Bookstore treats D&D books like Playboy

[Anthraxus]

There was a small bookshop in Stillwater, MN back in the '80s that I used to frequent... Had to drive 30 miles just to get there(from western WI). They had the gaming section, with all those shiny new 1E modules, right next to the counter.

One time I came in to get a book or two, and the books were completely gone!!! I asked about it, and they said they had too many shoplifters- got rid of the books entirely.

THANKS THIEVES!

-A

 

[glass]

My hopes for a Lidda centrefold are once against dashed.

Lidda? Can you really get excited about someone so short they only come up to your ... oh, I see!


glass.

 

[Dr. Harry]

Oh, believe me, we understand and I didn't perceive you as rude at all. I try to keep a liberalistic view of humanity (a belief that all people are good-willed by nature), but things like this keep strengthening my cynical side. I know that the majority of customers aren't walking out with books, but it's a high enough percentage to do significant harm...

In the words of Linus van Pelt, "I love mankind - it's *people* I can't stand!"

 

[Dr. Harry]

What is the "Wizard's First Rule"?

"People are stupid. They will believe anything that they want to be true or fear to be true."

 

[Turjan]

Perhaps I'm asking a dumb question, but any reasons why this is? I mean, all stereotypes of Gamers aside (and this thread is doing a bit to foster the bad stereotypes), it's suprising to me that broader-appeal items like bestsellers aren't stolen more. Though perhaps its an issue of scale.

Maybe, they want to put all those skill points they invested in 'sleight of hand' to use?

 

[glass]

Many shoplifters are in their teens and so gaming books appeal more than the latest Jackie Collins novel.

For some reason, I read that as 'the latest Jackie Chan novel' at first.


glass.

 

[nakia]

That is so messed up it's not frakking funny. That is my frakking paycheck that was extorted from me they're stealing! No wonder my library here in Charlotte doesn't have any D&D books!

THOU SHALT NOT STEAL.

Library in Charlotte? North Carolina? I'm down the road in Rock Hill; I just heard the Charlotte Library is sponsoring some game related activities; there's an open game night on the 28th. If they're getting involved in gaming, maybe they'll start to stock some books.

Sorry about the hijack; I'm just trying to connect with other gamers in the area (see sig).

 

[LiKral]

Conversely, if you were a customer who went in to buy rpg books, and did so on even a semi-regular basis, you probably wouldn't have any trouble asking to see a book (as you know you are not there simply to browse, and as the management knows the same).

Some people go into a shop with a specific product in mind. Some people want to browse and buy something that catches their eye. I usually fall into the latter category. I buy more RPG products by impulse than in a planned fashion.

You simply cannot browse if a book is behind a counter. You can ask to see a book, but if you don't know it exists, you can't ask for it. Also, you have to put up with the sighs of the shop assistant as they have to waste time hovering over you while you flick through the precious merchandise. And who knows if they are not missing a real shoplifter while they are looking over my shoulder?

Things are even worse for shrinkwrapped stuff. I only buy this if I am certain I want it. This means I don't take any chances on new or obscure stuff, which is not good for the gaming industry.

 

[Bagpuss]

What's so ironic is, it's nearly impossible to find anyone in my town (pop. 44,000) who games! They must be truckin' in the shoplifters from other towns!

Could be Chaldfont's religious nuts stealing them then "to protect the children".

 

[Altalazar]

Some people go into a shop with a specific product in mind. Some people want to browse and buy something that catches their eye. I usually fall into the latter category. I buy more RPG products by impulse than in a planned fashion.

You simply cannot browse if a book is behind a counter. You can ask to see a book, but if you don't know it exists, you can't ask for it. Also, you have to put up with the sighs of the shop assistant as they have to waste time hovering over you while you flick through the precious merchandise. And who knows if they are not missing a real shoplifter while they are looking over my shoulder?

Things are even worse for shrinkwrapped stuff. I only buy this if I am certain I want it. This means I don't take any chances on new or obscure stuff, which is not good for the gaming industry.

Exactly. You eliminate browsing entirely when you put it behind the counter. Thus, you eliminate all browsing customers and lose their money. Meanwhile, I go to a competitor.