The Astonishing Elf Girl's Tips for Keeping Your Comic Store Clerk Happy. ~ And Other Long Titles
Many comic fans interact well with others, at least, well enough. For those that don't, I, the Astonishing Elf Girl, am here to give to tips on etiquette in the comic book store; or as my girlfriend calls it, "The Museum of Social Awkwardness". Remember, a happy clerk is a...happy clerk.
Tip #1~Pay Attention to Store Hours
Very few comic stores are open 24 hours, which means each store has its own hours that the employees work. Once the hours are done, the employees want to get the hell out of there, their feet hurt, dammit. This is generally when you should schedule your shopping for four-color images in a floppy "book". One of the fastest ways to get on the bad side of your friendly neighborhood clerk is to still be there well after the store is closed. The sign is posted on the door, and it's generally assumed that if you're going into a comic store, you do have some semblance of reading skills. So read the sign.
There have been many times when customers come into the store after closing. You may say "Why didn't you lock the door?" Well, it's simple my impertinent friend, it's because other people in the store haven't left yet. We can't very well lock them in, we want them out, remember?
In the same vein, if you're one of the people who loves coming early on Wednesdays to get your comics before anyone else in your time zone, don't give the clerk dirty looks if she's not letting you in five minutes early. If you come early, get comfortable with waiting for the doors to open when the store does.
See? That's not too hard; one simple tip to keeping your clerk happy.
Next time we'll talk about B.O., soap, and geek stereotypes. Yes, that means some of you really do need to bathe more often than every equinox.
Elf Girl
Posted to Hot Stuff on 10 June 2008
· Comments (4)
Other stuff like this: Elf Girl, tips
I used to hang out pretty late at Jay & Silent Bob's Secret Stash in Westwood, CA. I think they were open until 9 or so, but i made sure to be out by then...well at least I hope I was!
My current shop is also open until 9, I think, which is awesome!
As someone who occasionally works in a comic store, I wholeheartedly agree with everything Elf Girl says. Most store owners and clerks are too nice when people come in and stay late especially when the shop should have been closed a half hour ago.
Also, no matter how big or small a purchase it is, if you are in the store close to closing and you notice that the owner stayed open a little late for you, please buy something. It doesn't matter what, but it will make the owner/clerk feel good if you do.
As a store owner, I don't mind staying open a little later for my regulars esp on Wednesday nights. I do have a problem with people who don't see the CLOSED sign when I am closed and they try to open the door and keep shaking it, like that will help it open. I think the basic respect is sometimes lost in some stores by both the customer and the workers.
Oh and welcome as a writer, I look forward to reading your articles. I do hope you write on how reading 5 or 6 comics in the store and (maybe) buying one really doesn't help pay the rent (or the workers or the utlities or the ...etc)!
Whateverich
Get Your Geek on at Whatever...
whateverich~ I totally missed your comment! I was actually showing this to a co-worker today and finally saw it.
I don't mind staying either, as long as it's not too long. I've had times, though, where it's 30 minutes past closing and they're still browsing and reading.
"Oh and welcome as a writer, I look forward to reading your articles. I do hope you write on how reading 5 or 6 comics in the store and (maybe) buying one really doesn't help pay the rent (or the workers or the utlities or the ...etc)!"
Thanks! And yeah, I definitely will get to that tip. ;)