# Economics of owning a Comic Book Store **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 28, 2004, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044 "2004-11-28T22:47:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/41 "2013-01-20T20:39:19Z")
> [@beastly rotter](#): > > \*\*enter… . > > ..the resurrector! > > Who lives? Who dies? > > See the fate of worlds decided… > > …as past and present collide… > > …in this shocking thread!\*\* **excelsior!** ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/42 "2013-01-20T20:49:28Z")
What is this, some kind of hoax? Or dream? Maybe an imaginary story? ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/43 "2013-01-20T21:03:02Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > What is this, some kind of hoax? Or dream? Maybe an imaginary story? Think of it more like a retcon. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/44 "2013-01-20T22:27:07Z")
Other than, of course, don’t. I’ve owned and sold several businesses in the past, but never a retail store. But the owner of one just asked if I’d be interested in discussing it. A first look at the books looks OK, but there’s a lot more to be done, due diligence-wise. Thought I’d ask. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/45 "2013-01-20T22:29:51Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > **Ronald Perelman.** Two _e_’s. > > Ron Perlman is the actor who played Hellboy. Another thanks for this correction. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/46 "2013-01-20T22:51:56Z")
What do they sell? ---
**Author:** ![Jane\_Elliot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jane_elliot/32/6166_2.png) [@Jane\_Elliot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jane_Elliot)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/47 "2013-01-20T23:07:08Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > \*Hero’s World was a small-time comic book distributor that Marvel bought up. Prior to that, there were two main distributors: Capital and Diamond. A dealer could play one off another to get the best price. Then, one day, Marvel annouced that all Marvel Comics would be distributed exclusively through Hero’s World. This was a disaster. First of all, the more comics you buy, the more of a discount you got, so suddenly you were buying fewer issues from Capital or Diamond and paying more. And since you couldn’t stay in business without selling Marvel, you had to buy from Hero’s World. DC, in response, made a deal with Diamond. Capital had nothing to sell (it’s hard to keep in business if you can’t sell either Marvel or DC) and went out of business. In the meantime. Hero’s World was too small an operation to handle the increase in sales. Things got ugly (I’ve heard the story that someone called their customer service line and was put on hold. 24-hours later, no one had picked up). Eventually, Marvel went back to Diamond, but the entire fiasco was a disaster for comic book stores and fans. I know this is a zombie thread, but it’s really strange for me to read this, since I worked in customer service for Hero’s World, and then Marvel when all of this took place. It was a weird time. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/48 "2013-01-21T00:48:14Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > For any not paying attention, this thread is over eight years old. Makes me wonder what happened, as I’ve seen 3 or 4 comic books stores close since the OP posted. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/49 "2013-01-21T00:52:37Z")
It’s, believe it or not, a game and comic shop. They’ve been in business for more than 35 years and seem to cash flow well. They sell, games, comics, books, dollars and other various geek-oriented items. There’s also a space that a dojo rents. Color me surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/50 "2013-01-21T01:04:00Z")
Curiously, just this afternoon I had a discussion with the owner of the largest comic shop in my city. He’s in his 60s, has run the shop profitably for more than 35 years, and wants a buyer. He pitched me. I told him I’d think about it. I am, seriously, tempted. I’m between businesses and writing financial columns for The Motley Fool. But I know that’s just a temporary thing. The place currently supports 4 employees and the owner and his wife. It is the local gaming and geek hang for this half of the city. It sells: Comics Games Collectible card games RPG stuff Fantasy craft supplies Statues and figurines Books Weapons High-end collectibles from movies and such Hosts cons Hosts a Dojo I am seriously considering buying him out. At least I’m considering launching a due diligence check. But any advice from people who’ve been there, or run another retail store, would be appreciated. I’ve built, owned and sold several firms over the last 20 years…just never a retail shop. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/51 "2013-01-21T01:09:25Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > It’s, believe it or not, a game and comic shop. They’ve been in business for more than 35 years and seem to cash flow well. They sell, games, comics, books, dollars and other various geek-oriented items. There’s also a space that a dojo rents. > > Color me surprised. Wait, there’s a zombie about this right now… Ah, here it is : [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=288952](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=288952) At this point, more than half of the thread is from the last couple of days, so there’s likely some relevant info. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/52 "2013-01-21T01:19:16Z")
I just saw that and posted in it. What a freaking coincidence, right? ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/53 "2013-01-21T01:27:51Z")
I think I’d see what portion of his income is from selling comic books, **Jonathan Chance**. As **Drastic quench** says, it seems likely comic retail sales will continue to shrink as its the kind of thing that’s ideal for digital formats. So if comics are what’s keeping him afloat, it’d probably be a bad investment. If he makes most of his money off magic cards and RPG figurines and the like, then maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad plan. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/54 "2013-01-21T01:29:56Z")
Yeah, there’s a long way to go, but it has my attention enough to maybe go from “Hmm, that’s nice” to “Weeellll, that’s interesting. I wonder if I can get it cheap.” Here’s a pic, [for the FB inclined](http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150727191743177&set=pb.647393176.-2207520000.1358731563&type=3&theater). Near as I can tell, comics make up a small chunk of it. Only maybe 30 titles are available in single issues, though he’ll subscribe to anything you order. There are two solid racks, maybe 60 linear feet, a trade paperbacks, though. ---
**Author:** ![Condescending\_Robot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a183cd/32.png) [@Condescending\_Robot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Condescending_Robot)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/55 "2013-01-21T01:56:10Z")
Yeah, the bottom line is that you have to sell stuff where the money is (Pokemon to kids with their mom’s wallet and endless tabletop gaming stuff to suckers) to stay open. I can’t imagine there’s more than 100 stores in America that actually support someone’s living expenses on comics alone. It seems a lot of the comic-only stores are either owned by someone who is in a position to not sweat their bottom line or lucky enough to get a captive market like a large college campus nearby. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/56 "2013-01-21T01:58:30Z")
I asked the owner about that. There are three colleges not too far away, and two military bases. I’d wager anything he draws significantly from the military bases. There’s always uniforms (with young men in them) in there. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/57 "2013-01-21T04:10:23Z")
Is the owner just looking to retire? Or is there another reason for the sale? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/58 "2013-01-21T04:42:08Z")
Merged duplicate threads (one each from MPSIMS and Cafe Society) and moved to our advice forum, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/59 "2013-01-21T12:08:10Z")
> [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](#): > > Is the owner just looking to retire? Or is there another reason for the sale? That I don’t have the answer to, yet. Though he’s gone on in the past about his age. He’s an aging hippy in his 60s and does seem ready to go. There’s a son on stage, who works there part time, and a third generation (about 10) who hangs out. But the son doesn’t seem to want it. Again, I’ll have to look at the books carefully. But I’d do that anyway. I always have. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044/60 "2013-01-21T16:08:04Z")
Does the owner know and speak to a lot of the regular customers? If he does, once he goes, a lot of the appeal of the shop may go with him for some people. However well you do stuff, for them it’ll never be the same as when old whosit ran the place. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-owning-a-comic-book-store/277044.md?page=4)