TATE'S Comics + Toys + More — Local services in Lauderhill

I’ve been shopping at Tate’s a few times a year for over ten years. It’s been a favorite place where I treat myself to manga and blind boxes, and I’ve spent not an insignificant amount of money with them over the years. However, today was my last time going back.

I walked in excited to see what was new since it’s been more than 6 months since my last visit. I barely made it into the store before I was told rather loudly that there is a bag check policy for “bags larger than a shopping bag”. I turned around, not sure it was me the woman was talking to and asked “my purse?” and was told yes they would need to check my purse. My options were to store it in a cubby behind the counter or lock it in my vehicle. I feel like it’s important to mention that my purse is not as oversized as they were making it sound. It is also my only handbag, I’ve been carrying it for over 6 years, and I’ve definitely walked into Tate’s with it before and never been asked to check it.

While I understand that Tate’s has an apparently out of control theft problem prompting these bag checks, it’s not the policy I take issue with. It’s the manner in which it was delivered. The loud announcement about me needing to check my bag was tactless, and when I turned around the 4 or so customers standing at the front of the store were staring at me. I felt uncomfortable and like I was being accused of being a criminal without having done anything wrong. Thinking about it further, the demeanor of the women at the counter demanding the bag check, who weren’t looking directly at me but talking at me while looking at everyone else, did not fill me with confidence that my bag would be safe under their supervision. I’m obviously not going to walk my bag to my truck and lock it in there unsupervised.

All in all it was a disappointing experience, and one that has left a bad memory for me where I once experienced some joy. I suppose I’ll be finding another comic store to frequent or start ordering my books and blind boxes online.

I’d recommend some soft skills training for your employees. People shouldn’t have to hand their personal items to strangers, or be made to feel like they’re being policed and removed of...

I have been visiting this store off and on for many years and regularly debated coming back or not due to having multiple bad experiences with staff. Against my better judgement, I decided to visit the store this past Sunday and double checked their hours on google as I live almost 1 hour away and wanted to make sure I arrived with time to browse. The hours reflect closing time as 6pm on Sundays, and I was able to make it shortly before 5pm. Soon after entering, I hear staff yelling at customers trying to enter that the store is closed as they close at 5pm. Some tried to explain they thought the store closes at 6pm and were yelled at by one of the staff members at the register that they've been closing at 5pm for over a month. Sorry, but not everyone is a regular and drops in on a daily to know this, so most of us rely on checking hours on Google. Totally understandable that your hours have changed but there is no need to be so rude to the patrons that keep your business flowing. A staff member came up to ask if we needed help and I explained, no just checking out some last minute items (I was referring to the stickers near the register as my husband and I are already in line) and he tells us we need to get in line right now as they are closed. No way! Like I didn't already hear you yelling at the other customer and I'm not already standing in line?! My husband stood in line for me while I looked at the pins and sticker board nearby, all the while, there are other patrons standing in line before us waiting to be served. This appeared to annoy the staff too for some reason? What an absolute waste of time and the customer service during this visit just solidified it for me, I will not be returning for the foreseeable future. Please update your hours so that people don't have to be treated like trash by your staff for showing up at a time that you are listed as open and do better.

*Response to owner: This occurred last year, on the last day of the 2024 anniversary sale, and this review was posted that same day. No sure why it looks like a recent review. I wouldn't know if the early closing has happened again since that day, as I've stopped visiting since...

I have been a customer of Tate's since Tate and his son ran the store I think way back in the very late 90's. This is a sad day for me to write this but I have to share my experience.

We all work hard and I go to Tate's only when I intend to spend an adequate amount of money. Anywhere from $40 to $1000. I have been buying every The Walking Dead graphic novel since it came out on day one just to give you an idea on how much I HAVE spent.

I had my one day off and went into Tate's after being just plain old busy for months to follow up on my favorite titles. That is a guaranteed purchase of $80. I decided to check NEW titles to add to my collection. As I was doing so I was told I cannot sit down. Ok. I took the thin 3$ issue of what I was reading to see if it was worth buying the entire collection and placed it on a table and stood to read. I was told I can flip through but not read the comics by the same guy.

This is the same guy whom while I was searching for titles was watching and blasting some very profane video on his phone. I only once asked him a question about a title. He did not seem thrilled to be bothered. Fair enough. When I finally went to the counter to complete my purchase I asked about this "No reading policy" to the young man taking my money and he did not seem aware of such a thing. I was going to leave it at that but then a young lady in glasses quickly quipped with quite a tone that "They are not a library" and something else. The young man taking my money remained silent and smiled. I replied as I walked out that "It was a question and not a compliant". Well, now it is.

I am now aware that Tate's comic's culture in customer service has certainly changed over the years and I will know better than to do anything buy throw my money at the staff as clearly they are not there to do much else. Very disappointing as this was once a haven.

I miss Tate. No...