Welcome and How Things Work Here Revisited

Welcome to all of my new visitors and customers. I first posed this about a year and a half ago, but I realized that I should post it again because I keep getting more new people coming in (which is not a bad thing).

Since I started my new email newsletter, my guess is that there are some more people checking this site. And I know that there are more coming into the store. I figured that this was a good time to explain what goes on in the store and some of the things that I can offer you that might not be clear.

First of all, it’s a comic book store. I sell comics, graphic novels, back issues, toys, games and lots of other stuff. That’s the easy part. But there is a lot that goes on that you may not be aware of.

Subscriptions – Lots of my customers ask me to hold books for them. From 1 title to dozens, each week I set books aside for people. These are books that they know they are going to want, whether it’s just the newest Captain America to all of the X-books, or even just every Jonathan Hickman title. This is something I am happy to do. Someone today mentioned that they didn’t want to ask because they thought that they were being a bother and that kind of led to this whole post. Holding books is a big part of what I do. And it makes things easier for me to order. Most of the time, ordering books is a guessing game. I do keep a close look on how books are selling. I try to keep up on story-lines that may affect interest, but the single best measure I have for ordering is how many people tell me they want to get a book. So, please, if you want the next issue of Walking Dead, tell me. I will be more than happy to set one aside for you. The file cabinet is not for all of my paperwork. Its full of folders to set books aside for people. So, please, let me know what you want.

Holding Stuff – If you see something is coming out the next week that you want, please don’t hesitate to ask me to hold it for you. It is not a problem at all. I keep having people kind of sheepishly ask me to set something aside if it’s not too much trouble. It is no trouble at all. I promise.

Comixology – I have a setup with Comixology where you can look through what is coming next week and make a list of what you want. Comixology then sends me this list and I hold these books for you. You can make your choices when the books are first shown in Previews or right before they come out. They have the solicit info on there so you can see what the books are about. Click here to see whats up. Just make sure to pick me as your store so I get your lists.

Digital Comics –  Call me old-fashioned, but I still prefer to hold an actual comic in my hands. But, if you like to read on your computer or tablet, please get you books via my link on my website. This way I get a few pennies for each one you get. Just click on the link on the right side of the page to get to the Comixology website.

Previews – Previews is a catalog that I use to order the books that are coming out 2+ months from now. But it is also a great tool for letting you all know what is coming out too. I try to get enough in to last the month (but I need to start upping my orders). If something in there (or you see on a website) and you like to see it when it comes out, let me know. I give the books away for free, so grab one when they come out and see what is coming.

Ordering – If there is something you are looking for, please let me know. I carry a whole lot of stuff, but I can’t keep everything that is in print on the shelf. If there is something you are looking for that I don’t have, please ask and I’ll see if its available. If I can get it, I’ll be happy to get it in for you. Now some things are hard to get once they ship, like toys and statues. Those generally have to be pre-ordered. But I will always be happy to check to see if the item you are looking for is available.

Back Issues – This is probably the thing that I am worst at. I have lots of back issue comics that aren’t organized and priced. It’s simply a time issue. It takes a lot of time to organize and price a box and then get it sorted into the back issue boxes. But, if there is something you are looking for, please ask. I will do my best to find it. This is always at the top of my “Get To” list. One day I will get there.

Podcasts – This is something we’ve been doing for a while now. On Wednesday nights, we sit around a table talking comics. Everyone is welcome as are all opinions. If you loved the last issue of the Amazing Monkey Man that came out last week, come on down and tell us why. Lots of people listen (which still amazes me) and they love to hear about new things. We do try not to talk about the books that came out that day so as not to spoil things for people, but the following week is fair game. We also sometimes record on Saturday. It’s something I can only really do when 2 or more people come because (more and more) Saturdays are busy and I can’t sit and talk too much.

There is probably more that I’m not thinking of right now, but I hope you get the idea. Please ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask about something that you don’t see. I really do want to be your go to place for all things comic related.

See you soon.

Posted in Opinion.