Interested in Info on Opening A Comic Book Shop

[New Guy]

Hello, all

I'm interested in opening a comic book shop in my area. I am currently in the process of researching information and learning what I need to do to go about this.

If anyone has any experience or suggestions, including, but not limited to

1) Raising capital

2) Advertising

3) How many copies of "x" to order

4) Staying in business for the long haul

5) General suggestions on what I need to start (like faxes, PCs, racks, etc.)

6) How much capital is reasonably needed?

7) Anything else that you may think of


PS If this is in the wrong forum, or there is a more appropriate message board to post this to (this site is what I'm most familiar with), please let me know

Thanks,

New Guy

[Brandon Hanvey]

First check out James Sime's Comic Pimp (http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=tcp) here at CBR. It is a good column about a being a comic retailer.

1) Raising capital
A loan. Or a partner that you can trust.

2) Advertising
A phone book ad, getting listed on http://www.the-master-list.com , the Comic Shop Locator 1-888-COMIC BOOK at least. James has a lot of good ideas for advertising in his column

3) How many copies of "x" to order
That depends. each title is different. Some retailers order just enough to cover their savers plsus a few more for the rack. While others order a set amount of each title.

4) Staying in business for the long haul
Make your store the best it can be. Don't just rely on the normal routes to get your name out there. Reach out to people who do not normally read comics. be diverse and carry more indie titles. That way you can have something for everyone, and not just the typical super-hero buying crowd. Though they will pay most of the bills.

5) General suggestions on what I need to start (like faxes, PCs, racks, etc.)
A PC is good so you can keep track customers savers and daily sales.
You will have to work with Diamond Comic Distributor so contacting them phone, fax, or internet is essential.

6) How much capital is reasonably needed?
I'm not sure about that. But I think I have heard that most new businesses should have at least 6 months of capital at start-up.

7) Anything else that you may think of
I have a couple of questions, What area are you in? Does the area already have comic shops? Is it a large urban area? Will you only sell comics or will you carry other pop culture items like toys and cards? Have you talked to Diamond about setting up an account? Have you talked to store owners in your area or near your are?

[New Guy]

Hey, thanks for the response. I checked out the column, didn't find too much useful stuff, but it seems like future columns may be more up my alley. Anyway, I don't want to reveal too much information at this point, but I will say this, there are no comic shops within 30 miles of where I am. There were previously two, but they are not up right now. One will not reopen, the other may later on. Bottom line, there are people, lots of people traveling 30 miles to get there comics right now. I'm interested in getting into this market, because I love comics and I think I have a decent shot at success with the current market. My biggest question at this point, is capital: I have almost none, and I also have no credit (I'm a young guy). What I need to know, most importantly, is how much money I'll need to begin, so any new retailers who'd like to tell me how much they needed, and maybe how they got it, would be greatly appreciated. I have a few ideas, but I need some hard numbers to work with. I'm currently investigating the matter, but just one person on this site could save me hours of research by giving me even a ballpark estimate.

Thanks,

New Guy

[cactusmaac]

You could try emailing Brian Hibbs.

brian@comixexperience.com

[Joe Rice]

You could try emailing Brian Hibbs.

brian@comixexperience.com

Yup. Hibbs isn't as flamboyant/annoying as Sime, but he's been running a store well for ages. He's the man to talk to.

Also feel free to contact Alex at Rocketship (http://rocketshipstore.blogspot.com).

[Brandon Hanvey]

Here is a site you might want to check out.

http://www.thecbia.com/

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Just wanna throw out some helpful suggestions as an avid comic shop buyer. Hope this helps and all.


1. Treat your cutsomers as human beings : You ask most people here who walk into a shop , what do they treasure most ? Thats the people who stop and sit and treat you as a friend. Not someone who disregards you and treats you as scum.

That never works and you end up pissed. I've been in shops where the people act less than happy. You get the feeling they deserve to shop with demons more than people who buy.

I've been in shops and never went back to some. Even though thier closer. One shop was sold by a guy I used to go to and the new guy was a hell of a nice dude. He really wanted my business , but I'm loyal and I stuck with who pulls my comics for the last year or 2.


But the guy who owned the shop was good. He told me the ex-owner was having personal problems and nearly drove all his customers away. He ended up buyin him out finally and he seems cool with everyone.


Cards , Figures and other fun: Most shops have expanded into carrying cards , toys , and all kinds of stuff. I walk into my current shop and see hero-clix , card games going on non-stop and lots of comics and TPB's.

Lots of stores do this to make it. They have something for everyone. I suggest ya read Sime 's or Hibbs for help on this. But the most successful places I go to has it going on with this now. Nothin wrong with it , because you really can lure fans who love the card games , hero-clix and all. ;)

[Joe Rice]

Cards , Figures and other fun: Most shops have expanded into carrying cards , toys , and all kinds of stuff. I walk into my current shop and see hero-clix , card games going on non-stop and lots of comics and TPB's.

Lots of stores do this to make it. They have something for everyone. I suggest ya read Sime 's or Hibbs for help on this. But the most successful places I go to has it going on with this now. Nothin wrong with it , because you really can lure fans who love the card games , hero-clix and all. ;)

On the other hand, Rocketship doesn't carry any of that junk, and they seem to attract a wider base of customers than your average geekhut. My advice: design and design well. Make it an attractive, inviting place of business. Organize your ass completely. Order what you know you can sell. Treat it like a bookstore that happens to carry comics.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

On the other hand, Rocketship doesn't carry any of that junk, and they seem to attract a wider base of customers than your average geekhut. My advice: design and design well. Make it an attractive, inviting place of business. Organize your ass completely. Order what you know you can sell. Treat it like a bookstore that happens to carry comics.


I think what seperates Rocketship ( which I saw the cool pics ..nice ) and the shop I'm detailing is the location. My shop is in a small city of Roanoke VA , where it and B & D Comics are the main places. In New York its a bigger city and I can see how they wouldn't need the cards and crap to do it.

[Joe Rice]

I think what seperates Rocketship ( which I saw the cool pics ..nice ) and the shop I'm detailing is the location. My shop is in a small city of Roanoke VA , where it and B & D Comics are the main places. In New York its a bigger city and I can see how they wouldn't need the cards and crap to do it.

Good point. Rocketship is a very unusual store. They sell more D&Q anthologies than Batmans. They sell out of Krazy Kat and Peanuts, but never JLA.

[Brandon Hanvey]

Good point. Rocketship is a very unusual store. They sell more D&Q anthologies than Batmans. They sell out of Krazy Kat and Peanuts, but never JLA.

Rocketship is the Bizarro of comic shops.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Good point. Rocketship is a very unusual store. They sell more D&Q anthologies than Batmans. They sell out of Krazy Kat and Peanuts, but never JLA.


If I ever get my ass to New York I'm gonna check it out. Be a must go place. I've looked at the pics and all. :)

[Joe Rice]

Rocketship is the Bizarro of comic shops.

Or vice versa . . .

[jemurr]

I've thought of the same thing myself and have heard from talking to retailers between $60000-$100000 for starting capital costs.

Don't forget that it is a business, it is still work, it is still crunching numbers.A lot of comic shops closed after the crash in 93, for a lot of different reasons. I may get some boos for saying this but I've heard that some of them that closed were run by kids who were like "Cool I own a comic shop, and thought it was just hanging out and reading comics all day.

Also, you can't just sell what you like. Knew a guy who ran a shop in a real small town, which was a strike against him to begin with, and tried to focus on independent stuff instead of what sells. (Hate to say that, because I do independent stuff myself, but it's true) I remember that movie Comic Book Villains, where the one owner shouts at the other calling her a magic card seller. You pretty much need to diversify nowadays. If Yu-Gi-Oh or whatever the newest manga/anime thing is really gets on your nerves, but sells like crazy, you need to carry it to stay open. Comic books have a razor thin profit margin so you have to do what it takes to stay in business.

Lastly, if possible, some other income coming in helps. I think with small business in general it takes forever to actually see a profit.

Hope that helps.