Why is WotC trying to kill my FLGS?

[catsclaw227]

Amazon didn't kill the general mom & pop bookstore. Most were bought or put out of business by the big chain bookstores well before Amazon showed up. Most independents that survived were niche stores that served a community that the big chains didn't cater to. These are the stores that Amazon is threatening. Amazon carries such a large selection that most niches are covered. FLGS will have to provide services that Amazon can't if they want to continue doing business.

But what (only 1 other post?) has pointed out is that these niche stores ARE selling on Amazon! I have bought a number of used books and CDs this way. You don't get the shipping discounts, but they can still sell their used and new stock this way.

 

[Rykion]

Maybe, maybe not.

Just straight charging for a room would be bad yeah... But a room with access to all the latest books, various sound tracks, terrain stuff, plus food, places just to "hang out" etc... It would have to follow the gym membership idea. You COULD go out and buy all the equipment you need, but it's cheaper/easier to just pay a membership and let someone else buy all the new stuff.

The problem is that providing that much stuff would probably mean a membership fee of at least $30 to $40 a month. Casual gamers and gamers that collect every book for their favorite system aren't likely to join.

Again I'm not saying it would work, just that stores might need to start moving away from the "I sell books to make money" model because well, is it working?

"Guilting" people into buying stuff isn't a good marketing strategy. It might work slightly, but overall? Not so much.

My FLGS has everything your proposed pay to play business has except soundtracks. It's all free. They also offer a 15% discount on all new merchandise. They aren't guilting me on anything.

 

[Rykion]

But what (only 1 other post?) has pointed out is that these niche stores ARE selling on Amazon! I have bought a number of used books and CDs this way. You don't get the shipping discounts, but they can still sell their used and new stock this way.

Independent used bookstores are a different animal. Many have survived the big chain onslaught pretty well. I suspect a lot of Amazon marketplace bookstores are primarily used stores that discount some new stock when it has sat on the shelf too long. Others are simply online only just like Amazon itself.

 

[justanobody]

So if I use the MSRP for my baseline, I'm getting a 38% discount by going with amazon. Either way, amazon looks really good.

edit: I also find it odd that apparent math has an amazon bias.

Facts:

• LGS sales at MSRP.
• Amazon sales at 38% off MSRP

LGS's are ripping people off by selling 50% more than Amazon!

What do you get from this statement? Does it convey all the facts?

Amazon is selling at a 38% discount over the LGS!

Does this statement more closely resemble the truth?

So it matters not with the math, but how the facts are given within the wording of the statements and what could be being accused of happening with such a statement as #1.

 

[malraux]

snip

It would be nice if you wouldn't make up claims and put them in my mouth.

 

[justanobody]

It would be nice if you wouldn't make up claims and put them in my mouth.

That is always nice, and why I didn't do that. I just showed how two statements based on the same facts can lead people to think things differently because of how words could be twisted when the facts are not truly shown for what they are.

Explaining why saying it a certain way misleads people without all the facts.

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

The problem is using amazon as the baseline for comparison.

The MSRP should be used for the baseline and see who is selling close to the price the company decided the product should be sold for.

You cannot blame someone for selling something at the suggested price because someone else is selling it cheaper, or claim that someone is selling for more because they are selling it at the MSRP.

Sure it is more, but the wording makes it look like a blatant attempt to rip people off by going to the LGS which is not true.

To properly compare them then state who is selling what based on the MSRP and you see what is really going on without twisting words and facts for an opinion, and then you can let people come up with their own opinions.

Or you could interpret the MSRP as being wholly irrelevant. Amazon sells for what they can afford to. Brick-and-mortar stores sell for what they can afford to. The MSRP has really nothing to do with anything, because what really sets the price is the cost of the book to the vendor and the vendor's expenses.

 

[Fifth Element]

The MSRP has really nothing to do with anything, because what really sets the price is the cost of the book to the vendor and the vendor's expenses.

Don't forget profit...

 

[SPoD]

Game stores do not have an inherent right to exist. If they want to compete with Amazon in a free market, they need to find other means of creating value for shopping there. For some shops, this means putting energy into things like in-store gaming, knowledgeable staff that can answer questions, and places where you can sit and actually browse the book while deciding whether or not to buy it--all things that Amazon can't offer.

If a game store chooses not to do anything but shove products onto poorly-organized dimly-lit shelves while the clerk rolls his eyes at you for even looking at a book that is not for his RPG of preference (assuming he can even be bothered to look up from his comic book), then that store deserves to lose sales to Amazon and will probably be driven out of business soon enough.

 

[Fifth Element]

One advantage that FLGSs can have ove Amazon is being borne out right now with the shipping troubles people have been experiencing. I've had my Martial Power since Tuesday, got it at my FLGS.