What Do You Do to Support Your FLGS?

[Terwox]

I do not support my FLGS.

I used to buy books from a store that allowed browsing, except the haze of smoke from the owner smoking all day also yellowed the pages of anything sitting on the shelf. Nice enough place, but it got bad enough to where I couldn't walk in without getting a headache, so I stopped going.

Once a new gaming shop opened up in town, I was already out of the habit. If I gamed at a shop I would probably feel differently.

 

[Wormwood]

Emerald City, my FLGS is a treasure.

I buy all my gaming stuff there---regardless of the discount I could get online.

 

[Agamon]

I buy very little online. I buy the majority of stuff from the FLGS, which is pretty darn good, as well as some stuff from the F-not-so-LGS, because it truly rules, and I stop there every time I hit up Calgary.

I run D&D gameday stuff, but other than that I don't do a whole lot. I'd do more if asked though, it tends to be fun.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

Do you do anything extra to support your FLGS if you have one? If you are an owner, do you have customers that go above and beyond to help ensure your success?

Does anybody volunteer to run demo games or referee tournaments? What other types of thing might someone do to help their FLGS?

If all you do is make purchases, is there any reason you don't do more? No judgements here. If you look at your relationship with the store as nothing more than a consumer/merchant transaction I understand, but do you still consider them a (F) LGS or just the store with the best price etc.?

I live in Sydney, and I would not consider any of the gaming stores to which I have been a "community resource" for gamers, as I understand a lot of North American stores are seen by their customers.

I believe that university and community gaming groups perform this service for a great many more people than do Sydney's stores - groups like SUTEKH at the University of Sydney, UNSW Gamers at the University of New South Wales, et cetera.

Certainly, to the best of my knowledge, the closest stores in Sydney get to supporting roleplaying games (as opposed to collectible card or miniatures games) is providing hosting space for RPGA events, or perhaps one or two private games.

I tend to eschew gaming stores except when absolutely necessary. It's not their fault - the last time I was unable to buy something from them when I wanted it (Keep on the Shadowfell) had nothing to do with the store and everything to do with the distributor's short stock.

I don't think it's particularly viable to sell roleplaying game products in Sydney anymore - and the only webstores I can think of that operate in New South Wales are crippled by the fact that they all have central business district locations, with central business district rent and expenses for their bricks-and-mortar stores. I think it's far more likely that a web-only store operated out of cheap premises in an inexpensive suburb could succeed, but I don't know of anyone trying to do that.

 

[Dragon Snack]

I used to run Demos at my FLGS, but I never drew large groups there.

I also used to run Demos and Paint And Takes at the big LGS, but they didn't exactly reciprocate (20% discount for running events while anyone can get a 30% discount at my FLGS). When my real job started to interfer with runnning stuff they made it easy to walk away.

I ran a couple PnTs at a NSLGS. Would have run more if they had been closer.

 

[questing gm]

I buy and buy and continue buying stuff from them.

I'm thinking of increasing my participation by offering to DM games for them as long as they sponsor food, drinks and a table for me.

 

[pogminky]

If I had a FLGS I'd buy stuff from them and if they had games there I'd play. I guess I'd also spread good comments about them.

 

[Tetsubo]

I don't have a FLGS any longer. When I did I bought things there even though I could have gotten them online. Now I buy around 95% of my new gaming books online. I make special trips a few times a year to gaming stores in my area though, mostly looking for used or discounted items.

 

[jdrakeh]

When I have money, I shop there. When I have time, I game there. When I remember to, I plug it on internet forums. If you live in Colorado Springs (or are just visiting), you should definitely check out Compleat Games and Hobbies (downtown, on Tejon street)

 

[Ruin Explorer]

I live in London so I don't have an "F" LGS. I can either have an LGS (Orc's Nest or Forbidden Planet) or an F non-L GS (Leisure Games, who are only semi-F in my experience thanks of their managing to mis-mail virtually everything I've ever tried to online-order or mail-order from them).