Posted by Ezekial24 at 2cust129.tnt6.syd2.da.uu.net on May 13, 2001 at 04:38:31:
In Reply to: Any tips for a hopeful comic shop owner? posted by Huffman on May 13, 2001 at 03:20:08:
Hi Ryan,
As Dr. Julius Hibert from the Simpsons said "Dear God, we call that profession a widow-maker ... well if the owners were married".
The reason we don't have a lot of comic stores is the same reason why Criterion and Anchor Bay type companies don't release DVD's in Australia ... the US' niche market is HUGE, ours isn't even a niche, it's a crack in the wall.
Plus, what a stressful occupation ... If you want to sit behind the counter surrounded by unopened boxes of comics and having one customer every 4 hours (If your lucky) and watch your capital go to rent and no profits eventually driving you out of business ... sheesh that's a hard pill to swallow buddy.
BUT, that's assuming you start a low-rent SUBURBAN comic store ... if you go for a city store ... the rents are HUGE and you won't be in business long enough to live out your lease unless you have a shitload of money or a few of you are going into it together ... but it will take a while to get a good reputation, just make sure your money can stretch that far.
If you have hair now, you won't have much after you open.
I'm not saying "Don't open a comic store", I'm just saying "Don't open a comic store buddy, not in Australia anyway".
I dunno what your capital is, but if you can get $250,000 together, open a McDonald's franchise ... inside 2 years you'll see a Million I assure you.
Anyway, good luck in whatever you choose ... even if it is a comic store.
Cheers.