FLGS question

[Kravenjest]

Hi! I'm a long-time lurker, and really enjoy this forum.

I'd like to get some opinions about game store owners playing with their customers. Do you think it's okay for them to step out from behind the counter and join in customer games, or is it considered unprofessional? Should they stick to playing outside of their own store, and where should the line be drawn?

What about when it comes to tournament play when prizes are involved?

Thanks!

 

[Morrus]

A game store owner is just a guy who owns a game store. There are no rules of professionalism. I can think of no reason at all why he shouldn't game with his customers. He can adopt any policies or strategies he wishes for his business; the market decides if they work.

Playing in a competition where you're a judge? That's different.

 

[Ahnehnois]

I would hope that a game store owner actually plays some of the games (not always the case). As to playing with the customers, why not? I worked at a running store where the owners participated in recreational and competitive runs with customers. It's pretty standard in that business.

I don't know that it's really a question of professionalism; just of managing expectations. If the game store owner DMs and his players come for the game and never buy anything (as some players do), he has to decide whether that's okay with him. If people expect to use his personal items or ask him for discounts, he has to have a philosophy for handling that. But those are all things that can be dealt with by a sensible person.

 

[haakon1]

I think demo running an occasional game for customers is a pretty good idea.

 

[Bagpuss]

Is this playing in the store, while it is open? I assume there are at least other staff about to "watch the shop" and serve other customers while the owner is playing? If there aren't then yeah I would consider that unprofessional.

Unless say it was after normal opening hours.... still I'd be worried about shrinkage if the store was still open to the public and someone wasn't keeping an eye on things, since gaming is going to take most of the owners attention.

 

[Bagpuss]

Playing in a competition where you're a judge? That's different.

If it was a card game league or something where someone else can judge your matches and if you actually won, you give the prizes to the 2nd placed winner, etc. Then I don't think that would be a problem.

 

[delericho]

A game store owner is just a guy who owns a game store. There are no rules of professionalism. I can think of no reason at all why he shouldn't game with his customers. He can adopt any policies or strategies he wishes for his business; the market decides if they work.

Playing in a competition where you're a judge? That's different.

Yep, this.

But...

I'd like to get some opinions about game store owners playing with their customers. Do you think it's okay for them to step out from behind the counter and join in customer games...

Simply put, a game store owner pretty much has to do whatever is best for his business. Retail is a hard, hard business to get into, and game-related retail is harder still. Even well-run game stores have very little chance of success.

So, if the increased good will from playing with customers helps keep the store going, they absolutely should. If, instead, they find that potential customers are not getting service and so leave without buying, then they urgently need to rethink.

But it's not about professionalism as such. It's about survival.

 

[Jhaelen]

Is this playing in the store, while it is open? I assume there are at least other staff about to "watch the shop" and serve other customers while the owner is playing? If there aren't then yeah I would consider that unprofessional.

This!

Participating in a tournament while the shop is closed (or someone else serves the customers) should be fine.

 

[JediSoth]

As long as customer service doesn't suffer, then I have no problem with it.

I have been in game stores where the owners/employees were playing with customers and acted like I was rude and inconveniencing them because I came in to shop and wanted to buy something or had some questions. THAT is unacceptable.

I also have a problem when open gaming areas interfere with my ability to browse. I have been in stores that are so cramped, they have no business having gaming tables set up because when half-a-dozen people are sitting around the table you can't even walk around the store. These people fail Business 101.

 

[was]

I like owners who game. I think that they are more knowledgeable about the products they sell. That being said, as others have pointed out customer service should not take a back seat to an owner's entertainment.