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Message: <blockquote data-quote="gamersgambit" data-source="post: 4336610" data-attributes="member: 66022">First--thanks to everyone; I appreciate the replies (even if they're not in agreement with me).  Ultimately, feedback is important.My store, by the by, is The Gamer's Gambit; 26-13 Broadway, Fair Lawn, NJ, 07410.  Website: <a href="http://www.gamersgambitonline.com" target="_blank">Gamer's Gambit Online</a>.All that being said, some replies.To all of those people who (a) don't have an LGS; or (b) never had an LGS:  Obviously, this can't be about you. Frankly, I think the "L" is best defined as "within a 30 minute drive".For those who state that there's no "F" in their FLGS:I think that friendliness is highly important, or to put it a better way, providing customer service is very important.  Moreover, if you're going to be in the business of being an FLGS (as opposed, say, to being a comic book shop that happens to sell games), you're pretty much obligated to provide playspace.For those of you who pointed out means by which an LGS can improve its customer service:Personally, I've implemented many of the suggestions mentioned.  I'm well aware that there's an obligation on the part of the FLGS to work to retain customers.  The mere fact that a retailer *has a product* is no reason to buy from them if their price isn't the lowest; they must provide something that instills a sense of loyalty in the customer.There were several creative ideas I hadn't considered (thanks, Corjay!).  I really appreciate those, and perhaps I should've titled this post: what can I, as an FLGS, do to retain/grasp your business from Amazon and Barnes and Noble?For those of you who were distinctly more negative:First of all, I'm not looking for charity.  Nor am I making any threats.  I'm simply making people aware of what is happening, in my eyes, to the business.  I got into this because I was an RPG player for many years.  I'm also a businessman; I was a corporate customer service manager for many years before getting into this.Second of all, I beg to differ with those of you who are stating that the FLGS isn't relevant anymore or isn't important to the gaming community.  It is in places like mine that people who wouldn't consider RPGs become RPG players (by watching others play); it is here that CCG players discover RPGs; it is here that people who are tomorrow's game designers come to associate with others.  We are the physical gathering place for gamers.  It is at stores like this that game designers are born and inspired.What I am pointing out here is not "support the horse and carriage, cars are the work of the devil!" It is quite simply that when you take that extra $5 discount on a product over what I am charging, you are neglecting what we as FLGSes do for the community as a whole.  It may well be you don't care about the community of gamers and the tone that it takes, which is fine.   In that case, there's nothing I can do.  However, those of you on ENWorld are probably the sorts of folks who DO care.You wonder where the designers at Wizards get their feedback for creating their new versions and products...well, a lot of it comes from the RPGA, which is often based in or around an FLGS.  More comes from the retailers themselves--our impressions of what we see and report after Game Day events and other events, and our constant communication with Wizards.  It is to retailers like us that Wizards go when they want to know what is selling and what isn't.  When you decide to not patronize our stores, you're shooting yourselves in the foot when it comes to the future of game design.Buying products from Amazon provides very little feedback to Wizards.  Posting to their boards provides some, but let's face it, they'd be utter fools to base many decisions on the ranting and arguing that occur on those boards.  Gaming stores--which provide a location for gamers to formulate opinions and retailers to provide feedback--are where it's at.That, plus the steady stream of new players I draw into RPGs who come into my store, are what the community gets from supporting their FLGSes.********************************It is likely that none of you are going to buy anything from my store.  This post isn't about my store personally.  I'm just seeking your thoughts on things, and maybe convincing you to think about returning to your FLGS.</blockquote>

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