Comments on: Behind The Counter #169 http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2006/10/22/behind-the-counter-169/ Your Source for All Things Geek -- Comics, Movies, Music and, well, Geeks. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:51:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Brian http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2006/10/22/behind-the-counter-169/#comment-324 Brian Tue, 31 Oct 2006 04:19:18 +0000 http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2006/10/22/behind-the-counter-169/#comment-324 Jay beats me with a stick, when I walk in the store, yelling at me the whole time. And I saw Bryan with a bat in hand the other day. But it's still better then the service I get at Wal-mart ;) Just kidding folks, Jay just yells at me, he don't beat me with a stick. ....well not <i>everytime<i> I come to the store Bri Jay beats me with a stick, when I walk in the store, yelling at me the whole time.

And I saw Bryan with a bat in hand the other day.

But it’s still better then the service I get at Wal-mart ;)

Just kidding folks, Jay just yells at me, he don’t beat me with a stick.

….well not everytime I come to the store

Bri

]]> By: Serge http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2006/10/22/behind-the-counter-169/#comment-323 Serge Mon, 30 Oct 2006 05:36:19 +0000 http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2006/10/22/behind-the-counter-169/#comment-323 I have to say that after reading The Sheppards article above I was taken over by a warm fuzzy feeling. A mega store with great inventory and excellent pricing! This is ever collectors dream whether it be comics, sports cards or collectibles. I agree that a chain of stores would be the best thing for the industry. The posibilities for growth would be limitless. Kids today don't read because they aren't exposed to the variety of material that I was as a kid. A little exposure to todays young generation would turn a lot of kids onto comics and reading in general. The biggest challenge I could forsee would be finding the "right" staff. The proper staff can make any shopping experience a positive one. With the increasing cost of labor it would seem difficult to find and retain the "right" people. People with the skills that Jay and Shawna have do not grow on trees. Next time you are shopping take a close look at the service you are getting. Guaranteed it's not as good as what you get on a daily basis at HH. I have to say that after reading The Sheppards article above I was taken over by a warm fuzzy feeling. A mega store with great inventory and excellent pricing! This is ever collectors dream whether it be comics, sports cards or collectibles.

I agree that a chain of stores would be the best thing for the industry. The posibilities for growth would be limitless. Kids today don’t read because they aren’t exposed to the variety of material that I was as a kid. A little exposure to todays young generation would turn a lot of kids onto comics and reading in general.

The biggest challenge I could forsee would be finding the “right” staff. The proper staff can make any shopping experience a positive one.

With the increasing cost of labor it would seem difficult to find and retain the “right” people. People with the skills that Jay and Shawna have do not grow on trees. Next time you are shopping take a close look at the service you are getting. Guaranteed it’s not as good as what you get on a daily basis at HH.

]]> By: Happy Harbor Comics http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2006/10/22/behind-the-counter-169/#comment-322 Happy Harbor Comics Fri, 27 Oct 2006 19:37:19 +0000 http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2006/10/22/behind-the-counter-169/#comment-322 Dollman, Of course, the chain element wouldn't be perfect, almost a necessary evil as it were. Also, it's unlikely that a comic store chain would compare, store by store, in size to Wal-Mart or any other. They would still be under 5,000 sq ft (probably) as compared to 20,000 and more of any other chain. Think of lingere stores, shoe stores, jewerly stores, etc. Small shops but as part of a chain they have massive revenues, fantastic advertising potential and each store is, generally, well-staffed as it is not a massive warehouse of product that needs to be manned by a small army. One good GM and a couple of well picked staff can make any store welcoming. Dollman,
Of course, the chain element wouldn’t be perfect, almost a necessary evil as it were. Also, it’s unlikely that a comic store chain would compare, store by store, in size to Wal-Mart or any other. They would still be under 5,000 sq ft (probably) as compared to 20,000 and more of any other chain.

Think of lingere stores, shoe stores, jewerly stores, etc. Small shops but as part of a chain they have massive revenues, fantastic advertising potential and each store is, generally, well-staffed as it is not a massive warehouse of product that needs to be manned by a small army. One good GM and a couple of well picked staff can make any store welcoming.

]]> By: Dollman http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2006/10/22/behind-the-counter-169/#comment-321 Dollman Fri, 27 Oct 2006 06:44:51 +0000 http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2006/10/22/behind-the-counter-169/#comment-321 I'm really on the fence with this. When Chapters first arrived in town circa 1997, I was pretty adamant that I would never buy from them. To me, Chapters' Wal-Mart approach to book retailing, represented everything I hated about big business. I rather support the local Greenwoods and Audreys. This "holier than thou" attitude ended the minute I stepped into the first store on Calgary Trail. While staffers were generally not as knowledgeable as the indies...man their selection was incredible! Plus they had lots and lots of couches and easy chairs for people just to browse or read an entire book if you wanted. Naturally, acting as a quasi-library was bad business practices for Chapters. This practice was quickly squashed when the evil Heather Reisman and her vulture funding husband Gerald Schwartz save Chapters from bankruptcy and merged it with Reisman's Indigo Books. Still, it was pretty cool when Chapters pre-Indigo ownership, was able willing to let people try a book for buying. I always ended up buying a book or two when I took advantage of their generous lounging policies. The charm of HH is that employs the best practices of a big chain like Chapters, but within the confines of small shop. While I applaud Jay's vision, I can't see how you can maintain the personal connections in a chain setting. This past weekend, my buddy and I just bs with Jay for a good two hours on a lazy Saturday on both the business of the hobby and the hobby itself. I'd hate to lose those conversations, which inevitably will disappear in a chain environment. I’m really on the fence with this. When Chapters first arrived in town circa 1997, I was pretty adamant that I would never buy from them. To me, Chapters’ Wal-Mart approach to book retailing, represented everything I hated about big business. I rather support the local Greenwoods and Audreys.

This “holier than thou” attitude ended the minute I stepped into the first store on Calgary Trail. While staffers were generally not as knowledgeable as the indies…man their selection was incredible! Plus they had lots and lots of couches and easy chairs for people just to browse or read an entire book if you wanted.

Naturally, acting as a quasi-library was bad business practices for Chapters. This practice was quickly squashed when the evil Heather Reisman and her vulture funding husband Gerald Schwartz save Chapters from bankruptcy and merged it with Reisman’s Indigo Books.

Still, it was pretty cool when Chapters pre-Indigo ownership, was able willing to let people try a book for buying. I always ended up buying a book or two when I took advantage of their generous lounging policies.

The charm of HH is that employs the best practices of a big chain like Chapters, but within the confines of small shop. While I applaud Jay’s vision, I can’t see how you can maintain the personal connections in a chain setting.

This past weekend, my buddy and I just bs with Jay for a good two hours on a lazy Saturday on both the business of the hobby and the hobby itself. I’d hate to lose those conversations, which inevitably will disappear in a chain environment.

]]> By: Happy Harbor Comics http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2006/10/22/behind-the-counter-169/#comment-319 Happy Harbor Comics Thu, 26 Oct 2006 17:14:39 +0000 http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2006/10/22/behind-the-counter-169/#comment-319 In response to the Mile High question, Mr. Rozanski, owner of the stores, is a firm believer in internet sales FIRST. In his series of articles in the Comics' Buyers Guide, he has said repeatedly that the only way for new comic stores to survive is to go on the net becasue the overhead costs of a brick and mortar are too high (in his opinion). And Mile High has had other stores that have come and gone though I can't say for sure if they ever had more than 4 at one time. However, their purchasing practices of attending cons and cleaning out $0.25 and $0.50 bins and building their inventory has worked for them but done little to help the industry as a whole. In response to the Mile High question, Mr. Rozanski, owner of the stores, is a firm believer in internet sales FIRST. In his series of articles in the Comics’ Buyers Guide, he has said repeatedly that the only way for new comic stores to survive is to go on the net becasue the overhead costs of a brick and mortar are too high (in his opinion).
And Mile High has had other stores that have come and gone though I can’t say for sure if they ever had more than 4 at one time. However, their purchasing practices of attending cons and cleaning out $0.25 and $0.50 bins and building their inventory has worked for them but done little to help the industry as a whole.

]]> By: Kevin Sole http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2006/10/22/behind-the-counter-169/#comment-300 Kevin Sole Mon, 23 Oct 2006 14:29:40 +0000 http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2006/10/22/behind-the-counter-169/#comment-300 I entirely agree. Maybe it's influenced by the fact that I used to work behind the counter, but I realize the potential, and even the necessary aspects of this for the industry as a whole to grow. I'm fairly sure Steven Grant commented on this before; that, comic stores need to start acting more professional. To the extent of wearing something resembling a uniform, and nametags. It'd be a start, at the very least. But a chain of stores, wow. The possibilities. I had so many thoughts about streamlining the operation when I worked at CK; none of them were particularily listened to though. But I recall a lot of it having to do with using the power of the internet to keep in touch with your customer base regarding what comics are shipping (specifically in their file), what comics we are recommending (based on their file). There is just unlimited possibiltiies, and bring that sensibility to a chain... it'd work! I entirely agree.

Maybe it’s influenced by the fact that I used to work behind the counter, but I realize the potential, and even the necessary aspects of this for the industry as a whole to grow.

I’m fairly sure Steven Grant commented on this before; that, comic stores need to start acting more professional. To the extent of wearing something resembling a uniform, and nametags. It’d be a start, at the very least.

But a chain of stores, wow. The possibilities. I had so many thoughts about streamlining the operation when I worked at CK; none of them were particularily listened to though. But I recall a lot of it having to do with using the power of the internet to keep in touch with your customer base regarding what comics are shipping (specifically in their file), what comics we are recommending (based on their file). There is just unlimited possibiltiies, and bring that sensibility to a chain… it’d work!

]]> By: Brian http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2006/10/22/behind-the-counter-169/#comment-299 Brian Mon, 23 Oct 2006 11:23:39 +0000 http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2006/10/22/behind-the-counter-169/#comment-299 The first thing that came to mind when reading this post, was "Mile High Comics". They've been in business for a long time, and so far have a grand total of 4 stores. What's up with that? Why have they been so slow to grow? Have they been slow to grow, or is that just my perception? They may be thinking that the interweb is the answer, I guess. Are they proof that a chain is but a small, part of the solution? What other business practices are used by other successful industries, that could be more of a impact? (Marvel and DC are foolish not advertise in all of those gaming magazines!!:) Do we need to have a chain? (not that I'm against the idea :) Maybe we just need a co-op, to start off? Just some stray thoughts here. Bri The first thing that came to mind when reading this post, was “Mile High Comics”.

They’ve been in business for a long time, and so far have a grand total of 4 stores. What’s up with that? Why have they been so slow to grow? Have they been slow to grow, or is that just my perception? They may be thinking that the interweb is the answer, I guess.

Are they proof that a chain is but a small, part of the solution?

What other business practices are used by other successful industries, that could be more of a impact? (Marvel and DC are foolish not advertise in all of those gaming magazines!!:)

Do we need to have a chain? (not that I’m against the idea :) Maybe we just need a co-op, to start off?

Just some stray thoughts here.

Bri

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