Things not to ask at a Comic Shop!

So this time around I thought I'd rant a bit. If you haven't read my 2 other posts, I work in a comic store. We happen to have a vast selection of Grapic Novels and Trades (collected editions). The shelves start pretty much at the front of the store and cover the enter length of the store (a pretty large store) and, if you count Manga (which I do), it continues along the back wall and part way back up the other store. We don't do back issues, recent or old, but if there is an in print GN or TPB you are looking for then we either have it or just sold it and have already reordered it.

Now with all that said one of my biggest pet peeves is when a costumer (usually some one I've never seen before) walks into the store and asks "Do you have any Graphic Novels?" Okay let me reemphasize here. The selection of GNs that we have takes up a large percentage of the store. It is impossible not to see them. Apart from me or my coworker, it's probably the most easily spotted thing in the store. Now I try to be patient and asume they are new to the hobby and I don't want to alienate them. Usually I just point to the wall wave my hand in a motion to point out all that we do have, and politely ask if there is a specific book they are looking for. But seriously, what the hell are you on? Did you not know what you are looking for? A little research before you walk in and make a fool of yourself. "Do you have any Graphic Novels?" Yeah believe it or not, it happens, not a lot, but way to often.

My second, and somewhat similar, peeve is the question "Do you have any (insert random superhero name here)?" Most often they are looking for Superman or Spider-Man. Now do I have to point out the obvious problem here? (Retorical question cause I fully intend to ask anyways. Hey it's my rant...So there...). WHAT DO YOU WANT? We sell toys, comics and books. Not to mention the random assortment of nick nacks and various other types of "Collectibles". Please, be specific. Please. We end walking around showing said person everything we have of whatever character they are looking for, getting really excited about the things we really like, hoping that we may be able to find something they like (hey I do like to make people happy and help them be happy with they'r purchase believe it or not). But in the end what will they end up doing. Either leaving empty handed, or buying the cheap keychain. I kid you not, it's always about the keychain with these people.

Maybe it's just me, but when I shop, I go into a store with an idea in my head of exactly what I want. Often I've thought about the purchase quite a bit before even entering the store and my question to the staff at said store is where the item is located. Even then I only do that when I'm in a rush and don't have time to wonder around trying to find it on my own. I'm in coustomer service, I understand that this is what I deal with, hell I'll even answer with a smile and do my best to help, but why can't you put a little thought into it? PLEASE.