I found Comic Cult online. The store itself is spacious and provides a gaming climate. The comic book section stands behind the gaming area like a backdrop, but it has the latest comic books stocked and special are orders available. It has a large television that is usually on; music is playing if the TV is off. Aside from the physical aesthetics, this review is more concerned with personnel over a few weeks of trying to acclimate.
The Older Employee seems genuine, but it becomes apparent that a costumer is a nuisance. Once, I walked in while he berated a costumer for asking about a comic book. The employee yelled and told him to leave. The employee swore to himself while I made my way through the shop. I am positive that I did not know the full situation, but no employee should treat a costumer that way and begin to swear for that matter. I found someone setting up his cards and sat on the seat in his general area. When I talked to that person, who came to be a regular, he said that the Older employee did it often. I was warned not to ask him for any Magic: The Gathering cards because he does not like to be asked for the cards. I did so anyways because that was the reason I drove to the store. I walked up to the counter, but the employee did not even turn an eye towards me because he was too busy watching something online with the full volume blaring throughout the store. I interrupted him because I am not on his time, and he said, "Yeesssss," with a condescending roll of his eyes and a hanging mouth. I asked for a few cards. He looked back at the computer with a grumble; only to say, "Hold on. I am almost done." Eventually, he got up while I waited by the case. He put his hands on his waist like Wonder Woman, looked at me with lame stare and asked, "What do you want?" I ignored his tone because I wanted to buy and leave. I asked for $13 worth in cards. He groaned as he reached for the cards (Making it more apparent that I had disturbed him). He gets the cards, and I pull out a $20 bill to pay. He threw his arms into the air and back down, just to say, "Exact change only," with a moronic look. I did not see a sign stating "Exact change only for Magic cards." He proceeded to tell me that I needed to wait for two hours, so the other employee can break a twenty. I looked at the register and walked away.
I sat down by the regular without the slightest intention of purchasing. I was contemplating where I should go next. I asked the person preparing his deck, "Is he always like this?" I got a firm, "Yes," with a smile. After quietly talking for a few minutes, I was convinced to return for alternative reasons.
A week later, I met the other employee (I will call him the MTG employee). He was nice and attended me well with the cards. He told me the MTG schedule. I left happy. I came around off-and-on as a wallflower the following weeks. I saw that player who convinced me to return, and he invited me to play. While sitting and going to the card counter, the MTG employee talked about how another shop is going out of business and how they rip-off costumers. That he is banned. Then he spoke badly of another person from a different store. I have been to the "Rip-Off shop." No worker mentions Comic Cult or him while I FNM'd. Their prices were fair. I concluded that employee is a sour person. He was probably banned bad mouthing. The MTG employee has a bad business practice.
Another day, I caught the MTG employee make some profane comments, by reading his lips, about a customer. That other person said he was not going to make his girlfriend a deck (For some reason). The MTG employee turned, made a funny face and silently bad-mouthed him to another player. The person who made the comment smirked and knew what the MTG Employee was doing behind his back (He turned to the player the MTG employee made the gestures to and caught him trying to act normal).
Another night, I spoke with someone in the parking lot. Apparently, there is no manager on site, so the costumers keep their mouths shut because it is the closest shop. Some ignore the problems because they liked the previous owner, Bob. Bob's wife is not aware of the situation since she is not around except during a short day when customers rarely show. The employees blame and quarrel with each other in silence while the shop suffers. From my understanding, one is trying to get the other fired and both are blaming the other for issues.
I thought that shop was going to be my new LGS since I moved, but it is not. I am disappointed. I am surprised with the playgroup, though. The playgroup made me feel welcomed; Once, I was even invited to hang out. That night, one of them said, "Everything has its issues, but that doesn't mean they have to be the controlling aspect." I think the reference was towards the select few. Those words reveal the point to this post: The shop is not the reason why a customer enters the door: it is the people. The shop is hollow. read more