LCS Owner Just Can't Get It.

[greg]

One other Simpsons that's pretty good is the one where
Bart & Milhouse end up running the comic book store...
(I forget why... I think Comic Book Guy was in love with Skinner's mom.)

Anyway, Bart leaves Milhouse in charge of the shop for a minute
and Milhouse gets talked into ordering thousands of copies
of some comic book because the hero wears glasses.

[Daniel Jackson]

That one is hilarious too. If it's the one where Comic Book Guy has a heart attack then Bart and Milhouse run his shop then the episode is called "Worst Episode Ever". They also find a hidden stash of Comic Book Guys hidden videos and charge everybody to watch them.

[X-O HoboJoe]

He's probably told me the one about the girls, his black Tran Am, and his bat suit 20 times or more. Although the story does change some each time he tells it, I really think he believes it .

Oh yeah, I remember when he started that one, It began with someone else in the Batsuit, and I guess has evolved into pathetic lie of the week #127. Yeah, the self-published comic does suck major *SQUEE*. Most pathetic excuse for a story I've ever seen. The art does get better tho, once Shatner hired someone else to do it.

[DawgPhan]

Well, "Comic book guy" on the Simpsons certainly isn't far off.

Yeah, they got it right. Have they ever had a "comic book collector" character on the Simpsons? It would be interesting to see how dorky I am through the characteristics of a Simpsons' charater.

Several of the "nerd" characters on the simpsons have been seen at the bi-mon-sci-fi-thon, in the andriod's dungeon, and other comic related places. Mainly nerdy is nerdy to them. Collecting comics and math go hand in hand.

As for your LCS...I gotta say that there is a store near me that has a good stack of the books I need, but they are priced at cover +$.25. I dont know how came up with that idea but I sure would like to settle his hash.

Honestly it would have to be a fairly good book for me to want to even pay cover for it much less over cover..

[400yrs]

As for your LCS...I gotta say that there is a store near me that has a good stack of the books I need, but they are priced at cover +$.25. I dont know how came up with that idea but I sure would like to settle his hash.

There is a store here tha does that too and a lot on the boards have been complaining about it as well. I guess it's considered a "stocking" fee - if yu don't buy it new, you're gonna have to pay an extra quarter. WTF is that? I don't go to that crappy store anymore.

[dave]

there is a tor around here that i rarely frequent...they have a wall of back issues, all in short boxes. they're behind the counter, and NO you can't look at them. well, maybe. what are you looking for?! (said in the same why you would ask your pesky negihbor's kid-what do you want?!)

Anyway the guy has some stuff. I know he does. if i could just get them to leave the store or be distracted I could probably find $300 worth of books to buy-but they make it so difficult. These guys have nearly every TPB i have ever seen available on the shleves in the store-I'm thinking thy must have copies of predator magnus. the store is actually a movies/comics store. he also sells a bunch of cards.

(sorry i'm rambling so much)

i haven't been to the store in about a year. when i went back, i found a bunch of valiant cards in the bargain wrapped up "mystery packs" that they make. there were unity cards AND ve-ii cards in there-so i started getting excited. I'm figuring they must have more of them somewhere-because these were never there before-maybe even unopened packs?
i ask the guy, "do you have any mor..." "NO." he says before i can even finish. i decided to ask if he has any magnus robot fighter books (simply for name recognition) "No." He says again. I KNOW that he had 5 copies of predator magnus 1 and 2 last time i was there-full price. I KNOW that no one came in and bought them, but the guy is SURE he doesn't have anything without even looking. It's weird. It's like he doesn't even want to make any sales.

i guess, i'm exaggerating a bit about his "annoyed" attitide-he's not actually rude or anything, or else i would right him off like i have to 3 others around here...

[dbest4u]

about six years ago in a shop on bird road in Miami, I pulled a handfull of pre-unity valiants out of random back issue long boxes. Most of the stuff in the store was reasonably priced, but these were all listed at peak 92-93 prices, like 100+ for a solar 10. I assumed, they would realize the prices were outrageous and ring them up something normal, at the time I might have paid 5 or 10 bucks for that 10, it was in great condision. When I went to the counter, however, he totaled it up as 475 dollars or something ridiculous. I kinda smiled and asked if he was kidding. His relpy was, " I could probably go as low as 400, but we have a lot of money tied up in those." I couldn't believe it, 1999, I had purchased a complete carded magnus 1-8 for 5 bucks the week before and here this guy was asking me for 400. I said no, and then he told me to put them back if I didn't want them!.I basically laughed at him, and he banned me from the store for not putting the books back. Wow

Thats some funny sh#t man. I went to that same hole like 3 years ago, and picked up lots of last issues and some hole fillers for a buck, there was some fat dude(comic guy look alike). The week after I came back for the finishing and I guess his boss was there, asks him first and charges me like $5 a book. I was like u just sold them to me for a buck last week, all he said was "u want them or not" and pulled them from my hand, I told him "keep your junk another 10 years fellow, ciao" I never gone back, I took what I needed first time around, I think there was still some pre-unitys not worth my trouble I gots enough books. He must hate me too, I made a big mess on the back, I broke 2 of the long boxes . Thanks for the memories

JS

[Daniel Jackson]

That's the best part, seeing the looks on their faces when they know they have to put the overpriced books back. Sometimes these guys don't even have a clue what box you got them out of.

[ZephyrWasHOT!!]

I get some sense of satisfaction buying 200 bags & boards in there, and nothing else.
It is a nice, subtle way to say... "I bought lots of books lately... elsewhere."

...earlier adventures...

Huh. It's very nice, and very subtle.

In fact, I can tell you exactly how much I've spent at a LCS in the last 5 years....$30. That was for the signed and numbered Batman Son of the Demon HC.

And THOUSANDS on bags and boards.

Very nice...and very subtle....the boys even mention 'gosh, you're sure buying a lot of books'....as the same books sit, year after year after year....in the same cabinets.

Oh, wait...I take that back...I do buy 30 or so copies of Justice League #1 from him for $1 each.

Eh. I'm weak.

[ZephyrWasHOT!!]

Case in point....sorry, I'm repeating myself, but here goes...

I just spent $1100 on TWO..count them, TWO...Batman books...GRANTED, they were both piles of trash, but still....

And that's not all I've bought.

I've spent (no foolin') $60,000 on my Paypal account since opening it in 2000.

That's $12,000 A YEAR on back issues, plus various porn rags, smut tapes, lingerie, etc...but that only totals about $400.

I digress...

$12,000 A YEAR on back issues.

ONE GUY.

JUST ME.

Did you know, $12,000 a year from ONE CUSTOMER can SINK or FLOAT a whole shop?

Sometimes more?

$12,000 a year can be the difference between holding out another year, and closing up.

AND THAT'S JUST PAYPAL. That doesn't include ANY of the stuff I bought OFF LINE, or with a CHECK/MO. JUST PAYPAL.

And do you know how much money I've spent in my LCS in the last 5 years?

Lessee...in Golden Apple, about $1600 ($300-$400 every time they had a '10 cent' sale...which they've stopped....and so I won't return.)

House of Secrets, the ONLY LCS that will sell for MARKET...and not GUIDE...probably about $5000-$6000 since moving here in 1999.

Every place else? $100, here and there, AT BEST.

I am a HIGH VOLUME, HIGH DOLLAR collector with MONEY TO SPEND.

Do these people care?

No.

They want to hang on to their crap, trying to eke out absolute top dollar, until they go under.

There hasn't been a REAL back issue shop that I know of since the very early 1990's....you know, shops that BOUGHT stuff for what it would SELL for plus their slight markup.

Shops that BUY Amazing Spiderman #252 for $5 NM, and SELL it for $7-$10..because THAT is what it will sell for....not some stupid $32.

DUH.

Do they learn? No.

Cons are different...you know, I used to get a HELL of a lot of flack and attitude from these dealers until I learned how to play the game....they'd get all *SQUEE* with me and say 'do you know how much this cost me to buy?' and I'd get all passive and say 'well, ya know, sorry'

Those days are long gone.

When that line...or any line LIKE that...is thrown at me, I respond immediately with 'I COULD NOT care less what you paid, all that matters is what *I* will pay YOU right NOW.'

...and then, to diffuse the hostility (cause you know it causes it)...I say 'but, if you can get more for it from someone else (while handing said items back to dealer) by all means, please...they're YOUR books!'

How's THAT for being a talented "passive/aggressive" (but in reality, I pay what *I* want, and not a DIME more)" buyer?

<smirk>

And you know what? That's worked now for 10 years.

Hey..if someone CAN get more....GET IT! They don't need ME, they need to do what's best for them! There is NOTHING...with the exception of the VcVSS..that I cannot find SOMEWHERE ELSE...probably for CHEAPER....and if a dealer can get more, more power to him!

But if he CAN'T.....I'm there, cash in hand.

Yay capitalism!

[SolarFan777]

$12,000 A YEAR on back issues.

BTW, does anyone remember if ZWH posted on the "what do you do for a living thread"?

[jedimarley]

$12,000 A YEAR on back issues.

BTW, does anyone remember if ZWH posted on the "what do you do for a living thread"?

Male prostitute.

[SolarFan777]

$12,000 A YEAR on back issues.

BTW, does anyone remember if ZWH posted on the "what do you do for a living thread"?

Male prostitute.

I was thinking black market book sales... selling Turok #1 to Russian kids for $5 a piece.

[ZephyrWasHOT!!]

$12,000 A YEAR on back issues.

BTW, does anyone remember if ZWH posted on the "what do you do for a living thread"?

Male prostitute.

I wish.

Sadly, my body isn't chiseled...sigh...and my ethics aren't weak...sigh....

[cinlach@aol.com]

i bet hanging out at a con with zeph would be a laugh riot.

i dig people who just speak their minds. nothing *SQUEE* me off more then talking to someone for 15 minutes and then when the conversation is over you have no more idea of what their opinions are then you did before you started.

i have a simple rule. it is in effect for all areas of my life: work, family, wife, friends...everything, if you don't want my opinion...don't ask.

i'm not doing you any good when you ask for my opinion and i don't give it to you. but prepare yourself, it may not be what you're wanting to hear. if you want me to say what you want to hear then tell me what to say...but don't ask for my opinion.

it doesn't mean i'm not still your friend, it doesn't mean i'm trying to be a butthole, it doesn't mean i'm insensitive to your situation...quite the opposite. i appreciate the trust placed in me by those who respect me enough to ask my opinion that i owe it to them to make sure i give it to them whole and unedited.

that's why i get along so well with my boss. i've been here 10 years and my boss knows that if he needs an honest opinion on something, i'm the guy to come to. i'm not gonna brown nose him, tell him how much i like his rolex...kiss his *SQUEE* for 5 minutes. he knows i'll tell him what i think. and believe me, in this office thats a precious commodity.

so 3 cheers to zeph! may he live long and continue to share with the world!

[DawgPhan]

The thing is that most LCS dont have any idea about how much money you want to spend. Any new face that walks into that store could have just won the lottery, but they still act like everyone is a punk kid with sticky fingers whose mom is in the shop next door...it is just silly...especially when I want in wearing nice clothes and I clearly am over 12....Of course I could have sticky fingers depending on if a trip to the pink pony was made on the way home...

It is really a wonder that any comic book shops exists...it is like they survive in spite of themselves...like god is punishing them by making their store stay open..

[whetteon]

i bet hanging out at a con with zeph would be a laugh riot.

i dig people who just speak their minds. nothing *SQUEE* me off more then talking to someone for 15 minutes and then when the conversation is over you have no more idea of what their opinions are then you did before you started.

i have a simple rule. it is in effect for all areas of my life: work, family, wife, friends...everything, if you don't want my opinion...don't ask.

i'm not doing you any good when you ask for my opinion and i don't give it to you. but prepare yourself, it may not be what you're wanting to hear. if you want me to say what you want to hear then tell me what to say...but don't ask for my opinion.

it doesn't mean i'm not still your friend, it doesn't mean i'm trying to be a butthole, it doesn't mean i'm insensitive to your situation...quite the opposite. i appreciate the trust placed in me by those who respect me enough to ask my opinion that i owe it to them to make sure i give it to them whole and unedited.

that's why i get along so well with my boss. i've been here 10 years and my boss knows that if he needs an honest opinion on something, i'm the guy to come to. i'm not gonna brown nose him, tell him how much i like his rolex...kiss his *SQUEE* for 5 minutes. he knows i'll tell him what i think. and believe me, in this office thats a precious commodity.

so 3 cheers to zeph! may he live long and continue to share with the world!

And don't ask unless you have 20mins to burn too right?

I kid, I kid.

[ZephyrWasHOT!!]

....Of course I could have sticky fingers depending on if a trip to the pink pony was made on the way home...

That's just wrong. Hilarious. But wrong. So, so wrong.

[gowaltrip]

I generally dont have any problems with the local Comic Stores, most of them are great people making a living dealing with a product I like. I sometimes wish I was doing the same thing.

However, Im not sure if any of you guys have stores like this, but Im thinking it comes with the territory and everyone has a LCS nearby with this problem. At least one!

There are a few Comic Stores nearby that have been around since the beginning of Comic Book Stores. Like the Late 70's around here. Since they dont tend to update prices too much, I stop by periodically to see if I can find something that slipped through the cracks. Usually I can find a few that makes it worth the trip. However, the problem is, the dang store is just so freakin dirty!!!

The tops of the books are so dusty I have blackened fingertips when I leave. There is ALWAYS TONS of BOXES on top of the books that are always on a section I want to look at. I generally move them like I own the place. Many boxes on the floor that are just begging to be tripped over, scattered everywhere, waiting for someone to sue them! Hasnt been vacuumed since the 80's. Smells like old Mildew throughout the store (how can you work there?)

Then you come back 9 months later, and its exactly the same. Nothing is better. Sometimes worse. Its like

Hello!!!! You run a comicbook store!!!

What ELSE do you have to do!!!!

Pick up the place for gosh sakes!!! :x

[AzbatX]

I generally dont have any problems with the local Comic Stores, most of them are great people making a living dealing with a product I like. I sometimes wish I was doing the same thing.

However, Im not sure if any of you guys have stores like this, but Im thinking it comes with the territory and everyone has a LCS nearby with this problem. At least one!

There are a few Comic Stores nearby that have been around since the beginning of Comic Book Stores. Like the Late 70's around here. Since they dont tend to update prices too much, I stop by periodically to see if I can find something that slipped through the cracks. Usually I can find a few that makes it worth the trip. However, the problem is, the dang store is just so freakin dirty!!!

The tops of the books are so dusty I have blackened fingertips when I leave. There is ALWAYS TONS of BOXES on top of the books that are always on a section I want to look at. I generally move them like I own the place. Many boxes on the floor that are just begging to be tripped over, scattered everywhere, waiting for someone to sue them! Hasnt been vacuumed since the 80's. Smells like old Mildew throughout the store (how can you work there?)

Then you come back 9 months later, and its exactly the same. Nothing is better. Sometimes worse. Its like

Hello!!!! You run a comicbook store!!!

What ELSE do you have to do!!!!

Pick up the place for gosh sakes!!! :x

You wouldn't be talking about Trilogy would you? I was there on Saturday and I gotta say I agree. What's worse is usually the boxes I want to look thru there are filled over what should be in them. I got to take some of the stuff out just to look at the books. Then of all things the books are in bad condition for the most part. Sometimes, actually rarely, you can get a good deal there. A lot of their stuff should be in the 50 cent and dollar boxes but they put them out with a sticker price of 25 cents above cover.

Here is something else I don't like and maybe some of you have seen this as well. You go to pay for your books and the guy behind the counter has to put down his greasy chicken or pizza ect. to ring you up. Not even bothering to wipe their hands they pick up your books and get the flavor of the day all over them. It's very upsetting, at least to me. I end up having to go back to the wall and exchange them out if they got any more copies.

-Josh-

[gowaltrip]

You wouldn't be talking about Trilogy would you? I was there on Saturday and I gotta say I agree. What's worse is usually the boxes I want to look thru there are filled over what should be in them. I got to take some of the stuff out just to look at the books.

Thats another place that could use a good bath, although they are bad, the one I was really referring to was Zeno's. I picked up a NM Magnus #0 in there about a year ago for $4, so its worth the funk, boxes, mildew, etc to check it out once in a while. But Trilogy is the KING of stuffing 300 books in 1 box. Another trait both stores share, comic bags that are like 20 years old. So milky and pasty you can barely see the book. If your interested in a book at all, your taking it out of the bag to actually see if its worth it.

[lobo]

I say nuke the *SQUEE* from orbit... it's the only way to be sure.

Aliens!



Right?

[ZephyrWasHOT!!]

You go to pay for your books and the guy behind the counter has to put down his greasy chicken or pizza ect. to ring you up. Not even bothering to wipe their hands they pick up your books and get the flavor of the day all over them. It's very upsetting, at least to me. I end up having to go back to the wall and exchange them out if they got any more copies.

-Josh-

Yeah, I just make a big show about putting those copies back and picking out ANOTHER copy.

[ZephyrWasHOT!!]

about six years ago in a shop on bird road in Miami, I pulled a handfull of pre-unity valiants out of random back issue long boxes. Most of the stuff in the store was reasonably priced, but these were all listed at peak 92-93 prices, like 100+ for a solar 10. I assumed, they would realize the prices were outrageous and ring them up something normal, at the time I might have paid 5 or 10 bucks for that 10, it was in great condision. When I went to the counter, however, he totaled it up as 475 dollars or something ridiculous. I kinda smiled and asked if he was kidding. His relpy was, " I could probably go as low as 400, but we have a lot of money tied up in those." I couldn't believe it, 1999, I had purchased a complete carded magnus 1-8 for 5 bucks the week before and here this guy was asking me for 400. I said no, and then he told me to put them back if I didn't want them!.I basically laughed at him, and he banned me from the store for not putting the books back. Wow

Isn't that behavior just mind boggling?

You know what the response to that is?

'Hey....I have some Enron stock I bought for about $60 a share....but I'll sell it to you for $50 each! I can't sell then for less, because I have wayyyyy too much money tied up in it. What do you say?'

Might make a difference. Probably won't. But, the point will have been made QUITE CLEARLY.

Then, of course, as you walk out, shout 'it's idiots like you that make eBay so wildly successful. Good luck!'

[SolarFan777]

about six years ago in a shop on bird road in Miami, I pulled a handfull of pre-unity valiants out of random back issue long boxes. Most of the stuff in the store was reasonably priced, but these were all listed at peak 92-93 prices, like 100+ for a solar 10. I assumed, they would realize the prices were outrageous and ring them up something normal, at the time I might have paid 5 or 10 bucks for that 10, it was in great condision. When I went to the counter, however, he totaled it up as 475 dollars or something ridiculous. I kinda smiled and asked if he was kidding. His relpy was, " I could probably go as low as 400, but we have a lot of money tied up in those." I couldn't believe it, 1999, I had purchased a complete carded magnus 1-8 for 5 bucks the week before and here this guy was asking me for 400. I said no, and then he told me to put them back if I didn't want them!.I basically laughed at him, and he banned me from the store for not putting the books back. Wow

Isn't that behavior just mind boggling?

You know what the response to that is?

'Hey....I have some Enron stock I bought for about $60 a share....but I'll sell it to you for $50 each! I can't sell then for less, because I have wayyyyy too much money tied up in it. What do you say?'

Might make a difference. Probably won't. But, the point will have been made QUITE CLEARLY.

Then, of course, as you walk out, shout 'it's idiots like you that make eBay so wildly successful. Good luck!'

I know what you mean. We have had 3-4 LCS go out of business since I can remember. So I got like 4 shops in a 25 mile radius. One shop I like is clean and organized but not a .25 or .50 cent bin in sight. EVERY back issue he has is cover price or more!

How about this- I found a blue Harby #0 by it self (not with the TPB) for $20.

Although I did pick up a Chaos Omega Gold for $5. ...and that's why I go back.