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General Tabletop Discussion
*TTRPGs General
Can Hobby Stores Make Their Saving Throw?
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<blockquote data-quote="MNblockhead" data-source="post: 7720495" data-attributes="member: 6796661"><p>A retailer can go cheap and try to be profitable through volume or they can stop worrying about "most" customers and focus on on the portion who are willing to pay more. </p><p></p><p>FLGS are not going to succeed by competing on price, convenience, or freebies. </p><p></p><p>I just bought a "brick" of Wizkids Icons of the Realms pre-painted minis for less than any local game store that will be delivered to my doorstep, same-day, with no shipping costs. Yes, I "pay" shipping because I pay for Amazon Prime membership, but the cost of Prime has paid for itself many times over, esp. since I also cut cable for an Amazon Fire TV box. If I am patient and can wait for four days, Amazon will give me credit for digital purchases (free Kindle books, fee movies) or Amazon marketplace. I also get points on my Amazon Visa card. I get more freebies buying from Amazon than I would from any free RPG day and, on Amazon, I get to PICK what my freebies will be. </p><p></p><p>I've been to Free Comic book days, deep discount sales, etc. Rarely are they worth my time and the heavy crowds make the experience unpleasant. They may attract a lot of people for that day. They may make the store money for that day. But I don't see how they help the store make money the rest of the year. If the stores in your area feel it would make them lots of money, they'd probably be doing it. </p><p></p><p>I spend about $100 to $150 a month at my local game store. About half of that is on food and drink and the other half is on game expansions, card sleeves, etc. that I buy because I'm already there and playing with family or friends. And the place is PACKED every weekend. I don't know about week nights, since I never go on week nights, but I do know that they've just expanded their hours, so they must not be doing too badly. </p><p></p><p>Occasionally they have sales to move slow stock, but I doubt that anyone there is there because of cost. </p><p></p><p>They are there because it is a great place to game. To bring your family. To meet with friends. As a venue for Meetup.com meetups. As a venue for tournaments and mini-cons. </p><p></p><p>You can game and get good food. Beer on tap. The space and furniture is spacious, clean, and pleasant. The staff are friendly, helpful, and attentive. They staff gamers themselves, but also provide good customer service.</p><p></p><p>For a few extra perks, I would happily pay for an annual membership at a place like this. </p><p></p><p>After experiencing a FLGS that is doing very well, AND is a place I WANT to go and hang out at, has removed my sympathy for—and any guilt for not supporting—lesser stores. I no longer experience an iota of guilt ordering games and gaming books from Amazon. I'm not hurting the good stores by doing this. I still spend FAR more money at my game store than on Amazon, its just not being spend on TTRPG books and miniatures. Most of my board-game spend is now spent at Kickstarter. I don't feel bad about this—I'm supporting the creators directly. </p><p></p><p>FLGS HAVE to reinvent themselves. They can't just be a retail store. They need to be resaurants, bars, event planners and event-space renters, and more.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="MNblockhead, post: 7720495, member: 6796661"] A retailer can go cheap and try to be profitable through volume or they can stop worrying about "most" customers and focus on on the portion who are willing to pay more. FLGS are not going to succeed by competing on price, convenience, or freebies. I just bought a "brick" of Wizkids Icons of the Realms pre-painted minis for less than any local game store that will be delivered to my doorstep, same-day, with no shipping costs. Yes, I "pay" shipping because I pay for Amazon Prime membership, but the cost of Prime has paid for itself many times over, esp. since I also cut cable for an Amazon Fire TV box. If I am patient and can wait for four days, Amazon will give me credit for digital purchases (free Kindle books, fee movies) or Amazon marketplace. I also get points on my Amazon Visa card. I get more freebies buying from Amazon than I would from any free RPG day and, on Amazon, I get to PICK what my freebies will be. I've been to Free Comic book days, deep discount sales, etc. Rarely are they worth my time and the heavy crowds make the experience unpleasant. They may attract a lot of people for that day. They may make the store money for that day. But I don't see how they help the store make money the rest of the year. If the stores in your area feel it would make them lots of money, they'd probably be doing it. I spend about $100 to $150 a month at my local game store. About half of that is on food and drink and the other half is on game expansions, card sleeves, etc. that I buy because I'm already there and playing with family or friends. And the place is PACKED every weekend. I don't know about week nights, since I never go on week nights, but I do know that they've just expanded their hours, so they must not be doing too badly. Occasionally they have sales to move slow stock, but I doubt that anyone there is there because of cost. They are there because it is a great place to game. To bring your family. To meet with friends. As a venue for Meetup.com meetups. As a venue for tournaments and mini-cons. You can game and get good food. Beer on tap. The space and furniture is spacious, clean, and pleasant. The staff are friendly, helpful, and attentive. They staff gamers themselves, but also provide good customer service. For a few extra perks, I would happily pay for an annual membership at a place like this. After experiencing a FLGS that is doing very well, AND is a place I WANT to go and hang out at, has removed my sympathy for—and any guilt for not supporting—lesser stores. I no longer experience an iota of guilt ordering games and gaming books from Amazon. I'm not hurting the good stores by doing this. I still spend FAR more money at my game store than on Amazon, its just not being spend on TTRPG books and miniatures. Most of my board-game spend is now spent at Kickstarter. I don't feel bad about this—I'm supporting the creators directly. FLGS HAVE to reinvent themselves. They can't just be a retail store. They need to be resaurants, bars, event planners and event-space renters, and more. [/QUOTE]
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