My local FLGS is in trouble

[MojoGM]

Gaming stores rarely discount the most recent releases from gaming publishers. As a result, they get killed by sellers like Amazon.

If they refuse to compete in the marketplace or, worse, expect people to willingly throw away money in order to 'support' their store, they deserve to go under.

Simple as that. No tears.

I'll have to agree with you, in principle at least. I find it very hard to spend full cover price on a book, when you can hop online and get anywhere up to 25% off.

But on the other hand, it is nice to have a local shop when you need (or want) something right away. I know several times I have stopped at my local store (Myriad Games) to pick up a few miniature singles right before the game where they were needed. Can't do that online.

So, I compromise. I buy all my monthly publications (and the occasional miniature or book purchase) from the store, and occasionally I shop online. I like to support local retailers, but yeah, I'm not going to go into debt to do it (and I'm not in the business of charity).

That being said, I'm really happy with my store, and whenever I can I throw business their way.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

Speaking of discounts, one thing to note about Three Trolls in Chelmsford is that once you accumulate $100 worth of receipts from them you can get a gift certificate for the store, $10 as I recall (maybe it is only $5, I can't remember for certain).

My problem is that I'm bad about keeping track of the receipts. I spent $45 dollars there a couple of months ago. Can I find the receipt now? No, of course not...

 

[Tetsubo]

I got an ad in the mail yesterday that Jump Gate (Portsmouth, NH) is having a major sale May 25th - 27th. They are cutting RPG prices by 35%, which makes up for most online retailers discounts... I'll be going over on the 26th...

Some of these stores I've never even heard of... and I've been a gamer in NH since 1978... Thanks all...

 

[Silver Moon]

I believe they moved in early-Mid 2006. They are now at 25 South Street.

Thanks, I stopped by yesterday during my lunch break. I wasn't too impressed as I'm not into Warhammer which seemed to be all they stocked in miniatures and their comic book back issues didn't have anything before 1990. What I was less impressed with was the manager as for the entire half-hour I was there he was on the phone with somebody and never stopped to interact with me even though it was obvious that I had an interest in much of what they carried.

I got an ad in the mail yesterday that Jump Gate (Portsmouth, NH) is having a major sale May 25th - 27th. They are cutting RPG prices by 35%, which makes up for most online retailers discounts... I'll be going over on the 26th...

Thanks for the infomation - I may stop by and check it out.

 

[Tetsubo]

Speaking of discounts, one thing to note about Three Trolls in Chelmsford is that once you accumulate $100 worth of receipts from them you can get a gift certificate for the store, $10 as I recall (maybe it is only $5, I can't remember for certain).

My problem is that I'm bad about keeping track of the receipts. I spent $45 dollars there a couple of months ago. Can I find the receipt now? No, of course not...

The Comic Store has a similar "gamers card". You spend $100 and you get $10 in store credit. They keep the data on their computer system.

 

[Asmor]

Harrison's Comics & Collectibles in Salem, MA (literally right around the corner from Red Lion Smoke Shop, another store with games mentioned earlier in the thread) is where I do most of my gaming. They don't have a huge selection of games, though... Basically one bookshelf with RPGs and a couple shelves of board games. I patronize them primarily because I play D&D down in their basement every week.

 

[Mad Zagyg]

Very sorry to hear about Empire Games. Hopefully they can pull through so another FLGS doesn't vanish.

For those who live a little closer to Boston or the South Shore, I own Battleground Games & Hobbies in Abington, MA. It's right off of Rt 3, on the Weymouth/Abington line. We have a really good selection of RPGs, CCGs, Minis, Boardgames, etc.

We've been around for 5 years and have a really large, solid group of friendly gamers who call us home

Come down to visit us if you ever get the chance, or pop by our website at:

www.battlegroundgames.com

For those a little closer to the North Shore in MA, I highly recommend Danger Planet in Waltham - another great store with a solid community.

Derek Lloyd
Battleground Games & Hobbies