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12-14-2007, 08:22 PM | #11 |
Hisstank.Com General
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 13,759
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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:
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12-14-2007, 08:25 PM | #12 |
Sunsword = Fabulous!
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, ME
Posts: 3,628
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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 |
12-14-2007, 08:26 PM | #13 |
Cobra Viper
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 258
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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. |
12-14-2007, 08:33 PM | #14 |
That's lo!
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Wa.
Posts: 31,050
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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!
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12-14-2007, 08:36 PM | #15 |
Sunsword = Fabulous!
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, ME
Posts: 3,628
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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 |
12-14-2007, 08:37 PM | #16 |
That's lo!
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Wa.
Posts: 31,050
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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...
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12-14-2007, 08:50 PM | #17 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Jackson, New Jersey
Posts: 1,012
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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
Last edited by vega-1; 12-14-2007 at 09:01 PM.. |
12-19-2007, 12:57 AM | #18 |
yeah......
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,292
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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. |
12-19-2007, 01:12 AM | #19 |
Homeless Viper
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,882
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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. |
12-29-2007, 11:54 AM | #20 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Michigan in the sticks
Posts: 1,156
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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
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