Thinking about opening my own comic book store........

[bogeyman]

lately i've been seriously considering the idea of opening my own comic book store, the reasons being:

1. The growing interest in comic books in the town i live in
2. The total abscense of comic books, which frustrates those who are interested
3. The potential benefits i would get financially from it

for those who own a comic book shop, what would your advices be?

[metal_hellspawn]

I am a friend of someone who owns one, and his business is huge and booming, but I have picked up some stuff over the years to what you want to do.

1. have lots of old and used comics
2. get a huge area for the new comics that can easily be seen whenthe customer walks in. dont just sell comics, rare figurines sell a lot
3. American comics arent the only way to go, anime, sells great at my local store, anime and manga, get lots of it. and if you dont know where to order anime and manga, ASK AROUND!
4. learn, learn, learn, everything about comics, eveyr plot every storyline. cuz your customers will talk to you a lot about them. I always hear someone talking to my local comic store owner about what just happened in the newest comic

[bogeyman]

yeah, i've thought about that too, not just american comic books, i'm also including manga and some european comics

[rxsheepxr]

My biggest pointer would be to try your best to not be like 95% of the other comic store owners in that, it's been my experience that they're very very very condescending towards people who are new to comics. You don't want to be "The Comic Book Guy." People like that los a lot of business from people like me. I've been buying and reading comics for years and years, and the last thing I need is some fat assface who lives with his mother making snyde remarks to me.

This has happened to me a lot of times, becuase comic book store owners, in my experience, think they know everything about comics. This just isn't so.

Also, really try to be nice to the ladies; I've had guys get very condescending to my girlfriend when she's gone to get me something at the shop, only to have her toss some comic knowledge back at them.... she's been buying longer than me. Pwnt by a chick.

Anyhow, try your damndest to be the nicest comic book store owner, it wouldn't be hard to do, as most of em are jerks. And for the love of god, don't sell Card Games and hold tournaments in your store. Sure, kids will spend whatever money they've got on you, but having a store that doesn't have 10-20 ridiculously creepy kids running around is worth not getting that extra money from them.

I'm rambling.

[rxsheepxr]

Also, make sure you've got an okay toy selection. A lot of people seek out comic stores just for the purpose of finding cool and unique gadgets and doodads and toys, and are generally quite disappointed when they find the store only to find they just sell *gasp* comics!!!

Oh, and another thing... make sure to not just order and sell the things YOU like. I've noticed a lot of small places make that mistake. You've got to begrudgingly order even the worst comics, because someone out there likes it and will buy it.

I hate seeing Green Lantern on the shelves, but I know someone will buy it.

[BurningSoul]

Good luck man. Sounds like to me you will not have to worry about the business. The only gripe I have about my local shops is one doesn't carry older issues at all and the selection of independent labels is very limited. But the owner is very nice and very helpful. If he doesn't have something you want, he will have it for you the next week. He also has a terrific selection of trades for every label. Has a great selection of toys also. No card games which I also appreciate. Those people are weird.

The other shop like rxsheepxr said, has "those comic book guys". I despise them. They have the nerve to trash some of the books I get for whatever picky reason when I go to pay for them. One even had the nerve to say "X-Men is too futuristic". I think I puked a bit in my mouth when he said that. But they do have a great selection of new stuff and back issues. But their willingness to help new people = ****. If you don't hang out there 3 or 4 days a week, they could care less about you.

The other place is out of a hobby shop. Good selection of new comics. Carries the newer back issues on up to about 6 months. They also have a good selection of variants, I don't see anywhere else. Great toys also. Cons....they price their back issues and variants too high and have those damned card game tournaments!

I've always wanted to do something I loved to do.

[s.p.a.w.n.]

funny ,cause actually i am in proceed to have my store with 2 friends and i cant wait, im so excited.

so i would say go for it.

as for me ill be online too and i will make best prices (for boardmembers)
and plan to store mcfarlane stuff too

[bogeyman]

And for the love of god, don't sell Card Games and hold tournaments in your store. Sure, kids will spend whatever money they've got on you, but having a store that doesn't have 10-20 ridiculously creepy kids running around is worth not getting that extra money from them.

I'm rambling.

Oh, and another thing... make sure to not just order and sell the things YOU like. I've noticed a lot of small places make that mistake. You've got to begrudgingly order even the worst comics, because someone out there likes it and will buy it.

I hate seeing Green Lantern on the shelves, but I know someone will buy it.


Point Taken
yeah, i'm aware of that, there's a Card Game here in my town, and you're right guys, those people are creepy, and i also know about selling stuff that i don't like, e.g. i'm not into any manga, yet i will sell manga because there's also a huge amount of manga fans, and even if there isn't much interest i will also sell some european comics, which will have the smallest amount of sales because people don't know that much about er let's say 2000 AD

[twiztedart]

i dont own a comic store but i always wanted to work in one lol .so im no help .but i say go for it. :D

[Johnny_H]

My biggest pointer would be to try your best to not be like 95% of the other comic store owners in that, it's been my experience that they're very very very condescending towards people who are new to comics. You don't want to be "The Comic Book Guy." People like that los a lot of business from people like me. I've been buying and reading comics for years and years, and the last thing I need is some fat assface who lives with his mother making snyde remarks to me.

This has happened to me a lot of times, becuase comic book store owners, in my experience, think they know everything about comics. This just isn't so.

Also, really try to be nice to the ladies; I've had guys get very condescending to my girlfriend when she's gone to get me something at the shop, only to have her toss some comic knowledge back at them.... she's been buying longer than me. Pwnt by a chick.

Anyhow, try your damndest to be the nicest comic book store owner, it wouldn't be hard to do, as most of em are jerks. And for the love of god, don't sell Card Games and hold tournaments in your store. Sure, kids will spend whatever money they've got on you, but having a store that doesn't have 10-20 ridiculously creepy kids running around is worth not getting that extra money from them.

I'm rambling.


The store im loyal to ( a small shop called "2nd Last Game Store", the dude who runs that place is awesome. ( hence why I am loyal to the store ) Its a really neat mix of "Comic book shop/Retro Video games store/ with a damn good toy section )
There is another store in town though, I know just the kind of dude you are talking about lol.

[GEAS]

I dont know anything at all about this but just beeing freindley and helpful is probably one of the most important things. Also dont be too hard with opening times, if somebody is in the store at closing time, let them stay for a while, close later than usual some days perhas, if you feel for it. No "sorry, we're closed"-things you know? More like "actually we're closed but what the heck! and buy the way check this out!". And ofcourse as cheap as possible!

[arandomthought]

Don't be obscene with back issue prices. And definately read current issues before they come out or as they come in so you can get a general idea of what you're talking about. Be helpful and don't be a **** about it. That's pretty much all I can say about it. I have a great comic shop down here. I do suggest doing a subscription service/reserve service for those who want a subscription. I'll see if I can't get ahold of one of the subscription things I have for my comic shop so you can get an idea what I'm talking about.

[Simone]

Make sure to consider selling toys/action figures as well.
Because it's a good way to make some money.

Lets take me for an example....
I order most of my comics online (and get free shipping), but when I can't find a comic I want, I will resort to my comic book store nearby.
And while I'm there I always check out the action figures section. This guy is asking just as good prices for his comics as I can get online, but the action figures are always a little overpriced. But while I'm there....I don't seem to mind so much. :D
He always have something hanging on those pegs I like and I buy it, because I'm there to pick up some comics anyways.

Somehow it works....

[Go Seahawks]

Make sure you hire people who are knowledgeable of comics/comic related items. Store older books in some type of order (alphabetically by compnay works nice). I, like many others are not going to spend all day trying to find a back issue we need. If they are in order and I can find it quickly, I'm probably going to buy it.

[4 9 guy]

Wow that is really cool. It is also my dream to open a book store. The problem with me is that my plan is SO GRAND, that it would take so much to get done. The books stores in my area just suck at so many things. Some carry way to many toys and not enough books, some carry to much newer items. I want it ALL in one store. Like if someone were going to a mini con every day. So here is what I'd do...

-Like all the other have said, carry alot of back issues! People come in all the time for new books, but there is a HUGE demand for the old stuff.

-I personally would place my books in sections. Such as a Marvel area, DC, Image, etc. But the sections would be big. Like a toy store. There is a barbie section, action firgures, games...

-INDEPENDENTS!!! I want a spot just for the indies. Small shelf or something were local artist come in, and help promote there stuff. Its hard enough for these guys, lets make it alittle easier.

-Toys of course. Funny toys, collectables, rare. You get the idea.

-Contest. Long ago, I used to go to a book store where the guy would hold art contest for different age groups. It was really cool. It would draw in alot of costumers young and old.

Pretty much, think of all the fun stuff you'd like, and pretty much other will enjoy it also.

[Uriel26]

I've been dealing with the same comic book store owner since I was eight (his name's Dan). He's the only real game in town so alot of people go to his shop and he's a really friendly guy. He always has something to recommend to anyone based on what they're buying and he's usually right in judging peoples tastes. The only other place is a sports card shop and the owners (father and son) are ****s. They don't like comics, they hold those card game things every weekend for the brats in the area and seem anoid when ever anyone walks in their store that just needs to look around for back issues or what ever.

My advice is to just be friendly and listen to what the people want. Give variety and then start to order according to demand or inquiry. An exchange program is something Dan does. It might be something you'd want to try when you get more established. You can bring in a few unwanted issues and he'll deal with you, give you a store credit and resell what you give him. If it's more popular he'll give you more credit because he can sell it for more. Lastly, Dan has loyal clients. He's moved a few times and we all seek him out. Right now he's in a horrible location for new costumers to happen upon his store. Location is a big deal, the biggest when starting a new bussiness and expecially a new kind of bussiness for your area. Make yourself seen, be nice and the customers will do the rest.

[sweetmisery]

Here is what Joe Quesada(Editor in Chief) of Marvel can say in the recent interview:

Q: “TheCatalyst” - I'm taking the plunge and will be opening a comic store later this year with my fiancée and a good friend as business partners. I remember reading how Marvel and DC used to help new shops get on their feet by providing racks, discounted or free stock, posters, and other neat little things like that. Is this something that Marvel still does? If not, why? And if so, who would one contact to tap into such a program?

JQ: TheCatalyst, I asked David Gabriel about this and he wanted me to relay to you that we do help out new stores, through Diamond. You just need to contact customer service at Diamond to set up their account. 1-800-452-6642. Hope that helps.

[bogeyman]

thanks guys, i didn't expect you'd be so helpful ;)

[MOTUfan]

I will give you some advice. I am opening a online store in about 2 years, right now I am stocking up on old comics and toys. But I looked into ordering through Diamond. While it is possible it is VERY expensive. They require you to order a minimum of $425 a month before shipping.

http://retailer.diamondcomics.com/public/

I too was looking into a actual store one day BUT the high overhead and chances of being robbed vs. the low-overhead of running a online mail order business. So I decided for now to go with a online store. I have had my web address boughten now for over a year and will have to get a fairly cheap designer for it plus figure out all the sotre stuff like the shopping cart etc. I will have to google on it I guess but I wanted to let you know about the Diamond prices.

Brent

[DownWithTheClown]

My biggest pointer would be to try your best to not be like 95% of the other comic store owners in that, it's been my experience that they're very very very condescending towards people who are new to comics. You don't want to be "The Comic Book Guy." People like that los a lot of business from people like me. I've been buying and reading comics for years and years, and the last thing I need is some fat assface who lives with his mother making snyde remarks to me.

This has happened to me a lot of times, becuase comic book store owners, in my experience, think they know everything about comics. This just isn't so.

Also, really try to be nice to the ladies; I've had guys get very condescending to my girlfriend when she's gone to get me something at the shop, only to have her toss some comic knowledge back at them.... she's been buying longer than me. Pwnt by a chick.

Anyhow, try your damndest to be the nicest comic book store owner, it wouldn't be hard to do, as most of em are jerks. And for the love of god, don't sell Card Games and hold tournaments in your store. Sure, kids will spend whatever money they've got on you, but having a store that doesn't have 10-20 ridiculously creepy kids running around is worth not getting that extra money from them.

I'm rambling.


And the word of the day is.... Can anyone guess? :D

[DownWithTheClown]

But yah, Give deals that will help out others, and not put you underground. Get too know your customers and treat them with respect. I realized when I went to a comic shop, and the owner knows me very well, and I know him, it works out a lot better.

Good Luck with everything. Keep us posted.

[greayagh]

you know what would be a killing idea? if you attend your comic shop in tights , man , that would be awesome!!! ehhh ... just kidding

[GEAS]

And if I'm passing, I should get some free stuff if I say "yeah you know i wrote in your thread at the Spawn forum...".

[rxsheepxr]

Someone mentioned it earlier to keep a reign on back issue prices, and that's a big deal as well. There are 2 stores across the street from each other in Toronto, and invariably the dudes on one side always charge ridiculous amounts for back issues, putting stickers on the comics saying "LOW PRINT RUN" or "SCARCE ISSUE" and then you go across the street to find them in abundance.

The thing is that a lot of these guys will put a price on something with no facts or data to support it, and they just think "Well, I think it is worth more than this... so let's charge twice the amount" and it's just stupid. Your best bet for selling back issues is to make really good friends with http://www.comicspriceguide.com as they seem to be the best resource I've been able to find.

[BurningSoul]

Someone mentioned it earlier to keep a reign on back issue prices, and that's a big deal as well. There are 2 stores across the street from each other in Toronto, and invariably the dudes on one side always charge ridiculous amounts for back issues, putting stickers on the comics saying "LOW PRINT RUN" or "SCARCE ISSUE" and then you go across the street to find them in abundance.

The thing is that a lot of these guys will put a price on something with no facts or data to support it, and they just think "Well, I think it is worth more than this... so let's charge twice the amount" and it's just stupid. Your best bet for selling back issues is to make really good friends with http://www.comicspriceguide.com as they seem to be the best resource I've been able to find.

I concur. There are a few sellers on that site that sell older comics very cheap. When I stopped collecting a few years ago I was in the middle of Secret War and a few other story lines or limited series. I was able to go back and get the rest I needed dirt cheap from a couple of sellers. I saw those last three issues of Secret War in a comic shop for $5 apiece but paid only $1.50 on comicpriceguide.com.

[Holeman]

You need a large selection of comics, anime, trades (especially trades, turn your store into a friggin library of them) action figures (yes) statues, busts, etc. Have it all. Specialize in cult film posters and properties that aren't represented ANYWHERE in your area.

But, the #1 thing I can advise is this: Make sure at least 50% of your business is web based and concentrate on pleasing your customers to the 10th degree. If you don't feel comfortable with your own website, then start out on eBay.

[supertim]

Being courteous to customers will set you apart from the rest (even if you're the only one in the area).

A comic book store I went to in college (I still make the trip 4 times a year, mainly for business, but since I'm there, why the hell not) is the absolute best one I've ever been to, hands down.

There is a fantastic selection of everything - comics, new & vintage toys, sports cards, gaming cards:rolleyes:, anime/manga, statues, collectibles, tons of back issues, storage supplies (binders, bags & boards, etc), you name it and they've got it.

Another nice thing is that it's not just one person. The owner is the sports guy, then there's one for toys, one for comics, and always at least one person who knows just enough to get by.

They have very competitive pricing - I was literally there yesterday (on business, but lunch was spent at the store) and got a DC Direct Alex Ross Justice Flash for $14.95 + tax. It goes for about twice that much on ebay, since it's been sold out in stores for awhile. I also picked up the newest volume of Twisted Toyfare Theatre for cover price ($12.99), and about 115 baseball cards I need to complete my set ($20 including #'d rookies & inserts).

I would have bought all the DCD Justice figs I needed if I wasn't on a tight budget now (wife went back to school last month). That would have been $260 with tax, and I would have gladly paid it, because the store is great and so are the people. The owner doesn't offer a discount, but in the past I've asked him to make me deal (I was spending at least $100) and I'd save about $20 on average (done this 3 times in 5 years), depending on what it was that I was buying.

I'm not saying you should throw out deals left and right, but if I was buying 16 figures from your store that you'd been sitting on as long as a year, I'd hope you'd be willing to knock off a little bit since I was helping you clear out inventory. Loyal, long time customers is one thing, but the occasionally nugget gets people to remember you, and they'll come back.

I have a friend who owns a Quiznos (now has a Chick Fil-a, too) and he comp'd this lady's first party sub order - she has since come back on 3 seperate occassions to order (two at a time) - I don't know if I would have given it away free, but if the customer was nice or indicated they would likely order again, I might slice off 10%. It was a gamble for my friend, and it paid off. I don't know if he's done it since, but he's also a good judge of people (hence, I'm his friend:D ).

Be courteous and knowledgeable and the customers will keep coming back. Be Comic Book Guy, and watch your success evaporate. Oh, and don't dress like a hobo. The owner of the store I referred to always wears a polo tucked in with jeans (w/sneakers) or khaki pants w/a polo - usually jeans, though. He looks business casual, which is great for the environment. The other employees dress about the same, mostly t-shirts and jeans, but they are clean and don't smell.

I was on business in a large city and went to a recommended comic shop on some down time. The store was nice with a decent selection, but the prices were a bit high. That, and the employees were extremely odd and apparently weren't familiar with this new thing called personal hygeine. Only one of them asked if I had any questions, etcetera, and then disappeared. The rest of them were talking loudly about a current comic book storyline, possibly ruining it for the 6 or 8 people who were in the store at the time. After that, a couple of them went on to how the could have improved the first Star Wars movie :rolleyes: The merchandise wasn't laid out very well and the employees were for the most part, creepy. I would have bought the DCD JSA Hawkgirl, but they wanted $20 for it (it's $15 at my old hangout from yesterday) and weren't friendly or approachable.

Customer service, wide & appealing selection, good presentation (not just merchandise, but people, too), and fair/competitive pricing will keep you in the game for a long time.

The great place I went to yesterday has been around for nearly 25 years, so they must be doing something right.

EDIT:

You don't need to be in a ritzy part of town, but a decent neighborhood is key. Even though it doesn't bother me too much, I'd rather go to a store somewhere off a main thoroughfare than one located deep in Shadyville. Think modest, not ghetto.

[MofoEd]

Thought this might help, saw this on newsarama.com with a question being answered by Joe Quesada:

Q: “TheCatalyst” - I'm taking the plunge and will be opening a comic store later this year with my fiancée and a good friend as business partners. I remember reading how Marvel and DC used to help new shops get on their feet by providing racks, discounted or free stock, posters, and other neat little things like that. Is this something that Marvel still does? If not, why? And if so, who would one contact to tap into such a program?

JQ: TheCatalyst, I asked David Gabriel about this and he wanted me to relay to you that we do help out new stores, through Diamond. You just need to contact customer service at Diamond to set up their account. 1-800-452-6642. Hope that helps.

[DDTempest]

Gaming cards are money, if you don't want creepy kids hanging around the store then don't provide a place in store to play. And in my experience there are as many creepy comic book fans as there are gaming card players, so I wouldn't split hairs over it.

[MOTUfan]

Straight from Libby Brooks at Diamond:

please be advised that there are two easy ways to order from Diamond. In both cases, all orders are non-cancelable and non-returnable:



1) If you plan to start a new business carrying comics, or add comics to an existing business, you can place monthly "Initial Orders" from our Previews Order Form for items scheduled to begin shipping two months in the future. (I.E. the February Catalog is for items which start shipping in April.) Pre-ordering gives you the best pricing on the widest range of merchandise, and the greatest accessibility to "hot" product.

There is a monthly pre-ordering minimum of $425. Items with retail prices count at full retail towards this minimum, while net priced items count at cost.

Discounts will vary with the amount of your monthly order. Generally, the more you order, the higher your discount.

You must complete a full Diamond Account Application. (Please allow approximately two weeks for the processing of your Application, at which point you will receive an Account Number and be assigned a Diamond Customer Service Representative.) New businesses are usually set up on a C.O.D. basis, with extended payment terms possibly available after six months.



2) If you plan to add Diamond product lines to an existing business, and do NOT intend to order comic books, you can place "Non-Initial Orders" for future releases or in-stock items. (All orders NOT placed via a qualifying, on-time Previews Order Form are considered "Non-Initial.")

Please note that this option is generally not available to new businesses, which must place qualifying Initial Orders in order to start an account with Diamond. The qualifying opening order minimum is $425 retail value. After this initial qualifying order you may purchase product as often as you desire, with no minimums.

You must complete a full Diamond Account Application.





The application is attached to this e-mail as PDF file for your convenience. (If you cannot open this, you will need to download Adobe Acrobat free of charge from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html.) Or you can visit the website and download it from there: http://retailer.diamondcomics.com/newaccts/customer.htm



If your business is internet based, Diamond requires that you have a registered domain for your own website, have a shopping cart feature, and that you accept major credit cards from those without PayPal accounts at your site. Diamond does not sell merchandise to resellers using eBay or other auction sites as their primary sales venue. Your website must be operational before your account is opened.



If you are interested in consulting with an established, successful retailer, Joe Ferrara of Atlantis Fantasy World in Santa Cruz, CA is available. Please contact Joe at 831-426-7724, or e-mail him at joe@atlantisfantasyworld.com, or visit www.atlantisfantasyworld.com.



Additional information for potential new Diamond customers is available at

http://retailer.diamondcomics.com/newaccts/default.htm



Please call, fax, or email me with any questions you may have.



We look forward to providing you with great products and services!







Thank you,





Libby Brooks
New Accounts Coordinator
1-800-452-6642 ext. 215
1-410-560-0721 Fax
blibby@diamondcomics.com

[Psymon]

This has happened to me a lot of times, becuase comic book store owners, in my experience, think they know everything about comics. This just isn't so.

Hah, this made me think of one of my own encounters. Wrestling here just isn't popular. So, other than the really big names like Hulk Hogan, nobody here knows of any wrestlers. Some time ago "Gregory Helms" went with a "The Hurricane" persona, where he dressed up like a superhero. One of his T-shirts was the cover of the non-existant Hurricane #1 comic.

I own one of those shirts, and I wore it once when I went into a comic store. The owner didn't say anything, but you could tell from his face he was PISSED as hell that I wore a shirt of a comic he didn't even know :p. Like I said, the comic didn't exist but I obviously never told him that :D

[zonmbiehelldeath]

Also, really try to be nice to the ladies; I've had guys get very condescending to my girlfriend when she's gone to get me something at the shop, only to have her toss some comic knowledge back at them.... she's been buying longer than me. Pwnt by a chick.

Anyhow, try your damndest to be the nicest comic book store owner, it wouldn't be hard to do, as most of em are jerks. And for the love of god, don't sell Card Games and hold tournaments in your store. Sure, kids will spend whatever money they've got on you, but having a store that doesn't have 10-20 ridiculously creepy kids running around is worth not getting that extra money from them.

I'm rambling.

My fiancee isn`t into rambling about comics with fanboys (`cept me, of course..heh), but the looks on the faces of those incredibly annoying card game children when I walk in with her are just...priceless. "Wow, a woman!" Sad thing is that most of them are over 18.

Speaking of card gamers, I actually had an interesting conversation with the guy who owns the local store one morning, and he mentioned he hates the card game kids with a fiery, burning passion, but they made up a vast chunk of the store`s income- the upshot was that if he quit carrying the pokey-mon, the store would have to shut it`s doors. Worst part was when he mentioned that on 'free comic day' a year or so ago, he was trying to give the card game kids the comics, and they were flat-out refusing them on the basis of the fact that they would entail reading. Apparently, reading is an absolutely horrific proposition in the eyes of the kids these days.

Yes, I just used the phrase 'the kids these days' in a negative sense. Damn I`m getting old.

[judgedee]

and also put some tables in the store. And expect to spend nearly all your time in the store. As a comic book shop owner don't expect to take holidays. My LCS opens on christmas and new years. He doesnt take a break or anything.

And put some tables and chairs . Let people sit down and read and play card games. If you have tables then the kids will come and with that the parent's money will come too. Obviously don't let them treat it like a library but let them read some of the stuff. I know I bought tons of stuff simply because I sat down and read it and enjoyed it.

Also don't hire any help unless its a huge store which I assume you won't be doing since you are just starting. You gotta work up a loyal fanbase before you can branch out.

[Medieval Spawn]

Here is one cold hard fact that made decide not to open a store about 10 years ago but might be different now. The only person you can get new comics from is Diamond and they have very strict rules and they are the ones responsible for the high prices on comics because of there monopoly in the market. They are the only game in town so you have to play nice with them or they will take there ball and go home leaving you out in the dirt by yourself.

[avcprime]

Don't overprice back issues, some are not worth 5 bucks. Be friendly not a jerk please, that is the most important thing to remember since its your business. and always try to get what is hot a resonable price. You can buy used toys off ebay and sell them at the store.

[avcprime]

How much of a profit do owners make? from a comic lets say a 2.99 comic.