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<blockquote data-quote="DonAdam" data-source="post: 986985" data-attributes="member: 2446">I find it amazing in any discussion of big vs small business that people will pass judgments that they would never would when judging people's lifestyles.Both big and small stores provide different kinds of services for different kinds of consumers, or consumers that change mood from time to time. Big chains emphasize efficiency and prices, small chains emphasize service. Neither is going anywhere, especially for a niche market like roleplaying games.But if I don't care for my FLGS (I do), why is it bad to purchase from the big boys? Even if I do care for them, I make many purchases there, so why must I make this one? The bottom line is that if its worth it to me (someone mentioned intangible benefits, which is right on) I'll pay the extra, as I often do when buying ridiculously priced t-shirts for small bands I like just so that they'll keep making records.When its not time sensitive, I order off of Amazon or Buy. In the case of 3.5, I wanted the books before GenCon, and so I got the best compromise: Talon Comics. Almost as cheap as the big chains, I'll get it on time, and I can trust Derek to give me accurate information 100% of the time.If I was ordering a second player's handbook a few months down the road, there's no question I'd go with an online retailer.In contrast, for a $10 or $11 module I'd just as soon buy from my FLGS, because of shipping and time preference (I get it now).I also resent calling the big chains &quot;heartless.&quot; They simply have a different way of serving their customers, which some customers prefer. Those guys are trying to feed their families just like anyone else.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="DonAdam, post: 986985, member: 2446"] I find it amazing in any discussion of big vs small business that people will pass judgments that they would never would when judging people's lifestyles. Both big and small stores provide different kinds of services for different kinds of consumers, or consumers that change mood from time to time. Big chains emphasize efficiency and prices, small chains emphasize service. Neither is going anywhere, especially for a niche market like roleplaying games. But if I don't care for my FLGS (I do), why is it bad to purchase from the big boys? Even if I do care for them, I make many purchases there, so why must I make this one? The bottom line is that if its worth it to me (someone mentioned intangible benefits, which is right on) I'll pay the extra, as I often do when buying ridiculously priced t-shirts for small bands I like just so that they'll keep making records. When its not time sensitive, I order off of Amazon or Buy. In the case of 3.5, I wanted the books before GenCon, and so I got the best compromise: Talon Comics. Almost as cheap as the big chains, I'll get it on time, and I can trust Derek to give me accurate information 100% of the time. If I was ordering a second player's handbook a few months down the road, there's no question I'd go with an online retailer. In contrast, for a $10 or $11 module I'd just as soon buy from my FLGS, because of shipping and time preference (I get it now). I also resent calling the big chains "heartless." They simply have a different way of serving their customers, which some customers prefer. Those guys are trying to feed their families just like anyone else. [/QUOTE]

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