Advice on Opening a Game Store!

[thalmin]

Contact GAMA, which is the Game Manufacturers Association. They have a retail division which can be very helpful for anyone who owns or plans to own a game store. GAMA even has a mentor program which can team you up with a successful store owner (from another part of the country) to help with advice, questions, etc. If possible, plan on attending the GAMA Trade Show next March in Las Vegas. You will get to attend seminars with other retailers, plus meet distributors and manufacturers.

Opening a business of any sort is risky. It's also a lot of work. If you want to open a game store because you are tired of working, think it would just be cool, want to play lots of games, or want to make a lot of money, "Don't do it!"

If you have long wanted to own your own business, think there is a need for another game store in your area, are ready to work long hours, and want to meet many fine and interesting people, welcome to the club. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[RatPunk]

First, a quick apology for the snarky post about always hearing "Don't Do it". As I mentioned, it just gets a tad frustrating, so a big "Nothing Personal" to BigFreakinGoblinoid and thanks for the initial effort.

I have exchanged a couple of e-mails with GAMA concerning the mentor program, as I thought that would be the perfect way to go. Unfortunately, I was informed that you had to be a Retail Member of GAMA to take advantage of it and I'm nowhere near that point yet. I have not checked to see if the Retailer's Handbook they have is also available to non-members, but since it has a price tag on it I imagine it is. I've also heard tell of a book called the Specialty Retailer's Handbook by someone who owns a chain of comic/game stores, but I have yet to seriously try tracking it down yet. So far, acquiring one or both of these is my primary starting focus at the moment.

This is not something I'm entering into lightly. I've been looking into it off and on for over 10 years, with varying degrees of seriousness. Of course, it was originally because it's every gamer's dream to own their own store, but over the years I have learned much about the actualities of it, so I believe I am prepared for the pain, suffering and heartache. Recent events have finally led to the decision that it's worth a shot, so here I am.


I appreciate everyone's help and advice so far. Please, keep it coming!

 

[Fast Learner]

The GAMA Retailers Handbooks is very good, and the mentor program is also excellent. Spend some of your potential starting capital on the handbook and membership now so you can make a truly informed decision.

 

[RatPunk]

Can one join GAMA as a Retail Member prior to actually being a retailer?

I thought you needed an actual business license or some such, which I obviously don't have yet, being so early in the process and all.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

My advice is to stock a lot of Bad Axe Games' product. TONS of it.

And give free samples of everything that comes in to me-- err, to publishers.

Yeah, that's the ticket!

Good luck, bro!


Wulf

 

[RatPunk]

My advice is to stock a lot of Bad Axe Games' product. TONS of it.

And give free samples of everything that comes in to me-- err, to publishers.

Yeah, that's the ticket!

Good luck, bro!


Wulf

Well, I think stocking Bad Axe products goes without saying, Wulf. And of course it will have a prominent location in the store, complete with spot lights and maybe even a voluptuous model to show it off. I'll bet if I could get enough of it, it would even keep me in business all by itself.

And if your ever in the vicinity of Rat HQ and decide to drop by, you know your money will be no good at my store. Unless you're going to be getting lots of stuff. Ok, I ain't THAT stupid, but as a fellow Rat, you will get some kind of a discount.

Of course, what are the odds we'll ever get you back here for a game or three?

BTW, when are you going to get around to updating that new Story Hour of yours? I just read it last week and I'm already aquiver with anticipation.

(Look at me, I think I just hijacked my own thread...)

 

[Cedric]

I think most of the advice here on ENWorld about opening a gaming store resolves down to Don't Do It for the Wrong Reasons...rather than simply don't do it.

Lots of good advice here..and since I have worked for two game stores which are no longer in business...I can sympathize.

My advice would be, diversify. If something stupid comes out that you hate but people will buy tons of...stock it, stock lots of it. Learn about it, answer questions regarding it. When it seems to have faded some from the public eye like most fads do...keep up your support for it to an extent, but don't overdo it. When a fad is going to die, let it die.

Other then that keep this in mind. Gaming is your hobby. Running a gaming store is your business. Don't confuse the two.

Cedric

 

[Vagabond]

These are my observations from being involved in a couple of small startup companies (all ISPs), hopefully they will help you:

1) Get everything in writing. One ISP the owner had the habit of making verbal deals, and invariably there were disagreements. I can imagine the same thing happening in a game shop.

2) Join the local Chamber of Commerce. You'll have the opportunity to meet the owners of other businesses, and you never know when knowing a plumber will come in handy.

3) Get an attorney who specializes in helping businesses. By the same token get to know an insurance agent specializing small business group care policies.

4) Advertise. The place that I am currently working for does not advertise other then in the yellow pages, and it is hurting the growth potential of the company.

5) Location. Research your location carefully. Try to find out what the immediate future hold in terms of development, taxes, income level of the surrounding population, how far potential customers must travel, etc.

6) Know your target audience. If you are relying on teenagers for the majority of your income, it makes little sense to be open 8am to 5pm, as for 9 months of the year you're shop will be empty until 3:30 - 4:00ish.

7) Differentiate yourself. Add value to your store. Make a deal with a local furniture maker to make game tables, and then sale them to your clients. Make a deal with the pizza parlor for your game nights. Make deals with PDF producers to sell there product in shop, those type of things. It is probably more economical to rent out a room for gaming to groups then it is to host games and hope that the players buy stuff.

8) Think long and hard about any decision you make. When you commit, make sure that you don't abandon the project on first sign of failure, but adjust tactics accordingly.

8a) By the same token, no sense in throwing good money after bad. If the decision was flawed, abandon course of action, but do it gracefully. Promotions and such are a good way to test the waters for any idea.

9) 1 bad customer costs 10 good customers (or something like that). Don't feel bad about not catering to those that are just going to abuse your facilities, or where your going to lose money on them. It is easier to do this and save face at the ISP, as we can always say: "We're sorry, but obviously we are not meeting your needs, perhaps you would should use AOL. We'll refund this months bill amount if you decide to leave."

Hope this helps.

-- Mike

 

[Silver Moon]

Back in college a friend of mine decided to open a gaming store. I was just starting to take a class in Small Business Management, where we had to do a full business plan of a hypotetical store. I took his idea, researched it, and developed the plan. It included both best and worst case scenarios, and the "best case" indicated that he wouldn't break even until the 4th year, which was far longer than his fiance would have had the patience for.

He still went into business, but opened a Karate studio instead (his other hobby), starting part-time with leased space and not buying a storefront until he and his wife could actually afford it. He's now very sucessful, with hundreds of students. He also has a successful and happy marriage, with two teenage sons. So I guess what I'm saying is DO LOTS OF HOMEWORK before you start and make sure you have the full support of your family.

BTW, my upstairs tenant works as a manager at a pair of comic book/sports card/gaming stores in southern New Hampshire and they have been having a real had time making ends meet these past two years, and they've had a sucessful operation for nearly three decades. The current economy is NOT the best time to get into a business that is a luxury item rather than a necessity. So if you are really serious about this you may still want to wait a bit longer.

 

[BrooklynKnight]

ASHV@hotmail.com

Thats the email to the owner of kings games in brooklyn.

He can definatly give you advice.