schmevil | (no subject)

I hate going to my LCS. Two buses and 45 minutes later (barring traffic), it's heinously INconvenient and out of my way. It's also smack in the middle of the retail hinterland. Considering how packed my schedule is right now, taking 2 hours out of my day just to pick up some comics isn't an attractive prospect. Also, Cat Piss Man. Click, read - you've met this guy. Even leaving aside the fannish uberfreak, I've spent my share of time in Geekri La.

I'm so over:

1. Having 13-yr-old boys marvel at my very existence. "GIRLS LIKE COMICS WTF?!" I have actually had boys follow me around the shop and take notes on my purchases. (Though I should note that shops with a lot of manga don't tend to be as boysclusive).

2. Having grown men marvel at my very existence. "Reasonably attractive, (mostly) well-dressed women read comics wtf?!" Yeah, I'm sorry I defiled your man-play-pen with my grown up clothes. Next time I'll make sure to change into a band tee and bring my Hello Kitty purse.

3. The astonishingly bad customer service. Having to defend my purchases to embittered register-monkeys is the antithesis of a good sales tactic. Dude, if I want to waste my money on Youngblood, let me waste my fucking money in peace! (Not that I would buy Youngblood, because I so totally would not). In order for you to still have a job, people like me need to give you their hard-earned dollars. Stop trying to stop me. Seriously, I want to give you my money. Let me. I don't come to your store to have my place in the great chain of Geekxistence dissected. I come there to spend money.

4. Being randomly dragged into wanktastic conversations. What the fuck makes you think that I care to discuss who would win in whatever bullshit fight you've concocted? Stepping into a comic shop does not mean I care about: stats (I don't); totally awesome variant covers (I don't); feats (I really fucking don't); playing cards (don't); action figures (still don't); you (a world of don't).

This is why I sub the books that I consistently buy. Tonight I thought to myself

schmevil, you've been reading Wonder Woman a lot. Maybe you should add it your sub list. And so I did. It was only after I completed my purchase that I realized I should "allow ten to twelve weeks" for delivery of my first comic, and that I should add an additional two weeks of wiggle room, since I'm in the Great White Nothern city of motherfucking TORONTO. Are you freaking kidding me with this shit DC? Marvel guaranteed my first issue within six weeks, and you're saying ten to fucking twelve? Unbelievable.

There are days when this industry makes me spit cats. This is one of those days.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I remember back in the mid eighties the LCS staff thought it would be HIlarious to stuff my comic file with New Kids on the Block comics. The owner actually tried to pressure me into buying them all because they were in my file and I was therefore required to buy them.

I currently use Happy Harbor Comics and wow! What a huge difference! I don't feel like I stand out or am being ogled or that I am even UNUSUAL for buying comics. Well, except the clerk was a little surprised I have Empowered on file.

Oh man. I think we all must have LCS horror stories, but yours is pretty special. Just imagine if they slipped it in without your noticing. "New Kids on the... what? AGH!" Oh fan(man)boys.

Well, except the clerk was a little surprised I have Empowered on file.

Oy. But yeah, even at the nicer stores, I tend to get a raised eyebrow for picking up the Preacher trades.

I think that once this term is over, I'm going to go around the city reviewing stores, until I find one that is sufficiently convenient and pleasant to be my new LCS. ;)