The problem with FLGS

[apocalypstick]

Heh. The guy who runs my FLGS is a jerk, shrink-wraps the books and won't let you take a look at them, plus he won't order the specific Reaper minis (i love the new Warlord line; he won't carry them because they're 30mm scale (!!!)) I want... I have no problem supporting my "local" online retailer(s) instead.

 

[Glyfair]

Oh someone mentioned asking my FLGS for discount - they declined to do that (probably because I'm not a regular customer, or because they feel they can sell what they ordered at full price; both are legit reasons IMHO.)

More than likely it's because they can't afford to. Every gaming store I know of is being run by people who love gaming. Profits? The margins in gaming products aren't that high. It's even worse when they decide to carry the software products (one store refused to carry E-Tools because he made almost nothing on it at the suggested price, the other marked it up to $40).

Every single FLGS I know of was started by someone who loved gaming. They didn't get into the business because they wanted to make money (and it's a good thing, too). They got into it because they wanted to support the gaming community (or some similiar group).

Glyfair of Glamis

 

[LostWorldsMike]

Heh. The guy who runs my FLGS is a jerk, shrink-wraps the books and won't let you take a look at them, plus he won't order the specific Reaper minis (i love the new Warlord line; he won't carry them because they're 30mm scale (!!!)) I want... I have no problem supporting my "local" online retailer(s) instead.

There's no point in supporting a rotten store. If a store provides that kinda lousy service, they're going to be more of a detriment to the hobby IN business than outta business. Personally I can't understand why any retailer with a brain would refuse a guaranteed special order sale. Doesn't make any sense to me.

Shrinkwrapping I can understand to a point... It keeps the books from getting damaged. BUT! you gotta leave at least one open so people can look at it.

Anywho, you're FLGS doesn't sound too friendly. Is the store you mention your only local option?

 

[apocalypstick]

It's the only one within a reasonable distance to me... there are others in the greater metropolitan area, but none within bicycling range (i don't drive anymore).

 

[Tarek]

Game Parlor

hijack

So, BiggusGeekus, which Game Parlor do you show up in regularly?

Woodbridge? Chantilly?

joke
I'd like to know, so that we can arrange an appropriate Nerfball reception for you ;-)
/joke

/hijack

Seriously, on the role-playing side of things, the release of D&D 3.5 is a major event for retailers all over, and one that can put all of us on a much better footing for the rest of the year.

I would also like to agree with LostWorldsMike; one needs to sell in volume in order to make up the profit on discounted products. Frequently, that volume just isn't there, so you've invested money into products that are just taking up shelf space.

Put the two together, and you can see our dilemna. Do we purchase a lot of 3.5 books, when we know some of our customers won't buy them from us because we can't sell at the crippling discounts Amazon can offer? Or do we buy fewer 3.5 books, to avoid overstock, and risk losing business if demand proves to be higher than expected?

We are taking pre-orders for D&D 3.5, naturally, and I expect we'll have a good number of the books on hand. Just be aware that our customer's buying habits actually do have an effect on what products and how many of them appear on our shelves. At Game Parlor, we like to be able to say 'Yes, we have that' and we pride ourselves on a diverse selection of products, but we need the sales of "core stock" items like the D&D rulebooks in order to be able to get in products like "Unveiled Masters: The Complete Guide to Mind Flayers" or "Summer Fun Plush Cthulhu."

And we all NEED a "Summer Fun Plush Cthulhu," to remind ourselves of exactly why we don't go to the beaches. ;-)

And on the topic of shrinkwrapping; we do shrinkwrap. We'll also open it up upon request, if you want to see what's inside before deciding whether or not to buy.

Tarek
Game Parlor - Woodbridge
http://www.gameparlor.com

 

[Terry Edwards]

Walmart tactics

I can fully understand the crux gamers (and consumers in general) are faced with. The savings with Walmart is huge. I know that many of you are supporting your flgs year round and buying cheap on the revised edition. Again I understand, you've bought the core books once at $30 each and don't really want to spend that much again for more or less the same product. I, however, will not by buying from Walmart or any other discounting giant and here's why: Walmart intentionally undercuts competitors to drive those companies out of business. Even if Walmart loses money on a product they still win a victory by stealing the customers of the competition. The big companies can take a hit in the short term to corner the market in the long term. I have read in other posts that capitalism is based on a competetive market and even "it's my duty as and american to seek the lowest price" but Walmart tactics are not healthy capitalism nor competition. When all the competition is gone leaving us with only one store to buy from then that store will dictate what is produced and therefore what you have the option of buying. I stand against the Walmartinization of this country, who's with me.

Sorry about that, I'll stop ranting now.

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

Why isn't anyone compromising on this one?

I certainly see nothing wrong in setting a dollar value to a question of principal as trivial as this one, but with regard to that it seems perfectly reasonable to me to buy two of three books on Amazon and then send a little business your FLGS's way.

That way you aren't giving all of your support to the heartless killing mills that are the big chains, and when you but from your FLGS you know you are getting a good value. Since you know exactly that that little bit extra is a charity on your part and an investment in a part of your landscape that you enjoy.

I work parttime at a heartless chain, and I do enjoy the discount, though it isn't as good as the discount I would enjoy at a chain with heart, but I always make sure to spend some of the money I save from the discount on items from stores where the people actually care.

I don't care and non of my co-workers do, but that's part of the reason I enjoy investing in something that does.

Plus I know that I will pick up on that investment in all the good tips and surprises that my FLGS will have and my big chain won't.

I'm not advocating saintleness, though I will be asking for intervention later, but I do think that the responsibilities of being a good consumer in a consumption driven society cut both ways, and you should meet both demands as best you can.

So come on, instead of saving $30.00 consider saving $20.00 and buying a whole lot more in intangibles.

 

[spacecrime.com]

To echo a couple of other store owners in the thread, our D&D sales help pay for a lot of the shelf space devoted to small press games and slower-selling products.

That said, I'm taking an increasingly laissez-faire attitude about this kind of thread. It's up to the store to earn your business, not up to you to "support" the store. If the Harlequin's good selection and helpful staff isn't enough to get your business, then that's the way it is.

cheers,

 

[proditor]

Yeah, that pretty much sums up my experiences from the consumer side. Since leaving NY, I haven't found a good brick and mortar store in my area.

I have two WotC stores nearby and I never purchase anything from them unless they are clearing shelf space and it's on their 50% of rack.

Now in another venue, comics and Heroclix, I have an awesome store. They treat me well, get me stuff I'll randomly ask for as the whim takes me, offer advice on titles. I'm planning on getting a case of Cosmic Justice Heroclix, and yeah I could save $50-$75 by hunting online for a deal, but you know what? My guy did right by me, so I'm going to do right by him.

That said, I ordered my 3.5 books from Amazon because no Game store in this area has delivered the same level of customer service.

 

[Goobermunch]

I'm just going to drop my $.02 in here again now.

I went the Walmart route, because my FLGS is offering less than a 10% discount. Walmart's offer seemed too good to be true. Then, I got the dreaded email . . . "Your order has been DELAYED."

So now I'm in a situation where I want instant gratification, but am unhappy with my FLGS's pricing.

So here's what I'm doing. There's another gaming store in town, they're doing a 20% discount. That's a much better discount. Plus, I have a ton of old White Wolf stuff I haven't looked at in 3 years. This afternoon, I'm selling the old Whitewolf stuff to the other Gaming Store. I'll put the profits toward the 3.5 books. In that way, I'll beat the Walmart discount (hopefully, I'll get 3.5 for free), and I'll support a local business.

I'm feeling much better about how this will all play out now.

--G