That time our local shop's big sale turned into a total mess

Last Saturday, Comic Cave in Springfield had their 40% off back issue sale, but they only had one person working the register. The line went out the door and around the corner, and I heard at least three people give up and leave after waiting over an hour. It just felt like a huge missed chance to bring in new fans or make regulars happy. Has your go-to store ever dropped the ball on a big event like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

taylor.jesse12d ago

Sounds like they just didn't plan for the crowd (which is a basic mistake).

paulhernandez13d ago

Ever wonder if they planned it that way to limit how much stock they sold? A huge line looks like a hit event but saves them money on the deep discounts... just feels like a cheap trick that backfires on good will.

ericfox3d ago

My local shop's "Free Comic Book Day" line was so long last year I finished two whole issues of Squirrel Girl while waiting (which, to be fair, was a great time). I agree with @taylor.jesse about the basic planning thing, because they also ran out of the free all-ages books in the first hour. I just picture the owner, Greg, in the back room having a full-on panic attack over the register tape. It's the kind of mess that makes you love a place and also want to give them a business 101 textbook for their birthday.