Also this post is perhaps a little self-congratulatory as well.
So longtime tolerater of my site Thelonious Nick asks in the comments of my previous post:
“Just out of curiosity, what sorts of things do visitors from an adult day care center end up purchasing? Is it different than what the average customer buys? Or do they mainly browse?”
What the Thelonious One is referring to was a tweet I made the other day, where I said this:
“Had a nice visit from folks from a local adult day care center, who called and asked if I could open early to accommodate their group. Went very well, and they should be coming back on a regular basis!”
Okay, I know that’s a little self-congratulatory an’ all, but hey, what is Twitter for but tooting one’s own horn a bit, oh and also commiserating with our friends about our impending doom, but mostly it’s to talk about how great I am.
Like it says there, the gentleman in charge of this group of folks from the adult day care center gave me a call to arrange to visiting time prior to opening hours, which was fine…and apparently the intention is to make this a regular thing, about once a month or so, which I’m all for. It was quite a few folks from the center who paid a visit, along with a handful of chaperones who took plenty of pictures of them holding up the comics they were buying, or just looking around the store. It was a pleasant visit, everyone was nice and polite and I’m of course totally open to their return.
As to what they buy…well, first nearly all of them bought something. Even one of the chaperones bought something for himself. Mostly inexpensive comics…I have dollar boxes and plenty of cheaply-priced back issues, so there was no shortage of choice for those with limited budgets. So, lots of books out of the bargain bins, some of Marvel’s recent $1 reprints, a handful of ’80s superhero books priced to move (like Iron Man, even a Funko Pop. One of the older members of the group asked after Dennis the Menace comics, which I had plenty of, a fact that made this gentleman very happy. I did have another person splurge a bit on that recent Amazing Spider-Man #25.
So all in all…no, not a high dollar transaction total, but it weren’t nuthin’, and the comics they did buy made them happy, and they all seemed to enjoy their outing to the store. As I mentioned to someone else on Twitter, as a person with a mentally disabled sister, I am particularly willing to help out those with special needs. I know things aren’t necessarily easy for them or for the people who care for them at times, so I’m glad to help in my small way.
Nick also asked if it was any different from what my regular clientele buys, and…no, not really. In fact, one member of the group was one of my regulars, and likely the person who encouraged his friends and caretakers to make this trip. He would generally come in and buy inexpensive comics with his favorite superheroes, and this really isn’t any different from any of my customers who just have a few dollars to spare but still need some four-color fun. That’s why I always make sure to have inexpensive comics for sale, even cheaper than the new monthlies…not everyone is there to buy my Strange Tales Annual #2 for $225.
So big thanks to that center for bringing their charges to my shop…it was a completely fine experience and I look forward to hosting them again.
You’re a good human, Mike.
Good on ya, Mike.
Thanks for answering my question! And an interesting answer too. Can’t blame the one fellow for liking Dennis the Menace–my favorites are some of the old giant-sized Dennis the Menace Vacation Specials where he visits different places (DtM Visits Mexico! DtM Visits Washington DC!)
When I was managing a place in the early 90s, a dad would bring his son in and, Robert sure loved Superman. And he sure hated Doomsday. Now, he would likely be diagnosed as having autism, back then no one asked. Doesn’t matter in the comics world.
They stopped by once a month after visiting some other person or place, and Sundays were always slow. We often made more money from the three video games.
So I’d be able to talk to them and Robert had his own theories on who Doomsday was (sure enough, from Krypton). I’d always find some sort of non-regular customer discount and it was always great to see someone so excited.
Ditto what Cassie said. That post had me grinning from ear-to-ear.
sniff…sniff…I’m Not Crying! You’re Crying!
One of my philosophies of life is we are here to serve others and make their lives better. I believe every job and every person and every business should be doing this, although some are easier than others.
So it was really nice to see a small business make someone happy. It may not have made you a lot on this sale, but… karma. And I do believe it is good business sense, although that is hard to prove, too.
Good job.
Mike, my son goes to an adult day care center and I just wanted to say…thanks! You are a good dude.