implementing a 'leave your girlfriend at home' policy in my store

[joe27]

I'm assistant manager at a comic shop and am at the end of my tether with these bloody women.

The female customers are never a problem, it's the girlfriend's of the male regulars who tag along.

These women are generally pissed off to be in a comic shop instead of someplace they want to be, but are too set in their clingy, whiny pain in the ass ways to just go by themselves. And they make sure EVERYBODY hears about it.

Everything from passive-aggressive button pushing (questioning boyfriend's age for being into comics or, in the case of nightwing readers, their sexuality), gripes about the cost (highway robbery, granted) to out and out bitchiness. It's bad enough when they direct it at their boyfriends, but this girl yesterday started being a bitch about the store and then the customers. So I told her to leave the store and not come back. She leaves and he follows. I felt bad for putting her boyfriend in the middle of it, but I guess if he wants to carry on with a nightmare like that, he should get used to his life being made miserable.

I like nice girls (the older I get, the more I respect anybody who's nice...being nice is a big deal) and I like cougars. Especially the really depraved ones. And I like Chrissie Hynde. Other than that, I've been driven to misogyny. I don't know what it is but I find women with lousy personalities FAR more offensive than their male counterparts. :confused:

[Paul McEnery]

I'm assistant manager at a comic shop and am at the end of my tether with these bloody women.

The female customers are never a problem, it's the girlfriend's of the male regulars who tag along.

These women are generally pissed off to be in a comic shop instead of someplace they want to be, but are too set in their clingy, whiny pain in the ass ways to just go by themselves. And they make sure EVERYBODY hears about it.

Everything from passive-aggressive button pushing (questioning boyfriend's age for being into comics or, in the case of nightwing readers, their sexuality), gripes about the cost (highway robbery, granted) to out and out bitchiness. It's bad enough when they direct it at their boyfriends, but this girl yesterday started being a bitch about the store and then the customers. So I told her to leave the store and not come back. She leaves and he follows. I felt bad for putting her boyfriend in the middle of it, but I guess if he wants to carry on with a nightmare like that, he should get used to his life being made miserable.

I like nice girls (the older I get, the more I respect anybody who's nice...being nice is a big deal) and I like cougars. Especially the really depraved ones. And I like Chrissie Hynde. Other than that, I've been driven to misogyny. I don't know what it is but I find women with lousy personalities FAR more offensive than their male counterparts. :confused:

Because a bully hasn't beaten you up for your lunch money in a while?

Thuggish louts are just as bad as whiny bitches -- and at least whiny bitches never shoot anyone.

[Sabrinaset]

KRIS! I told you to knock it off!

[Agent Helix]

I think we found a date for Johnny_Luck.

[joe27]

Because a bully hasn't beaten you up for your lunch money in a while?

Thuggish louts are just as bad as whiny bitches -- and at least whiny bitches never shoot anyone.

I don't know about shooting, but I've heard a lot of stories about girls swarming somebody and beating the hell out of them. There have been a few incidents like that locally where the victim was beaten the death. Girls can be incredibly violent.

[40footwolf]

KRIS! I told you to knock it off!
That was the first place my mind jumped to, too :P

Honestly, though, just kick them out if they're being dumb skeezes. Don't actually implement a "no girlfriend" policy, unless you were just joking about that part to begin with, in which case understand that I'm tone-deaf to internet humor.

[hellokittykat]

Everything from passive-aggressive button pushing (questioning boyfriend's age for being into comics or, in the case of nightwing readers, their sexuality), gripes about the cost (highway robbery, granted) to out and out bitchiness. It's bad enough when they direct it at their boyfriends, but this girl yesterday started being a bitch about the store and then the customers. So I told her to leave the store and not come back. She leaves and he follows. I felt bad for putting her boyfriend in the middle of it, but I guess if he wants to carry on with a nightmare like that, he should get used to his life being made miserable.

What was her problem with the customers? :confused: Was she just talking loud and ignorant about them, or was she actually saying rude things to them? :frown:

Why won't these girly bitches leave us nerds along?!

*runs away crying*

[DavidAllred]

It's amazing to me how many people have a opinions about comics and they've never actually sat down and read one from front to back and it does cross genders. Non-readers have a stigma about them for some reason, and girl friends and wives can be really harsh about it.

My wife is not a reader, she does have certain stigmas about the whole industry, but she only rarely complains about my hobby. I think she realizes that she has her own set of cash-drains. At she recognizes that I've actually got something to show for mine after it's all said and done.

[juggling man]

My wife reads comics.

[joe27]

What was her problem with the customers? :confused: Was she just talking loud and ignorant about them, or was she actually saying rude things to them? :frown:


There's this table in the back where a group of customers play dragon wizard dice and card games, and it's something they've worked out with the owner (I read Batman, but am basically an accountant numbers kind of guy) and they're a nice enough bunch and behave themselves.

The shrew in question was saying all this dumb shit, trying to get a reaction out of her boyfriend. When that didn't work, she turned to the robe and wand crowd and said something like "what the fuck, that's how they spend Saturday night?" quite loud.

I hate the idea of being disrespectful to anyone or being needlessly cruel or whatever and I guess I feel protective of the picked upon because they remind me of myself before I got into rock, S&M and became the raddest guy I know (not to say these guys need my protection or should get into S&M - they all seem like well adjusted fellas as is). Anyway, I'm not very tolerant when it comes to assholes. Plus, I was feeling vicariously hen-pecked by this bitch, so she had to go. Good riddance.

[Corrina]

I and I like cougars. Especially the really depraved ones.

He likes me! He really likes me!

;)

Seriously, as a retailer, there's always going to be a segment of your customers that drive you insane. And these women may not be customers but they're in your store, so they sorta are. (Not talking about the one pestering other customers--her, you had to kick out.)

For the rest, if they were coming in your house, I'd say kick them out. Since you're trying to sell comics, I might grab some comics that they might enjoy & have a stack handy at the register next time they come in, and say "You seemed to be a little bored last time, so I found these and thought you might find something interesting."

Or try having Hershey kisses at the register and offer those. Hershey kisses are the best.

[heystacy]

He likes me! He really likes me!

;)

Seriously, as a retailer, there's always going to be a segment of your customers that drive you insane. And these women may not be customers but they're in your store, so they sorta are. (Not talking about the one pestering other customers--her, you had to kick out.)

For the rest, if they were coming in your house, I'd say kick them out. Since you're trying to sell comics, I might grab some comics that they might enjoy & have a stack handy at the register next time they come in, and say "You seemed to be a little bored last time, so I found these and thought you might find something interesting."

Or try having Hershey kisses at the register and offer those. Hershey kisses are the best.

Corrina, you are so amazing. :cool: :cool: :cool:

I love reading your posts. Thought you should know.

[MartinRedmond]

I would've laughed it off. But you did the right thing.

[PKIronMan]

Post a sign that says "This is not a reading library. This is not a social experiment. This is a retail establishment and those who frequent it are expected to be courteous to all others and to the store. Please leave unsolicited opinions and offensive body odor outside the door. Thank you, The Management" ...

I posted something like that at a shop back in Florida for my friend. On the door and two other places in the actual store.

Not that it was effective. It just gave people a chuckle when they witnessed these bizarre outbursts by the non-comic fans who decide to frequent the shops on their own or with others (WHY/).

[40footwolf]

There's this table in the back where a group of customers play dragon wizard dice and card games, and it's something they've worked out with the owner (I read Batman, but am basically an accountant numbers kind of guy) and they're a nice enough bunch and behave themselves.

The shrew in question was saying all this dumb shit, trying to get a reaction out of her boyfriend. When that didn't work, she turned to the robe and wand crowd and said something like "what the fuck, that's how they spend Saturday night?" quite loud.

I hate the idea of being disrespectful to anyone or being needlessly cruel or whatever and I guess I feel protective of the picked upon because they remind me of myself before I got into rock, S&M and became the raddest guy I know

Rob Halford owns a comic book shop?!?

:eek:

Well, "the bigger they are", as the saying goes...

[section 8]

I don't know about shooting, but I've heard a lot of stories about girls swarming somebody and beating the hell out of them. There have been a few incidents like that locally where the victim was beaten the death. Girls can be incredibly violent.

My ex carried a Butterfly knife with her wherever she went.

My current GF is a comic fan, particularly of Hellboy, tho we damn near fell out over that sad sad sequel.

anyhoo, you can't ban a specific group, no matter how annoying, hell "No Loitering" doesn't even apply here.
just grin and bear it dude ask costumers to leave thier old ladies at home, but i think a "rule" is too much.

[Corrina]

Post a sign that says "This is not a reading library. This is not a social experiment. This is a retail establishment and those who frequent it are expected to be courteous to all others and to the store. Please leave unsolicited opinions and offensive body odor outside the door. Thank you, The Management" ...

I posted something like that at a shop back in Florida for my friend. On the door and two other places in the actual store.

This would not be good customer service policy.

Good customer service policy would be to provide chairs for people to read the books. Sure, some wouldn't buy them. But a bunch would feel free to flip through and then buy & keep them. That's why B&N has those comfy chairs.

[Black Vespa]

Rob Halford owns a comic book shop?!?

:eek:

Well, "the bigger they are", as the saying goes...

hahahahahahahahaha

[kingdom2000]

Its wierd how woman complain when they are forced to go shopping at places they don't like...but think nothing of forcing their men to go shopping with them at places the dude's don't like.

As for the suggestion of turning the girl into a customer with comics nearby...that is so cute! I just want to pat you on the head for the suggestion. She has a boyfriend that collects comics going into a comic book store...that sells comics but magically the store itself will create a convert of a clearly highly resistent and annoyed person but thanks to those comics they have comics handy near the counter just for her (vs the rest of the store) a convert shall be born. Those extra feet and a complete stranger's perspective brings all the difference in getting a girlfriend to accept her boyfriends interests don't you know. And yeah the sarcasm applies if do a vice versa on the sexes in the above.

I get the feeling that if this topic was "Leave your boyfriend at home policy" there would be less excuses and so forth and more "what an asshole" type comments for the person's behavior in the store.

[Monty_Cristo]

what's next, a "no more nubians" policy? i'm sure the dungeons and dragons crowd can handle themselves.

[Corrina]

Never underestimate the power of Hershey Kisses!

Especially the dark chocolate ones!

As for patting me on the head, how many retail stores have you managed, kingdom? And increased sales in them?

I have seven years experience as a retail manager. Which means I dealt with a ton of people unhappy to be in my store. Now, you can either decide your store is a fiefdom and only set people are allowed and limit sales or you can figure out a way to turn those unhappy people into customers. Your choice. But as someone with retail experience, hearing everyone say 'throw out the bitches' is a pretty darn good example of how to alienate a whole slice of people ALREADY IN YOUR STORE.

It doesn't matter how they got there. They're IN YOUR STORE. If you have a store that women like but men don't, you get them couches to sit in, you have coffee handy, and maybe some magazines so they can relax while their girl is shopping. If you're really smart, you put those chairs outside of the dressings rooms so the women can come out and say "does this look good" and the men will say "damn, you look great," (because there is no other right answer) and then you will have more sales.

You want a current comic retailer's opinion, go buzz Richard from Zeus. Or Kid Omega. I'm sure they're thrilled with the idea of driving people away from their store.

And I believe I already made it clear that throwing out the women mentioned in the original post was absolutely necessary. Because she's an ass and, more importantly from a managerial point of view, she was disrupting the other customers.

[kitty_tc_69]

Never underestimate the power of Hershey Kisses!

Especially the dark chocolate ones!

As for patting me on the head, how many retail stores have you managed, kingdom? And increased sales in them?

I have seven years experience as a retail manager. Which means I dealt with a ton of people unhappy to be in my store. Now, you can either decide your store is a fiefdom and only set people are allowed and limit sales or you can figure out a way to turn those unhappy people into customers. Your choice. But as someone with retail experience, hearing everyone say 'throw out the bitches' is a pretty darn good example of how to alienate a whole slice of people ALREADY IN YOUR STORE.

It doesn't matter how they got there. They're IN YOUR STORE. If you have a store that women like but men don't, you get them couches to sit in, you have coffee handy, and maybe some magazines so they can relax while their girl is shopping. If you're really smart, you put those chairs outside of the dressings rooms so the women can come out and say "does this look good" and the men will say "damn, you look great," (because there is no other right answer) and then you will have more sales.

You want a current comic retailer's opinion, go buzz Richard from Zeus. Or Kid Omega. I'm sure they're thrilled with the idea of driving people away from their store.

And I believe I already made it clear that throwing out the women mentioned in the original post was absolutely necessary. Because she's an ass and, more importantly from a managerial point of view, she was disrupting the other customers.

Words of wisdom. :smile:

[shrike]

I know it isn't ONLY females because I have had exes who have pulled that before.

I think it's less gender and more not understanding the medium.

[Sally Sensational]

Corrina WINS!

Seriously, at some point, those bitchy girlfriends are going to be at a loss for a birthday/anniversary/Christmas/graduation/whatever present.

Where do you want them to go and spend Daddy's hard-earned money?

[Michael P]

It's worth noting that Kid Omega hates the idea of chairs and reading for free in bookstores.

[shrike]

Other than that, I've been driven to misogyny. I don't know what it is but I find women with lousy personalities FAR more offensive than their male counterparts. :confused:

Dave Sim? Brad Meltzer? Kevin Smith...? Is that you?

[Sally Sensational]

It's worth noting that Kid Omega hates the idea of chairs and reading for free in bookstores.

Kid Omega has clearly never had to wait for 20 minutes while his child debates between the latest Junie B. Jones and the newest Goosebumps because she only has $5 to spend.

[Corrina]

It's worth noting that Kid Omega hates the idea of chairs and reading for free in bookstores.

Barnes & Noble begs to disagree. They've had a good run with it. Though I will certainly bow to Alex's expertise with his own customer base. What *mostly* works does not always work. You just have to figure out what does.

Putting up signs or glaring at people in the store--probably won't. You might just have the girl browbeat the guy into never coming into "that really rude place that doesn't like women" again. Because he's going to choose his girl over your store, most of the time.

[section 8]

depends on the girl really

[kitty_tc_69]

Corrina WINS!

Seriously, at some point, those bitchy girlfriends are going to be at a loss for a birthday/anniversary/Christmas/graduation/whatever present.

Where do you want them to go and spend Daddy's hard-earned money?

What, a gift bow and a smile isn't good enough anymore?
:confused: :biggrin:

http://www.buckeyecorner.com/images/products/200/7313023_200.jpg

[Erik Burnham]

I have neither a girlfriend or a comic book store.

...

Well, that ends my part of the conversation quick.

[twilight]

Barnes & Noble begs to disagree. They've had a good run with it. Though I will certainly bow to Alex's expertise with his own customer base. What *mostly* works does not always work. You just have to figure out what does.

I'm not sure.

All the trade paperbacks at the local Borders seem to be in terrible condition from people reading them.
It's put me off buying something I specifically went there to get more than once.

-Twi

[Typo Lad]

Hi there. I'm married nine years to a woman who had little to no interest in comics when we were dating. Despite this, she would occasionally join me in my forays into the comic book store. The staff was always polite, and when she became interested in Frank Cho, were always sure to tell her when the next issue of Liberty Meadows was out.

So yeah, sorry these women annoy you, but they're potential customers. Maybe you should, I dunno, try to cater a little?

[Paradox]

I think a better (unspoken) policy would be "if you're an asshole in my store, I'm throwing you out" and leave the gender and/or relationship out of it.

[cedardryad]

As a female comic book fan I still find it weird to see other females in comic book stores.

Two days ago I went to my LCS and there was this girlie girl who said,"Oh my God this is the best place I've ever been to!" She sounded so ditsy and she was sincere too.

[MartinRedmond]

This would not be good customer service policy.

Good customer service policy would be to provide chairs for people to read the books. Sure, some wouldn't buy them. But a bunch would feel free to flip through and then buy & keep them. That's why B&N has those comfy chairs.

I despise those people as a costumer. They just sit on that chair for HOURS. I look at them with disdain and cold, wet, antipathy.

[K'Nort]

So yeah, sorry these women annoy you, but they're potential customers. Maybe you should, I dunno, try to cater a little?

I'm with Corrina and Dox here. This sounds like an irredeemable type of non-customer. Insulting the other customers? The OP mentioned pre-existing female customers. This is specific to the ones throwing tantrums. Catering has its limits.



What I will never understand is the compulsion of couples to go into every store together regardless of personal interest. You see guys complaining about that on here regularly. It's not healthy to be joined that closely, people. Stay home if that's the whole excursion. Bring a book and wait in the car if you're doing a chain of errands. That's what we do -- keep reading material in the car. Short story collections are particularly good because then long breaks between don't matter.

[beetlebum]

EDIT: He annoys the living hell out of me - and I was referring to once they get to know him.

[K'Nort]

That's fitting, considering the fact that they despise you as well.

Maybe if you learned how to spell the word 'customer' properly and weren't such an ass, they'd like you more.

That doesn't actually make any sense. They are aware of neither his existence nor his spelling.

[MartinRedmond]

That doesn't actually make any sense. They are aware of neither his existence nor his spelling.

That is true, because if they glance back, I quickly run and hide back behind the safety of my home computer where I can be as annoying as I want to be.

[beetlebum]

....................

[MartinRedmond]

Honestly, I don't even know who you are. I was replying to Corrina.

[Typo Lad]

"Now, now... I'm sure both your mothers are very pretty."

[beetlebum]

Screw him.

I've had enough of his antics.

[MartinRedmond]

"Now, now... I'm sure both your mothers are very pretty."

Mine was until she blimped out.

[PKIronMan]

The comfy chairs examples don't work well in small comic shops that I've been privy to over across three states. The customer tears up entirely too many books versus what they purchase.

[Erik Burnham]

It's true; some comics can be read in two or three minutes. (That's too high a dollar per time of entertainment ratio!)

[Linkara]

As someone who does work at Barnes and Noble, yeah the comfy chair model works for us, but it should be noted that it works for us because more people are visiting parts of the store with books a lot larger and oftentimes more sturdy than the comics or graphic novels section. Mind you, we're also really good abotu ordering new books in case a copy or two gets damaged, but still...

In any case, we're perfectly content with people reading beforehand, because even if after reading the book they don't buy it, they may get encouraged to tell OTHERS about the book and THEY will come in and buy it, or they may come back and buy a book by the same author and trusting its judgments.

Oh, and I highly encourage you all to buy Barnes and Noble membership cards, if only for a year to try it out. ^_~ Discounts = win and they help our percentages for raises and promotions.

[section 8]

i got a Books a Million card SUCKA!!

anyhoo, Barns and Noble to Comic shops is like Apples to Oranges
The value of a comic book depends on its condition, it leads to a deterioration of said condition when fifteen different people have flipped through it with no regard, then put it back in the bag and board, and returned it to the shelf.

It takes a little more to damage a Clancy novel than an issue of spiderman.

now an area where costumers can read what they have already purchased would be a great idea! throw in some snacks and get some more of that money

[cedardryad]

When I had the grand idea of wanting to own a comic store I had a great idea.

I was going to have a comic book shop with comfy chairs and sofas and in the back I was going to have an eatery. Plus maybe an attached area with animals because I already saw a pet shop/video game store and I thought that was weird and genius.

[MartinRedmond]

Free reading doesn't work for magazines either. There's only one place that sells a good variety of mags in a town I visit but it's in a cafe where you can read before you buy. So all the mags look like crap.

[Corrina]

That's because they're making the money from the beverages and the magazines are free to get you to purchase over-priced drinks.

[LewisH]

It takes an amount of confidence and assertiveness that most of my friends who are into comics and gaming don't really have. I'm glad this particular indidual was tossed when she was rude to other customers but I think you have to handle store bannings on an individual basis. At the gaming store where I hang out on Friday's usually individuals won't get permanently banned if they are disruptive but just temporarily so they understand they crossed a line.

However, the type of situation you are dealing with here probably is going to continue until your customer dumps this girl. Control freaks don't usually get
pyschological help but just move on until they find someone who won't stand
up to them and manipulate them for the rest of their life.

http://www.ec-online.net/knowledge/Articles/control.html

[JohnPopa]

The comic shop I shop at and help out at has chairs. It works out fine, people mostly read through comics off the new rack or magazines, not trades and back issues so much.

[mgs]

Eh. If she was bothering other customers, it would've been necessary to take her aside, but I would've definitely tried the 'honey' approach first. Trying to talk some sense into her with showing her books that she might want to try, etc. If anything, a cool argument would be entertaining to the other customers to listen to. ;)hat's too high a dollar per time of entertainment ratio!)

I hate that argument. It's stupid. Skydiving, skiing, sex, let's see, what else could be applied to such a stupid time/value equation? *rolleyes*

[king mob]

There's this table in the back where a group of customers play dragon wizard dice and card games, and it's something they've worked out with the owner (I read Batman, but am basically an accountant numbers kind of guy) and they're a nice enough bunch and behave themselves.

Do they spend money? If they don't they they're a waste of time & really should go round somebody's house to play their games. Giving over valuble retail space like this is barking mad regardless of whether they do or not.

The shrew in question was saying all this dumb shit, trying to get a reaction out of her boyfriend. When that didn't work, she turned to the robe and wand crowd and said something like "what the fuck, that's how they spend Saturday night?" quite loud.

That's not a surprising reaction, I'm the same when I walk into comic shops and the owner lets his gaming pals have some space.

I hate the idea of being disrespectful to anyone or being needlessly cruel or whatever and I guess I feel protective of the picked upon because they remind me of myself before I got into rock, S&M and became the raddest guy I know (not to say these guys need my protection or should get into S&M - they all seem like well adjusted fellas as is). Anyway, I'm not very tolerant when it comes to assholes. Plus, I was feeling vicariously hen-pecked by this bitch, so she had to go. Good riddance.

So you hate being disrespectful but don't mind throwing in a little bit of casual misogyny in your description of this story.

I'm betting the shop isn't turning over a huge amount of money & has little or no passing trade outside it's core regulars. If so then Corrina presents several good ideas to help the shop increase it's turnover, plus the idea of actually having a chat with the person is a nice idea. There's a world of things that retailers can do to increase turnover & make shopping as enjoyable as possible for all involved., blaring rock music & D & D players are not appealing to casual shoppers who might buy a comic, TPB or whatever.

There's a comic shop in Nottingham (Page 45) very much along the lines of what Corrina describes. It doesn't look anything like a traditional comic shop, it looks more like a very trendy bar/cafe that happens to have fuckloads of comics in it. The staff are friendly and helpful to everyone and try to point out comics to casual shoppers.

There's another shop in Nottingham; it plays VERY LOUD HEAVY METAL, it's staff are surly, rude and smell of stale sweat and lager. They're incredibly unhelpful and only perk up when their mates come in.

Now one shop makes a load of money, one doesn't. Guess which one is turning over a very healthy profit?

[Spike-X]

Wow, your life is so sad and pathetic that you've got to take pot shots at me at every given opportunity.

Screw you , you child.
CBR's Citizen Of The Month, ladies and gentlemen.

[Spike-X]

There's a comic shop in Nottingham (Page 45) very much along the lines of what Corrina describes. It doesn't look anything like a traditional comic shop, it looks more like a very trendy bar/cafe that happens to have fuckloads of comics in it. The staff are friendly and helpful to everyone and try to point out comics to casual shoppers.

I read about them years ago in the back of Cerebus. Glad to hear they're still in business.

[tangentman]

CBR's Citizen Of The Month, ladies and gentlemen.

Because you've never lost your temper at a member who annoyed you. Nobody at CBR should cluck tongues over a member throwing a rude remark at an irritating person--we've ALL done it. None of us are blameless.

Back on topic: I think there's a balance between Joe27's recommended blanket policy and Corrina's anticipating customer needs. The woman described in the OP didn't seem like someone open to Strangers in Paradise or Hershey's kisses. She sounds like a control freak who attempted to humiliate her boyfriend into rushing--if not abandoning--his shopping stop. I'm a firm believer in the principle of a business owner's right to refuse service. That's tripled in the face of hostile, obnoxious visitors who detract from other customers' enjoyment.

However, forming a strategy to embrace casual shoppers? That's just sound business practice. If not traditional comics, what about manga, DVDs of possible interest, or other merchandise? Maybe a regular's girlfriend might take a liking to Emily dolls, or the Buffy shot glass, or Graphitti tee shirts?

[Typo Lad]

Because you've never lost your temper at a member who annoyed you. Nobody at CBR should cluck tongues over a member throwing a rude remark at an irritating person--we've ALL done it. None of us are blameless.

Down boy, down. Spike was kidding.

[Charles RB]

I read about them years ago in the back of Cerebus. Glad to hear they're still in business.

I read a claim by them a few years back that their profits have gone up and up in most of their years in business. (Dunno if that's currently true - doubt it will this year!)

[beetlebum]

Thanks tangent. :wink:

I will admit that yes, I did lose my temper; as I am human. I'm hardly the first poster to do so, and I am not perfect. As I told someone via pm today; I'm still struggling with the demons of my past.

However, I do regret bringing a conflict that started from another thread into this one. As angry as I was, I should not have done so.


I'm betting the shop isn't turning over a huge amount of money & has little or no passing trade outside it's core regulars. If so then Corrina presents several good ideas to help the shop increase it's turnover, plus the idea of actually having a chat with the person is a nice idea. There's a world of things that retailers can do to increase turnover & make shopping as enjoyable as possible for all involved., blaring rock music & D & D players are not appealing to casual shoppers who might buy a comic, TPB or whatever.

There's a comic shop in Nottingham (Page 45) very much along the lines of what Corrina describes. It doesn't look anything like a traditional comic shop, it looks more like a very trendy bar/cafe that happens to have fuckloads of comics in it. The staff are friendly and helpful to everyone and try to point out comics to casual shoppers.

There's another shop in Nottingham; it plays VERY LOUD HEAVY METAL, it's staff are surly, rude and smell of stale sweat and lager. They're incredibly unhelpful and only perk up when their mates come in.

Now one shop makes a load of money, one doesn't. Guess which one is turning over a very healthy profit?

I like that idea.

As I stated in another thread; sometimes I do feel uncomfortable in certain comic book shops because they seem really blokish.

The only comic book shop that I frequent is downtown, and it's an upstart. There's not that many customers (yet), and I've gotten to know the staff on a first name basis; so I feel comfortable there.

They don't play loud heavy metal music - they usually have the radio tuned into the local hip hop and r 'n' b station; which I don't really mind - because even though I prefer to not listen to the radio - I do like Alicia Keys, Rihanna, and a few songs by Lil Wayne.

Still; I'd love it if a store like the one you mention here in your post was in my city. The closest thing we have to it are the major chain stores - like Barnes and Nobles, DoubleDay and Borders.

And I first got into comics by dropping $20 for a graphic novel, and trade paperbacks at the aforementioned stores.

[Paul McEnery]

CBR's Citizen Of The Month, ladies and gentlemen.

I think it's tradition for the COTM to have a meltdown.

Weak of beetle not to at least get a three day ban, though. That's how the pros do it! :biggrin:

[Paul McEnery]

I have neither a girlfriend or a comic book store.

...

Well, that ends my part of the conversation quick.

A perfect customer!

Me, I think every store should hand out wiffle bats at the door to keep significant others, small children, and all other tagalongs in line.

With the stern warning that the clerk has a very pointy stick to use if the wiffle bat is not deployed, and he enjoys using it vigorously.

[beetlebum]

Oh, I've had my meltdowns before........

;)

:p

[Cam63]

I have neither a girlfriend or a comic book store.

...

Well, that ends my part of the conversation quick.

*Points and laughs at the utter failure until I remember I don't have a girlfriend or comic book store either... Consoles self with beer*

Seriously, I love Corrina's suggestions re making it a bit more comfortable place to the non comic book fan.

...and as for rude people, treat 'em the same way you'd treat a rude guest at home: show 'em the door and politely request they fuck off.

[section 8]

...and as for rude people, treat 'em the same way you'd treat a rude guest at home: .

shove a .50 Desert Eagle in their face?

somehow, I don't think that's the answer, Cam.

[Cam63]

A .50 Desert Eagle is overdoing it.

...A nine mill Browning should suffice quite nicely.

[section 8]

no self respecting creature fears a 9mm. (at least not where i come from)

you need a .45 at the very least.

[Ben Morgan]

*uses beer gun on Cam* Although I think he'd like that

[section 8]

that gives a whole new meaning to the term "doing Shot-guns"

[king mob]

I read a claim by them a few years back that their profits have gone up and up in most of their years in business. (Dunno if that's currently true - doubt it will this year!)

They're still doing very well & it helps that the shop is near Selectadisc (famous and incredibly busy record shop) in Nottingham, so they take advantage of the crossover between comics & music. They're also fairly near the uni so have a big student customer base.

This year could be a tough one but I'll bet they'll still be around when we come out of the recession.

[king mob]

They don't play loud heavy metal music - they usually have the radio tuned into the local hip hop and r 'n' b station; which I don't really mind - because even though I prefer to not listen to the radio - I do like Alicia Keys, Rihanna, and a few songs by Lil Wayne.

I don't mind shops that have the radio on, but as soon as I walk into one playing heavy metal I know exactly what sort of place it's going to be, so I tend not to stay very long.

Still; I'd love it if a store like the one you mention here in your post was in my city. The closest thing we have to it are the major chain stores - like Barnes and Nobles, DoubleDay and Borders.



Bristol had til recently one of the Travelling Man chain of comic shops. They're essentially 21st century comic shops that aren't quite Waterstones or Borders, but they're clean, bright, (a simple thing some shops don't do) well stocked with helpful staff.
Sadly Forbidden Planet decided to move 200 metres up the road & killed it off, which is something they tend to do.

[Lester C.]

The following quote from an LJ account had two words removed to protect the not-so-innocent.

Although my schedule is pretty chaotic, I do almost always get Wednesdays off so I can get my weekly stash of comics and action figures. The thing is, I like taking my fiancee with me. Well today we walked in and as usual, the guys stared at her. I stopped her before she could blurt out another insult, because I think she's about to get banned from my LCS. But anyway, here's a list of Top Ten Insults she's said while at the comic store.

10) "Wow, it smells like virgin in here!"
9) "I'm impressed so many mothers let their boys out of the basements once a week to congregate with other geeklings!"
8) "This is what happens when inbreeding became legal!"
7) "I'll bet no one here even knows what birth control is ... or needs to!"
6) "They could make a movie of this place ... "Night of the Living Dork!"
5) "I can easily tell the left-handers from the right handers in here!"
4) "Just think, if it hadn't been for a fluke of nature, all those guys could have been normal members of society!"
3) (Waving her arm about the store) "Hard to believe all that genetic potential inside humanity, and look what it got us."
2) "There's the signpost up ahead, we have just entered ... The Toilet Zone!"
1) (To a guy staring at her breasts) "Yeah, they're weird! You ever wonder what they're for?"

[Cam63]

I love Kris' wit.

[Spike-X]

"I can easily tell the left-handers from the right handers in here!"

...

...

huh?

(To a guy staring at her breasts) "Yeah, they're weird! You ever wonder what they're for?"

Nice one.

[Lester C.]

...

...

huh?



Nice one.

The comment that confused you was a masturbation joke. The mystery person is saying that since they can’t get a woman they maserbate so much that one hand and wrist is MUCH stronger than the other. I’m not saying this is true. I’m just saying that my right wrist and hand is so strong I can crush coal into diamonds like that scene in Superman:mad: :frown: :redface:

[Ben Morgan]

Of course Lester is the first one to get it.

[Lester C.]

I love Kris' wit.

Ahem!:mad:

[Lester C.]

Of course Lester is the first one to get it.

At least I don't have the largest collection of blow-up dolls on the planet.:eek:

[Ben Morgan]

At least I don't have the largest collection of blow-up dolls on the planet.:eek:

You are confusing me with your ManFaye collection.

[Lester C.]

You are confusing me with your ManFaye collection.

There is a reason why the avatar Bree drew of you is blind.:eek:

[Ben Morgan]

He just likes wearing sunglasses.

[Spike-X]

The comment that confused you was a masturbation joke. The mystery person is saying that since they can’t get a woman they maserbate so much that one hand and wrist is MUCH stronger than the other. I’m not saying this is true. I’m just saying that my right wrist and hand is so strong I can crush coal into diamonds like that scene in Superman:mad: :frown: :redface:
Ah. Gotcha.

[Paradox]

Paul McEnery must start one:

I think it's tradition for the COTM to have a meltdown.

Really? Shoot, I've missed my opportunity with all of them, then. Perhaps next time. :evilsmile:

[MartinRedmond]

The following quote from an LJ account had two words removed to protect the not-so-innocent.

She's a douche. It's like a bunch of fratboys going into a paint your own mug cafe and laughing at the old crones and crazy bitches who won't get any.

Incidentally, I went into a manga store, and there were three obese girls excited over Yaoi. I'd have felt scared if I didn't weight 400lbs myself.

[Michael P]

She's a douche. It's like a bunch of fratboys going into a paint your own mug cafe and laughing at the old crones and crazy bitches who won't get any.

Incidentally, I went into a manga store, and there were three obese girls excited over Yaoi. I'd have felt scared if I didn't weight 400lbs myself.

I am Jack's utter lack of surprise.

[Merey]

[..snip]
I like nice girls (the older I get, the more I respect anybody who's nice...being nice is a big deal) and I like cougars. Especially the really depraved ones. And I like Chrissie Hynde. Other than that, I've been driven to misogyny. I don't know what it is but I find women with lousy personalities FAR more offensive than their male counterparts. :confused:

Well, at least you're upfront about it. That's something...I guess.

[shrike]

The following quote from an LJ account had two words removed to protect the not-so-innocent.

You know... I say these same things... internally, as I'm in a comics store, a lot.

Unless someone is honestly being an asshat, though, I fail to see why you might say it out loud just to offend someone. It's actually rather rude unless it serves to make an example of someone who might be accosting you.

[shrike]

I am Jack's utter lack of surprise.

At least he owns up to it, lol.

[Paul McEnery]

Really? Shoot, I've missed my opportunity with all of them, then. Perhaps next time. :evilsmile:

You're really not supposed to campaign like that.

[Paul McEnery]

I am Jack's utter lack of surprise.

I am Jack's hiccup of dismay!

[Paradox]

Paul McEnery scoffs:

You're really not supposed to campaign like that.

Like I have to. I won one just for showing up after blowing everyone off for two years. :tongue:

[beetlebum]

I don't mind shops that have the radio on, but as soon as I walk into one playing heavy metal I know exactly what sort of place it's going to be, so I tend not to stay very long.

That's true. ;)

Bristol had til recently one of the Travelling Man chain of comic shops. They're essentially 21st century comic shops that aren't quite Waterstones or Borders, but they're clean, bright, (a simple thing some shops don't do) well stocked with helpful staff.
Sadly Forbidden Planet decided to move 200 metres up the road & killed it off, which is something they tend to do.

That happens a lot. In a lot of instances, Mom and Pop stores - or just smaller chains - have to shut their doors because they can't compete with the bigger stores.

I'm pretty sure that all of comic book stores in the city where I live are self-owned, and operated as small businesses.

Still; again; I'd love it if one of them would implement something similar to what Corrina had suggested earlier in this thread.

[Alex L]

Do they spend money? If they don't they they're a waste of time & really should go round somebody's house to play their games. Giving over valuble retail space like this is barking mad regardless of whether they do or not.


That's not a surprising reaction, I'm the same when I walk into comic shops and the owner lets his gaming pals have some space.

The local comics shop I go to has a fairly sizable amount of space devoted just to gaming (Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, et. al).

It works, because it gives the gamers a place to go. Coffee shops don't like them, because they tend to sit at the table for hours.

None of them really know each other well enough to invite everyone into their homes.

So it gives them a place to play, and keeps them buying when they would otherwise leave the hobby.

It's in the back of the store, past the toys and the comics, so they don't get in anyone's way.

[king mob]

That happens a lot. In a lot of instances, Mom and Pop stores - or just smaller chains - have to shut their doors because they can't compete with the bigger stores.

I'm pretty sure that all of comic book stores in the city where I live are self-owned, and operated as small businesses.


Forbidden Planet pursue an aggressive policy of trying to monopolise a local market within a city, even though they're not especially good at comics they do tend to be cheaper. They're now a huge chain & although their ownership is a messy affair, they're percieved as one entity trying to dominate what is a tough market in the UK.

Fortunately there's enough shops that do survive by providing the sort of service that a large fairly impersonal chain like FP can't provide. Then there's far too many examples of shops going under because they've failed to attract a wide customer base.

[king mob]

The local comics shop I go to has a fairly sizable amount of space devoted just to gaming (Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, et. al).

It works, because it gives the gamers a place to go. Coffee shops don't like them, because they tend to sit at the table for hours.

None of them really know each other well enough to invite everyone into their homes.

So it gives them a place to play, and keeps them buying when they would otherwise leave the hobby.

It's in the back of the store, past the toys and the comics, so they don't get in anyone's way.


I was perhaps a little harsh earlier but if they don't spend money then they're just a waste of retail space. Shops are running a buisness and they can't afford to provide a hang out for people who haven't anywhere better to go.

If they spend money then that's better but a shop owner has to consider whether having a load of gamers at the back of his premises isn't sending out the wrong sort of signals to potential passing trade.

Area 51, a comic shop here in Bristol, has gaming nights for gamers after their shop closes. That's a fair compromise.