• Real Name: John Kost
• Gender: Male
• Age: 36
• Location: Center Line, Michigan (United States)

• Joined: Dec 19th, 2006
• Last Visit: Sep 1st, 2007

User Tags: advocate, collector, comic fan, newbie retailer

Send Private Message

[ Posted by comics_corral on Apr 13th, 2007 4:17 AM ]...

Hi John!

Thanks for the friendship!

Hoss
The Comics Corral

[ Posted by not_just_superheroes on Jan 11th, 2007 5:22 AM ]...

Week 4: With Ebay sales I am wondering if I am wasting time at a regualr day job and not devoting more time to this experiment. I have learned alot in the past three years while trying to break into the retailer market here in Michigan. The most sage advice has come from Lauren; owner of Warp 9 Comics in Clawson Michigan. He has never steered me wrong yet and I encourage all of my friends to check him out.

1 Reply [ Latest posted on January 12th, 2007 9:55 PM ]

[ Posted by DamonPatrick on Jan 12th, 2007 9:55 PM ]... BTW, I'm a regular at Warp 9 - it happens to be one of the closest shops to me but, luckily, it's also a great shop. Lauren and Kevin are always friendly and helpful. To answer your question, it's a simple resource vs. reward equation. Your resource is time - which activity is more rewarding per unit of time? Keep in mind rewarding isn't just weekly earnings, it can be personal satisfaction or it could be investment in a future business. As a small business owner, you have to gage the impact of extra time spent on your business now with realistic projections of future growth. If you spend one less day at your regular job, will the extra work/planning eventually payoff with either more business or faster growth? That's what you have to decide. One thing to remember, if you've been at this three years already you've done quite well. One-in-twenty businesses fail within three years, so you've obvioulsy been doing something right. Sure, it may not seem like it to you but there are 19 people that would love to be in your shoes after three years.

[ Posted by not_just_superheroes on Jan 12th, 2007 4:51 AM ]...

Week 4: Question: Would you rather play a game with clearly set rules and rewards. The rewards increase if you follow the rules and if you are familiar enough with the game you can work the rules to your advantage; or would you play a game where the rules change daily and reward is an ever changing entity based on the daily rules. More to the point: Is this the same game or is this a no brainer choice?

[ Posted by not_just_superheroes on Jan 9th, 2007 4:27 AM ]...

Week 4: No retail sales yet, that I know of, but a score of comics this weekend is yeilding gains already, and today a major score on a Vintage Star Wars Collection.

[ Posted by not_just_superheroes on Jan 7th, 2007 5:48 PM ]...

Week 3: The antique/flea market I am inside will be closed on Sunday January 7th and also the 14th. It follows that My store will also be closed those days.
Also I am being put on Afternoon shift at my regular job so the only hours I will be there are 2 to 6 on Saturday and 12-6 on Sunday starting January 28th. Please feel free to stop by and shop Monday through Friday. Simply take your purchases up front and someone will be happy to assist you.
January 21st is the monthly X-trava con in Livonia.

[ Posted by not_just_superheroes on Jan 5th, 2007 12:20 AM ]...

Week 3: Things proceed apace. Sales were had and I wasn't even present. Like live ebay. I am very lucky to be at a point where I can try this kind of experiment.

[ Posted by not_just_superheroes on Jan 4th, 2007 12:25 AM ]...

Week 3: "Let me 'splain. No, is too much. Let me sum-up." Thanks to everyone who has added me as a friend lately. Still no sales since the middle of last week. This experiment has an expiration date 3 months from now. Donations accepted. Need not be monetary. Will schlep comics for food.

[ Posted by monsterink on Jan 3rd, 2007 7:06 PM ]...

Hell-O, Fangs 4 Bein' My ComicSpace Fiend! ~ Chops!

[ Posted by JimSalicrup on Dec 31st, 2006 10:38 PM ]...

As a ComicSpace friend, may I ask you to help support the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (www.moccany.org)? Become a member today! Thanks.

[ Posted by not_just_superheroes on Dec 31st, 2006 12:43 AM ]...

Day 13. Not open tomorrow or New Year's. Happy New Year to everyone. May all our comic dreams come true in 2007.

[ Posted by not_just_superheroes on Dec 30th, 2006 1:38 AM ]...

Day 11&12: No sales once again, wondering if I have what it take to stick this out, saying this because of a few questions about the location. And problems today with Comcast at home made things even worse on the 29th. Although coming home and reading Daredevil, and Jack of Fables was a welcome stress relief. Good books both of 'em.

[ Posted by Questionable on Dec 28th, 2006 3:19 AM ]...

Hey, thanks for the add!

[ Posted by zenmasterdod on Dec 28th, 2006 1:33 AM ]...

Thanks for the add request! Good to meet you!

[ Posted by not_just_superheroes on Dec 27th, 2006 11:57 PM ]...

Day 10: Sales have jumped exponentially. $17.00 today. Thats a 500% increase (I think...) over yesterday. Hope that keeps up, I know a store within a store isn't your typical store, but that is how the Big Cheese in Colorado got his start, why not me?

[ Posted by not_just_superheroes on Dec 27th, 2006 12:05 AM ]...

Day 9 of the Great Michigan Retail experiment: My first sale!!!! $3.00 for Terminator: The Burning Earth #4. Whoo Hooo!!! So my sales averages them would be about thirty cents a day!! Got a nice 'A' frame sign for out front by the road too. Gonna be there all week 12-6 except for Saturday. I won't be there until 2 on Saturday. All of youse on my friends page should come see me. I'll give you a free comic.

[ Posted by not_just_superheroes on Dec 25th, 2006 3:26 PM ]...

Day 6 through 8: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. Still no sales. Next weeks preview: the hunt for sinage and a possible change to the hours I am at the store.

[ Posted by not_just_superheroes on Dec 23rd, 2006 4:39 AM ]...

Day 5: Still no sales. But bought a nice Star Wars 12' collection and rumor has it that there is going to be an article in the Free Press on January 7th about the Antiques and Flea market I am located in. Outdoor sinage just got move to top of the list for things to do!!!

[ Posted by not_just_superheroes on Dec 22nd, 2006 12:14 AM ]...

Day 4: I'm beginning to realize that the look and placement of items in the store will be ever-evolving. I really need a display case. I'll give out my address if someone could drop one on my lawn before 4pm tomorrow. I would be eternally grateful and offer a lifetime 20% off on everything as long as I have a store card. And I actually have space to fill yet. Must get busy pricing comics. Still no sales. No Grand Opening Date set yet but a good idea from a friend of mine.

[ Posted by jl1 on Dec 21st, 2006 1:16 AM ]...

Hey John!

Try selling hotdogs at the grand opening. That's gotta help! Anyway, thanks for accepting my invite. I'm always pleased to meet a new retailer. I'll come buy the shop when I get to Chi-town!

Jose

[ Posted by not_just_superheroes on Dec 21st, 2006 12:50 AM ]...

Day 3: Got the location I will be at. 1st on the left down asile 2, middle of the shop. 150 square feet, maybe 160. Maybe I should go for Michigans Smallest Comics Retailer? Still no sales today. If you are reading this come to Michigan for Christmas and come to my store!!!! Don't make me beg....

[ Posted by not_just_superheroes on Dec 20th, 2006 12:46 AM ]...

Day 2 of the Great Big Retail Experiment: No sales, the location I am supposed to be in is still not ready, no worries, just making this up as I go along, not the best business plan, but this is just a trial run.

[ Posted by not_just_superheroes on Dec 19th, 2006 1:10 AM ]...

SET UP SHOP TODAY, LATE, NOT THE RIGHT LOCATION UNTIL TOMORROW, ... BUILDING THE EMPIRE STEP BY STEP....