Why I don't support my LGS

[Flexor the Mighty!]

Would you really want gaming stores to hire people good at retail but doesn't know anything about gaming?

Every time. Better to have a service person ring you out polietly and give you what you want than to wait for Bobo the tattoo Boy to finish his turn at Warhammer while you wait for service.

 

[PhantomNarrator]

Everyone deserves a second chance

I would visit again at a different time and see how it goes before making a final decision. If you feel your business is unappreciated again, then I wouldn't go back.

Fortunately my FLGS, Dragon's Lair Games in Davie, Fl. really is a friendly store with a knowledgeable staff. They host games and tournaments and they have a pretty wide selection. In the interests of full disclosure, I have no financial stake invested, but I strongly believe that stores like it are vital to the growth of our hobby.

 

[BryonD]

Again, these are the customers that most retailers (not just your FLGS) would glady pay to get rid of.

Wish granted. (Where do I send the bill?)

I'd swear the problem was that we were being bad by NOT shopping at the LGS. It seems I had it backward. I'm glad to know we are being helpful. Next time someone says I should pay more to support the rude guy I'll point them to you for clairification.

 

[TheYeti1775]

Matter of fact, I would hire a few different sales girls to work nothing but the register, let your gamer hire handle the stocking/questions on a product.

When you think about it, a good majority of our hobby is male. Yes I know we have plenty of ladies playing (my group in GA the girls outnumbered the guys). But to talk to her your going to the register and the best reason for going there, is to purchase something.

Yup its sexist as heck, but it can work.

 

[phindar]

You know if the owner of the FLGS went over and hired one of the GAP girls to work the counter, he'd probably double his traffic through the store. Not that anyone would buy anything necessarily.

 

[Storm Raven]

Well, my point was that staying open past posted hours isn't standard retail operating procedure.

Correct. Only those retail outlets that like to have lots of repeat customers and profits do silly stuff like that.

 

[jdrakeh]

Seems to me from what I read and hear that many of these stores aren't exactly doing great in the current market and they would be better served putting customer service as the top priority. Why shouldn't someone go where they can get what they want and get it how they want it?

Customer service is important, no doubt. My point is that customer service isn't about giving the customer everything that they demand without regard for the store's needs. Most consumers (including those posting on this thread) seem to be either unaware of this or choose to ignore it. To the case in point. . .

Extemporaneously extending store hours so that an anonymous consumer can browse the store isles (with no guarantee of making a purchase, even) might be nice, but it's hardly a requirement of retail (or even good retail). An individual demanding that a store do this OR ELSE is bad consumerism. Asking a store to do it is one thing. . .

Expecting this from every store and threatening to take your business elsewhere if they don't meet your personal expectations to the letter is something entirely different. Again, these are the customers that many retailers would pay money not to have to deal with on a regular basis.

 

[Infernal Teddy]

Yes, yes, I get the "Me first!" thing -- like many consumers, you want your demands fulfilled and if they aren't met to the letter, you threaten to take your business elsewhere. Honestly, many retailers hope for that, as they prefer not to deal with customers who have crazy self-entitlement issues. I know that's blunt, but there you have it. Good customers don't attempt to take retailers hostage (i.e., they don't make demands and threaten to take their business elsewhere if those demands aren't met).

That said, yes, there are bad retailers -- I'm simply not sure that a failure to stay open past posted hours in order to assist newcomers is a qualifier for that. Again, posted hours are posted for a reason. The responsible consumer calls ahead to see when a store is open. They don't show up unannounced and then expect the establishment to extend their operating hours just for them, threatening to never again visit said establishment when they don't. That's bad consumerism.

Again, these are the customers that most retailers (not just your FLGS) would glady pay to get rid of.

This is one of the reasons I like being where I am. Most stores out here are flexible towards the customer, and in most stores, an employee who would habe behaved like this would have been fired if the owner had heard of it. Why? Because if a store is to survive it has to be big on SERVICE.

Apparently you havn't learned that lesson yet.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Again, your friend is the exeption. Seriously.

I don't know what retail stores you've been in, but in all my experience, both as a reg'lar peon and as a managerial type, the rule is "If you're buying stuff, take your time, and I'll be here to help you with whatever you need. I'm gonna lock the door, though, because we are closed, you folks will be the last ones."

90% of closing duties can be accomplished while people are still in the store. You can work a few extra minutes if someone's going to be making a purchase. They're *paying* for you to stay open.

There are exceptions, and this can be pushed beyond reason, but it should be especially true at smaller stores. The benefit you have over the internet is that you can physically interact with people. If you don't do that, what reason do they have to come to you?

Bad cashier! No job for you! *whap*

 

[dpetroc]

Brand new gaming store opened up a few months ago near me. I went there on a day off with my six year old son (who happens to love miniatures). They were swearing like drunken sailors -- not the other customers mind you, the owners. Brand new gaming store lost several customers that day. Me, my spouse, and the friends in my gaming circle who have children (four out of five).