most will. I will be stoking a large assortment of Star Wars and G.I.Joe toys and comics. There will be plenty of Marvel and Spawn figures as well. The Comics are my main concern, I've had friends help me price these fair, from Mint AFA Graded to the value bin, I want people to come in and go WOW!

[Shogi]

Dude, after reading that, I'm already going wow! :) Too bad your store is no where near Greensboro, NC

[swafus]

Yes, I agree........Hire a hot chick. It is the one element that is missing from almost every comic/toy shop out there!

[tkprime]

Um My wife will run it with me ( I'm partial, but I say she's hot all the time).

[Xerofall]

Sweet! Maybe I'll donate a StarCom Battle Crane with the pilot and a rare visor.

:D

[the_loud_master]

TK, once again don't be a dick to customers! Whenever I buy something from a comic shop, they make me feel as if I shouldn't be collecting anything at all!

[the_loud_master]

Hire a hot chick.
Yes that'd be the BEST! A hot chick who's onto comics!? Would it be any better than a talking pet monkey! Hell yes!:D

[bluebikerboy1]

well congrats on your new venture. ill second a hot chick. cant hurt.
treat your customers well and they will come back. keep your prices fair. shop your competitors. even if its a day of driving to any shops withen an hour radius you can get a sense of what there like. also consider renting space in your store. like a glass display case so others can sell there vintage toys. you could charge them monthly or charge a commission on what sells. same with comics and such. just keep it clean, organized, and friendly and you will do well. theres a shop in my town thats been there since i was a wee lad and is still there. he does all the above and hes still around. hope this helps
also advertise smartly. local penneysaver is a nice way to go. print adds are nice in newspaper but pricey. if you go that route do an insert not a black and white on the first section. no one ever looks at the black and whites. again good luck :)

[ranoobu]

Something I saw at a comic book store once that I really thought was a good idea..

Offer a subscription plan for regular customers that allows them to select a specific comic line/title.. that you will always reserve for them for when they come in.. and when they're available, just give them a call to pick up..

Not sure how it worked.. but at least the idea is out there for you to tinker with now.

I'd see employees pulling titles off the shelves in stacks.. and then keep them behind the counter somehow.. until the customer came to pick them up.

[NotFastEnuff]

I pretty much agree with what everyone else has said. Customer service is key!!! I cannot emphasize this enough. Listen to your customers. It sounds like a no brainer, but you'd be amazed. When I worked in sales, we had class after class on how to listen to your customers. Now, it irritates me to no end when I'm not listened to.

As for other things to add, the two shops I deal with both have a section that's kinda the "kiddie" section. What they have in both is cheap comics and toys so that every kid that comes in can leave with something. I've even seen both shops give small kids toys or comics. It makes a BIG impression on the kids and parents. Example: Parents bring in big brother/sister looking for XYZ toys. The older sibling gets what they want, but the little brother/sister isn't old enough to be into all the comic shop type stuff. The shop keeper will give the younger kid some little nothing to entertain them, and they feel special because they got something too. It's silly, but it works.

I wish you the best of luck. I'm considering something along the same lines, but more a hobby/games type shop. I might drop you PM with some questions, if it's cool. Congrats and best of luck!!

[sharke]

congrats TK for getting it off the ground, massive luck dude!

[Cksport]

Something else to think about is Paintball equipment.

I don't know if there is a good paintball store around you, but you can start slowly by refilling C02, selling paint, cleaning guns, etc.. and I have personally seen many different "comic" shops in my area NY/CT have a corner of the store designated for this.

If you ever want to see a bunch of impulse shoppers you should see my friends on a friday night or saturday morning getting ready for a weekend of paintball... They upgrade everything they can afford so they are most prepared to "Own" people on the field....and it ropes them into other things you sell. Basically find the inner child in the Big "Kids" out there. When the 20-30 year olds go into get paint and air refills for paintball, which they consider socially acceptable, they will see Joes, Transformers, Star Wars, etc from their youth and remember their childhood. They will start to get into other things like comics, toys, and your video game area.

It sounds like you are going to make it as fun as possible, and that is really the best idea.

But constantly try to think of ways to expand your customer base, and that is why I recommended some paintball equipment.. In a way it goes hand in hand with the Halo tournaments.. Many Halo players also play paintball.

[tkprime]

Well, this coming Friday is the big day, I'm putting a few finishing touches on the displays, and Getting the last of the value comics into place.

I have some stock coming in this week from a few vendors, so all in all everything's done that can be done. Thank you all for brain storming, some of your ideas have been great. If any of you are into comics I'm going to be putting some long boxes together with about 200-250 books in them (some of the books will be rare). These will be grab boxes for 2 lucky Hisstank members. The comic value will be around $500.00 (by Overstreet guides,Wizard, and by online guides). What do I want for these boxes?

Stay tuned, I'll answer that later.

[darthZartan]

I went to a store last year looking for a groo #1(marvel-epic). Found what I was looking for but it was in really bad shape (good) but had a $6 tag. I just wanted a reading copy so I took it to the counter and asked the kid working there if he can come down in price (in that condition it should be about 50 cents to a dollar tops). The kid looks at it and says "see the tape residue on the bag? That means it was hanging on our wall and is worth a lot." I then asked "so can you come down in price or not? Its worth a buck." The kid replies "No, its worth that price."
I then went to a different store, found the exact same issue in near mint condition for $2.50.
Long story short, make sure your employees know what they are selling and have a brain in their head.

[tkprime]

Well there will be 4 of us working there, and 2 of them have over 20 years of experience. I price them according to grade (mint-to poor, & according to the guide) So rest assured, we know how to price our product.

[Xerofall]

So tk... PM me your address and I'll ship you one of these to sell...

http://www.virtualtoychest.com/starcom/starcombattlecrane1c.jpg

Comes complete with the pilot and a rare VISOR! Just a little something for free for your new shop!

[sharke]

tk, wheres your store located? you live on the gulf coast right?

[tkprime]

Yes, it's located in Gulfport, It's almost Monday! I can't wait.

[CaptainDinobot]

Yeah, I agree on the elitism part. I once got attacked for wearing a Star Wars Episode 3 shirt. He went on and on about how awful it was. I can assure you I didn't buy anything that day.

Came back later that month, I had a movie from suncoast, and the guy must have remembered and started going on about why he hoped that DVD better not be episode 3 in that bag.

Really didn't want to tell him it was Gilligan's Island, didnt want to risk the response that he would give.

A customer is a customer whether they like, TF, G.I.Joe, Marvel, DC, anime, sports, or Disney. They should all be treated with the same respect.

[1982RULEZ]

From one comic store owner to another...Congratulations!!!

Everything the guys and gals on the forum have told you is great advice...especially about treating your customers with respect.

If I can help you with anything or you just need someone to talk to just give me a PM!!

Good luck and remember to have fun!!!

[Devil King]

Be sure to pay attention to advertising. In this day and age, comic shops come and go so fast that more often than not they go before I even knew they were there. Go to book stores and Wal-Marts, churches and community centers, post flyers on the bulletin boards and leave stacks of adds on counters at local used music stores and book stores and at the flea markets. And make sure the COMIC BOOK STORE is loudy obvious so that people will actually pay attention. Take out adds in all the local news papers. Anything and everything you can think of to get the word out to the community.

I wouldn't put out toys that aren't for sale. I've seen this before. While it's nice to have a place to display your collection or prize pieces where others will actually enjoy them, I've never been fond of seeing something I'd buy, asking how much it is, and then being told it's not for sale. Whether out loud or just in their head, they're asking why the hell it's there if it's not for sale.