That time a comic shop owner in Milwaukee called me a 'speculator' to my face

I was trying to buy a copy of Ultimate Fallout #4 off the shelf in 2011, and he refused the sale, saying I was just after the first Miles Morales. I ended up trading him two of my old Silver Surfer books from my personal collection to prove I was a real reader. Anyone else ever get unfairly pegged as just being in it for the money?

3 comments

3 Comments

benreed2mo ago

Man, that "real reader" test is so frustrating... like you have to prove you're a true fan. I've gotten the side-eye just for asking about a new number one before.

graceprice2mo ago

Gatekeeping happens everywhere, from coffee orders to music tastes, and it's always exhausting.

adams.vera2mo ago

Ugh, that gatekeeping is the worst. I got the same treatment trying to pick up a Batman book during the "Court of Owls" hype. The clerk just looked at my basket and said "someone's jumping on the bandwagon" in this super smug tone. It made me not want to go back, which is a shame because it was my local shop. Like, let people enjoy things without making them feel bad for it.