Sheesh this is getting expensive!!

[Mystery Man]

The last 10 books I've got have been from my FLGS. I always try to keep my business with these guys because its a great local resource. But these days, books off the shelf are just too damn much money. It is just getting insane.

I'm normally a big proponent of supporting my local FLGS but with skyrocketing (IMHO) price of hardcovers and the fact that I just bought a brand new house I'm buying my books from Amazon, or Overstock or the lowest bidder from now on.

For those of you who still support your local guy more power to ya, from this day forward (just bought Frostburn for 10 dollars cheaper off Amazon) I just can't do it anymore.

...mutters to self, 35 bucks!? Ker-azee....

 

[diaglo]

ditto.

i use to get a discount from my FLGS. which tho cheaper than list price wasn't equal to the discount i could get on the web. but still i wanted to support the FLGS.


then it went belly up.


i buy online now.

 

[JoeGKushner]

The problem I'm having is that the 'impulse' buy level for me, say $15 to even $20 isn't there any more and what's worse, it's starting to fade in the miniatures area as well. I love some of the new Conrtonation and War Machine models but you see a figure for $10 bones and think... "Nope... counter time."

 

[Jeff Wilder]

The thing I don't get is just how resistant my (NSF)LGSs are to offering a discount. I've talked to the staff at three different stores within driving or BARTing distance of my apartment in San Francisco. In every case, the conversation has gone something similar to this:

"Hey, guys. Look, I really want to buy here and support your business, but Amazon gives me 30 percent off and free shipping, plus they don't charge me California's 8.5 percent sales tax. I don't expect y'all to match that, but what about a smaller discount? Say, 20 percent?"

"No, we can't do that. We'd lose money."

"Well ... okay, how about 10 percent?"

"I don't see how 10 percent makes enough difference to matter. If we sell 11 books at 10 percent off, we'll sell 10 at full price."

I'm like, "Buh?" What is with these people? I spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars a year on RPG stuff, and they actively reject my business? So I've shrugged and moved on. Amazon bends over backwards for me -- and I'm talking about more than just the discount and free shipping -- so they get my business from now on. Anything Amazon doesn't give at a discount, I'll buy from the publisher.


Jeff

P.S. Did y'all know that even if an online merchant doesn't charge you sales tax, you're still responsible for reporting the transaction and paying it to your state? I'm a damned lawyer, and I didn't know that until this year. (Of course, I did only score 20 percent -- a solid B! -- on my Taxation final back in law school ... )

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Well, I buy almost all my stuff at an FOGS - friendly online gaming store. It's a gaming store that also sells stuff over the internet. They have decent prices, get the stuff early and send it home to me free of charge - which is fine, because I'm miserly, impatient and lazy ;-)

 

[was]

Yeah, I've got the same problem. I love supporting the local store, but sometimes they're just not very competitive. If, after adding S/H, the difference is around $5 or less then I'll buy it local. Otherwise, it just gets too expensive.

 

[Keeper of Secrets]

P.S. Did y'all know that even if an online merchant doesn't charge you sales tax, you're still responsible for reporting the transaction and paying it to your state? I'm a damned lawyer, and I didn't know that until this year. (Of course, I did only score 20 percent -- a solid B! -- on my Taxation final back in law school ... )

You scored higher than me. I got a 'C!'

Anyway, I know it has to be hard to compete with the online people and all but the most successful stores are going to struggle over the next five years or so. I know it won't make much a difference to most people but do what you can to support the local store.

 

[jester47]

Does anyone know what the stores are getting the books at? I mean amazon can afford to buy enough to where they are able to get them at more than 30% off. I mean if regular independent retailers are getting them at 50%, then anyone with business sense should understand the nature of their competition and start offering a discount.

Aaron.

 

[Atom Again]

ditto.


i buy online now.

What exactly do you buy, Diaglo? I thought you only played OD&D.

 

[KevinS]

Speaking as an owner, after paying Rent/power/phone etc, there is about 15-20 % for profits. If we discount 20% to you we make no money ourselves. Yes the Amazons of the world might be able to sell you something & make no profit on it, but your FLGS owner can not, especially with the declining sales overall. If there are massive sales of something like Pokemon where you can make your profits, you can then give some discount to those that preorder on a regular basis. There are many other factors as well, dead stock collecting dust on the selves, etc etc, but we do provide you with a place where you can hopefully share youe hobby in a clean & friendly atmosphere.