Why I don't support my LGS

[jdrakeh]

If you think that's unfair of me, tough.

Self-absorbed? Yes, but it's definitely part of the "Me first!" Western consumer culture typified by individuals who think the world revolves only around their personal desires or, at the very least, should. Unfair? No.

 

[CanadienneBacon]

Self-absorbed? Yes, but it's definitely part of the "Me first!" Western consumer culture typified by individuals who think the world revolves only around their personal desires or, at the very least, should. Unfair? No.

Being born in Canada and having traveled extensively in Baja California, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, and also having lived for four years in asia, I disagree. "Me first!" is a human reaction, not necessarily Western.

 

[Lanefan]

First off, after having spent the last 20 years in retail, I'll say this: if someone's hanging around at closing time to buy stuff, I'll gladly stay until they're done. But if someone's hanging around at closing just to waste my time, my patience gets real thin, real fast...and I let it show.

That said, there's 2 relevant gaming stores here. One is friendly and not pushy, has a fine selection, and is where I almost always buy my stuff. The other has a fine selection, but is somewhat more pushy...and because of that I don't go there unless I have to. (there's a third, and if you want Magic cards they're the best deal going anywhere, but their RPG selection is quite thin)

Lane-"grumpy tonight"-fan

 

[replicant2]

Maybe, but I can see not letting any NEW customers in once closing time has hit, not rushing customers out of the store before they are done shopping.

I ran a game store back in the late 90's, and I could not imagine doing this.

It's time for the rebirth of Paradox Books.

 

[Edgewood]

I have worked in customer service for the last 6 years, and I am appalled at the level of service I get almost everywhere I go.

Hey Seeten,

I take it you goto Odyssey 2000 and Strange Adventures. Do you find their service to be more than adequate? I myself have enjoyed going to those stores of late as I find they do push customer service. It's probably why they have faired well in HRM.

 

[Dragon Snack]

It's a fine line for retailers to walk, but the customer does have the power. Sure, the customer ISN'T always right, but you better think long and hard about writing one off - especially as a game store.

Additionally, staying open past retail hours is VERY common and expected if a customer is in the store before closing time. It's business suicide to do anything different.

A perfect example of this is a large game store in Upstate NY that was being run by mostly gamers. They cared nothing for the customers, cleanliness of the store, neatness of the store, assisting customers with questions, etc. The list could go on. all they wanted to do was sit around and talk to their friends and play games while on the clock. They were losing customers left and right, and not getting new customers because of reputation the store was getting. Especially from parents, who would not bring their children in because the place was such a mess. The owner finally hired a real manager and over the course of a few years the store is doing great. They got rid of the gamers who just wanted to play all day and hired employees with actual retail and game experience. They are expected to greet customers and ask if they need assistance with anything. I could go on and on with a list of all the things they are finally doing right. And because of this I am now a return and repeat customer.

Actually, I think it stems from when the owners ex ran the store (a few years back). Her CS blew me away and kept me going to the store, she even got me to run events there on a continuing basis (of course, then they broke up). I figured the service I was getting was more due to the fact that they knew me rather than getting better overall (I have some horror stories about the store). I still have quite a few 'friends' who work there, despite the fact I no longer game there (I have my own game room now).

This is also the only store I've ever been kicked out of at closing. Sure, we were "only" gaming, but they would stay open late for Friday Night Magic and they weren't buying anything (beyond the entry fee already paid). Other than the double standard it didn't bug me, but it's funny you mention that...

 

[Rykion]

If you want to hear about bad customer service, you should hear what i just told two customers who were purposefully slowly running their delivery truck into a boulder at the business I work for. They were trying to bend the truck's bumper back in place. I bet they think I was terribly rude. Though i didn't ask them to leave, and actually told them to have a nice day after telling them to ask before trying something similar. Yeah please run that truck into a $1000 piece of landscaping. :\

 

[wingsandsword]

About the whole good clerk vs. knowledgeable gamer issue, let's phrase this in a way that we can all understand:

Really, Knowledge (Gaming) gives a synergy bonus to Profession (Retail Clerk). You roll Profession (Retail Clerk) to be a good clerk, not Knowledge (Gaming).

You roll Knowledge (Gaming) to know how to build uber builds, be a rules lawyer, and for the history of D&D and TSR and such, it can help you sell products, but only so much, the actual skill of being a experienced and skilled clerk is notably more important.

You roll Profession (Retail Clerk) to be a courteous salesman that people want to buy from and entices customers to buy more.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

I don't game at my FLGS, either, but I still buy my products from there, because other people might want (or need) to game there, and it'd be a shame if the place had to close down because I couldn't be bothered to spend an extra few dollars for my hobby.

Good for you. I dont feel compelled to shell out for pointless gamer charity.

 

[Moon-Lancer]

*hijacked*

speaking of LGS, does anyone know of any in west la?

on topic to the op, it sucks that you were treated the way you were, but that doesn't mean all LGS are bad.