Why are comics shops closing as superheroes make a mint?8909
 I don't believe this....and I know you don't care that I don't believe this.
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Darryl_H private msg quote post Address this user | |
| few reasons, the biggest is Because we have made comic books such a specialty that most people never see them in real life. The girl in the story isn't alone.... | ||
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etapi65 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| comic store owners are forced to speculate the potential value of a book well in advance, predict order trends and deal with "subscribers" who don't pick-up comics. Their capital is tied-up in inventory that may not move for long periods of time. Additionally, they have to diversify into toys, pops, supplies. if you don't have it the irate fan-boy may never come back, but if you have too much inventory you bleed liquid assets. For rarer/older inventory their now competing globally. Online auctions sites allow for the comic buyer to look worldwide and compare prices instead of having 1-2 local shops head-hunting books they're looking for. instead of 3 shops competing in a 60 mile radius you have hundreds of shops, independent dealers, collectors all competing for the same pool of potential buyers. From the article: "One of the unique challenges in comics is the monthly gamble on what will sell. Comics released every few weeks, as opposed to the collected editions available in bookshops or on Amazon, aren’t returnable; with 600 to 1,000 such items published every month, stores must make educated guesses or be stuck with their mistakes. At OK Comics, 90% of what Myland gets in are pre-orders, with the rest put on shelves for casual customers. “Smart retailers would rather under- than over-order,” he says." But if they under-estimate then their customers just go somewhere else. do that enough times and the customer simply bails on your shop; switches to an online subscription, buys from CBCS forum flash sales, etc... |
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BrianGreensnips private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I just saw an article about this. It appears that the LCS need to order but cannot return any books. So if they make a big mistake and over order on a book that does not sell, they are stuck with all the extra copies. The profit margin for them on the comic books is very small. So if they do not supplement it with cards games and other things they just are not going to make it. One shop says that 90% of the books they order are for customers pull lists. Then the other 10% are the bigger titles like Batman,Venom etc. | ||
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OGJackster private msg quote post Address this user | |
| $3 to $5 per book every Wednesday adds up very quickly. For kids, it's near impossible to buy any quantity. Where did Blockbuster go? Digital and other online services killed them. The same thing is going to happen to businesses like Game Stop. Everything is moving to the internet. When 5G gets up and going, more services will develop online. So to answer your question... The cost of items and internet digital services. |
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 past performance is no guarantee of future actions.
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KatKomics private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @OGJackster Second your points!! $5 and up per book is insane for kids who live on $5 to $20 a week in allowance. Also, shops are going out of business precisely because they are specialty shops. Until oh the early 90's comics were on spinners at corner stores - a perfect place for a kid to hound their parents - can I have one??? can I have one???? can I have one?????!!!!! At least at the corner store or variety store guess what they had?? A "variety" of goods to cover the overhead associated with running a store. Don't need a large margin selling comics if alcohol, tobacco, pop, chips etc. are giving you more bang for your buck! Corner stores are also well...everywhere, within a few blocks for most people to get to one - how close is your nearest comic shop?? My closest shop is between work and home and is about 20 minutes of highway driving. Comics are in places that new readers can't even get to and generally are in places without tons of foot traffic because they can't afford that type of premium retail location. |
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 -Our Odin-Rest in Peace |
Jesse_O private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Honestly, I believe that over-saturation of a market is part of the problem also. I wonder how many of those stores that closed had competition within a 20-30 minute drive. I live in rural Minnesota. Nearest lcs is over two hours away. IMO, there are towns large enough to support a comic book store closer, but new shops open up in the Cities. The few comic stores that are in out-state Minnesota, are doing well and have been doing well for the last few years. I have a card and game shop, no comics, about a half hour from me. You can't tell me that the same town would not support a well run comic shop. However, in this instance, since that game shop is established already, I think you would either have to have a store with a lot of back issues that you paid 5 cents a piece for, or something besides games and cards to attract customers. | ||
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SpiderTim private msg quote post Address this user | |
| my mom sent me that article this am. @Jesse_O is right | ||
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doog private msg quote post Address this user | |
| My son has owned one for the last 2 years or so, it’s been fun to watch him grow it. Here is my take so far. New comics are dangerous, and have high cost, but a small profit can be made with careful ordering. They bring quite a few people in. Which is actually their real value. The stores who specialize in almost only new comics seem to fold the most, as the margin is too small to live on. Old comics are gold, plus selling online, getting things graded, selling at cons helps. Selling old video games, sports memorabilia, toys, statues, art, gotta pull the trigger on collectible stuff that will move. Things walk in the door, which adds to profit and inventory. Owning the building helps a lot, cost there stays flat then. Also need liquid cash on hand to complete deals, that is critical. I also notice the various dealers help each other out, rather than being cut throat, everybody wins, and it is good to see |
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BrianGreensnips private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @Jesse_O Wow, 2 hours away to an LCS. That would suck. The 2 closest ones by me both closed in the last year or so. Luckily I have one right down the street from where I work. Which is about 40 minutes from my house. I have my pull list with them now. They have a small gaming area of a hand full of tables but also still carry sports cards and there still seams to be a market for that too. I want to give them as much of my business as possible. I do not want to see them close up. Then I would have to go another 20 minutes away putting that close to an hour from my house.They have really good customer service unlike the 2 places closer to home that closed up. To me that means a lot. I will give them a plug. If you are ever in Ann Arbor, MI It is called Stadium cards and comics. | ||
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BrianGreensnips private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by doogYou should give him a plug here. Maybe some forum members would go and support it. |
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doog private msg quote post Address this user | |
| The Turning Page, Milwaukee. He plans to change the name to Milwaukee Comics and Collectibles. Has a variety. Also owns an iguana   |
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OGJackster private msg quote post Address this user | |
| iTunes killed> iPod> The Walkman> CD player> cassett player> 8-Trac player> reel to reel> record player What did I forget?  |
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-Our Odin- Rest in Peace |
Jesse_O private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by OGJackster I'm not sure, but I'm pretty positive that I had that Supertramp 8 track. |
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 Leftover Sundae Gnus
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CatmanAmerica private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Why are comics shops closing as superheroes make a mint? Comparing the public's taste for movies to comics is like flavors of ice cream: Comic book shops have more in common with rocky road than mint.   |
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gotham44 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| There are no more spinner racks for kids to buy comics anymore. My first year was only spinner rack comics and then leap frogged into buying at a comic shop after collecting and reading for awhile. There's no small risk for a parent to fork over a buck for a buck. Now its 5 bucks!! Pretty steep price to pay for a kid to start picking up as a hobby | ||
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 If the viagra is working you should be well over a 9.8.
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xkonk private msg quote post Address this user | |
| You can afford occasional fun things like movies but it's hard to afford an ongoing habit like comic books when the price of everything has gone up but we haven't paid people any more. | ||
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I don't believe this....and I know you don't care that I don't believe this.
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GAC private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by doog That's a cool Batman pic but I dont get it. Why is his leg behind his cape and his right arm looks messed up. Maybe it's a work in progress ? |
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dpiercy private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by GAC Definitely looks in progress. The cape is darkest, so it goes down first, with the grey tones being put on top of it. |
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doog private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Yes, a work in progress. Next time I fly out I will take pictures of the finished product. There is a Superman now too Done by a kid with spray paint cans |
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 Beaten by boat oars
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Studley_Dudley private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Oh good. I was thinking Liefeld was commissioned for the painting at first. |
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I don't believe this....and I know you don't care that I don't believe this.
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GAC private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Studley_Dudley Gold!!!!!!!!!!  |
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 Pictures? We don't need no stinking pictures.
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brysb private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I occasionally go into my local comic shop, but it is mainly to buy supplies, like bags, board, boxes or I may trade in a few things for store credit...that usually goes towards paying for my supplies. | ||
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 PEDIGREED... Again!
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martymann private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Is Diamond Comic Distributors the only way for retailers to acquire new comics? Marty |
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GanaSoth private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by GAC No... Batman's balancing on a wire (tight rope). Look closer. |
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GanaSoth private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @martymann Yes. Probably tied to the mob. | ||
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I don't believe this....and I know you don't care that I don't believe this.
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GAC private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by doog Cool...yeah, it looks like its incomplete...it'd be cool to see it when its finished. |
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GanaSoth private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @GAC it is finished. If ya look closer, you will see the wire Batman is balancing on. | ||
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I don't believe this....and I know you don't care that I don't believe this.
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GAC private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @GanaSoth his left foot/leg is on a wire correct...what about his right leg? Where is his right arm connected to his right hand grasping the wire? Why is his left leg behind his cape? How is this a complete picture? | ||
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GanaSoth private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @GAC I see what ya saying. Yeah, he's just gotta finish the leg & part of the arm. | ||
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