Jay & Silent Bob's Secret Stash — Local services in Red Bank

So let me preface this by saying, I have been a fan of Kevin's since Chasing Amy days. Having listen to the pod for decade or better, always dreaming of visiting the store since I was a kid. Being an avid comic collector, I was finally able to check off the old bucket list. But, alas my journey was met with upmost disappointment. I had a generational family trip planned for the store on 08/09/2024. My cousin, my best friend, our sons and I arrived very hyped, and with deep pockets. The organization of the store, the staff and their lack of caring is why I am writing this. Strewn across through out the store were comics with no price tags, labels or any identification to if they were meant to be sold or not. We had to dig past these books to scan the bins for other books. Not minding at the time thinking these books might just not have a home, but were for sale. One employee, that was not the manager was kind enough to say he would not mind pricing the unidentified books if we were interested in them. After we found some books, the store manager was quick to deny us any books without a price. Saying that they were not catalogued. We had said then why are they out in stacks, strewn acrossed all the bins as if they were. He said this is where we do our job. I have been in many stores, never do stores but books that are not for sale directly on the bins that were for sale. After all the mixed signals and disappointment, my cousin went to by a few books. When he reached the counter, it was wet from a customer's cup. The manager acted like it was no big deal and proceeded to drag bags across the wet spots. My cousin told him it was wet and that he asked for my bags to not ruin the books. Then they all went back for pizza before helping us check out more. They were more interested in eating and talking about the stack of old books lined on the table in the back. Since my friend and his son could not by the books he wanted, which were the whole Batman vs predator series as they were not priced or catalogued, even though they could've easily been, we put our books back in solidarity and walked out. Your manager absolutely refused to make a sale and do their jobs. It was very disappointing as you had a very nice copy of Wolverine 8, that I gave been looking for years to buy. I can see why you guys cannot keep employees. As this was mentioned a ton of time by your manager as well. Having been short...

If you’re looking to visit a ViewAskew museum you’ll enjoy this spot. The comic selection is under-whelming. The organization of new releases and new-ish releases is scattered with issues from multiple series in one bin.

The person working the front greeted me to ask me to place my drink on a table near the counter. No problem at all, but Not one “Can I help you?” “Have you been here before?” Nothing. They talked incessantly with a mail carrier who also spoke incessantly, while they watched me looking as someone does in a search.

Finally, I nudged closer and the mail carrier came up for air. I ask about 2 issues, to receive the “if it’s not out here” line. I understand this may be the case, but when I mentioned the second title, they said - let me get So-and So. Who was allegedly on a “soft break.” They then mentioned they work “the back-end”, which doesn’t dismiss the snubbing of a customer. This is an indication they weren’t 100% and just wanted me to move on.

I was going to purchase one comic, but there’s a $15.00 minimum for CC transactions. Anything below is cash. I’m from out of town and rarely carry cash. This employee couldn’t have been more distant and unwilling to help. To ask me if I’m local when they dropped the ball on everything was beyond insulting. This comic shop is designed and ran to cater to customers who want to spend $100 or more a visit. The person working the front today may be best in the “back end”. Regardless, it takes little to no customer skills to be available than just enforcing a drink policy and $15 min cc charge.

There was another customer browsing who had a drink in their hand. The employee allowed that.

One last mention… This employee set the record for using the phrase “You know” in one long conversation. Over 23 times! At least I witnessed a...

So here's the deal: I wouldn't call this place a comic book shop; It's more of a Jay and Silent Bob memorabilia shop. They do sell some of the issues released on new comic book day (i.e. Wednesday's), and they often bring in some harder-to-find variant covers on release day (which they sell for cover price, hence why I gave them 2 stars instead of 1), but they have a paltry backstock collection. When taken as a whole, their comic book selection gives very little incentive to drive into the traffic-congested part Red Bank where the store is located (not to mention that you have to pay a meter to park).

What really knocks them down a few stars is the way they seem to regard their customers. Generally, the staff barely acknowledges your existence (which is fine if you prefer to be left alone). The worst part is when they film in the store. I know this may sound glamorous on its face, but it's actually quite obnoxious when you simply want to buy the latest hot issue of a comic, on your lunch break, before it sells out. They don't film the "audience", so there's very little for a paying customer to get excited about. On two occasions, I dropped by to pick up a copy of the Batman/Elmer Fudd Special #1, only to be denied entry to the store due to filming on site (during normal store hours, mind you). The first time I unwittingly tried to enter, one of the security staff grabbed my hand before I could even grab the door handle.

If you're a J&SB fan, then I'm sure that you'll get something out of this store. But if you're a comic book reader just looking to buy some issues, I'd advise that you to check out some of the other local comic...