FLGS and DnD?

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Sounds like a shop owner who's own preferences are more important to him than what the customer wants.

A weird and common occurance with both game shops and comic shops.

 

[Trance-Zg]

A weird and common occurance with both game shops and comic shops.

Well, that's because most of the people that work in comic/game shops are RPG/board game ethusiast. And they always express their own opinions and preferences and to be honest it's refreshing to meet an honest salesman.

 

[Niccodaemus]

I just purchased Labyrinth Lord and AEC from my FLGS. I had done my research online, and chose that as my system.

When I asked about 4e, he said "It isn't even recognizable as D&D"

 

[Therise]

From our gaming group, and extended group of friends who game, I knew only one person who really enjoyed 4E. He got us to play it several times, and it was... okay, but not memorable. That person has since moved on to other games.

So when I hear about gaming stores that can't move 4E merch at retail price, I'm not terribly surprised.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Well, that's because most of the people that work in comic/game shops are RPG/board game ethusiast. And they always express their own opinions and preferences and to be honest it's refreshing to meet an honest salesman.

Most people who own any business are enthusiasts. You don't have bakers talk you out of buying the pie they've got for sale.

"Honest salesmen" are great, in theory, but those same people are also often the ones howling that it's unfair that the universe isn't keeping them in business once they've managed to chase away most of their customers. You don't have to read back very far on ENWorld to see people complaining of LGS that won't order books from catalogs, or who lie and claim a book line is canceled or who express outright hostility to someone coming in and trying to give them money.

I'd rather have someone who runs their shops in a customer-centric way and who saves their edition warring nonsense for some Internet forum I never read.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I just purchased Labyrinth Lord and AEC from my FLGS. I had done my research online, and chose that as my system.

When I asked about 4e, he said "It isn't even recognizable as D&D"

I don't play 4E, and its flavor is not for me, but that's just a stupid comment.

Fantasy races, fantasy classes, hit points, armor class, magic weapons, etc. -- it has most of the sacred cows. Vancian spell-casting might be a sacred cow to some, but D&D has had alternative systems in place going back at least as far as the 1E PHB and psionics (which I guess appeared in The Dragon before that).

 

[kitcik]

I don't play 4E, and its flavor is not for me, but that's just a stupid comment.

Fantasy races, fantasy classes, hit points, armor class, magic weapons, etc. -- it has most of the sacred cows. Vancian spell-casting might be a sacred cow to some, but D&D has had alternative systems in place going back at least as far as the 1E PHB and psionics (which I guess appeared in The Dragon before that).

I disagree. He didn't say "it's not fantasy roleplaying" he said "it's not D&D."

I HAVE played it and I feel the same way.

It is obviously fantasy roleplaying, but it is more of a tactical combat centered game, like a live action MMO. It does not have the "feel" of D&D, IMHO.

1E and 3E are very different games, but they, to me at least, have that same underlying D&D "feel" whereas 4E does not.

Whether you agree or disagree, I think categorizing that view as "stupid" is a ridiculous comment.

 

[kitcik]

I'd rather have someone who runs their shops in a customer-centric way and who saves their edition warring nonsense for some Internet forum I never read.

Customer-centric means providing opinions based on knowledge and trying to create happy return customers.

It does not mean selling any product to whoever you can get to agree to buy it. That is the domain of today's big chain sellers who really on customer churn rather than return customers.

If you want to go to Barnes and Noble and have them sell you whatever game they have been told to push, have at it.

I want to go to a game store and have someone who has actually played the games provide me with their opinions.

 

[Morrus]

Customer-centric means providing opinions based on knowledge and trying to create happy return customers.

It does not mean selling any product to whoever you can get to agree to buy it. That is the domain of today's big chain sellers who really on customer churn rather than return customers.

If you want to go to Barnes and Noble and have them sell you whatever game they have been told to push, have at it.

I want to go to a game store and have someone who has actually played the games provide me with their opinions.

As long as they don't decide their own taste is more important than mine.

If they keep facts and opinions clear and distinct that's fine. If they say "I don't like this game personally because..." then fine (though, frankly, I'm too informed to be influenced by a game store owner's opinion). It's when they start with an agenda of some kind that I get turned off.

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

As long as they don't decide their own taste is more important than mine.

If they keep facts and opinions clear and distinct that's fine. If they say "I don't like this game personally because..." then fine (though, frankly, I'm too informed to be influenced by a game store owner's opinion). It's when they start with an agenda of some kind that I get turned off.

Yeah, there's a significant difference between a FLGS guy spouting unsolicited opinions like "Are you sure you want to buy that?" or "It's not recognizable as D&D"* and a FLGS guy giving you his opinion when asked.

The former isn't any better than a used car salesman selling you a lemon; the only difference is the sleazy car salesman will be in business longer. The latter is honest, sales savvy, and not a jerk.

*Especially if he states them as facts.